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.
Conditions at Washington Corrections Center

I'm housed in a control unit at Washington Corrections Center. It's a Level 5/Max Custody Intensive Management Unit. I've never been in "population" at this facility although I have, as well as every inmate in this state, come through the R-Units/Receiving.

In the R-Units, 3 men are kept in 1 cell which is only suitable for 1 man. There are only 2 beds so 1 man is on the floor. Stays can range from a period of 1 1/2 months to 10 months. There is intentional racial mixing (i.e., Mexican, Native, white, Black, and so on living together), it is "not by choice." White power and black militants are put in one cell together which is highly dangerous and inexcusable.

Only 1 exercise period is permitted per day and it ranges from 45 minutes to 1 hour long. Showers are permitted every other day. There are no available reading materials aside from access to the law library 1 hour per week. There are limited visiting hours. Cleaning materials are distributed once a week.

In the MU/Control Unit, the cell size is moderate. You are only allowed to keep 5 photos in your cell, any excess gets destroyed. There is 23-hour lockdown 5-days a week and 24-hour lockdown on Mondays and Wednesdays. All movement is done under handcuffs with hands-on escorts and there is a modified strip search before leaving the cell at all times. When you are told to be ready, you must be standing directly on the yellow line with nothing but briefs on or you will lose your yard and shower. For mainline (chowtime), you must also be standing on the yellow line with your hands face up (palms) or you won't get to eat and will be placed on a 72-hour controlled feeding plan. That's only 72 hours if they feel like it. Food is distributed in very small portions.

10-minute showers (includes shaving, etc.) are permitted 3 days a week and haircuts are given every 30 days. No hair grease or oil is given to African-Amerikan inmates with long hair or dry scalps. Yard is 5 days a week. Cleaning materials are distributed once a week. Immediate family are allowed only on visiting days, the length of time varies. Level 1 and 2 is allowed a 1 hour visit per week. Level 3 is allowed a 2 hour visit per week. Level 4 is allowed a 3 hour visit per week.

Sick calls could take up to a whole week or more before being addressed. Medical emergencies may not be responded to at all or at the very least there is a significant delay in response time. Interview slips on important topics may not be responded to anywhere from 1 week to 2 months, if at all.

Regarding the staff, there are no African-Amerikans working in the unit at all, or at least none are visible. It's difficult for African-Amerikan inmates to get responses or service from an all-white staff.

- A Washington Prisoner, January 2004

MIM responds: These conditions are similar in prisons across the country. We need to educate people about this and expose the abuse and torture in the criminal injustice system. But we also need to take a step further and take action to fight the system. See the box on the side of these ULK pages for some ways that you can get involved.