No library or education allowed in Texas

I have always had mixed feelings about the way America treats other countries. The politicians think they can just invade any country, go in, take over, and tell them what to do, while they sit in Washington collecting kickbacks.

I have talked with a couple other people so far and they want to learn more of your views. I would like some history books and political books about Lenin and Stalin for starters if they are available. I read most of the time but all I can get here are sci-fi and fantasy, mostly from other prisoners. They closed down the library after the librarian retired and only let people in school go to it. I have to work in the kitchen 8 hours a day and have too much education for them to put me in school [presumably a high school degree -ed.].

I am in prison for the second time for burglary. I need stability in my life and something to believe in so when I get out again I can stay away from drugs. I can write some articles for MIM Notes, about the prison here. I look forward to receiving my first copy of MIM Notes.

--A Texas prisoner, June 2004

MIM responds: MIM has always said that some people in prison have committed crimes against the people and need rehabilitation (and/or treatment, in the case of drug addiction). It's just that (1) imperialists impose a definition of crime that serves their interests, not the interests of the people (see letter above), and (2) their prison system does nothing to encourage people to improve themselves and their contribution to the people.

It is criminal that MIM and other small organizations are left trying to supply educational material to millions of prisoners, while the state not only denies them education, but denies them access to libraries when they seek to educate themselves even after working all day. Let's purge this system with its insane and oppressive practices, and build a new justice system, as part of a new just society that prevents crime against all people while using the vast resources of the oppressed for the public good rather then the enrichment of the imperialists and their lackeys.