It seems like ever since the Castillo case [which settled out of court winning some concessions for SHU prisoners in California] finished up these cops have begun to be extra petty around here (at Pelican Bay State Prison). They are writing people up like crazy. They've even begun to take our yard and showers as well. For those of us who they can't label as "gang members" in order to keep us back here, they just claim that we're what they consider "program failures." That allows them to give us indeterminate SHU sentences. We are also no longer able to even pass a magazine, newspaper, or anything for that matter, to any other inmate! But we expected these bastard pigs to intensify their oppressive campaign against us. They fail to realize just how strong and determined one can be in the pursuit of justice, equality, and every other things, we the downtrodden lack.
I also want to say we also scored a minor victory with respect to restitution. They are no longer going to raise it to 55%, they are going to leave it at 33%. I guess for a few more years. For those of us who get $10, to $15 a month from our families, this is good.
- a California prisoner, August 2004