MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
www.prisoncensorship.info is a media institution run by the Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons. Here we collect and publicize reports of conditions behind the bars in U.$. prisons. Information about these incidents rarely makes it out of the prison, and when it does it is extremely rare that the reports are taken seriously and published. This historical record is important for documenting patterns of abuse, and also for informing people on the streets about what goes on behind the bars.
As numbers are straight we can use all the able bodied men to join ranks
in our battle for dignity. The strike is more than the demands being
met. This is also a call for we, as prisoners to be treated with respect
and humanity. However, the consensus is that a good portion of SNYs feel
like this battle doesn’t pertain to them. News flash, it does! I came to
realize the dumbness of judging someone by a “classification” as GP,
SNY, active or non-active. These are labels that have been placed on us
to further divide prisoners as a whole. Someone’s character is a better
yardstick to measure them. The guards have no difference or division of
opinion when it comes to fucking us up, so why should we when it’s time
to battle with them?
Simply put, I ask that prisoners on “that” side choose the side that is
with them in this fight. Join the stoppage in work and food. Rise above
the labels and make a better place for all prisoners, and more so, the
world.
MIM(Prisons) adds: We agree with this comrade’s position that the
classifications handed out by the prison system should not be the basis
of our judgement of prisoners. SNY status, validation status, and other
labels are far less important than the actions people take. We should
judge individuals by their actions. Those who take up the cause of the
majority of the world’s people, anti-imperialism, are on the side of the
people.
The Adjustment Center (AC) is the politically corrupt designation given
to the death row security housing unit (SHU) at San Quentin (SQ) which
also serves as an administrative segregation unit (ASU) overflow. But
for all intents and purposes the AC is a secret torture unit at SQ and a
fraternal twin of CDCR’s other torture units, now partially exposed by
media attention resulting from the 2011 peaceful hunger strikes at
Corcoran, Pelican Bay, Tehachapi and elsewhere.
Public Affairs Officer Sam Robinson conducts tours at SQ and would tell
you with a straight face the AC is overflowing with “the worst of the
worst”, but you’re not allowed inside. That’s because the torture unit
overlords, which includes but is not limited to Chief Deputy Warden W.A.
Rodriguez, his cohort Assistant Warden J. Curzon, and their loyal attack
dog Facility Captain Robertson, claim it’s a “security risk.” Truth be
told, we do see how it would “risk” exposing them and the asinine antics
common to their clique, how it would cost them the “security” of their
jobs, and perhaps land a few of their asses in prison.
All this begs the question “who is really in the AC and how do they end
up there indefinitely?” Here is an inside perspective.
On May 7, 2013, shortly after “yard is cancelled due to maintenance” was
gleefully blasted over the excessively loud PA system in East block
(where the majority of death row prisoners are warehoused), two
prisoners in neighboring cells were confronted by a goon squad comprised
of a red-faced Sgt. Reynolds and four henchmen all barking ferociously
“don’t touch anything and strip out!” As if at random these two
prisoners were selected to be under suspicion of possessing cellphones.
After being detained for over an hour in cages about the size where you
might expect to see a pair of pet macaws swinging, they were again
humiliated by being staged in their cells, but just long enough to see
how everything in them had been tossed like salad during the frantic
search that turned up no cellphones or contraband whatsoever, then
relocated to the AC indefinitely pending the outcome of an
“investigation.” No rules violations reports (RVR) were issued, their
property remains in a shambles at East Block, and this ride began over
three weeks ago. For one of these two unfortunate prisoners his ride
through this not so funhouse began in the dungeon.
Cells 1AC63 to 1AC67 are called “the dungeon” because a barred and
padlocked gate separates them from the other twelve cells on the tier.
The dungeon cell floors, concrete bunks, and walls are cracked,
un-level, and flaking. Another bizarre feature is partitions extending
about five feet or so from the cell fronts dividing them like horse
stalls. The dungeon is primarily used to torture marginalized or hated
prisoners, especially those already obviously suffering from mental
disorders acquired at some point during their ride through this torture
unit at SQ, or at one of the many others operating within the California
prison system.
Shane
Bauer spent months in an “Iranian SHU program.” A short time after
his release he blew the cover off gang validation policies and SHU
conditions in California prisons. He reported Pelican Bay SHU was not
identical to its Iranian twin but worse and in Iranian prison no one has
served more than two years in solitary confinement! Getting held hostage
in this torture unit for a couple years, decades, or more is business as
usual at SQ just as in others operating in the United $tates.
In my opinion, one of the most diabolical ways they keep us on this ride
is the “fabrication and rejection process.” In short, this means getting
RVRs fabricated against us, being found guilty at hearings where due
process is considered a thing of the past, then having our appeals
rejected. Prisoners cannot appeal a rejected appeal. That of course is
by design, intended to delay, and if possible preclude exhausting
administrative remedies – a requirement before prisoners can access the
courts. The torture unit overlords really want to have their way with
you and do all they can to get you to hang yourself in their
noose-shaped loopholes. Could that be anything other than the designs of
sadistic criminal masterminds?
Consider the following which describes an exceptionally violent
combination of mental and physical torture. On September 3, 2012, as I
lay unconscious in my cell from several days sleep deprivation caused by
a custody staff influenced medical decision to discontinue various
permanent chronos, a goon squad comprised of henchmen Anderson,
Calderon, Morris, and Vanmastright stormed into my cell. Upon entry they
proceeded to beat me into a semiconscious state, dragged me bleeding
from wrists and ankles down the tier in excessively tightened handcuffs
and shackles, bounced me down two flights of stairs, then from the AC
entrance all the way to the Triage Treatment Area (TTA) hoisted me by
the chains and/or dragged me by them for about a hundred yards as a
med-tech pushed a wheelchair alongside at a distance. I want to
interject here to point out this is documented as an “emergency medical
cell extraction” executed during a lockdown initiated approximately
twelve days prior due to an alleged slashing/stabbing of two AC officers
which had nothing to do with me but might have fueled the goon squad’s
madness. The “emergency treatment” I received consisted of being thrown
into a cage built into the corner of a TTA cell and left crumpled there
for three hours or so. All that time I screamed in agony, forced to
endure excruciating pain as the handcuffs and shackles cut deeper into
my skin.
I wasn’t even seen by a physician on that day, nor would Dr. Grant agree
to examine, document, or treat my injuries any time during my sixteen
day hunger strke; all I could think of doing to get seen by medical. But
the good squad beating injuries, re-damaged preexisting injuries, and
the skin condition which was the major contributing factor leading to my
sleep deprivation was ignored. A few days after I attempted to file an
emergency petition for writ of habeas corpus in Marin County,
an RVR was fabricated alleging I battered the goon squad. My two
healthcare appeals have been delayed without reason in excess of ninety
days so far, and my RVR hearing appeal citing denial of all witnesses
except the reporting employee has been rejected by CDCR appeals
coordinator J.D. Lozano.
Surely these experiences come off sounding sensationalized and extreme,
but they are nonetheless classic examples of what untold thousands in
SHUs throughout the United $tates are reportedly subjected to at an ever
increasing rate. Who are the real bunch of lying murderers?
The CDCR has proven over and over to be masters of media manipulation
and propaganda wizards. Don’t allow them to operate secret torture units
like the AC or make them appear to be something they’re not. Please
don’t allow your tax dollars to reward and secure impunity for sadistic,
corrupt prison officials whose goal is to build more torture units in
your backyards. Call, write, email Gov. Brown, his CDCR Director Beard,
and the SQ puppet Warden Kevin R. Chappell to demand they shut it down.
Also, please contribute generously to this publication/org helping us to
have our voice heard from within, keeping the struggle alive.
Amendment I of the Bill of Rights of the United States:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
After decades of expanding the repression of the U.$. prison system, and
despite their effectiveness in misleading and breaking up unity, the
control units remain a flashpoint of struggle within U.$. borders. These
flashes do take time to develop, due to the excessive restrictions
placed on those in these units. So when they do come to light, they
emerge from much struggle and are not likely to fizzle out soon.
The struggle against control units is a struggle against torture. It is
a struggle against not just the violation of some of the most basic
rights that this country was founded on, but also basic humyn needs like
sunlight, exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction.
Orders From the Top
As U.$. president, Barack Obama once honored Rosa Parks and the movement
of civil disobedience that she symbolized. It was a movement of Black
people for basic rights under U.$. imperialism. Yet today the Obama
administration gives its explicit approval to the torture and repression
going on in a country that imprisons more of its population than any
other state in humyn history, and a higher percentage of Blacks than the
openly racist Apartheid state of South Africa.
U.$.
prisons also hold a higher percentage of their prisoners in long-term
isolation than any other state that has been documented.
The 2014 federal budget proposed by Obama includes an overall increase
in funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. More damning, it describes
the remodeling of the recently acquired Thomson Correctional Center in
Illinois to include an Administrative Maximum Custody (ADX) and Special
Management Unit (SMU). ADX “houses the most violent, disruptive,
dangerous and escape-prone inmates within the Federal Prison System
including those convicted of terrorist activities.” “The SMU program is
for inmates who have participated in or had a leadership role in
geographical group/gang-related activity or those who otherwise present
unique security and management concerns.” The budget proposal claims
that one in six prisoners in maximum security are “gang affiliated.” It
does not specify how many of the 2100 beds will be SMU or ADX
classified.(1) While lawsuits challenge the constitutionality of the
treatment people face in these units, and international bodies like the
United Nations condemn them as torture, the Obama regime is providing
clear leadership to the hundreds of state and local agencies involved in
the U.$. prison system on how prisoners are to be treated.
Obama’s role is even more clear in Guantanamo Bay, where prisoners are
being held as enemy combatants by the military. Prisoners there began
another hunger strike on 6 February 2013. Since then the ranks of the
strike have grown to over 130 people.(2) Many are being force-fed, and
many are skeletal in appearance now.
All this is being done as the United $tates still has the audacity to
claim it is promoting freedom around the world, with bombs. As we
highlight the connections of the struggle against control units to the
struggle against the imperialist system itself, the global importance of
this struggle becomes evident. As RAIM pointed out in their recent
statement to the international communist movement,
failures
at building socialism in the past have been connected to a temptation to
imitate Amerikan ways. One way the anti-imperialist minority in the
First World can strengthen the movements in the Third World is by making
it very clear that this is not a model to follow, and that the Amerikan
dream is built on torture, genocide, exploitation and injustice.
What to Expect
A Yemeni prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay, who has been on hunger strike
since the start had an Op-Ed published in The New York Times,
where he wrote,
“I will never forget the first time they passed the feeding tube up my
nose. I can’t describe how painful it is to be force-fed this way. As it
was thrust in, it made me feel like throwing up. I wanted to vomit, but
I couldn’t. There was agony in my chest, throat and stomach. I had never
experienced such pain before. I would not wish this cruel punishment
upon anyone.
“I am still being force-fed. Two times a day they tie me to a chair in
my cell. My arms, legs and head are strapped down. I never know when
they will come. Sometimes they come during the night, as late as 11
p.m., when I’m sleeping.
“There are so many of us on hunger strike now that there aren’t enough
qualified medical staff members to carry out the force-feedings; nothing
is happening at regular intervals. They are feeding people around the
clock just to keep up.”(3)
Another prisoner who has since been released from Guantanamo Bay after a
438-day hunger strike reported how the force feeding was brutal and they
did not clean the tubes between feeding people. The prisoners asked
military personnel why they were doing this:
“They told us, ‘We want you to break your hunger strike.’ They tell us
directly like that. They ask us to break our hunger strike. They said,
‘We’ll never deal with you as the detainees until you break your hunger
strike.’”(2)
Comrades from NCTT-Corcoran-SHU (a New Afrikan think tank) have reported
that staff at Corcoran State Prison have been announcing similar plans
to prisoners in California, indicating that they will not be providing
proper medical care and attention to strikers in their prison in the
future. These threats, which violate state policies, will also result in
undercounting strikers.(4) It is possible that information will not flow
as freely this time around, meaning outside supporters will have little
information to go on until the struggle is over. This reinforces the
need for strong unity among those inside and the ability to act
independent of outside support.
We’ve also received word of plans to move prisoners and staff around
strategically over the next couple months. In particular, Special Needs
Yard prisoners are reportedly being moved to other facilities and given
work assignments. Prison staff apparently thinks this will dilute the
spirit of prisoners. However, depending on the balance of forces, this
could go either way. We know there are strong supporters of the
prisoners’ rights movement in SNY already, and we hope these coming
months provide the conditions to further break down the divisions within
the imprisoned lumpen class. While we know that staff regularly bribe
prisoners to create disruptions among the population, the mass support
for the interests of all prisoners will make it hard for these bribed
prisoners to create disruptions openly in the coming months, hopefully
longer.
There have been positive reports of prisoners being moved to areas they
once could not go, as a result of the
agreement
to end hostilities that has been in place for over 6 months now,
which was endorsed by the largest organizations in California prisons.
In particular, positive reports have come from Pelican Bay and Corcoran,
where two of the main SHUs are located. San Quentin death row has also
reached out to share ideas to build their own prisoner rights campaign
over the coming months.
We have received some letters about ideas on tactics for advancing the
prisoner rights movement in California. We’ve printed some in
ULK and shared others with United Struggle from Within members
in California. But in most cases it is impossible for us to have a full
understanding of the balance of forces, and thus we are not in a
position to determine which tactics are best. In addition, conditions
vary so much between facilities. Clearly the comrades in Pelican Bay and
Corcoran took the lead in struggling to shut down the SHU and they will
likely continue to do so. What we can say for sure is that July 8 will
be an opportunity to have your voice amplified by acting in solidarity
with all across the state, and many in other states as well. To
determine how you can best do this, you must think through and balance
the effectiveness of your tactics with the risks involved.
Where we can provide leadership is in our ideological alignment. Some
lists of goals that are circulating include things that are not humyn
needs. These demands may be subjectively popular among the prison
masses, but will greatly damage support from the outside and
internationally by trivializing the struggle for basic rights. As we
presented in ULK 31, below are the strategic goals that, if
attained, we think would represent the establishment of basic humyn
rights for prisoners (note a small change to point 1.f.).
An end to torture of all prisoners, including an end to the use of
Security Housing Units (SHU) as long-term isolation prisons.
Basic humyn needs are centered around 1) healthy food and water, 2)
fresh air and exercise, 3) clothes and shelter from the elements and 4)
social interactions and community with other humyns. It is the SHU’s
failure to provide for these basic needs that have led people around the
world to condemn long-term isolation as torture. Therefore we demand
that the following minimum standards be met for all prisoners:
no prisoner should be held in Security Housing Units for longer than 30
days. Rehouse all prisoners currently in SHU to mainline facilities.
interaction with other prisoners every day
time spent outdoors with space and basic equipment for exercise every
day
healthy food and clean water every day
proper clothing and climate control
an end to the use of and threat of violence by staff against prisoners
who have not made any physical threat to others
access to phone calls and contact visits with family at least once a
week
timely and proper health care
ability to engage in productive activities, including correspondence
courses and hobby crafts
a meaningful way to grieve any abuses or denial of the above basic
rights
Freedom of association.
As social beings, people in prison will always develop relationships
with other prisoners. We believe positive and productive relationships
should be encouraged. Currently the CDCR makes it a crime punishable by
torture (SHU) to affiliate with certain individuals or organizations.
This is contrary to the judiciary’s interpretation of the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We demand that prisoners of the
state of California only be punished for violating the law, and that
there be:
no punishment based on what books one reads or has in their
possession
no punishment for jailhouse lawyering for oneself or for others, for
filing grievances or for any challenges to conditions of confinement
through legal means
no punishment for what outside organizations one belongs to or
corresponds with
no punishment for communicating with other prisoners if not breaking the
law
no punishment for tattoos
no punishment for what individuals of the same
race/nation/organizational affiliation do unless you as an individual
were involved in violating a rule or the law, i.e. no group
punishment
no punishment for affiliation with a gang, security threat group, or
other organization - in other words a complete end to the gang
validation system that punishes people (currently puts people in the SHU
for an indeterminate amount of time) based on their affiliation and/or
ideology without having broken any rules or laws
I’ve been siting here in North Kern State Prison for the last 3 months
waiting to see my counselor so I could get cleared for transfer to my
next place of confinement. We don’t get much action or anything here,
reading material is always hard to come by. But the other day I got the
chance to read your Under Lock & Key newspaper and I must
admit I liked it, a lot!
Through the grapevine I heard about what was planned for July 8th, 2013,
but to be real no one knew if it was true or not. Until reading your
newspaper it was just a rumor, and today we know it’s not, thanks a lot
for the information.
MIM(Prisons) adds: It may seem like information about the hunger
strike in California was widely available to prisoners based on the high
number of participants, but this letter demonstrates the slow and
difficult work involved in building such an action. Each pod, or
sometimes each cell, is isolated from all others, and getting
information about what’s going on depends on the whims of the censors at
each prison, who might get transferred, and what outside contacts people
have. This is one reason we stress the importance of everyone getting
their own subscription to Under Lock & Key. You never know
when you will be isolated from your comrades, but as long as you can
receive mail you will at least get some news from ULK. In
addition, the more people subscribed, the more likely that one or two
copies of the newsletter will make it past the censors in any prison.
Just so you know, I’m in support of any list of demands, regardless of
who presents them. And I support the ones you have outlined in your
February 8th letter, especially the one
that
calls for an end to our torturous conditions. In fact, this is one
of the issues I am about to under take with regards to our outdated and
disfunctional ventilation system.
Just to give you some insight, when I arrived here in June of 2012 with
temperatures that were averaging 90 degrees, which made for cell
temperatures that exceeded 95 degrees due to the disfunctional
ventilation. After conducting my own investigation, I learned that
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) does not have swamp
coolers like most other prisons here in California have. No, they built
this place with low grade air circulators, which are now 25 years old
and are out of date especially in light of what is now called, “Global
Warming.” Last year we all experienced the highest temperatures ever
recorded!
Now I must explain the second portion of this equation, how when RJD
converted this yard to a level 4 Special Needs Yard, they covered the
bottom of our cell doors, which normally had a 2” to 3” gap to allow for
a natural flow of air; that gap is approximately l” now. Thirdly, RJD
was one of the 1st of the “270” [the name of the design style] prisons
built in California, and when they built it they did not put exhaust
vents in our shower stalls, this has allowed steam and humidity to
collect in our dayroom area, which in turn gets picked up and circulated
into our cells. Additionally, all of the newer “270” designed prisons
are equipped with three huge exhaust fans that are mounted on the
dayroom ceiling. In any event, this old and out-dated system is creating
a very dangerous living condition. I guarantee you, if everyone were to
knock out their cell windows, front and back, at a cost of $90.00 each,
they would get right and fix these air handlers! I’m going to assemble,
and file a writ of mandate in hopes of getting the courts to make them
replace these air circulators. In my exhausted 602, they admitted that
they need to replace them but, that there was no money in the budget,
and that statement alone might be the rope I need to hang’em in court!
If not, the only other solution is kicking out windows.
Alright, I won’t take up all of your time with the problems that we’re
experiencing here, but, I will tell you to take note of an article that
was done by Paige St. John from the L.A. Times, Dated March 19,
2013 9:41 AM, which clearly illustrates what’s going on here at RJD with
regards to our medical and mental health care, check it out, its a good
read. the article is entitled,
“Experts
say three prisons fail to provide adequate health care.”
I’m a prisoner at Calipatria State Prison in California. I’ve been
housed in this prison’s Administration Segregation Unit (ASU) for almost
five years pending transfer to Pelican Bay’s Security Housing Unit
(SHU), due to my alleged association with a prison gang, now called
Security Threat Groups (STGs). In recent days, Calipatria’s ASU
prisoners were given a 63-page instructional memorandum packet. This
memorandum announces the implementation of an
STG
pilot policy which serves as a notice of program, behavioral and
participation expectations in the new Step Down Program (SDP) for
prisoners housed in segregation units.
Prison officials here have told us that in the coming weeks CDCR
representatives from Sacramento will be reviewing the case
file/validation package of all those who have been validated as
associates of an STG here at Calipatria to determine their current and
future housing needs in accordance with the new SDP placement option
chart.
This new policy and SDP is a sham! It does not address the core issues
and only gives the illusion that if a prisoner jumps through all their
hoops he/she could escape these torture chambers. The fact of the matter
is that even if the prisoner is able to gain his/her release back to the
general population, s/he will be walking on very thin ice thereafter.
Any infraction could bring him/her right back to these torture chambers
for an additional six years minimum. If a prisoner has already been
through the SDP they will have to serve two years in step one, instead
of the one year for first termers in the program.
CDCR might as well place revolving doors at the entrance of every
segregation unit, because this is exactly what the new policy offers.
Maybe its going to take the sound of thousands of hungry rumbling
bellies before CDCR listens to reason and begins to write policies that
are humane and fair.
MIM(Prisons) adds: California has been housing prisons in
long-term isolation for years under the guise of gang (aka security
threat group) validation. The conditions in these units have provoked a
number of protests from prisoners, and this prisoner refers to the
upcoming
July 8
strike against torture in California prisons.
In 2011, when 12,000 prisoners went on hunger strike to protest
long-term isolation, the CDCR asserted that they were already working on
the issue. This SDP was what they were working on. Previously they
offered “gang validation” to prisoners deemed to be affiliated with one
of a handful of “prison gangs” within the system. This new policy
expands the gang validation, and therefore long-term isolation torture,
to all sorts of organizations that are deemed “criminal” or even just
“disruptive.” Keep in mind that if prisoners stand up against staff
abuses, this is considered “disruptive” behavior and such prisoners face
regular retaliation. While none of this is new, it is now official
policy. This is their idea of reforming the system.
While we know the whole system needs to be thrown in the trash, in the
mean time we can at least do better than this. But it depends on
prisoners organizing in unity to better the conditions of all prisoners.
Work with MIM(Prisons) to support prisoner education and organizing.
Here at California State Prison-Solano, California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation has started a campaign to rush prisoners
out to other states to be housed. As of last month, Inmate
Classification has been rubber stamping the illegal move to out of
state. The prisoner has no say in the matter whatsoever.
A few years ago Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, called
for a state of emergency. Prisoners were shipped off to be housed in
other states because California prisons were
bursting
at the seams due to over crowding, and no more prisons are being
built here in California. However, last year the state of emergency was
lifted and the prisoners who had been out of state were ordered to be
sent back.
Governor Jerry Brown is under tremendous pressure by the three judge
panel to relieve and reduce the prison population. He hasn’t done
anything yet. Governor Jerry Brown and his cronies will lie, cheat and
even kidnap prisoners and ship them to other prisons out of state
illegally. He doesn’t want to release the terminally ill and sick lifer
inmates, who cost the state millions of dollars. In this capitalistic
country prisons are very big business, so this oppressive government
doesn’t want to let anyone out of prison. The situation is ripe for the
oppressed nations to protest the harsh injustices that exist in these
prisons.
Governor Jerry Brown and his cronies refuse to follow their own laws.
This only tells me who the real criminals are. This is why it’s
important for the oppressed prisoners to unite under one common cause.
We must apply the principles of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism in order to
defeat the criminal injustice system. We can do better if all races
unite, because united we stand, divided we fall.
Comrade George L. Jackson remarked: “settle your quarrels, come
together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that
fascism is already here.”
Hence, MIM(Prisons) can truly assist us in this noble effort. Giving us
the pertinent tools of knowledge (books) to combat the Amerikan
imperialist.
I send my greetings to the reader of this letter. Thank y’all for
sending me ULK 30. As always, it was easy, mind-broadening
reading. Although I understand and accept the realities presented by
your info, it is discouraging to see that we of this line of thought are
the minority. As obvious as all of the societal contradictions,
imbalances, and institutional hypocricies are, the majority of people
still hold on to the lie that Amerikkka is a fair, just, and free
society. It’s absurd and obscene.
I had filed a state court petition challenging the staff’s abuse of the
inmate appeal process here at California State Prison - Los Angeles
County. The judge has issued an order for the prison officials to
informally respond, and they in turn were granted an extension of time
on responding. The good thing is that the petition was not summarily
dismissed as is routine in the California state courts. Nevertheless,
the facts, law, and evidence are strong in my claim. If given a fair
shake in litigating I absolutely expect victory in the case.
MIM(Prisons) responds: This comrade filed a state court petition
in the same vein as the
campaign for
the proper addressing of grievances which is now three years strong.
Many participants in this campaign are still circulating petitions in
their facilities and mailing them to their respective wardens, prisoner
support groups, etc. But others, like this comrade, have applied their
knowledge of the legal system to push the campaign even further.
We hope the state court petition this comrade filed does have its fair
shot at success in the courts, as these victories can contribute to the
larger struggle of the oppressed in this country. Sadly, we know this is
unlikely, and it is for the same reasons why Amerikans choose to ignore
the “societal contradictions, imbalances, and institutional hypocricies”
we report on in Under Lock & Key. Even though all Amerikans
have at least some general idea of the terrible things this country does
across the world and within its own borders, they receive so many great
things from being Amerikan that they are willing to accept and even back
those actions. We are in the minority in this country. Rather than stay
discouraged, we should do as this comrade does and take that as a cue
that we need to work that much harder and with more creativity in order
to pave the way for revolution. And always keep in mind that we are in
the majority globally.
Click to download PDF of the CDCR’s March 14, 2013 memo to prisoners
about what constitutes Security Threat Group rule violations.
14 March 2013 - Prisoners in California received a memo advising them of
the expectations placed on them by the state in regards to the new
expanded “Security Threat Group” policies. When thousands of prisoners
across California went on hunger strike to protest torturous conditions
in the Security Housing Units, the California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation(CDCR) asserted that they were already working on the
issue. This was what they were working on. Previously they offered “gang
validation” to prisoners deemed to be affiliated with one of a handful
of “prison gangs” within the system. This new policy expands the gang
validation, and therefore long-term isolation torture, to all sorts of
organizations that are deemed “criminal” or even just “disruptive.” Keep
in mind that if prisoners stand up against staff abuses, this is
considered “disruptive” behavior and such prisoners face regular
retaliation. While none of this is new, it is now official policy.
This new policy marks the continued decline of First Amendment rights
for prisoners in this country. The state wants it to be illegal for
prisoners to affiliate with each other for any reason. They want to keep
them isolated in little cages with no contact with each other or the
outside world. While many in this country still defend Amerika as
promoting freedom, prisoners and the oppressed nations in general know
that this “freedom” does not apply to everyone.
MIM(Prisons) joins in United Front with all prisoners in California who
are now actively building resistance to these policies through the
courts and through peaceful organizing and actions.
[Memo Passed out to prisoners 3/14/2013]
STATE OF CALIFONRIA(sic) CDCR 2260 (10/12) Attachment E
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION Advisement of Expectations
It is the mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to preserve public safety and provide offenders with opportunities to take responsibility for their lives and improve their chances of becoming productive members of the community.
The CDCR maintains a zero tolerance for gang and security threat group activities and behavior. Within the CDCR, prison gangs, street gangs, and disruptive groups are referred to as Security Threat Groups (STG). CDCR maintains a pro-active approach to STG management.
Offenders found guilty of violating criminal or administrative statutes shall be dealt with 'in a manner consistent with department policy. This shall include, but not be limited to, loss of privileges, increase in custody level, loss of work credits, segregation from the general population, and/or referral for criminal prosecution.
It is your responsibility to abstain from activities that assist, promote, or endorse any STG within or outside this facility/institution. Your responsibility includes familiarizing yourself with laws and regulations that govern STG activity including the Security Threat Group Instructional Memorandum, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 15, Division 3, Sections 3000, 3023, 3314, 3315, 3323, 33,41.5, and 3378, and Department Operations Manual Chapter 5, Article 22. Some of which are outlined below.
CCR (Pilot), Section 3314, Administrative Rule Violations, states in part: (a)(3) Administrative rule violations include but are not limited to; (a)(3)(L) Security Threat Group Contraband: Possessing or displaying any distinctive materials, symbols, clothing, signs, colors, artwork, photographs, or other paraphernalia associated with any Security Threat Group; (a) (3) (M) Security Threat Group Behavior: Demonstrating or exhibiting any unique behaviors clearly associated with a STG that promotes, furthers or assists any Security Threat Group.
Examples of this behavior or activities include: *Active Participation in STG Roll Call; *Participating in STG Group Exercise; *Using hand signs, gestures, handshakes, slogans, distinctive clothing, graffiti which specifically relate to an STG; *In Possession of Artwork (other than self created and not original) clearly depicting recognized STG symbols; *In Possession of Photographs that depict STG Association. Must include STG connotations such as insignia, symbols, or other validated STG affiliates;
CCR (Pilot), Section 3315, Serious Rule Violations, states in part (a)(3) Serious rule violations include but are not limited to: (a) (3) (Y) Security Threat Group Directing or Controlling Behavior. Demonstrating activity, behavior or status as a' recognized member and/or leader of an STG, which jeopardizes the safety of the public, staff, or other inmate(s), and/or the security and order of the institution. (a) (3) (Z) Security Threat Group, Disruptive or Violent Behavior: Demonstrating involvement in activities or an event associated with a STG, which jeopardizes the safety of the public, staff, or other inmate(s), and/or the security and order of the institution,
CCR (Pilot), Section 3323, Disciplinary Credit Forfeiture Schedule, states in part (h) Division "F" offenses; credit forfeiture of 0-30 days. (h)(11) Harassment of another person, group, or entity either directly or indirectly through the use of the mail, telephone., or other means. (h) (12) Security Threat Group Behavior or Activity. (A) Recording/documentation of telephone conversation evidencing active STG behavior; (B) Communication between offenders regarding STG behavior or activities; (C) Directing Active Participation in STG Roll Call; (D) Directing Cadence for STG Group Exercise; (E) Wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, or other items with the intent to intimidate, promote membership, or depict affiliation in a STG; (F) In possession of self-created or original artwork clearly depicting recognized STG symbols; (G) In personal possession of STG related written material including membership or enemy list, constitution, organizational structures, codes, training material, etc.; (H) In personal possession of mail, notes, greeting cards, or other communications including coded messages evidencing active STG behavior.
The CDCR will review all criminal gangs and disruptive groups and assign a Security Threat Group level to each.
STG-I will consist of criminal gangs and/or historically based prison gangs that the CDCR has determined to be the most severe threat to the security of the institutions and communities based on a history and propensity for violence and/or influence over other groups. Based upon their individual threat, clandestine operations, and influence over other STG affiliates, inmates who are validated as STG-I members will be in segregated housing based solely upon their validation. Validated STG-I associates will normally remain housed in general population unless confirmed STG behavior or activities, some of which are described above, are present. If these behaviors or activities are present, the STG-I associate will be considered for segregated housing and placement into a five year step down program.
STG-II will consist of other criminal gangs such as street gangs or disruptive groups comprised of members and associates who may be determined to be in a subservient role to the more dominant STG-I type groups. Validated STG-II members or associates will remain housed in general population unless two or more confirmed STG behavior or activities are present. If these behaviors or activities are present, STG-II member or associate will be considered for segregated housing and placement into a five year step down program.
I have been provided a copy of this document.
Offender Signature CDCR # Date Signed __ | | Inmate Refused to Sign
Printed Staff Name Signature Date
Distribution: Original - Central File; Copy - Inmate
The fiance of a prisoner in Santa Barbara County Jail is leading the
call to oppose a new rule banning all letters to prisoners. The Sheriff
has restricted incoming mail to postcards only citing “security”
reasons, as they always do. They say this, despite the well-established
fact that ties to family and the outside world help prisoners
rehabilitate and reduces conflicts. This is why
we
question how prison authorities define “security.”
Nearby Ventura County Jail already has a ban on letters in place, and
has recently rolled out an email program that allows them to charge
prisoners.(1) One might think that they’re cutting out the U.S. Postal
Service because they can’t get a cut of the money. But as we recently
pointed out, another
advantage
to going digital is easier monitoring of all communications with
prisoners.
The rights of prisoners are limited in so many ways, making them a
vulnerable population facing increased risks of violence, rape, suicide
and many health problems. Even after release prisoners face increased
rates of poverty and shorter life spans. Education, communication and
integration with the outside world are important parts of any effort to
rehabilitate those who are rightfully imprisoned.
MIM(Prisons) supports this campaign to allow prisoners in Santa Barbara
County Jail to receive letters, just as we combat censorship in prisons
across the country. Those facing censorship from Santa Barbara can
provide public records to our
online Censorship in
Amerika Documentation Project.