Criminal injustice genocide

A lot of people tend to ignore recent statistics that reflect the fact that the combining of high poverty rates among ethnic minorities with increasingly race-biased law enforcement and court system practices in causing a criminal injustice "genocide" concerning certain of the minority population. One of the most recent rules we're in the process of appealing. Is the "increase in restitution deductions." This very absurd ruling not only affects us, but it also hurts our families. We were paying 22% of any money we received from our family. But now they raised this to 33% and plan to raise it once again to 55%.

Of course the victims never see most or any of this money. Because the CDC along with the courts take their cuts out first. But of course they have a fancy name for this "administrative fees." After all the "California Correctional Peace Officers Association" is one of the fastest growing unions in California. They, of course, have to generate funds from somewhere. And who better than those of us who have no rights or political backing.

It's so strange how these people consider themselves to be living in a democratic country. Because that's simply untrue. The fact of the matter is this is not run by the people for the people. But by the anglo corporations for the anglo corporations. Some may say the public spends millions of dollars on us. But that too is a lie. Most, if not all, of our hygiene products are bought by us. And that's why I say it hurts our families.

As you may know, most of us come from very poor families, who struggle to even send us a new $10 for our most essential needs. They can't afford to pay for more raises for these cops. To add insult to injury they raised the prices on all the store items. So if one of us gets $10, which is the average one of us receives, these people automatically take out $3.30 for themselves. Leaving us $6.67 in which to buy our things.

We are not only facing judicial genocide. But we are also facing "cultural genocide." Most of our ancient history is disallowed. They want to anglicize us in order to oppress us even more. They are labeling us "gang members" in order to fill these dungeons they are building. They claim we're unable to even get along with other prisoners. But yet most of us are discipline free and have cellies. So if we're so dangerous how is it we're able to stay out of trouble and live with another person under these conditions and not have any problems?

But when it comes to trading money for access and influence, the components of the perpetual prisoner machine operate just like those of any other special interests. Private prison companies, medical corporations, unions, communities whose economies are based on prisons, and corporations that profit from the prison population in a myriad of ways are all funneling money to politicians who are in a position to make decisions about whether their ability to profit from crime and prisoners will be enhanced or diminished. But by no means has it diminished.

In 1977 California housed 19,600 inmates. In 1998 that number had grown to 159,000. California now runs the biggest prison system in the western world. It houses more inmates on any given day than do the countries of France, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Singapore combined.

--a California prisoner, July 2003