I am writing to you today to report and ask for some advice concerning a serious issue. On August 28, last Monday morning at about 8:30 am, I was on my way back to my housing unit to perform some work duties when I stumbled upon a 602 complaint form sticking out of a trash bin. I immediately pulled it out and opened it only to observe the date of 8/27/06 on it. I wondered what this was doing in the trash as I also got curious as to whether there were more of these complaint forms inside. As I proceeded to dig through the trash bin I immediately found about five or six more, including my cell mates 602 [complaint form] whom I personally helped write and mail out the night before. Needless to say I was mildly surprised. Not only were there complaint forms in the trash but any kind of outgoing mail to anyone with authority in this institution, as well as forms requesting legal supplies from the law library, inmate request slips going to counselors and 985 forms (these are applications for restoration of credits). I also witnessed one confidential letter sealed and stamped with a red institution insignia.
I immediately went into the building to return the documents to the people they belonged to and to let them know how it was that I happened upon them when I was overheard by a fellow inmate on the MAC committee (Inmate Advisory Council). He wanted me to hand over all documents so that it could be brought to the yard sergeant's attention. Afterwards that same morning the Sergeant called me in to his office to hear how I found everything. I was questioned briefly and told that they would be talking to me soon. I left with the impression that nothing of any real significance would be done about it. Last I heard from an inmate out the MAC there was supposed to be some kind of investigation into it, but somehow I doubt that.
It has now been eight days since this violation was first discovered and I have yet to hear from anyone "investigating" the matter. I fear that this has already been swept under the rug.
I'd like to know what I could do to make sure that something will be done. I've already written to the Ombudsman, the Inspector General, and the Prison Law Office. I'm open to any more suggestions you might have.
- A California prisoner at Soledad, September 2006
MIM responds: We're not surprised to learn that prison officials are throwing out prisoner's legal mail and appeals of misconduct, what is surprising here is that they didn't even try to hide these actions. We get reports from prisoners across the state of California, and the rest of the country, complaining that prisons don't even follow their own rules and ignore appeals from prisoners attempting to enforce these rules. We commend this comrade for taking action on what he found and will publicize this widely until the prison investigates and punishes those responsible. This may not improve conditions in the prison, but at least it will send a message that prisons can not blatantly ignore their regulations and the laws, violating prisoners' rights with impunity. Write to the warden of Soledad and demand punishment for those responsible: Warden Mike Evans, P. O. Box 1020, Soledad, CA 93960-1020