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.
California plans to take away SHU TV and radio

A notice regarding a proposed change to the Director's Rules was issued on January 30 but the issue date on the notice itself is December 30, 2003 - a month later we receive it. Anyway, the notice is regarding Title 15 California Code of Regulations, to incorporate new provisions apropos of inmate state wide vendor package program. But wait a minute. CDC also very slyly inserted a proposed amendment to subsection 3044(g)(4)(G) which states that this section "is amended to delete text that previously stated that privilege group D inmates one special canteen purchase of one television or one radio, or one radio/TV combo unit. This is necessary due to the fact that privilege group D inmates are those who are removed from general population for disciplinary or administrative reasons while incarcerated; therefore, for the safety and security of the institution/facility, electronic appliances are no longer allowed for privilege group D - pg#2 of notice of change to Director's Rules."

So CDC is trying to take away TVs and radios from privilege group D prisoners which are SHU and Ad-seg prisoners! Page #1 of the Notice of Rule change states: "The Department weighted institutional concerns against the concerns of inmates in order to determine reasonable personal property standards. Reasons supporting the personal property standards are: (1) reduction of inmate property (personal) claims; (2) reduction of bartering or trading between inmates; (3) reduction of inmates ability to intimidate other inmates into providing personal property; (4) increase in staff ability to detect contraband, drugs, and weapons; (5) reduction of the possibility of fire in the quarters/living area; and (6) in the interest of security and safety." (page 1 of Notice of Change to Director's Rules (#03/06).)

And according to CDc, these new provisions are supposed to save $1,744,000 - cost and savings to the state agency. All this is a load of manure. CDC is gradually trying to take away all of our privileges, what little they are! CDC wants to increase the torture up a notch.

There is going to be a public hearing regarding these proposed regulations that will be held on March 5, 2004, from 9am to 12pm in the Resources Agency Auditorium 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA. The purpose of the hearing is to receive oral comments about the proposed regulations. Maybe a few comrades can attend and voice comments against this bullchet proposal. Or you can submit comments via e-mail to RPMB@executive.corr.ca.gov or may submit written comments: CDC Regulation and Policy Management Branch (RPMB) PO Box 942883, Sacramento, CA 94283-0001, by fax: 916-322-3842. Inquiries go to Rick Grenz, Chief, RPMB, or to Ann Cunningham, RPMB. All comments must be received by March 5, 2004 at 5pm. They don't want us to have any stimulation at all.

Maybe sending some protest letters to Senator G. Romero would be good. I wonder what's next: books? Perhaps cruel and unusual punishment should be raised at the hearing. As it is, the control unit conditions constitute cruel and unusual punishment as this place is nothing but torture - stark sterility. What's going to be next to be taken away? Books, educational material? Publications? Mail? They have already attempted to limit our mail. Another thing that should be addressed is how about the educational videos that they do show on the "institutional channels" up here on TV? How are prisoners enrolled in the GED program supposed to participate when audiovisuals are used?

- California prisoner, Feb 2004

From the looks of it, the mail situation here seems to be improving somewhat. But the struggle and oppression continues for us. They recently introduced a proposal to take away SHU inmates' TVs and Radios. The vast majority of us here have submitted letters to Senator Romero, Chief Director Grenz, and the warden. The removal of these items will only compound the mental and physical torture we have to endure here in this hell hole. Sad to say these items are our only windows to the outside world.

As you guys can see, our mail is being withheld for months at a time and our mail is being thrown away by COs, so it's hard for one to keep in touch with anyone. It's funny how this government cries and complains about human rights and yet it's torturing and starving it's own people in these hell holes. Yeah, I said starving because that's what they're doing to us here. Individuals including myself are losing weight at an alarming rate. We've had to go in front of a doctor to see if he could give us extra food or vitamins. Things are getting drastic back here but we're too strong to ever break! They'll never get us true warriors to lay down and give up.

Here are these addresses, anyone who is willing or wanting to write a letter in protest can do so but they must be sent by March 5, 2004, because that's when they are going to make a final decision on the matter of TVs and Radios.

Senator Gloria Romero State Capitol Room #501 Sacramento, CA 95814

Chief Director Rick Grenz
Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283

--A California Prisoner, February 2004