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Campaigns
- We Demand Our Grievances are Addressed! (11/03/2024)
- Reject the I$raeli Settler State, Support the People of Palestine (10/30/2024)
- Prison Banned Books Week (10/20/2024)
- Build a United Front for Peace in Prisons (9/30/2024)
- Serve the People Political Books for Prisoners Program (9/21/2024)
www.prisoncensorship.info is a media institution run by the Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons. Here we collect and publicize reports of conditions behind the bars in U.$. 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.
We hope this information will inspire people to take action and join the fight against the criminal injustice system. While we may not be able to immediately impact this particular instance of abuse, we can work to fundamentally change the system that permits and perpetuates it. The criminal injustice system is intimately tied up with imperialism, and serves as a tool of social control on the homeland, particularly targeting oppressed nations.
Goose Creek Correctional Center (Wasilla)
Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville (Aliceville)
Holman Correctional Facility (Atmore)
Cummins Unit (Grady)
Delta Unit (Dermott)
East Arkansas Regional Unit (Marianna)
Grimes Unit (Newport)
North Central Unit (Calico Rock)
Tucker Max Unit (Tucker)
Varner Supermax (Grady)
Arizona State Prison Complex Central Unit (Florence)
Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman SMUI (Florence)
Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman SMUII (Florence)
Arizona State Prison Complex Florence Central (Florence)
Arizona State Prison Complex Lewis Morey (Buckeye)
Arizona State Prison Complex Perryville Lumley (Goodyear)
Federal Correctional Institution Tucson (Tucson)
Florence Correctional Center (Florence)
La Palma Correctional Center - Corrections Corporation of Americ (Eloy)
Saguaro Correctional Center - Corrections Corporation of America (Eloy)
Tucson United States Penitentiary (Tucson)
California Correctional Center (Susanville)
California Correctional Institution (Tehachapi)
California Health Care Facility (Stockton)
California Institution for Men (Chino)
California Institution for Women (Corona)
California Medical Facility (Vacaville)
California State Prison, Corcoran (Corcoran)
California State Prison, Los Angeles County (Lancaster)
California State Prison, Sacramento (Represa)
California State Prison, San Quentin (San Quentin)
California State Prison, Solano (Vacaville)
California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison (Corcoran)
Calipatria State Prison (Calipatria)
Centinela State Prison (Imperial)
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (Blythe)
Coalinga State Hospital (COALINGA)
Deuel Vocational Institution (Tracy)
Federal Correctional Institution Dublin (Dublin)
Federal Correctional Institution Lompoc (Lompoc)
Federal Correctional Institution Victorville I (Adelanto)
Folsom State Prison (Folsom)
Heman Stark YCF (Chino)
High Desert State Prison (Indian Springs)
Ironwood State Prison (Blythe)
Kern Valley State Prison (Delano)
Martinez Detention Facility - Contra Costa County Jail (Martinez)
Mule Creek State Prison (Ione)
North Kern State Prison (Delano)
Pelican Bay State Prison (Crescent City)
Pleasant Valley State Prison (COALINGA)
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility at Rock Mountain (San Diego)
Salinas Valley State Prison (Soledad)
Santa Barbara County Jail (Santa Barbara)
Santa Clara County Main Jail North (San Jose)
Santa Rosa Main Adult Detention Facility (Santa Rosa)
Soledad State Prison (Soledad)
US Penitentiary Victorville (Adelanto)
Valley State Prison (Chowchilla)
Wasco State Prison (Wasco)
West Valley Detention Center (Rancho Cucamonga)
Bent County Correctional Facility (Las Animas)
Colorado State Penitentiary (Canon City)
Denver Women's Correctional Facility (Denver)
Fremont Correctional Facility (Canon City)
Hudson Correctional Facility (Hudson)
Limon Correctional Facility (Limon)
Sterling Correctional Facility (Sterling)
Trinidad Correctional Facility (Trinidad)
U.S. Penitentiary Florence (Florence)
US Penitentiary MAX (Florence)
Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center (Uncasville)
Federal Correctional Institution Danbury (Danbury)
MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution (Suffield)
Northern Correctional Institution (Somers)
Delaware Correctional Center (Smyrna)
Apalachee Correctional Institution (Sneads)
Charlotte Correctional Institution (Punta Gorda)
Columbia Correctional Institution (Portage)
Cross City Correctional Institution (Cross City)
Dade Correctional Institution (Florida City)
Desoto Correctional Institution (Arcadia)
Everglades Correctional Institution (Miami)
Federal Correctional Complex Coleman USP II (Coleman)
Florida State Prison (Raiford)
GEO Bay Correctional Facility (Panama City)
Graceville Correctional Facility (Graceville)
Gulf Correctional Institution Annex (Wewahitchka)
Hamilton Correctional Institution (Jasper)
Jefferson Correctional Institution (Monticello)
Lowell Correctional Institution (Ocala)
Lowell Reception Center (Ocala)
Marion County Jail (Ocala)
Martin Correctional Institution (Indiantown)
Miami (Miami)
Moore Haven Correctional Institution (Moore Haven)
Northwest Florida Reception Center (Chipley)
Okaloosa Correctional Institution (Crestview)
Okeechobee Correctional Institution (Okeechobee)
Orange County Correctons/Jail Facilities (Orlando)
Santa Rosa Correctional Institution (Milton)
South Florida Reception Center (Doral)
Suwanee Correctional Institution (Live Oak)
Union Correctional Institution (Raiford)
Wakulla Correctional Institution (Crawfordville)
Autry State Prison (Pelham)
Baldwin SP Bootcamp (Hardwick)
Banks County Detention Facility (Homer)
Bulloch County Correctional Institution (Statesboro)
Calhoun State Prison (Morgan)
Cobb County Detention Center (Marietta)
Coffee Correctional Facility (Nicholls)
Dooly State Prison (Unadilla)
Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison (Jackson)
Georgia State Prison (Reidsville)
Gwinnett County Detention Center (Lawrenceville)
Hancock State Prison (Sparta)
Hays State Prison (Trion)
Jenkins Correctional Center (Millen)
Johnson State Prison (Wrightsville)
Macon State Prison (Oglethorpe)
Riverbend Correctional Facility (Milledgeville)
Smith State Prison (Glennville)
Telfair State Prison (Helena)
US Penitentiary Atlanta (Atlanta)
Valdosta Correctional Institution (Valdosta)
Ware Correctional Institution (Waycross)
Wheeler Correctional Facility (Alamo)
Saguaro Correctional Center (Hilo)
Iowa State Penitentiary - 1110 (Fort Madison)
Mt Pleasant Correctional Facility - 1113 (Mt Pleasant)
Idaho Maximum Security Institution (Boise)
Dixon Correctional Center (Dixon)
Federal Correctional Institution Pekin (Pekin)
Lawrence Correctional Center (Sumner)
Menard Correctional Center (Menard)
Pontiac Correctional Center (PONTIAC)
Stateville Correctional Center (Joliet)
Tamms Supermax (Tamms)
US Penitentiary Marion (Marion)
Western IL Correctional Center (Mt Sterling)
Will County Adult Detention Facility (Joilet)
Indiana State Prison (Michigan City)
Pendleton Correctional Facility (Pendleton)
Putnamville Correctional Facility (Greencastle)
US Penitentiary Terra Haute (Terre Haute)
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (Carlisle)
Westville Correctional Facility (Westville)
Atchison County Jail (Atchison)
El Dorado Correctional Facility (El Dorado)
Hutchinson Correctional Facility (Hutchinson)
Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (Larned)
Leavenworth Detention Center (Leavenworth)
Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (West Liberty)
Federal Correctional Institution Ashland (Ashland)
Federal Correctional Institution Manchester (Manchester)
Kentucky State Reformatory (LaGrange)
US Penitentiary Big Sandy (Inez)
David Wade Correctional Center (Homer)
LA State Penitentiary (Angola)
Riverbend Detention Center (Lake Providence)
US Penitentiary - Pollock (Pollock)
Winn Correctional Center (Winfield)
Bristol County Sheriff's Office (North Dartmouth)
Massachussetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction (South Walpole)
Massachussetts Correctional Institution Shirley (Shirley)
North Central Correctional Institution (Gardner)
Eastern Correctional Institution (Westover)
Jessup Correctional Institution (Jessup)
MD Reception, Diagnostic & Classification Center (Baltimore)
North Branch Correctional Institution (Cumberland)
Roxburry Correctional Institution (Hagerstown)
Western Correctional Institution (Cumberland)
Baraga Max Correctional Facility (Baraga)
Chippewa Correctional Facility (Kincheloe)
Ionia Maximum Facility (Ionia)
Kinross Correctional Facility (Kincheloe)
Macomb Correctional Facility (New Haven)
Marquette Branch Prison (Marquette)
Pine River Correctional Facility (St Louis)
Richard A Handlon Correctional Facility (Ionia)
Thumb Correctional Facility (Lapeer)
Federal Correctional Institution (Sandstone)
Federal Correctional Institution Waseca (Waseca)
Minnesota Corrections Facility Oak Park Heights (Stillwater)
Minnesota Corrections Facility Stillwater (Bayport)
Chillicothe Correctional Center (Chillicothe)
Crossroads Correctional Center (Cameron)
Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (Bonne Terre)
Jefferson City Correctional Center (Jefferson City)
Northeastern Correctional Center (Bowling Green)
Potosi Correctional Center (Mineral Point)
South Central Correctional Center (Licking)
Southeast Correctional Center (Charleston)
Adams County Correctional Center (NATCHEZ)
Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility (Houston)
George-Greene Regional Correctional Facility (Lucedale)
Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (Woodville)
Montana State Prison (Deer Lodge)
Albemarle Correctional Center (Badin)
Alexander Correctional Institution (Taylorsville)
Avery/Mitchell Correctional Center (Spruce Pine)
Central Prison (Raleigh)
Cherokee County Detention Center (Murphy)
Craggy Correctional Center (Asheville)
Federal Correctional Institution Butner Medium II (Butner)
Foothills Correctional Institution (Morganton)
Granville Correctional Institution (Butner)
Greene Correctional Institution (Maury)
Harnett Correctional Institution (Lillington)
Hoke Correctional Institution (Raeford)
Lanesboro Correctional Institution (Polkton)
Lumberton Correctional Institution (Lumberton)
Marion Correctional Institution (Marion)
Mountain View Correctional Institution (Spruce Pine)
NC Correctional Institution for Women (Raleigh)
Neuse Correctional Institution (Goldsboro)
Pamlico Correctional Institution (Bayboro)
Pasquotank Correctional Institution (Elizabeth City)
Pender Correctional Institution (Burgaw)
Raleigh prison (Raleigh)
Rivers Correctional Institution (Winton)
Scotland Correctional Institution (Laurinburg)
Tabor Correctional Institution (Tabor City)
Warren Correctional Institution (Lebanon)
Wayne Correctional Center (Goldsboro)
Nebraska State Penitentiary (Lincoln)
Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (Tecumseh)
East Jersey State Prison (Rahway)
New Jersey State Prison (Trenton)
Northern State Prison (Newark)
South Woods State Prison (Bridgeton)
Lea County Detention Center (Lovington)
Ely State Prison (Ely)
Lovelock Correctional Center (Lovelock)
Northern Nevada Correctional Center (Carson City)
Adirondack Correctional Facility (Ray Brook)
Attica Correctional Facility (Attica)
Auburn Correctional Facility (Auburn)
Clinton Correctional Facility (Dannemora)
Downstate Correctional Facility (Fishkill)
Eastern NY Correctional Facility (Napanoch)
Five Points Correctional Facility (Romulus)
Franklin Correctional Facility (Malone)
Great Meadow Correctional Facility (Comstock)
Metropolitan Detention Center (Brooklyn)
Sing Sing Correctional Facility (Ossining)
Southport Correctional Facility (Pine City)
Sullivan Correctional Facility (Fallsburg)
Upstate Correctional Facility (Malone)
Chillicothe Correctional Institution (Chillicothe)
Ohio State Penitentiary (Youngstown)
Ross Correctional Institution (Chillicothe)
Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (Lucasville)
Cimarron Correctional Facility (Cushing)
Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (Pendleton)
MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility (Woodburn)
Oregon State Penitentiary (Salem)
Snake River Correctional Institution (Ontario)
Two Rivers Correctional Institution (Umatilla)
Cambria County Prison (Ebensburg)
Chester County Prison (Westchester)
Federal Correctional Institution McKean (Bradford)
State Correctional Institution Albion (Albion)
State Correctional Institution Benner (Bellefonte)
State Correctional Institution Camp Hill (Camp Hill)
State Correctional Institution Chester (Chester)
State Correctional Institution Cresson (Cresson)
State Correctional Institution Dallas (Dallas)
State Correctional Institution Fayette (LaBelle)
State Correctional Institution Forest (Marienville)
State Correctional Institution Frackville (Frackville)
State Correctional Institution Graterford (Graterford)
State Correctional Institution Greene (Waynesburgh)
State Correctional Institution Houtzdale (Houtzdale)
State Correctional Institution Huntingdon (Huntingdon)
State Correctional Institution Mahanoy (Frackville)
State Correctional Institution Muncy (Muncy)
State Correctional Institution Phoenix (Collegeville)
State Correctional Institution Pine Grove (Indiana)
State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh (Pittsburg)
State Correctional Institution Rockview (Bellefonte)
State Correctional Institution Somerset (Somerset)
Alvin S Glenn Detention Center (Columbia)
Broad River Correctional Institution (Columbia)
Evans Correctional Institution (Bennettsville)
Kershaw Correctional Institution (Kershaw)
Lee Correctional Institution (Bishopville)
Lieber Correctional Institution (Ridgeville)
McCormick Correctional Institution (McCormick)
Perry Correctional Institution (Pelzer)
Ridgeland Correctional Institution (Ridgeland)
DeBerry Special Needs Facility (Nashville)
Federal Correctional Institution Memphis (Memphis)
Hardeman County Correctional Center (Whiteville)
MORGAN COUNTY CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX (Wartburg)
Nashville (Nashville)
Northeast Correctional Complex (Mountain City)
Northwest Correctional Complex (Tiptonville)
Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (Nashville)
Trousdale Turner Correctional Center (Hartsville)
Turney Center Industrial Prison (Only)
West Tennessee State Penitentiary (Henning)
Allred Unit (Iowa Park)
Beto I Unit (Tennessee Colony)
Bexar County Jail (San Antonio)
Bill Clements Unit (Amarillo)
Billy Moore Correctional Center (Overton)
Bowie County Correctional Center (Texarkana)
Boyd Unit (Teague)
Bridgeport Unit (Bridgeport)
Cameron County Detention Center (Olmito)
Choice Moore Unit (Bonham)
Clemens Unit (Brazoria)
Coffield Unit (Tennessee Colony)
Connally Unit (Kenedy)
Cotulla Unit (Cotulla)
Dalhart Unit (Dalhart)
Daniel Unit (Snyder)
Dominguez State Jail (San Antonio)
Eastham Unit (Lovelady)
Ellis Unit (Huntsville)
Estelle 2 (Huntsville)
Estelle High Security Unit (Huntsville)
Ferguson Unit (Midway)
Formby Unit (Plainview)
Garza East Unit (Beeville)
Gib Lewis Unit (Woodville)
Hamilton Unit (Bryan)
Harris County Jail Facility (Houston)
Hightower Unit (Dayton)
Hobby Unit (Marlin)
Hughes Unit (Gatesville)
Huntsville (Huntsville)
Jester III Unit (Richmond)
John R Lindsey State Jail (Jacksboro)
Jordan Unit (Pampa)
Lane Murray Unit (Gatesville)
Larry Gist State Jail (Beaumont)
LeBlanc Unit (Beaumont)
Lopez State Jail (Edinburg)
Luther Unit (Navasota)
Lychner Unit (Humble)
Lynaugh Unit (Ft Stockton)
McConnell Unit (Beeville)
Memorial Unit (Rosharon)
Michael Unit (Tennessee Colony)
Middleton Unit (Abilene)
Montford Unit (Lubbock)
Mountain View Unit (Gatesville)
Neal Unit (Amarillo)
Pack Unit (Novasota)
Polunsky Unit (Livingston)
Powledge Unit (Palestine)
Ramsey 1 Unit Trusty Camp (Rosharon)
Ramsey III Unit (Rosharon)
Robertson Unit (Abilene)
Rufus Duncan TF (Diboll)
Sanders Estes CCA (Venus)
Smith County Jail (Tyler)
Smith Unit (Lamesa)
Stevenson Unit (Cuero)
Stiles Unit (Beaumont)
Stringfellow Unit (Rosharon)
Telford Unit (New Boston)
Terrell Unit (Rosharon)
Torres Unit (Hondo)
Travis State Jail (Austin)
Vance Unit (Richmond)
Victoria County Jail (Victoria)
Wallace Unit (Colorado City)
Wayne Scott Unit (Angleton)
Willacy Unit (Raymondville)
Wynne Unit (Huntsville)
Young Medical Facility Complex (Dickinson)
Iron County Jail (CEDAR CITY)
Utah State Prison (Draper)
Augusta Correctional Center (Craigsville)
Buckingham Correctional Center (Dillwyn)
Dillwyn Correctional Center (Dillwyn)
Federal Correctional Complex Petersburg (Petersburg)
Federal Correctional Complex Petersburg Medium (Petersburg)
Keen Mountain Correctional Center (Keen Mountain)
Nottoway Correctional Center (Burkeville)
Pocahontas State Correctional Center (Pocahontas)
Red Onion State Prison (Pound)
River North Correctional Center (Independence)
Sussex I State Prison (Waverly)
Sussex II State Prison (Waverly)
VA Beach (Virginia Beach)
Clallam Bay Correctional Facility (Clallam Bay)
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (Connell)
Olympic Corrections Center (Forks)
Stafford Creek Corrections Center (Aberdeen)
Washington State Penitentiary (Walla Walla)
Green Bay Correctional Institution (Green Bay)
Jackson Correctional Institution (Black River Falls)
Jackson County Jail (BLACK RIVER FALLS)
Racine Correctional Institution (Sturtevant)
Waupun Correctional Institution (Waupun)
Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (Boscobel)
Mt Olive Correctional Complex (Mount Olive)
US Penitentiary Hazelton (Bruceton Mills)
Reply to "Pennsylvania Mail Disrupted"
This is in response/follow-up to the “PA Mail Disrupted” article on pg. 13 of ULK 66. Enclosed is some info printed off of the internet that you may or may not be aware of. It substantiates what both the comrade that wrote the article and also what MIM(Prisons) responded.
You are probably aware by now, but the “policy” of staff photocopying our privileged correspondence (legal mail) has since been lifted and we now receive the original documents once again. This is ONLY for privileged correspondence from courts and licensed attorneys with approved “ACNs” (Attorney Control Numbers). This changed over a year ago and I’ve provided a copy of the policy update with this letter.
This is a huge victory and to the best of my knowledge, aside from the individual (or groups of) prisoners who I’m sure filed grievances/lawsuits,, etc. to bring about this change, I believe the ACLU played a major role in this win.
But of course it’s one battle in a much larger war. Our “regular” mail is still being scanned by Smart Communications in Florida as well as our photos from family and friends.
All books/publications still must go through the “Security Processing Center” to be heavily scrutinized and censored, which leads to it taking a MINIMUM of about three weeks for us to receive our books. Sometimes it takes upwards of two months.
An alternative to the poor quality printed (copied) photos (I’ve persynally received numerous photos that the jail has printed on the opposite side of the SAME page as my letters, which I hope I’m not the only one that sees this as ridiculous, lazy, and flat out disrespectful) is to receive “photo books” via apps such as FreePrints, FlikShop, Shutterfly, and Snapfish.
These photo books are more expensive (around $10-$15) but are MUCH better quality than receiving the printed copies through Smart Communications. But the photo books must come (from the app) through the Security Processing Center.
Clearly the DOC isn’t happy that we’ve found a “loophole” in eir ridiculous policy regarding photos and I’ve witnessed a fellow prisoner’s ENTIRE photo book be rejected because ONE out of 25 of the photos depicted eir young daughter throwing up the “peace” sign. It goes without saying that ey claimed it was a “gang” sign. How ignorant and disrespectful can ey be? Obviously this question is rhetorical because clearly ey will stop at nothing and have no boundaries when it comes to censoring and harassing prisoners here in PA and around the country.
Bottom line, this is proof that we can achieve victories, albeit small ones, but victories nonetheless when standing up for our rights against the systematic oppression at the hands of our captors (the State).
So I hope it will encourage all of us to keep fighting and keep standing up for the what we believe in and what we know is right.
Related Articles:
Admin Cracks Down on Organizers as Protests Begin in NC
Revolutionary Greetings!
Just recently, the national grievance petition that I drafted got published in several newspapers. Then our cell block got raided multiple times, and cellphones were confiscated. Well the C.O.’s put the searches off on my organizing and blaming me for the raids. As a result, a XXXX gang member stabbed me 5 times in the back with an ice pick. I am recovering fine but it just goes to show how far these fascists will go to shut me up.
Next, I would like to update you on these petitions. So on 8 May 2020 citizens in Raleigh, N.C. did a vehicle protest blaring horns, marching with signs in front of Central Prison in Raleigh & prisoners on the inside went on a 3 day hunger strike and refused to lock down at the facility.
On 9 May 2020 many protests broke out at the Neuse Prison inside and outside demanding N.C. prisoners’ human rights.
On 10 May 2020 women prisoners at NCCIW also protested on the inside while dozens of cars blared their horns outside of the prison in solidarity and marched in front of the prison until local police from two agencies were dispersed to break the crowd up.
Prisoners are tired of being restricted from writing to other prisoners of the opposite sex. Tired of paying $10.00 for prison rule violations, restrictions on who can send us money, life sentences and all the b.s. time we are being sentenced.
Q&A with MIM(Prisons), Spring 2020
Where you been?
We’ve been here, at least some of us. Our last issue of ULK was ULK 69, which came out in October 2019. In that issue we announced a planned pause to launch a new newsletter in January. Those plans fell apart in December when most of those comrades left the project.
Wait, i’m new, i never even got ULK 69
If you wrote us for the first time after we mailed out ULK 69 you should have got some kind of response from us. Many new subscribers were only sent a back issue of ULK and no further info. This issue (70) should get everyone up to speed. However, due to the shelter-in-place orders and our limited resources we are not doing a mailing to our full subscriber list. Only those who write in after this issue is released will be sent a copy.
How are you doing?
We’re doing as good as we can. The setbacks in December were challenging. But those of us who remain are healthy so far, and are not facing any immediate setbacks from the pandemic. In fact, we saw a 42% increase in data pulled from our website in April, which we imagine is related to people sheltering in place to avoid COVID-19.
What have you been up to?
We’ve actually done a lot in 2020. Before the comrades left this winter we had spent a lot of time working with our partners in RAIM to develop plans for the newsletter, as well as developing our ideological unity around Maoism. Besides some edits to our definition of Maoism, we put out an extensive response to the book Continuity and Rupture, which goes through the history of Maoism here in occupied Turtle Island and relates it to the International Communist Movement (ICM). We could not fit that essay in this issue of ULK, but if you are interested please write in to request a copy. You can also get a copy of the book itself from us for $8 (stamps or ask us for info on how to pay by check) or work trade. It is a good explanation of some of the concepts behind Maoism and where it comes from. However, our essay addresses some serious disagreements with the historical facts and some of the author’s political line. We recommend it to all who are studying Maoism.
Since the last ULK we’ve focused much energy outside of prisons, to invest in building a more resilient movement on the streets. Of note, we launched a new online platform that has been in the work for years, which has allowed us to build with a number of new comrades. We released plans for the launch of Anti-Imperialist Prisoner Support (AIPS), a mass organization for people on the outside to support USW and MIM(Prisons) work. Our subscribers can now link up their outside contacts with AIPS to make direct contributions to Maoist prisoner support in the United $tates. Just have your people get in touch with us via our website www.prisoncensorship.info/contact .
We took the opportunity of the intro study group coordinator leaving to revamp the entire course, both the study questions as well as the format. This new format allows people to complete the course at their own pace, rather than having to wait for the next course to start, or for others to answer. We hope this means our subscribers will be able to develop their political consciousness more rapidly and with sustained interest. The new format is already showing good results in the responses we have seen.
The introductory study course has been open to prisoners for many years, and hundreds of people have participated over that time. In 2020, we started offering our intro study course online for the first time. We are linking AIPS comrades to our intro study group participants inside, to help build bridges between inside and outside, and to help everyone develop their political consciousness more deeply.
Despite the pause in ULK, we have sent in 100s of pieces of literature each month through our Free Political Books to Prisoners Program.
Are all your programs still running?
No, we simply cannot do what we were doing until we can get more comrade time dedicated to those tasks. This will happen by training new people and/or having others provide the money we need to keep operating so existing comrades have more time to put in.
Some tasks we cannot sustain at this time are producing Spanish-language content and coordinating the Prisoners’ Legal Clinic. Our capacity to appeal censorship on behalf of MIM Distributors will be even more focused on instances that are being actively fought by our subscribers. We will still send subscribers Spanish language materials that are already produced, as well as legal guides available through our Free Books program.
But ULK is back?
We’re not sure yet. Our plan A was to launch a new newsletter, in partnership with other cells/groups, uniting on MIM’s 3 cardinal principals (see MIM(Prisons) points 4-6). This newsletter would have more than tripled our distribution, with most copies being distributed outside of prisons. We still think we need such a newsletter to unite a broader Maoist Internationalist Movement. But until people step up with the effort, money and political line to do this project, this plan is on hold.
Plan B is to recontinue Under Lock & Key, to serve as the voice of the anti-imperialist prisoner movement led by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism through MIM(Prisons)’s role as editor. ULK came out every other month and was free to all prisoners of the United $nakes who wrote us every 6 months to stay on the mailing list. Whether we can return to that model is still being considered.
Plan C would be doing something less regular, with less content and/or more restricted distribution, which is effectively what we are doing with ULK 70. Before we make any concrete decisions, we decided to put out ULK 70 as a first step in sorting out our longer-term plan. We wanted to send our readers an update, including all of the indepth content included in this issue. We wanted to let people know we’re still here and still serious. And we wanted to make one more call for support. How we proceed will depend on the response from our subscribers, as well as potential contributors outside. And, like the rest of the world, we are not sure what will be the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
How can i support the newsletter?
In order to consistently produce new issues of Under Lock & Key, we must fill the gap in resources we had before we stopped. This gap is in both comrade time and money. One of our biggest successes in the last couple months has been the launch of the online platform, and the streamlining of the process of getting prisoner writings typed and published on our website. Helping out with typing, proof-reading, formatting and even writing articles for ULK is one way to help. Providing consistent funding is another. Comrades in prison, perhaps you can help recruit people to do both. You don’t have to contribute a lot, but we do need supporters who can contribute consistently, that we can rely on to keep the newsletter going.
To reignite Plan A we need to develop cells within MIM and mass organizations that are doing work on the ground that produce diverse content for such a newsletter, an outlet for distributing it, and funding.
Currently, Plan C might include publishing a newsletter whenever we can. This model has the benefit of responding to reader support; as support goes up, the newsletter becomes more regular. However, we think consistency is important up front, especially if we are to be effective at keeping our imprisoned subscribers informed in a relatively timely manner, as we must do to sustain our movement.
Therefore, we are asking for everyone’s support in making ULK a regular newsletter once again, to play its unique role of publicizing and supporting anti-imperialist organizing in the dungeons of the belly of the beast! For people inside, write to your people outside and encourage them to get involved. For people outside, contact us with a pledge of how much you can contribute every 2 months, in work and/or funding.
Debt Relief to Combat COVID-19 Blocked by U.$. Imperialism
In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) began considering calls for aid to Third World countries in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.(1) Since then, finance capital flows have begun moving out of the Third World and back into the United $tates, resulting in currencies in those countries losing their value. This is making it impossible for these countries to pay off their existing debt burdens, as well as to fund much-needed relief for their people during this crisis.
In our previous article we mentioned the possibility of the IMF issuing Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) which would allow all countries to access funds, via the United Nations, without accruing additional debt and interest. We have also been echoing the call for complete debt forgiveness, or jubilee, for the poorest nations of the world.
In place of these measures, the United $tates has set up a system where countries can apply for dollars in exchange for local currency from the U.$. Federal Reserve Board. This allows the United $tates to decide who gets funding. Due to their control of the IMF, the Amerikans have already blocked funding to Venezuela to combat the pandemic.(2)
The money being offered from the the Fed will also be given as loans, with interest.(2) Already, the most exploited countries of the world cannot afford to pay off existing loans. Many countries are spending more on debt payments than healthcare during the pandemic.(1) In addition, these loans, unlike the proposed SDRs, will have conditions that give the Amerikans control over the path of development these countries take in the future.
The exiting of finance capital from the Third World will have the effect of passing the impacts of the economic crisis disproportionately on to those countries. Meanwhile, the United $tates is offering to send dollars back to put these countries further into debt and ratchet up further policy control over their economies. While the United $tates is currently leading the world in deaths due to the novel coronavirus, the Third World nations are likely destined to see much more dire death and suffering without debt forgiveness, unconditional aid, and the lifting of sanctions and embargoes by the imperialists.
In times of capitalist expansion, exporting finance capital works to transfer wealth from the Third World periphery to the First World nations. Now that the economy is quickly contracting, the methods above show how pulling finance capital out of the periphery also transfers wealth to the First World nations. Ultimately, national liberation struggles are necessary to free the peripheral countries from the economic system of imperialism that uses them as a source of wealth at the expense of much humyn suffering.
Notes:
1.
MIM(Prisons),
April 2020, Call on G20 to Cancel $1 trillion in TW Debt next
week.
2.
Prabhat
Patnaik, 30 April 2020, Monthly Review Online.
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They Need a Healer
After reading the article “34 years too long: The case of Political Prisoner Dr. Mutulu Shakur” in the San Francisco Bayview newspaper, Feb. 2020 issue, plus watching the news on the current events on the coronavirus epidemic, I can’t help but laugh and wonder; Is this pay back for locking up and killing our New Afrikan healers? As a young New Afrikan who grew up listening to and admiring the late Tupac Shakur, knowing that Pac came from a revolutionary background, when given a chance to study Dr. Mutulu Shakur deeper, I took it and was astonished that he co-founded the BAAANA (Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America).
It pisses me off how Dr. Mutulu was framed and is still locked up after serving his 30-year sentence unrightfully. Just as much as the killing of Dr. Sebz, America doesn’t want to heal individuals not without capitalizing on it. Now we’re in a period where all the natural healers are needed, and this epidemic of the coronavirus has individuals in the multitudes fearing for their lives. Due to the Surgeon General claiming there’s no cure and advise individuals to self-quarantine if they have symptoms that coincides with COVID-19. But where’s the natural healers now? In prison cells or 6 feet under the ground. For every action there’s a consequence and here’s the Imperialistic-Capitalistic world consequence for murdering and imprisoning our Brothers and Sisters.
I knowledge that if the United $tates didn’t do the evil wrong doings to the New Afrikan community and strayed away from the natural way of life, as a whole we would be better off like the majority of the continent of Afrika. Now Amerikkka is going into her rapist tool box and do what it does best, which is blood suck whoever has the cure dry then dispose of the evidence.
The Honorable Elijah Muhammed wrote about the Fall of Amerikkka and said the worst is yet to come. How shit is looking now, the worst is just beginning to happen to Amerikkka the great. As the New Afrikan nation is in motion to free our Brothers and Sisters from the belly of the dying beast. Our next move is in the separation of this failing nation and watch the fireworks. Amerikkka is in a desperate need for a healer, or a savior which will only come from US. Who are the Fathers and Mothers of civilization, Supreme beings.
FREE DR. MUTULU SHAKUR!!
MIM(Prisons) responds: We also foresee challenging times for the United Snakes empire coming out of th coronavirus crisis. This creates opportunities for real change, and real change of the economic system will come when oppressed nations begin delinking from the imperialist system as this comrade says.
We must caution against taking our critique of the imperialists too far into pseudo-science. There are many promoting “all natural” cures to coronavirus to make a quick buck these days. It’s not just the U.$. President pedaling dangerous unproven solutions. Certainly, if soldiers like Mutulu Shakur were not targeted by the state, New Afrikans and the world would be better off. And by seeing through Shakur’s vision of a socialist future, we will be much better prepared to handle pandemics in the future, by putting the people before profits.
Return Life-Saving Machines to Prisoners at CMF
Revolutionary Greetings!
10 April 2020 – Filing my April Report from the California Medical Facility (CMF) at Vacaville, California.
This is a hospital, we are all here because we are high risk medical and most of us are 55+ years of age if not older. And those of us with Obstructive Sleep Apnea suffer from a life-threatening condition for which we require the use of a CPAP/BiPAP breathing machine to allow us to keep breathing as we sleep. Today the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), using Gastapo tactics, has come in and confiscated our DMEs (Durable Medical Equipment). Thereby placing all our lives at risk under the color of law.
I requested C.O. Gorbe, our dorm officer who since his assignment to our dorm has made a hostile environment, to make a copy of my health care 602 [grievance form] with supporting documents attached, as is my right before I submitted it. I was denied this request and for this reason I submitted this health care 602 attached to a CDCR 22 form with the CDCR 602 H.C. Grievance. And I have been successful in encouraging others to follow suite and file appeals.
My people have been calling the facility and they are denying these as allegations, refusing to acknowledge to our loved ones this even happened. And telling us this is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Which makes NO sense. I am not infected and their reporting no cases here at CMF. Yet they are placing our lives at risk of our OSA.
I’m sure this is going on at other facilities within CDCR and I encourage all our brothers and sisters to also file paperwork together we can make a difference!
I have wrote similar letters to: - The Prison Law Office - Office of Internal Affairs CDCR - Office of the Inspector General - U.S. Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division - CDCR, office of the Ombudsman - Rosen Bien Galvan and Grunfeld UP attorney at Law - Cal-vets
I would like to respectfully request copies of the grievance petition forms, and also suggest all our effected brothers and sisters to also file and make this a real campaign. And contact your loved ones beyond the walls to call in and make the system aware that people outside are aware of their actions. Together let’s hold them accountable for their actions!
Take Action:
Monday 11 May 2020
CALL: (707) 448-6841
Suggested message: “I am calling on behalf of prisoners who have had their Durable Medical Equipment taken away during the COVID-19 pandemic. These machines help people with life-threatening conditions. I am requesting that prisoners at California Medical Facility be given access to these machines immediately. Can you tell me why these machines were taken away and when we can expect them to be returned?”
MIM(Prisons) adds: As this comrade states ey does not have symptoms of COVID-19. While there are reports online that CPAP machines could spread COVID-19, these patients should be tested for the virus if that is the concern. The fact that COVID-19 is becoming so widespread in prisons is a complete failure of the staff to protect prisoners. With proper practices, prisoners likely would not even be exposed to the virus – in many ways, imprisonment is the epitome of “shelter in place..” Prisoners with existing health conditions need not be put under additional threats to their health.
Many PA Prisoners Have COVID-19 in Gen Pop
MIM,
Greetings. Enclosed is my completed answers for session 1 of the study group. I look forward to further material.
I will hopefully be back in gen. pop. (at a different prison) within the next month or two. I remain in segregation as all transfers in the PADOC have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ironically, those of us in segregation here are probably safer than the prisoners in general population because numerous staff (C.O.s, etc.) have tested positive for the virus here at this facility (and possibly prisoners, but I’m not sure) and we in seg. are basically in the closest thing to a legit quarantine.
Even in this seg. unit I still see a lot of C.O.s (too many) neglecting recommended (or sometimes mandatory) safety measures and most have a lackadaisical attitude about the situation. I’m surprised many more (and many of us) aren’t sick.
Anyway, I look forward to hearing back.
In Solidarity.
Alabama Prison System in Violation of the Constitution
Being an inmate in the State of Alabama is really hard for a lot of men and women right now. In April 2019, for the first time in the history of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, the Department of Justice found the entire Alabama prison system for men in violation of the Constitution banning cruel and unusual punishment. The report contains everything from murder, rape, suicide to crumbling infrastructure and overcrowding. They also found a drug problem that is out of control. In 2014, the Department of Justice investigated Julia Tutwiler Prison for women and found evidence of rape and extortion. Conditions there have only grown worse since then. There is a complete sense of hopelessness among the inmates. The issues that plague the state are across the board from the judicial system to the parole board. Lawmakers are in session at this time to try to come up with some solutions. I can only hope they use some common sense to find these solutions.
I spend my days in the law library working on my own case or do some arts and crafts. Anything positive and productive I can do to stay away from all the negative. My overall goal is clemency, but it is a very long road. The severe violent adverse effects of the stop smoking medication Chantix led to my conviction and I’m not going to give up.
Thank you for everything you do. Peace
Study Group's Long Struggle; Face Drugs and Censorship
Revolutionary Greetings!
As you know, March 2020 TDCJ has made changes. No more greeting cards are allowed in, only ten photos at a time and more little changes, such as the only ones allowed to send money or ecom packages must be on your phone or visitation list.
They are trying to slow the drug market down. However no changes for good time work time or payment for our labor. Still slaves to the system imagine that. Anyway the study group I am working on hasn’t grown. We are three strong. It’s a start! We decided to post “Did you know”’s and “Just think about it” notes to get the attention of people. A lot of people are still stuck on K-2 and other drugs.
I deeply feel this is what they want to keep us from thinking, but never will I give up hope or educating men. We have a major fight on our hands and the battle is far from won. Not only are we fighting the oppressors but we must educate the masses. I read and studied a lot of material I still haven’t come to the understanding on how to influence people of the knowledge or political education or even a common platform that will help the Texas prison system. We all have been pushing peace so that’s a start.
We just now need to get rid of the Meth and K-2! Our unit just came off lockdown they had a surprise unit sweep, getting rid of a lot of K-2 and Meth only to see the prison block flooded again with that shit. Over 50 cell phones were found and pounds of K-2. No big changes cause it’s still here it seems like even more though. In other words they took pictures then put it right back on the streets.
MIM(Prisons) adds: In our survey on drugs in prisons conducted in 2017, 39% of respondents said staff brought in most drugs, and 78% mentioned staff as part of the problem.(1) From the ghettos of New York to the Iran-Contra scandal, drugs and drug money have been important tools of the oppressor in its war on the oppressed.
As this comrade points out, recent changes in mail polices to address drugs in prison are a joke, and only serve to limit support and education for prisoners. The results only reinforce the fact that drugs are being brought in by staff. Meanwhile, the lack of connection to family, community and organizations that are addressing social ills is counter to any goals related to rehabilitation.
This comrade is on the right track. Providing connection, meaning and hope through independent institutions like their study group is the best counter measure we currently have to the reactionary effects of drugs on the people. We want to hear more about the “Did you know” fliers. What topics and slogans are working to reach the masses that we could share with others? Let us know.
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