Luther Unit - Federal

At the O.L Luther Unit we just had our annual Lockdown/Shakedown during which we were forced to sit outside with limited shade and denied respite. A close friend of mine, a 62-year-old prisoner, repeatedly told officers that he was feeling unwell and needed access to respite. After he was promptly denied respite he suffered from heat exhaustion and had to be taken to the hospital where they had to perform an emergency operation to install a pacemaker, even though prior to this he had never suffered from cardiac issues.

I feel that this incident is indicative of the type of behavior that is perpetuated inside TDCJ. A blatant disregard for the well-being of those incarcerated is the modus operandi of these facilities as well as denying respite during category 4 level heat they are also restricting access to ice. When we tried to address the issue with grievances, the responses we received were flat out lies. They maintained that we have continual access to ice for our drinks and commissary purchases. Despite the fact that several of my comrades here have received unjust disciplinary action for the simple act of trying to get ice.

While we are denied ice, in violation of their own directive (A.D. 1064) which states that we are guaranteed ice during times of elevated heat, the C.O.’s (capitalist oppressors) have their own cooler just for ice and it is kept under lock & key to prevent our access. This level of hypocrisy is inexcusable. We are currently trying to initiate a 1983 civil suit to demand A/C and access to ice. Thank you for allowing me to express my grievances. Stay strong comrades.

I am writing to request the Texas Pack. Thankyou for all you do for those of us behind the wire in Texas. At this unit, they took the grievance manual out of the law libraries, so every little bit helps. May God bless you for all you do.

Well Houston, we have a problem. I sent out a letter to you asking for the Texas Pack. I enclosed 1 SASE and 4 stamps. The mailroom denied the envelope with SASE and 4 stamps. Yet they wrote the denial form up stating denied 4 stamps and did not say anything about the self addressed stamped envelope. So I sent out another letter with (see denial form) 2 SASE, one with 6 stamps, one with one stamp. I wanted the Texas Package and the complaint form.

I have appealed both denial forms. The 1st denial form was in the 2 letters I sent to you. The first denial said I could not purchase anything with stamps. I explained I wasn't purchasing anything, just covered postage. So I request you'll also appeal this. The reason they don't allow stamps is because inmates have been using them to purchase "Kill Shot" magazines. I am also filing a grievance over this matter. There is nothing in Texas mailroom rules about stamps or SASE. Another violation of freedom of speech. There are others who require SASE like Merriam Webster Language Research Service. I don't see how that can stop SASE going out. So please appeal this also so that your name can be on approved list since you do not sell "Kill Shots."

I am currently an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). I have recently been having trouble with some of the ranking officers of the Luther Unit. Such as cussing me, abuse of power, threats of cases and the taking of my property.

Every grievance I have written has been no help, even the step twos. I was talking to a fellow inmate, and he told me to write to you. That you provide information or how to write proper grievances, and AD and PD codes that will help. I told him I was indigent, but he said you provide the grievance packages free of charge. If this is true I would greatly appreciate your Texas grievance packet and any other useful information you can provide.

A little on a problem I am having. Recently one of the ranking officers on my unit got in my face and told me "shut the fuck up bitch," now, I am very respectful to these officers and I didn't even snap back at the officer who did this. I would really like to know what I can do against this officer legally in response to this incident. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

At Luther Unit, the showers are extremely freezing. We are subjected to get in this water or go without showering. We are called out for showers at 6 a.m., and at this point it is still cold outside.

The medical fee of $100 will be subtracted from your Trust Fund account if you send in a sick call request, but it's due to this temperature of this cold shower. Some officers who know of this are scared to speak up because it's seen as showing favoritism to offenders, which is a blatant lie. Offenders are scared to file I-127 grievances due to the retaliation of the Safe Prison Sergeant Myles.