This is an archive of the former website of the Maoist Internationalist Movement, which was run by the now defunct Maoist Internationalist Party - Amerika. The MIM now consists of many independent cells, many of which have their own indendendent organs both online and off. MIM(Prisons) serves these documents as a service to and reference for the anti-imperialist movement worldwide.
Join the fight against the injustice system

While we fight to end the criminal injustice system MIM engages in reformist battles to improve the lives of prisoners. Below are some of the current campaigns and ways people behind the bars and on the outside can get involved.

Stop Censorship in Prison: MIM's free books for prisoners program frequently experiences censorship of the letter, newspapers, magazines and books we send in. We need help from lawyers, paralegals and jailhouse lawyers fighting this censorship.

Books for Prisoners: This program focuses on political education of prisoners. Send donations of books and money for our Books for Prisoners program.

End the Three Strikes laws: This campaign is actively fighting the repressive California laws, but similar laws exist in other states. Write to us to request a petition to collect signatures. Send articles and information on three strike laws.

Shut Down the Control Units: Across the country there are a growing number of prison control units. These are permanently designated prisons or cells in prisons that lock prisoners up in solitary or small group confinement for 22 or more hours a day with no congregate dining, exercise or other services, and virtually no programs for prisoners. Prisoners are placed in control units for extended periods of time. These units cause both mental and physical problems for prisoners.

Write to us to request a petition to collect signatures. Get your organization to sign the statement demanding control units be shut down. Send us information about where there are control units in your state. Include the names of the prisons as well as the number of control unit beds/cells in each prison if that is known. Send us anti-control unit artwork.

MIM's Re-Lease on Life Program: This is a program to provide support for our comrades who have been recently released from the prison system, to help them meet their basic needs and also continue with their revolutionary organizing on the outside. We need funds, housing, and job resources. We also need prisoner's input on the following survey questions: 1. What are the biggest challenges you face being released from prison? 2. How can these problems be addressed? 3. What are the important elements of a successful release program? More info can be found on our prison web site here: http://www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext/agitation/prisons

Dreadlocks = escape paraphernalia?

I'm being charged with possession of escape paraphernalia, possession of an altered authorized item, and changing my appearance. Are you ready for the bullshit? I went to the facility barbershop and got a haircut, having my 5 year old dreadlocks cut. I kept them to send to my 13 year old sister. Three days later they were uncovered in the cage assigned me during a routine property tossing. Although they weren't altered in any way, and were initially given back, the security punk who found them decided to come back 1 1/2 hours later and reconfiscate them and to lock me down. Unbelievable! This isn't the half of it. I should beat the charges though.

--a New York prisoner, March 2004