California SHU stark environment

I am currently housed "indefinitely" in this prisons' Security Housing Unit (the SHU), which is an old typical isolation unit. It's a unique and stark environment or physical limits, visual sterileness and sensory deprivation. I live in a 8-by-12 "windowless" cell nearly around the clock. There are no jobs, programs or human contact of any kind. Once a day, my remote controlled cell door slowly grinds open allowing 60 minutes alone in a near-by walled in courtyard which is nothing more but a larger cell than the one I already live in.

Despite my pejorative surroundings I try to remain myself as much as possible; that is positive, optimistic, energetic, creative and productive, even if it is in my own way. My days which can slip into perennial moroseness if I'm not vigilant, are spent reading, writing, drawing, or whatever I find that would keep me busy. Well with this been said, I'm sure you get the picture and know how your support would be of much help.

- a prisoner in Pelican Bay, California, August 2005