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.

Tips for prisoner legal battles

I am writing concerning the new study group that will be offered in the future. I am currently participating in MIM study group of MIM Theory 11 [for California and Washington prisoners]. I have found much enrichment in my participation in this study group and I look forward to participating in study group 5. I am sending $15 dollars with this letter to cover the cost of my involvement and to donate to the enlightenment of others who cannot afford the money or stamps. I hope that my donation helps in this regard.

I am very concerned with the censorship that was reported in other places. The U$ supreme court has outlined prisoners right to this mail in two cases: Procunier v. Martinez, 416 US 396, 94 S. CT 1800, (1974) and Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78 (especially read pages 89 & 90), (1987). In California, the Calif Code of Regulations, Title 15 §3135, 3137, (especially see 3137(f)(3)) and 3147. These u.s. supreme court cases make it clear that there is no valid penological reason to deny any prisoner in united snakes this type of literature or MIM Notes. Corruption at CSATF and Tehachapi can make it difficult to file grievances in California, but with persistence prisoners should prevail.

I have found that MIM Notes and the study group literature are great tools for enlightening prisoners. Although I am engaged in helping prisoners here with their legal cases, any type of research that I can help with I shall make a concerned effort to help. I wholeheartedly believe that prisoners need to educate themselves and learn how to overcome the oppression in these prisons. Also, in California, prison Law Office helps prisoners with basic information on lawsuits, habeas corpus, and some other legal information. The address is: Prison Law Office, General Delivery, San Quentin, CA 94964-0001.

--a California prisoner, September 2003