At this present time I'm battling these tyrants on paper (inmate appeal 602) to correct my status, that labels me a gang member. I've been informing prison officials for the past 3 years that I've disconnected ties with that lifestyle. However, these devils continue to enforce that label over my head. I submitted a grievance in to correct the gang status (87th Crip) which is fictitious. I never been a member of this gang. I am non-affiliated.
However, my grievance was denied based on my probation report, and being housed with a gang member. The probation report was written 7 years ago, so that's insignificant because a person can change for the betterment but these devils hate that fact.
In September 2003 my cell was searched by the investigation staff (IGI) finding nothing indicating that I was gang affiliated. So therefore, these devils have no solid grounds to continue that gang status. After my appeal was denied I forwarded it to Sacramento appeals. The appeal came back to me tampered with. My appeal attachments were missing, and the appeal was denied. I resubmitted an appeal and have not received a response.
I have not participated in any gang activities since I've been incarcerated, I have no tattoos linking me to the gang they're accusing me of being with, I'm not housed in a cell with a gang member, I am a Muslim, there's no informant information linking me to a gang. In fact I have Crips members saying I'm not affiliated, and staff are aware that I'm not affiliated.
- a California prisoner, May 2004
MIM adds: Being labeled a gang member is important in California prisons because this dictates the where a prisoner is housed. Labeled gang members are placed in higher security institutions, with fewer services, and less likelihood for parole. The methods for labeling prisoners gang members are arbitrary at best, using information about who a prisoner speaks to, the prisoner's nationality, and "confidential evidence" of informants looking for a way to get a few more privileges for themselves. Prison officially routinely deny appeals about gang status regardless of the evidence.