Michigan Department of Corrections recently issued  a memo to prisoners in one facility which  highlights the contradictory nature of Amerika.

It reads: "Nothing is to be taken from the kitchen.  This includes fruit! If fresh fruit is served, it  will be cut up and must be consumed in the chow  hall.

"ALL food service workers are to be shaken down  before they are sent back to their units. Other  prisoners are to be routinely searched when leaving  the chow hall."

Now, think about the over abundant amount of fresh  fruits from Third World countries which are  available on the shelves during the dead cold  Michigan winters. These fruits are available to the  good old Amerikan family, yet prisoners are denied  the same basic need.

 NEGLIGENCE CAUSES DEATH

...I have been removed from the hole, after being  there a year. The foulest part of KKKalifornia  concentration camps. Moved to a different slave  camp.

...A prisoner died at this camp prior to my  arrival. The person died due to the negligence of  an MTA (Medical Technical Assistant) and the fact  of the immoral and dehumanizing character of the  bourgeois society.

 -- "An Afrikan Solider in Struggle," 3 November  1997

 LEGAL PATH FOR TEMPORARY RELIEF, NOT TRUE  LIBERATION

DEAR MIM, I'm happy to report that I've received my  MIM Notes for the past two months without any  problems. I suppose this is the pigs so- called way  of showing their holiday spirits by not interfering  with them.

The information you sent of how to fight prison  censorship is highly appreciated. This is a  valuable tool in which to help keep the  administration from just doing anything they want.

Even though we can't prevent them at this time form  doing whatever they want. They're well aware of the  resistance and challenge that some of us will put  up against these arbitrary rules of theirs.

As one of my weapons and most powerful tools the  Prisoners self-help litigation manual is the best  thing since Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches came  along.

True liberation is never won by merely by policies  or asking a super-powerful arrogant government to  correct their unstable adherent subordinates from  committing illegal acts under their own laws.  However, it is a way to get temporary relief....

 -- A Pennsylvania Prisoner 31 December 1997

 PRISONERS RESIST REDUCTION OF LEGAL AVENUE

The Prisoners' Rights Organization for Incarcerated  Texans (Profit) submitted the following:

...On January 28, 1997 Nevada Senator, Harry Reid,  introduced Senator Bill #206. Which was co- sponsored by Louisiana Senator, John Breaux and  Mississippi Senator, Thad Cochran on February 12,  1997.

The above bill prohibits all prisoners and  detainees from filing lawsuits pursuant to the  "Religious Freedom Act of 1993" to protect their  religious rights. This includes prisoners' choices  of long hair and diet.

Therefore we request everyone to ask all of their  state's congresspersons to vote "NO" to Senate Bill  #206. We also request, everyone living in above  states to have their family, friends and general  public oppose re-election of above congresspersons.

Any willing to help us in our endeavor to withdraw  above bill from the docket please contact us via  MIM.

Professionally Submitted,

 -- A Texas Prisoner, 5 December 1997

 MIM RESPONDS: Thank you for exposing this anti- prisoner legislation. The imperialists only wish to  control the masses with prison and tactics like  above. Instead of calling or writing Congress, we  suggest working with MIM. Help us build revolution  and independent institutions for the people.

 EXPOSING THE FLORIDA INJUSTICE SYSTEM

...The Florida legal system has noting to do with  justice or fairness. The Florida legal system is  based strictly on vengeance and economic  exploitation of the poor, especially black males.

The Florida legal system is rigged to convict the  poor, especially black males by any means  necessary. Very few poor minorities go to trial,  since the trial judge, prosecution and public  defender, who are all employed by the state, rig  the trial against a poor minority defendant. Most  trials are plagued with numerous errors and  ineffective assistance of counsel.

Most minority prisoners are illiterate and don't  know what a fair and impartial trial is supposed to  be like in the first place. When they go through  these trials which are a travesty of justice, they  know something is wrong, yet they can't articulate  it themselves.

Only about one percent of convictions in the state  of Florida is overturned. Does this mean that  Florida has an almost perfect judicial system? I  think not. It goes to show you this is a totally  kangaroo system.

...Also I have filed a complaint against Columbia  Correction Facility. While I was Taylor  Correctional Facility, the staff at Taylor, who are  Masons, intentionally got my complaint dismissed.  They intentionally denied me a legal phone call to  the judge in October 1997 for a telephone hearing.  They claimed that the judge would give me a  rehearing when in fact she or he dismissed my  complaint.

The appeal system in Florida prisons is a joke.  "Based on the officer's statement, you didn't tell  us anything new, so your appeal is denied." So then  they fabricated four disciplinary reports and sent  me to me to Columbia Correctional Facility -- the  people I am suing for Close Management review. Then  Columbia put me on Close Management status for 37  months.

 -- A Florida Prisoner, 8 December 1997

 MICHIGAN PRISONERS FIGHTS CENSORS

...I have received your correspondence, and at my  request -- MIM Notes 142. You will find it  interesting that this prison administration  mailroom has held on to your letter and note 142.  Instead, they sent me a notice of intent rejection  package. Stating that MIM Notes 142 has been added  on the restriction list without further hearing.  Thereby denying my due process right to a proper  hearing. I filed a grievance. Now awaiting  response.

...all the prior [MIM]Notes were not restricted.  But this is the second time they placed a  restriction on MIM Notes 142.

...My words are effective in showing the truth  about the united snakes gulag system....

 -- A Michigan Prisoner, 25 November 1997

 STRUGGLING AGAINST CENSORSHIP IN FLORIDA

DEAR MIM,  Peace. Until recently I had been  successfully receiving MIM Notes without any  problems from the "Beast". First Under Lock and Key  was sent back. Then about a week later the MIM  Notes were sent back. I found it reasonable why the  material in ULK was sent back, but the MIM Notes  are on my approved reading list.

I asked the mail lady who runs the mailroom, why  was my reading material, MIM Notes, sent back? And  she responded, "The attitude of the paper was too  negative." I then asked her if she knew that she  was violating my first amendment right of the U.S.  Constitution. She just lifted her pink nose in the  air and walked away.

I tell you my Brothers, she hasn't seen the last of  me. And when I get through with them, they will be  glad to put MIM Notes in my mailbox....

One Love, Soldier in Struggle

 -- A Florida Prisoner, 9 December 1997

 CENSORSHIP, LOCK-UP AND TRANSFERS

...I know you have not received all of my letters.

...I'm locked down pending transfer. I filed a  grievance about them stopping me from receiving my  MIM Notes and this is the response I received: This plantation will not let my papers come into  this prison. They locked up everyone caught with a  paper. They [MIM Notes] are now considered  contraband.

One of the soldiers [prisoner comrades] has been  transferred already. I'm next and the other brother  will be transferred as soon as they serve their  disciplinary time.

The struggle continues until victory is won.

 --A Pennsylvania Prisoner

 PRISONER RETRIEVES MIM NOTES FROM CENSORS

...I had an altercation with a few of Pontiac  C.C.'s [Correctional Center] simple-minded  officials who disagreed with the political line of  MIM.

...I wrote the Warden, Jerry D. Gilmore, about my  denial of my publication I received from the  institutional publication review committee [IPRC].  I later received a canary slip explaining the IPRC  reasons for the restriction of MIM Notes.

...I told the warden that the IPRC members could  not have analyzed MIM's political aims with basic  intelligence. For if they did, they would have  quickly realized that MIM Notes has the right to  print their political beliefs without hindrance  from the state or federal government. This also  includes the right to speak out against the  criminal justice system to those who desire to  learn more about this system. And inform the  general public about the growing prison population.  Which shows that that there is indeed, a major  conflict about the totality in operational  government concerning criminal justice.

I pinpointed the many lawsuits against IDOC  [Indiana Department of Corruptions] and suggested  to the warden that he request a follow-up reading  for the IPRC to reread Under Lock and Key.

The IPRC's main argument was this: MIM Notes "could  encourage retaliatory acts against security and  staff at this facility in an attempt at  liberation/protest."

I counter-attacked the IPRC's weak argument by  stating: Pontiac C.C. has been currently under  twenty-four hour lockdown (with the exception of  five hours for recreation once a week) for the past  year and a half. During the last six months there  has been a decline in security and staff assaults  dropped rapidly 90%, from a steady rate of three  attacks per day. I further went on to say, that MIM  Notes could not be held responsible for any alleged  "retaliatory acts" if we prisoners decide to rise  up and "protest".

The IPRC claims that MIM Notes are directly aimed  to overthrow imperialist rule so they can step up  shop, for a criminal justice system that serves the  people. I explained to the warden who the people  were. I defined them as people identified with the  poor people's struggle. This excluded the IPRC  members who are collaborators of this unjust  system, which MIM Notes exposes in their papers.

I then finalized my letter by explaining that there  are no major protests going on at present in  Pontiac C.C. that allow this IPRC to restrict my  MIM Notes. Thus violating my freedom of speech,  press and expression rights. I asked the warden to  examine the periodicals and then request the IPRC  to produce five acts of protest in the previous  month that were related to MIM to support their  claim.

I summed my letter by telling the warden that I  challenge the IPRC's review of the publication. I  went on to say that the IPRC appeared to conduct a  hearing based on personal conscience and not on  fact-findings by which the law abides by.

The IPRC's statement: "The DOC is a part of 'our'  criminal justice system" show brightly that they  are going to be against anything challenging that  system. Their decision to deny my MIM Notes is  based on personal bigotry, dogmatic encounters and  their disillusioned assumptions on what could  happen, rather than what MIM Notes has to do with  Pontiac C. C.

...It was further noted in my letter that to  restrict my [MIM] Notes would cause me to contact  various critics, authors, etc from somatic sources  on my behalf to elaborate their thoughts concerning  this restriction. I offered a list of publishers,  but instead was handed a copy of my October issues,  last month, without any further questions or  complications.

So I savor, this mouth-watering victory with the  taste of sweet self-dignity. A message heard  throughout the valleys and concrete jungles. Birds  spread the news in laughter and play. I brought it  to you Under Lock and Key today.

A Luta Continua!

 -- An Illinois Prisoner, 19 December 1997

 MAIL TAMPERING IN CONNECTICUT

...Please continue to send me your MIM Notes. I am  allowed to receive them here in this facility,  called Northern Corrections Institution Supermax.

I had written you several times already.... I  thought you were receiving my mail. Now I find out  that you have not and they are tampering and  withholding my mail!

...I am not having my letters copied and watched by  the postmaster to see if they are still tampering  with my mail.

 -- A Connecticut Prisoner, 4 January 1998

 FAMILY CONTACT DENIED

[The letter was written to a Prisoncrat and  submitted to MIM]

To: Thomas James, Inmate Correctional Services,  Camp Hill, PA 17001-8837

Dear Sir,

I am confronting you, as man to man on paper. This  is a very unusual way to start off a letter like  this, but I don't know any other way at the moment.

I have been in the hole since August 1997, with no  write-ups or charges. I was put in the hole at  Facility X and was put in the hole under  Administrative Custody, and was later transferred  to Greene SCI.

I have seen the PRC [Prison Review Committee] and  Deputy Warden White granted me a phone call. I have  not talked with my family since I have been in the  hole. I put in five requests to call my family, and  the warden granted it, but they did not acknowledge  his request.

... You took my TV and radio and all of my  belongings and put them in a storage closet, when I  was sent to the hole. Why?...The PRC said I could  ask for my TV first, and then get the rest of my  belongings one at a time after that. Nothing has  materialized.

Why are they keeping me here? That is my big  question. Being in jail is bad enough. But to come  to jail and be jailed again for nothing...!!

Please contact me sir. My wife is a very sick  person and I would like to talk with my family.  Thank you in advance for your help.

 -- A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 30 November 1997

 PIGS REFUSE TO SHOW ROSEWOOD

[This letter was written to Warden D. Smith and  forwarded to MIM]

TO: Warden D. Smith RE: Movie/Video I forward this letter to you to express my anger,  frustration, disappointment and resentment  regarding the film/video "Rosewood" -- that was  supposed to have been shown on Thursday November  27, 1997, but was changed to another film/video.

According to the Warden Forum Representative for  Unit X, the video "Rosewood" was going to be shown  again because it was pulled the last time it was  scheduled to be shown. This prevented myself and  many other prisoners from the opportunity of seeing  this historical film.

I do not understand why there is such unsupported  controversy about showing this film to the general  population at this facility. This film is not just  a piece of entertainment, but it is a historical  account of what took place in the town of Rosewood  in the state of Florida. It is educational and  should be shown.

Before this movie's creation, I did not know about  the important historical events that occurred in  Rosewood, Florida. As an African American, I should  have the opportunity to take advantage the  educational this film offers.

Why, in 1997, should you deny African Americans the  opportunity to view this historical documentary?  From an educational standpoint, it would seem that  you and other officials would want to encourage the  showing of such films. This way myself and others  could learn. And from this learning we could  develop the inner realization that we have a social  obligation to conduct ourselves in a responsible  manner. This is due to the hardships and sacrifices  made in the past so that African Americans (in  particular but all people in general) can have the  basic freedoms now afforded to us.

Equally interesting, is how you prevent us from  viewing anything that significantly covers or  depicts the hardships that African Americans had to  face and overcome. You are denying an audience  which, for the most part, is already lacking in  education about their history and the positive  contributions of African Americans.

The showing of this film could only serve as a  strong reminder that what we do today should  reflect the past selfless sacrifices made for the  true meaning of democracy.

Therefore, Warden Smith, I am appealing to you to  have this documentary shown (in its entirety,  without any rude interruption) for our educational  and historical benefit.

Thank you very much, in advance, for your time and  cooperation in this matter.

 -- A Michigan Prisoner, 27 November, 1997

 MICHIGAN YOUTH NEED MORE EDUCATION

...Michigan is imposing life sentencing on our  youth regardless of age for offenses such as  murder. Michigan has a young boy, age eleven, on  trial for first degree murder. If found guilty of  this crime, he will be tossed in here with us,  "mostly adults" to fend for himself. This is no  more than a death sentence to this young boy.

I understand that this young boy took someone's  life, but is it right for the oppressor to take his  life?! I don't think so!

It is obvious that this boy is already a victim of  society. I am not suggesting that he be freed, but  I am suggesting that some other method be taken to  assist this young man.

...This prison has approximately 616 prisoners and  only two teachers to serve the ones who wish to  learn. Each teacher spends about three to five  minutes, once a week with a prisoner. That is if  he's lucky. The administration here refuses to pay  the money for teachers, and refuses to open the  school building here at ECF. Inmates or residents  here have in-cell teaching, as stated above, three  to five minutes per week. Out of eleven years, I  have never seen such a low level of teaching in the  State of Michigan.

There are a lot of young guys here, who really  don't care about getting an education. Yet we know  this is the reason that we are in here, for the  lack of education.

I believe that it is important that this  institution make reading, writing, and math more  sufficient for inmates or residents....

 -- A Michigan Prisoner, 19 December 1997

 SOME LEGAL RESOURCES:

The National Prison Project of the ACLU 1875  Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 410 Washington, D.C.  20009 (202) 234-4830 www.npp.org NLADA Directory 16525 K ST, 8th Floor, NW  Washington, DC 20006 Provides a national listing of  free legal services

Prisoners Rights Advocacy Centers of America Inc  204 Elmo Ave San Antonio, TX 78225-2140 Attention:  Anna M. Dobbyn, Founder