MIM Notes 223   December 1, 2000

Under Lock and Key

Angola, still a plantation denying education

I'm working with some brothas inside the prison whom appreciate 
your work and the message, Louisiana State Prison have a lot of 
intelligent young brothas here and they love to feed off the 
message MIM brings to the people.

This is what I see of Angola State Prison the prison system is 
based on a slave mentality. Prisoners working in fields for 32 
cents per day. The guards are on horseback armed with shotguns and 
pistols. This paints a picture of slaves in cotton fields. Some 
guards make you feel or think they are sons of some master that 
owned a plantation before.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary is on 20,000 acres of land and 
consumes 5000 prisoners. Most of the brothas are self-taught and 
did not complete Junior High School. Over half the prisoners here 
are illiterate or have no education at all. The system has a 90 
day period in the field before they allow a prisoner to apply for 
school. A prisoner maybe in the field four or five years before it 
actually happens. Getting out of the field and going to school is 
a very slim chance. Why not education first?

I feel with all the money, the system is funded for education. But 
its designed to keep a person ignorant and lacking education. Some 
prisoners have been down for ten, fifteen, twenty and thirty years 
and have no education. This is not because the prisoner does not 
want to learn. It's because that is the way this system is set up. 
Work comes before education.

-- A Louisiana prisoner.

MIM adds: This testimony reflects what prisoners report about 
prisons throughout Amerika. Education is not part of the Amerikan 
Injustice system. MIM runs the Serve the People Free Books for 
Prisoners program to educate prisoners about history and 
revolutionary theory. We send MIM Notes free to prisoners as a 
means to build support for revolution. We send books, theory 
journals and other material to prisoners so that they can study 
individually and set up revolutionary education groups with other 
prisoners. For participation in this program, we require that 
prisoners take an active role in organizing against prisons and 
imperialism.

Louisiana denies good time credit & health care 

Indeed, we are having serious problems with the criminal injustice 
system in Louisiana, just like with the disciplinary "Injustice" 
system throughout the entire penal system in this country. For 
instance, at this correctional facility, the private security 
contractor, Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, in an on-going 
perverted disciplinary hearing process, has been arbitrarily and 
capriciously issuing orders for loss of the maximum 180 days good 
time credit. This is what each qualifying prisoner earns for good 
behavior (for non-serious, non-violent institutional rule 
violations). Prisoners have been stripped of their due process 
right to present a suitable defense to counter prison security's 
practice of fabricating and falsifying disciplinary reports 
against prisoners. This results in the massive loss of hard earned 
credit for good conduct, including other improper sanctions 
imposed for minor incidents. Prisoners call this a kangaroo 
disciplinary system of injustice.

The loss of massive good time prolongs the duration of the 
sentence. Also, we are penalized severely for accessing the 
medical department for ailments, regardless of its gravity. The 
charge against us for seeking medical attention, care and 
treatment is "aggravated malingering" (Rule16). 

-- A Louisiana prisoner.

Helping others is a "threat to security"

I am writing from the segregated maximum security housing unit 
where I was remanded by disciplinary "injustice kangaroo court" 
for 90 days for simply assisting other prisoner with his/her 
criminal litigation and for paying postage to mail out another 
indigent inmate's legal mail to the court from my prison trust 
fund account. I was charged with "threat to security"

-- A Louisiana prisoner.

Prisoner builds revolutionary education

I want to congratulate you for putting forth unyielding efforts 
toward educating captive prisoners in America. Observation 
confirms wherever MIM Notes are present, political participation 
is up. It really is amazing how realistically in tune the masses 
are to the system of capitalism and how it affects our lives.

In a recent lesson to one of my students, I drew a parallel 
between society's government and the system used in penal 
facilities across the country. In it I illuminated the structural 
design of its eco-social-political apparatus. As my students 
listen, I began to nurture their insurrectionary cravings by 
dramatizing the images of the field hands.

The lesson has now caught the attention of several more. 
Sentiments of frustration arise. Brothers about to go home, unsure 
of their future, understand the need to become more politically 
inclined but don't know whether to start after the first robbery 
or before. 

-- a Louisiana prisoner.

MIM adds: This prisoner sets a good example of taking the 
initiative to start revolutionary study groups with the material 
MIM sends. Because Amerika is still a bourgeois dictatorship, 
Amerika's prisoners are faced with continuing problems once 
released. Whether it is discrimination when applying for a job or 
housing problems, released prisoners face more obstacles than most 
other Amerikans when it comes to being organized and dedicated to 
revolutionary struggle. However, these obstacles are small 
compared to what Third World revolutionaries usually face. In 
Amerika, even oppressed nationals receive a piece of imperialist 
superprofits stolen from the Third World. Though many prisoners 
have a difficult time maintaining political activism once 
released, many also set positive examples by working with MIM to 
speak out against prisons and imperialism. Political line is 
decisive in whether or not a released prisoner - or other 
individuals - take up revolutionary struggle. That is one of the 
reasons that what the above letter writer is doing - organizing 
revolutionary education - is essential. Prisoners need a firm 
revolutionary understanding and willingness to struggle to 
continue successfully organizing post-prison. 

Prison violates "rights"

Can the BOP and all Departments of the American "justice" System 
and even society have the audacity to expect that prisoners remain 
passive and docile after being sensory deprived against the very 
nature of a human being? That's against human right and 
constitutional rights.

Anyway, the Special Housing Unit (SHU) is designed to put an 
individual through the worst inhumane deprivation of senses. And 
for us, who are faced with each awaking day inside those tombs, we 
must forever be mindful of the overwhelming effects taking place 
each moment. 

-- a Louisiana prisoner.

MIM adds: Amerika's prison system is one part of the imperialist 
system which demonstrates that there are no inherent rights. 
Rather, power struggles are the basis for groups of people being 
able to protect their interests and increase their privileges. If 
a group of people does not have political, economic and military 
power, its ability to secure basic needs is limited if not 
altogether denied. Maoists believe that every individual should be 
allowed access to meet their own basic needs ie food, housing, 
education, ability to work etc. Under imperialism, these things 
are guaranteed only to the extent that the bourgeois dictatorship 
allows. Amerikan imperialism and settler nation domination denies 
humyn's access to basic necessities. Only through struggle will 
the oppressed have full access to basic needs.

No redress in Amerikan prisons

As always I write to thank you at MIM for your excellent coverage 
of our struggle to survive in this oppressive setting they call 
the American "Justice" System. Even though I'm not able to support 
your organization financially, I'll always support you morally.

I am a hostage in this war. And I am writing this letter to share 
with you and the general public the many human injustices that 
have taken place within this unjust prison system, in the state of 
Louisiana. I have been handcuffed, shackled and kidnapped from 
society. And placed into prison to be subjected to inhumane 
conditions, disrespect, dehumanization, harassment, ridicule, 
mental and spiritual abuse all which are perpetuated by guards, 
administration employees and all staff members at every level.

I've written Internal Affairs Investigators, but they are made up 
of former guards that once worked at a prisoner in this region and 
they don't believe a prisoner's statement. Not over another prison 
guards! They are "KKKowards" parading around looking to nail 
another inmate. And turning a deaf ear and blind eye to all the 
misconduct prisoners are subjected to by custody and staff.

-- a Louisiana prisoner.

Struggle can prevent censorship

I am writing to let you know that my address has not changed, and 
to share with you a minute incident that transpired upon the 
arrival of the August 1st and 15th MIM Notes. For some unsightly 
vague reason, that was clearly beyond the reach and scope of my 
understanding, this material was confiscated and sent to security 
for disposition. However, upon my bringing to the attention of the 
administration the fact that I had been just previously received 
the July 1st and 15th MIM Notes without incident, the papers with 
then returned to me with no further sanctions.

I merely cite this as an example, to show how the administration 
will informally test the waters, with blatant disregard for 
policy, just to elicit a response. Then, if there is no response 
forthcoming, they can feel justified in destroying your material.

-- A Pennsylvania prisoner, 19 September 2000.

MIM responds: Good work on getting your August newspapers returned 
to you. Of course, you and MIM both know the real reason your 
issues were confiscated: because the newspapers present the 
perspective of the oppressed and expose the truth about Amerikan 
imperialism. The prison sees this as an ideological threat.

That said, they will often not admit that directly, and will 
instead make something up that sounds more constitutional but 
doesn't match the facts or make much sense. What would make 
reports like this more useful would be articles that not only 
report your successful tactics in response to censorship, but 
explain the real reason that the paper was censored. Tell the 
reader what the "unsightly, vague reason" was and why its wrong. 
You can do all this and still keep it brief. But keep the protests 
of censorship and the articles coming!

Prisoners punished for "work" refusal

I've been in confinement for 30 days because the inmates gathered 
together and refused to push mowers over grass not tall enough to 
reach the blades. It's a continual task used as punishment by the 
guards. It's not to beautify the grounds but a justification to 
the bureaucrats that all inmates are happily employed (they term 
it a management tool). The word was that approximately 175 inmates 
were immediately shipped out after the goon squad arrived. There 
is hope and the power is in the people.

Still struggling, 

--a Florida prisoner

MIM adds: Here again, we urge readers to study the history of and 
example set by China between 1949 and 1976. During this time, 
China established prisons based on socialist principles. Prisoners 
were pushed to study and educate themselves. They also 
participated in production. Both education and work were means to 
rehabilitate the prisoners and get them to understand how they 
could be productive members of society. As an example, ITAL 
Prisoners of Liberation END authors, Amerikans imprisoned in China 
for spying, participated in work that helped them to learn from 
other prisoners and to start to understand imperialist domination 
of China. MIM does not argue that once the oppressed seize state 
power prisons should be abolished. Prisons will still exist, but 
will work in the interests of the international proletariat. 
Socialist prisons engage prisoners in productive labor that also 
has a political educational value, whereas imperialist prisons do 
not have the goal of rehabilitation.

Learning from the BPP: turn bad things into good

[A RAIL comrade deciding not to study MIM Theory 11: Amerikan 
Prisons on Trial with a group of prisoners] will not discourage 
and disinterest me from working with other RAIL comrades in the 
future pertaining to studying MIM Theories and other anti-
imperialist and communist work and projects. The RC losing 
interest actually helps me to understand why the BPP had a program 
attempting to get the people to do all they will do. Huey states 
"it's too much to ask the people to do all they can even though 
they can do everything. But that is not the point. The point is 
how do we get them to do all they will do until they eventually 
get to the place where they will have to be doing all they can."

-- an Illinois prisoner, 26 August 2000.

MIM responds: This is an important point for organizing in the 
imperialist countries where people do not recognize that political 
activism is something that happens in leisure time, and that they 
must make a decision about how they wish to spend their free time. 
MIM reflects this understanding in the hierarchy of our party and 
mass organizations, as laid out in most issues of MIM Notes where 
we define the different levels of party and mass organization 
membership.

Georgia Prison Sanctions Slavery, Robs Prisoners

Hays State Prison is considered a level VI prison, which is 
considered a disciplinary camp. 50% of the inmates are serving a 
life sentence or coming in the system on a life sentence. 

The inmates here make prescription eye glasses and mattresses. 
They leave at 5:00 AM and at the end of the day their reward is a 
pack lunch. 2 sandwiches, 1 cake and maybe milk. Forced, unpaid 
work = $lavery. 

Georgia also keeps inmates confused about the money they're taking 
off accounts. When an inmate comes into the system $10 is taken 
for a so-called contingency fund which he will receive on his 
parole or max release date. If he owes anything for medical etc. 
It will be deducted from that amount. $1 dollar a month is taken 
for just having funds on account . $5 dollars are taken out for 
medical visits. Our families are sending us money and they're 
taking it at will. 

This area is called Security Management Unit (SMU) where inmates 
that have disciplinary reports are housed. 90% of the people on 
Lock-Down are black. Nazi tactics are used on these inmates. 
Officers have threatened to hang Blacks and even poison them. With 
the temp 102-106 these inmates can't get officers to bring the 
water. Inmates are losing weight due to the small amounts of food 
that they're receiving. A letter was sent to Mr. Walker in 
Internal Affairs but he never investigated. He said "Strive to 
make parole." The commissioner over G.D.C. was also notified but 
no response. 

As for education in this prison, what is that? What can you do to 
help without skills. More time is spent on those who will win 
inspection for the cleanest dorm for the week. The reward: popcorn 
and soda. Self-education is what's its going to take. Motivation, 
determination and unity. Everything else will come from Allah.

--a prisoner in Georgia, 21 July 2000.

MIM responds: MIM encourages prisoners to study and organize for 
Maoist Revolution. These pages in MIM Notes show each issue how 
prisoners are taking up struggles to end oppression. Many 
prisoners have been successful in organizing revolutionary 
activities in prison and contributing to building public opinion 
for revolution -- by writing for MIM Notes, organizing study 
groups, writing book reviews, and so on.

MIM does not look to Allah or any other mystical entity to end 
oppression. Instead MIM looks to the people of the world, 
including those in prison, to organize and fight right.