Institutional corruption

I am writing this letter in hopes of bringing attention to the continuous abuse of authority, the falsification of documents, and the overwhelming corruption of IGI (Institution Gang Investigators), here at High Desert State Prison, In Susanville, California.

I have been housed here at HDSP for nearly eight years. And over these years I have heard on numerous occasions about inmates being validated as "prison gang members," then placed in administrative segregation awaiting an indeterminate sentence and transfer to a security housing unit (SHU), such as Pelican Bay. This is a facility that has been proven to cause psychological and social deterioration due to its isolated and desolate conditions.

Myself, not being a member of a "prison gang", or involved in "gang activities" never paid it much attention, nor was I ever aware to the extent of the organized corruption that truly infects this institution and it's "gang investigators" until, I myself was falsely labeled and validated as a "gang member".

I had been positively programming for the past seven years with no disciplinary write-ups (115s). Yet, I was labeled, then classified as a member of a "disruptive group," and deemed "a threat to the safety and security of the institution." This, I do not understand. Now I sit in Ad- Seg, all the privileges that accompany general population such as jobs, contact visits, phone access, open yard, social interaction, and all the other minor comforts have been taken away. Now, I also await transfer to a tortuous and degrading SHU facility, to serve an unjustified, indeterminate term.

It has been over 2-months since I was validated, placed in Ad-Seg., attended committee, and put up for transfer. And I have yet to receive any complete and proper documentation which demonstrates my validation. All that has been provided is 11 confidential disclosures which are inadequate to file with my appeal. It took over a month to receive this, when such documents are supposed to be disclosed upon validation. When I then appealed this to IGI via the appeals coordinator and accused them of withholding this documentation in attempt to thwart my appeal process, they refused to even review it, claiming that I had exceeded the 15-day filing limitation. I then provided proof that I did in fact meet the 15-day limitation after receiving the 11-disclosure forms. (I had the delivering officer sign and date when I received it.) After presenting this, the appeals coordinator H. Wagner, and IGI Officer D. D. Shaver still continue to lie and reject y appeal, claiming that a complete "validation packet" was disclosed to me. At this point I have not been able to appeal the actual validation due to the violations and the obstructions by H. Wagner and D.D. Shaver who are preventing me from obtain my "validation packet."

I have proof of their false claims and they still continue to violate my due process rights. If I was in fact righteously labeled and validated then why all this effort to hinder my appeal? I viewed the confidential disclosures and I see why; all these forms contain coerced and fabricated claims. Some of which simply state "inmate was identified as a gang member." There is no articulated links to me and any "gang activity." These are all fabricated in a joint effort by HDSP Gang Investigators and inmates desperate to secure their own objective. Such as protective custody or escaping their own validation. When investigating an inmate for validation IGI explains to the inmate during an interview that they are in the process of preparing their packet for validation and that this is their chance to "debrief" (disclose any and all gang related information if any.) If they debrief they will be housed on a protective custody facility for their cooperation. If they choose not to debrief they will be validated and have to go through the entire process and wait at least a year until they will have another opportunity to debrief. Often, the inmate chooses to fabricating evidence.

When I examined my disclosure forms, I discovered that c/o. D. D. Shaver's signature is on each one of them. Many other inmates here in HDSP Ad-Seg are in the same predicament. Out of the limited amount that I have been able to speak with, a majority of them have also been disciplinary free, have falsified documentation used against them, and have also had interference in their appeal process by IGI and the appeals coordinator. This seems to be the case with all inmates of all races. However, it is unmistakable that the majority of inmates being validated are those of Mexican race, regardless of geographical origin. Is all this racially motivated? It is very likely. There are numerous positive programming inmates here in HDSP being falsely identified and labeled as "prison gang members" when the evidence doesn't even support the claims. We are being victimized by a rogue and corrupt organization called IGI, stripped of our jobs, privileges, and all other incentives to continue our positive programming. Institution Gang Investigators are supposed to be well trained and capable of determining whether evidence is substantial or if it's simply being fabricated. Then they are to document it truthfully. Instead, they promote the fabrication of information and resort to coercion to strengthen their claims. Ultimately, leaving a trail of innocent inmates validated and sentenced to a disconsolate existence in a SHU facility.

It's not clear if this is done out of their will to demonstrate that they (IGI) are an effective branch, to ensure job security, to keep their multi million dollar a year SHU facilities operating or is it a combination of these along with their own personal vindictiveness and gratification? Whatever the case, not only is it immoral, it is illegal. This criminal activity needs to be rectified, and those guilty, punished. Not only do these crimes victimize us as inmates, they victimize our families as well who also cherish our visits, phone calls, and happiness that has been taken by placing us in a "prison within a prison," an isolated, privilegeless environment. Furthermore, SHU facilities cost the state an estimated 150 million dollars a year. It would save this amount by putting a stop to these false forms of imprisonment and shutting all SHU facilities down permanently. I hope to hear from any organizations and/or individuals who may be able to bring attention to these illicit practices here at HDSP. I am in need of legal assistance or advice in this matter. I seek to correct these unjust charges. IGI needs to know that their conduct is not going unnoticed. Please contact, or forward this letter to anybody you know that can make a difference and hopefully bring an end to this abuse.

Since this was written I have appealed directly to the Warden regarding my violation of due process and it was returned to me "rejected," via appeals coordinator H. Wagner, claiming it was a "duplicate appeal." This is impossible considering none of my appeals have been processed.

This conduct here at HDSP is in serious need of investigation. Please Help.

--A California Prisoner, August 2004