I am writing to let the rest of our fellow comrades and the world know about what's really going on here at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP). There is a new collect call billing system set up and put into effect early this year by CDC and MCI. This agreement between MCI and CDc strictly mandates that anyone who wishes to receive collect calls from inmates currently confined in any of CDC prisons must have an approved MCI phone carrier. For instance, if I choose to make a collect call to someone, they must first be currently signed to MCI or an approved affiliate. Anyone who is not signed on with MCI or an affiliate will have their collect calls that come from inside CDC's prisons completely blocked.
By implementing these new phone regulations on us, CDC and MCI have successfully removed one of the only practical and affordable means for us to keep close contact and communication with our loved ones, friends, etc. Also, our families and friends should not be forced to inconvenience themselves into switching entire phone carriers, which by the way are not financially reachable to all of the inmates loved ones. This is not only unfair and unjust, but it is abuse of power and monopolization on behalf of CDC and MCI.
I recently filed a 602 complaint form on the situation. The appeals coordinator replied citing the Title 15 California Code of Regulations 3084.2 (c), place of filing. The appeals coordinator is trying to discourage me from continuing to take any further action by basically stating that I have failed to file my complaint at the first and formal level. This is false! The appeal coordinator is the first and formal level as far as this issue is concerned. The appeals coordinator also stated that I exceeded a 15 working days time limit, which is also untrue since this action did not have an adverse effect on me until I attempted to make a collect call to my loved ones only to discover that their phone numbers had been blocked. This appeal was made within 15 days of the phone call.
I also have a 602 form going against the mail room here at SVSP. All of the inmate population mail has been delivered to us anywhere from 15 days to over 30 days from the postdate. This is totally unacceptable. Not only have I personally had mail delivered to me over 30 days late, but in some instances not at all. I am still waiting for mail over a month and a half old. I presume it has either been lost of intentionally disposed of without my approval. I presume that it might be retaliation for the grievance I have filed.
These actions do not discourage me but only make my desire to see justice done that much stronger.
- a California prisoner, July 2004