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.
SHUs in Virginia too

Yesterday a brother happened to send me one of your MIM Notes and I was astounded. Under the current levels of repression that we are held under, I couldn't believe that something this powerful was being let into this institution. I've been up all night reading your newsletter and wondering, "How do I get involved?"

A lot of things you spoke of pertaining to the Security Housing Unit (SHU) [in California - ed] are happening here in Virginia. ... It was like a breath of fresh air to hear someone is fighting against the SHU. It just hurts to know no one in Virginia seems to care.

As if that isn't enough, Virginia has opened these level 5 and 6 institutions, Red Onion, Wallens Ridge and Sussex State Prisons. Each institution is armed with shotguns inside the pods, cafeteria, rec yards and gym. These shotguns have rubber pellets but at any time officers in the gun posts have access to live rounds. We are supposed to be on 20 hours lock and 4 hours rec, but they always find a way to take rec. The conditions are close to, if not the same as the SHU.

What is more troubling is the criteria it takes to get on these institutions. They're supposed to be for the worst of the worse prisoners, but over 90% of the population came up straight from receiving with no institutional records. I was sent here to Wallens Ridge with no institutional record, and when I wrote to the Central Classification Board their justification was that I had over 25 years [sentence] so I met the criteria. I thought I was sentenced by the judge to come to prison to do my time, not sentenced by the judge to come to prison and get sentenced again.

It's like there's no set criteria to get sent to these level 5 and 6 institutions and damn near impossible to get off. You can stay charge free, get our points down, and still be overrode to stay here.

It is ridiculous and I am fed up. I want to fight against what they are doing to me and prisoners like myself. All I want to know is, how do I fight against this? Can you please help me get involved in the fight and inform me the best route to take in fighting this type of injustice?

--A Virginia prisoner, January 2004

MIM responds: We are glad to hear from a Virginia prisoner as we build the campaign against control units. It is important to recognize that aspects of the SHU may be present in many units even if they are not designated as SHUs. We urge opponents of prison abuse and torture to become signatories of our statement "Shut Down All Control Units!" -- and help spread the word to get others involved in the campaign. For more information see www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext/agitation/prisons/ or write to MIM at the address on page 2.