I just got through reading my MIM Notes September 15, 2003 (#289) and I commend you on putting such an article on control units on your front page. Exposure is what is needed, but there are so many media figures and politicians, and so-called movers and shakers who structure law and influence public view and opinion of prisoners and their confined conditions.
I have served time in the California SHU program twice for violations that don't warrant such punishment as SHUs inflict upon the inmates they house. But please don't overlook the ASUs (ad-seg units)! These security administrative units are no different than a SHU program unit. They house you for false violations, or in my case, for no violation report written against me, yet I've been housed in ASU since June 2003 on an alleged investigation they claim I jeopardized the integrity of! Another twist in their endless act to oppress and stress inmates.
I'm supposed to be housed in a certain housing, yet these C/Os placed me in a cell situation that got me assaulted and sexually abused. These officials know they've fucked up and know that I've got a legitimate law suit. The evidence I have is concrete, and that is only part of it. They ignored the fact that I took measures to correct their wrong, but even a call from the inspector general, which I have proof of, went on deaf ears!
I am in the stage of exhausting my institutional remedies and filing against officials here. I am in search of a civil attorney to litigate for me. I see a nice donation coming your way at the expense of some stupid cop who has cost his position and higher officials above him who also "knew" or "should have known" where they went wrong.
So still I stand in this pig pen at Salinas Valley State Prison (where a lot of state and federal laws are broken and it goes un-noticed and un-heard by the public and politicians) as a man who refuses to fall and crumble. Thanks to your exposure of prison treatment nation wide, our voices can be heard. I will always support your views, and ups big time to all other comrades in the struggle.
--a California prisoner (Salinas Valley), October 2003