Kansas SHU: "Martyring supporters of our cause"

I am currently isolated in the Supermax (SHU) Unit in the Kansas Department of Corrections. I have been in isolation for almost two years now, with no sign that I'll be getting out soon. My initial placement was questionable to say the least. One day I was grabbed by the facility "pitbulls" and thrown into isolation without being given any reason. Almost a week later, a report was given to me claiming I was a member of a "Security Threat Group" (STG), and that I had been involved in assaults on and intimidation of inmates. But they refused to allow me to present any argument or to gain any adjudication on these allegations through disciplinary procedure. The officials' accusations are speculative at best; this is certainly the reason for their circumventing established procedures.

The truth is: agencies such as KDOC enjoy power, and it is as much a vice to them as a responsibility. They fear resistance. But I say if they fear resistance then perhaps they should violate fewer inmates' rights. They believe that the SHU will quell this resistance when in fact they support the basis of our movement by martyring the supporters of our cause.

-- a Kansas SHU prisoner, May 2005

MIM adds: We couldn't think of a better way for you to celebrate Malcolm X's birthday than by writing to expose the SHU -- a drastic form of the national oppression Malcolm spent his life working to understand and eliminate.