It's been a while since I've written but it is because I've been going through the motions of trying to get to the bottom of some unjustified write ups. I'm sure you remember I wrote you a detailed letter about the incident that occurred here at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) that involved 160 prisoners. In that letter I also state that I expected retaliation for what I wrote.
Well some days after that letter I was given another write up this time for "attempted manufacture of a deadly weapon." Apparently guards found some scratches on my locker and figured I made them. I was strip searched and nothing was found so I was taken to "contraband watch."
It is a small room, I'd say a 4 by 6 cell, with no sink or toilet. I was to give them 3 defecations within 72 hours as I'm being watched by a guard 24/7. I was left only in my boxer shorts and wasn't given a shower. At 9am I was given a mat and a blanket that was taken from me at 6 in the morning. If I had to urinate I had to do in an area on the door frame of the cell. The urine filled a small gallon that was rarely emptied by the guard and gave off a strong urine odor. If I had to defecate I would be waist-chained and a makeshift potty with a bag taped to it was what I had to use as the guard watched me. Afterwards they'd take the potty and the bag and remove the waist-chains, but I was not allowed to wash my hands. If I needed a drink of water I had to ask the guard who would fill a small cup with a drink.
This was degrading and humiliating and what made matters worse was comments by other guards who walked by and exclaimed how gross it smelled. This is aside from the guards complaints each time I needed to use the restroom.
Surprisingly I was found not guilty of the charges. But still the treatment of the "contraband watch" process is truly inhumane. Now I've been repeatedly asking for records, paperwork, findings, etc. of this incident but to no avail.
I'm still in administrative segregation (the hole), for other write-ups. I'm supposed to go back to general population in November but really it's up to the administration. Again I repeat that after this letter someone will be upset and might just decide to shut me up or try at least. I am almost sure of it and I will keep you up to date on things.
- a California prisoner, October 2006