by a Michigan prisoner
19 May, 1997
RAIL reprints this letter to invite all readers, prisoners and non-prisoners alike, to help expose the prisoncrats' "Security Threat Group" sham, which is only a device to further repress and hamper prisoners' just struggles for their rights. For more on S.T.G. status and the way the label is used to keep politically active prisoners under control, see New Jersey prisoners practice teachings of Mao and Malcolm X in the Under Lock & Key section of MIM Notes 128, and South Carolina increases repressive tactics in MIM Notes 122. To find out more about what RAIL does to expose injustice and brutality in Michigan's prisons and around the United Snakes, and how you can help, contact us at the address below.
I can remember first reading about the policy and practice in the California prison system employed against captives who were identified as "gang" members. After being so identified, captives would be tossed into Administrative Segregation or an SHU (control unit). Here they would languish until they either "paroled, debriefed, or died." i recall thinking how diabolical this scheme was. How it could be used - twisted - to be a tool of political repression.
I was still in the fetus stage of my studies when i first read about the situation in California prisons. i hadn't then realized that the repressive policies and practices were designed from the start to neutralize political activism behind the barbed-wire. The disguise of "fighting 'gang' activity" was used for legitimacy. If exposed to the public, the people would support it. Who doesn't want an end to the high rate of crime and violence that is commonly associated with "gangs"?
Since my first exposure to STG ("security threat group") policies and practices in the California prison system, i have learned that it has spread to prisons across the u.s. And, as of December 16, 1996, the state in which i am held captive have enacted its own political policy: 04.04.113, "Identification and Management of Security Threat Groups and Members."
Comrad Groege taught Us that "Power responds to all threats. The response is repression." Have We learned from history? COINTELPRO, NEWKILL, etc. If We are not prepared to deal with the natural reactionary refleces of the Paper Tiger, then it will force its claws deeply into Our efforts at educating to liberate.
STG can be defeated. We aint got to be forced into a corner with Our only options being to either debrief, to renounce Our political associations, or face repression. However, the only chance We got to defeat STG is to end Our isolation. We got to reach outside these kkkoncentration kkkamps into the communities from which We came and of which We say We represent in Our organizing and educating efforts. When the Paper Tigers attempt to attack, We got to have an outside base of support. Do Our people on the outside know Us? Do they know what We are about? Or, will they be left to believe whatever spiel the Paper Tigers wish to say about Us? If because We have no roots on the outside We are left vulnerable to unbridled repression, it is no one's fault but Our own!
Myself and others in Michigan want to expose the STG phenomenon. However, We want to do so based on how it has spread across the u.s. We are asking for captives from any state in amerikkka that has some form of STG policy and/or practice, to forward information and/or documentation to Us. You may forward such information/documentation to N.I.S. & G. Publishing, c/o Mbwa Wa-Kulindi, 654 Franklin Road, Pontiac, MI 48341.
Rebuilding to Win!