Number 51  Winter 2017

Serving The Interests Of And Their Loved Ones On The Outside For Twenty Five Years FORMERLY INCARCERATED ADVOCATES SPEAK OUT AT PRISON FOCUS’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT By Kim Rohrbach n November 12, 2016, California Prison Focus held its 25th anniversary commemoration at Othe First Congregational Church in Oakland. The highlight was a panel discussion with Watani Stiner, Mianta McKnight, Troy Williams, and Raymond Aguilar—all formerly incarcerated Californians. Together, their experiences span a significant half-century in this nation’s history, from the Civil Rights Movement through what’s being called the New Jim Crow era. Bato Talamantez, a founding member of CPF who was absolved in the 1971 San Quentin Six reflected on the origins of the organization: “Everything about California Prison Focus started around Pelican Bay a hell of a long time ago. We didn’t have a name at first. We just responded to our friends inside. We had a lot of friends and still do. And they were the ones who ultimately led the Hunger Strike twenty years later: they figured out that it’s do-or- die time.” Sharing his recollections of Holbrook Teter, a former activist with CPF who passed in 1999, Talamantez continued: "He told us he had been around the world where people had been tortured, and what was happening the war in Vietnam.” Watani enrolled at UCLA where he nonviolence themselves. at Pelican Bay [long term solitary confinement) was discovered and joined the Us organization, founded by Before long, when Williams was 13, he found himself torture. The constitution does not apply at Pelican Bay,” Dr. Maulana Karenga - also the founder of Kwanzaa - on confronted by six grown men who insisted that he fight. the heels of the Watts Revolt. Watani was drawn to Us, he concluded. Well aware that he couldn’t fight six men, he ran and was finding a stronger sense of his "culture, identity and a way Each ot the panelist had experienced firsthand the torture chased. “I didn’t make it.” Williams remembered, “I got of resisting oppression”. Both Us ands the Black Panther stomped out … beat up with chains and all that. And, guess that Talamantez described and had himself experienced— Party at UCLA were involved in efforts to establish a Black who came to my rescue?" three of tfour had spent in solitary confinement as juveniles. Studies program. “A rival gang showed up and ran the guys off. Next Following introductions, Roberto Monico, a CPF Stiner’s life was soon to change again because of a 1969 thing I know, I got thirty muscled-down men around me activist and a graduate student in San Francisco State shoot-out at the UCLA campus, in which he was wounded telling me how they got my back. Givin’ me some attention University’s Ethnic Studies Department, facilitated the and two Black Panthers (Bunchie Carter and John that I wish I would have gotten in the household, but I discussion. Huggins) were killed. “At the time,” Stiner said about the didn’t get.” The panelists’ backgrounds shoot-out, “I didn’t know about Cointelpro, and how they So began William’s involvement in “the lifestyle.” Two The senior member of the panel, Watani Stiner, informed instigated and … turned that whole incident into a violent 1 years later, he was in juvenile hall for . the audience that he refers to himself as a Cointelpro thing, where it caused the death of two human beings.” He Williams explained that he has been in the hole countless survivor, instead of a former “political ”. The and his brother were tried and convicted for the murder. times, including multiple times as a youth. term “Cointelpro survivor,” he noted, acknowledges the They were sentenced to life and sent to San Quentin, then After his release from juvenile hall, Williams government’s role in his incarceration. escaped and fled to Guyana in 1974. About twenty years became a youth counselor and returned to school for Stiner spent his early childhood in the Jim Crow south. after that, out of concerns for his family, Stiner finally cinemaphotography. Maxine Waters, then Representative He remembered separate water fountains, separate beaches turned himself in to the US Embassy and landed back in for California’s 35th Congressional District, sponsored the and having to enter the grocer’s through the back door. San Quentin, where he was immediately placed in solitary organization he was working for as counselor. When he was seven, his mother moved his family to confinement for an entire year. When he was released from Around that time—1996—Maxine Waters was calling Watts, California. Watts was “a whole different world” San Quentin in January 2015, he hadn’t walked the streets for investigations by the D.O.J. and the House Judiciary than the one he’d previously known. In the south, it had of the US as a free man since 1969. Committee into journalist Gary Webb’s revelations been a “sin” in the eyes of a Catholic-raised child such as ♦♦♦♦♦ published in the San Jose Mercury News. Webb had he to drink from the whites-only fountain. Restorative justice advocate, journalist and filmmaker exposed that: (1) the CIA-backed Contras in Nicaragua As a young adult in California, Stiner married his Troy Williams who recently turned 50, was just a toddler highschool sweetheart and landed a well-paying job at an were using profits from cocaine trafficking to fund their during the heyday of resistance and self-determination aircraft company. But in 1965, Stiner’s life was changed guerilla effort to overthrow the (left-wing) Sandinista organizations like the Black Panthers and Us. forever by the Watts Revolt. At that time of the revolt, government; (2) this had been going on for the better part Williams and Stiner both remarked on how the disruption Stiner explained, “Young people across the country were of a decade, with the US government’s knowledge and and decline of the Black Power Movement created a breaking through racist barriers; we were raising questions tacit support; and (3) the cocaine being trafficked was vacuum that gave rise to gangs.2 "I was sucked into that about the unequal distribution of power and wealth … and being sold to the Bloods and the Crips in by world, even though 2 the tons, leading to the crack cocaine epidemic that had I didn’t want to be,” spread from L.A. across the urban U.S.. explained Troy. “I was there when Gary Webb broke the story about Indeed, when Williams Cointelpro and all the drugs coming into the community,” first learned from his Williams said, “and I understood what had happened.” brother at age ten what ______Crips and Bloods were, 1 The FBI states on its website: “The FBI began COINTEL- his response had been: PRO—short for Counterintelligence program—in 1956 “That’s dumb. Like, to disrupt the activities of the Communist Party of the why we fightin each United States. In the 1960s, it was expanded to include a number of other domestic groups, such as the KKK, the other? That don’t make Socialist Workers Party and the Black Panther Party.” May sense to me.” Yet, the 5, 2011, https://vault.fbi.gov/cointel-pro. reality was that violence was everywhere around 2 Stiner expounded on this theme, “Once you create a him and supposed role vacuum, that vacuum is filled by something.” This phe- models, who preached nomena, he noted, can be seen at even the international nonviolence, did not level—whether with the US in Iraq, or what's happening in Syria or Libya. necessarily practice Panel guests and facilitator: Raymond Aguillar, Roberto, Troy Williams, Mianka and Watani Stiner CPF Anniversary Event...... Continued on page 12 (4) Fill out and file a Prop 64 Petition Form. As part offenses in Penal Code § 667.5(c), and the eligibility of PROPOSITION 64 of your application, contact the court in the county of second and third strikers. The CDDA campaigned against REPORT conviction to determine if the county will be holding 57 on the basis that crimes such as Assault with a Deadly formal hearings on Prop 64 petitions. By Tom McMahone Weapon (ADW) and Domestic Battery (DB) will not be (5) This is a filing with the court so you must also file a n one of the many world-changing decisions made included. Proof of Service and serve a copy to the district attorney by voters on November 8, 2016, California joined However, it is likely that the following “violent” felonies (DA), city attorney, or other prosecuting agency; several other state jurisdictions that have legalized listed in Penal Code § 667.5 will not be included: murder; I (6) Prepare for and attend the hearing. attempted murder; voluntary manslaughter; mayhem; recreational use of marijuana by passing Proposition 64, Under the requirements of Prop 64, the judge is required the “Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana forcible sex offenses; rape in concert; robbery; arson; to presume that you qualify for belief unless the DA proves Act,” commonly known as the “Adult Use of Marijuana kidnapping; carjacking; certain gang offenses; first degree by “clear and convincing evidence” that you do not. If Act” and refered to below as "The Act". The passage of burglary where a victim is present; any felony punishable released, you may still be subject to parole, probation, or Proposition 64 represents a major change in marijuana by death or life in prison; any felony where great bodily another form of supervised release. law. injury is inflicted; and any felony involving use of a gun. The State Judicial Counsel has been tasked with The Act has four major provisions. First, it permits The base term means the normal, base Determinate developing forms for you to use in petitioning the court adults, 21 years of age or older, to legally possess, transport, Sentencing Law (DSL) term, without enhancements. under prop 64, but they are not yet widely available to the purchase, consume, or share up to one ounce (28.3g) of For example, even if the court imposed double the term public.● marijuana, and up to 8 grams of marijuana concentrates. because of a strike prior, you should still be eligible for Second, it permits adults, 21 years of age or older, to parole consideration after completion of the normal, grow up to 6 marijuana plants per household out of public unmodified DSL term. It is still not known how much time view. Third, in addition to its legalization provisions, The PROPOSITION 57 must be done on the primary term before it is considered Act drastically reduces the penalties for other marijuana- REPORT “completed” in full. Until the CDCR writes the new related offenses, including the reduction of some felonies regulations, it is not known whether good time/work By Tom McMahone to misdemeanors, and some misdemeanors to infractions. credits can be applied to the completion of the primary n November 8, 2016 California voters approved term. Among these are offenses including Health and Safety Code Proposition 57, the “Public Safety and Rehabilita- The governor’s office estimates that 7,000 inmates Section 11357(a) (possession of concentrated cannabis), tion Act.” Governor Jerry Brown sponsored the Section 11358 (cultivation), Section 11359 (possession for O should be immediately eligible once the regulations take initiative and the “Yes on 57” campaign outraised op- sale), and Section 11360 (sale, transportation for sale). ponents, $14.98 million to $1.51 million, despite vocal effect and that 25,000 inmates in total will be affected. Fourth, The Act has a resentencing provision which opposition from law enforcement organizations across Over the next year, the prison population should be permits persons previously convicted of designated the state. Just months before the election, the California reduced by approximately 2,000 persons, and by 9,500 marijuana offenses to obtain a reduced conviction or District Attorneys Association (CDAA) filed a lawsuit to persons in 2020-21. sentence, if they would have received the benefits of The remove Prop 57 from the ballot, citing “unrelated amend- When does Prop 57 take effect? Act had it been in place when the crime was committed. ments.” Though the CDAA initially succeeded in the low- The CDCR is still in the process of adopting the new In other words, if you were convicted for a crime based er courts, the California Supreme Court reversed, and the regulations (changes to Title 15) to implement Prop 57. measure went forward. Voters overwhelmingly approved on conduct that is now legal under The Act, there is a According to the governor’s office, the proposed parole the measure with 64.46% in favor, a total of 8,790,723 provision requiring the court to “dismiss and seal” the and credit changes are expected to go into effect by votes for and 4,847,354 against. record of conviction. October 1, 2017. It is not known when the CDCR will start Prop 57 is the most recent ballot initiative in a series screening prisoners for eligibility or start holding Prop 57 of efforts being made in California to address persistent parole hearings. The Act has a resentencing overcrowding in our prisons. It should be viewed as the Before the rules are adopted, inmates and the public provision which permits persons next step in the process, following the 2009 order by federal will have an opportunity to participate in a “notice and previously convicted of designated judges in Plata v. Brown that California reduce its prison comment” period. At some point soon, the CDCR will marijuana offenses to obtain a population to 137.5% of the prisons’ design capacity, the publish the text of the new proposed rules. So make sure reduced conviction or sentence... 2011 ruling by the United States Supreme Court in the you are checking with your law library. Inmates and same case that the overcrowding of California’s prisons the public will then have several weeks to send written In addition to these major changes, The Act creates a violates the 8th Amendment of the Constitution, and the comments to the CDCR about the proposed rules. The number of new statutes to regulate the consumption of adoption of Proposition 47 by voters in 2014. CDCR can then respond and issue revised rules, which marijuana in public and establishes a comprehensive This article breaks down exactly how Prop 57 will work will be open to another round of comments. At the end of system to control the cultivation, distribution and sale of in practice so that you can understand which offenses will this process, the CDCR will file the new Title 15 rules with nonmedical marijuana and marijuana products. As part of be eligible, when sentences will be up for consideration, the Secretary of State. that system, the Act creates a marijuana tax to be imposed how the CDCR plans to implement Prop. 57 parole cases, How will the new credits system work? on sale of marijuana and marijuana products. and the current status of the new regulations. Since the Though many unknowns remain until CDCR publishes Before you get too excited, we note that it is still new rules are still in the process of being adopted, this its proposed rules, the Governor’s office has released some forbidden for incarcerated individuals in state prisons and article also updates you on how that process is unfolding, information describing what it expects the credit earning county jails to possess or use marijuana. (See 15 CCR and what it should look like once it’s finished. rules will look like. Generally, it has publicly expressed § 3315(a)(2)(D) and (a)(3)(E)-(F).) Also, Prop 64 does What is Prop 57? the goal that the regulations provide more incentives for not make any changes to the laws that make it a felony Prop 57. adds a new section to the California Constitution: positive programming. Specifically, in its 2017-18 state for incarcerated individuals in state prisons and county Article I, section 32. It has three major provisions: Budget Summary, it has suggested promulgating credit jails to possess alcohol or controlled substances without (1) Parole consideration: Any person convicted of earning rules that: authorization. (See Penal Code § 4573.6 and § 4573.8.) a “non-violent” felony offense and sentenced to state (1) Increase and standardize good-time credit earnings By far the most important part of these changes for prison is eligible for parole consideration after completing from avoiding rule violations; (2) Allow all prisoners the incarcerated reader are the provisions related to the full base term of the primary offense (defined as the except life without parole and condemned inmates to earn resentencing of previously convicted individuals. As longest term of imprisonment for any offense, excluding “milestone credits” for completing specific education or a general matter, most changes in the criminal law tend enhancements, consecutive or alternative sentences). training programs; (3) Increase time earned from milestone to be increasing in severity rather than becoming more (2) Credit earning: the Department of Corrections and credits from 6 weeks per year to 12 weeks; (4) Create new, lenient, and it is also rare that changes in the law such Rehabilitation will have the authority to award credits enhanced milestone credits for significant achievements as this are explicitly retroactive in their affect. There are earned for good behavior and approved rehabilitative and like B.A.’s, high school diplomas, Mentor Certification several exceptions to eligibility, most of which involve educational achievements. The Department of Corrections program and career technical education certifications; (5) specified prior convictions, including: (1) “super strike” and Rehabilitation will adopt new regulations to implement Apply retrospectively; (6) Add new achievement credits prior convictions (See Pen. Code, § 667, subd. (e)(2) this process. for sustained participation in rehabilitative programs of (C)(iv)); (2) prior convictions requiring sex offender (3) Juvenile prosecution: the authority to decide up to four weeks per 12-month period; (7) Credit lifers registration (Pen. Code, § 290, subd. (c)); or (3) two or whether or not to try juveniles 14 years and older as adults toward the Minimum Eligible Parole date; and (8) Are more prior convictions of Section 11359, subd. (b) (18 or is removed from prosecutors and conferred to judges. revocable based on violations. over). (See Health and Safety § 11359, subds. (c)(1)-(2).). Who will be Eligible? Ultimately the new rules are supposed to encourage This means that if you are currently in prison, but eligible To be eligible for Prop 57’s parole consideration more participation in programs and services, with the for dismissal, the court may still decide that while you are provision, you must have (1) a conviction for a overall effects of making the prison environment safer and eligible under the law, that resentencing would pose “an “nonviolent” offense, and (2) complete the full term of reducing recidivism. unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.” your primary offense. It does not apply to persons serving What’s the latest news? If you have a marijuana-related conviction and believe time in county jail – only those serving time in prisons. As of right now, CDCR has not yes released its you may be eligible for dismissal or reduction, here are the As of the date of publication, CDCR has not yet formally proposed rules. This means it will be several months at the steps you should take: proposed new regulations under Prop 57. Therefore least before the changes from Prop 57 go into effect. It is (1) Contact the trial attorney who handled the case or “nonviolent” offenses for purposes of Prop 57 are currently estimated that Prop 57 will create net governmental savings the public defender’s office in the county of conviction to still undefined. Until the CDCR writes the new regulations, of $22.4 million in 2017-2018 and over $140 million by request the list of affected offenses and the Prop 64 Petition it is not known which crimes will be considered violent 2020-21. Organizations such as Californians United for a Form (you should not expect representation); and not eligible for early parole. The governor’s office Responsible Budget (CURB) are reviewing the Governor’s (2) Determine whether your offense is on the list of those has stated that sex registrant crimes will be excluded. proposals and sending letters urging responsible use of the offenses which are now lawful or qualify for reduction; Other than that clarification, there is currently a great funds to invest in affordable housing, community reentry (3) Determine that you do not fall into one of the deal of misinformation circulating about this issue; it is programs, and better mental health care and access. The “exceptions” precluding relief based upon a super-strike, important to understand that these are rumors only. There next step is to check with your law library for a copy of the prior convictions, or 290 registration status; is disagreement in the legal community over whether the proposed rules, and to participate in the upcoming notice criteria should include all offenses not listed as “violent” and comment process. ● 2 PRISON FOCUS PROP 57 SURVEY Now that Prop 57 has passed, CDCR has to write their PRISON FOCUS rules to decide how the credit earning programs will be ISSUE NO. 51 SPRING 2017 expanded inside California prisons. They are working on a draft of these rules, and within the next couple of months will release that draft to the public and open up a CONTENTS 45-day public comment period. That will be our chance to present your thoughts to CDCR about how the credit IN THIS ISSUE earning program should be. We can make a difference! To prepare for the public comment period, Initiate Formerly Incarcerated Advocates Speak Out at California Prison Focus’s 25th Anniversary Event...... 1 Justice is collecting surveys to find out directly from Proposition 64 and 57...... 2 people currently incarcerated in California prisons what you think the credit program should be like. Sleep Deprivation Update...... 5 If you are currently incarcerated in a CA state prison, Suicide Crisis Continuing at CIW...... 5 please fill out this survey (with as much or as little information you are comfortable sharing) to offer your We bear the responsibility of sex abuse in women’s prisons ...... 11 thoughts on CDCR’s credit earning programs. Prisons and Politics in 2017...... 7 1. Name (First, Last, and CDC#) 2. If you had the chance to tell CDCR what the credit CPF to File “Underground Regulations” Petition Concerning X-ray Scanner Searches ...... 13 earning program would look like, what would you say? Example: Who would be eligible, how much time should Exiting solitary confinement – and the games CDCr plays...... 14 people earn off, what kinds of programs should be included, and what details should be taken into Amend The 13th: Abolish “Legal” Slavery in Amerika Movement...... 14 consideration? Please be as open and detailed as The Link Between Race and Solitary Confinement...... 16 possible! (Use additional sheets if necessary) 3. Name of CA state facility currently or formerly housed A Treatise To End Mass Incarceration...... 16 in (list all that apply) 4. Housing security level Slave/Master Relationship...... 17 5. Age / Gender / Race 6. How many years have you been in prison? How long Supreme Court Says Police May Use Evidence Found After Illegal Stops...... 17 is your total sentence? Brief Update on Video Visits...... 17 7. Are you a lifer? Yes No 8. Are you currently serving time for a “violent” or 8 richest people as wealthy as poorest half of the world – Oxfam ...... 18 “serious” felony? Violent, Serious, Both, Neither 9. What time percentage were you sentenced under? Power Structures & the Social Organization of Resistance in the CA Prison Hunger Strikes...... 18 50%, 80%, 85%, 100%, Other 10. Were you convicted of a “Strike”? Yes No Restorative Justice: Healing & Accountability...... 20 11. What programs have you participated in? Retirement of the Honorable Judge ...... 20 Education (ABE, High School, GED, College) Vocational (PIA, Computer Literacy, Other trades) UK prison officers’ strike years in the making...... 20 Substance Abuse (AA, NA, Other substance abuse treatment) Looking Back on Six Years of Leadership Against Solitary Confinement With UN Torture Expert...... 21 Self-Help (Criminal Thinking, Anger Management, LTAG) None Other: 12. Did you get Milestones for completing any of these PRISON REPORTS programs? If yes, which ones? Corcoran Report...... 4 13. What programs do you wish CDCR had that they don’t have now? High Desert Report...... 6 14. Do you have any other thoughts or questions?

Please mail your completed survey or any questions REGULAR FEATURES to: Letters...... 8 Initiate Justice P.O. Box 4962 Poetry...... 11 Oakland, CA 94605 The Agreement Too End Hostilities...... 22

A NOTE TO OUR continues to focus on ending solitary confinement and other forms of torture in California Prisons. In order to do so, we EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KIM POLLAK FRIENDS INSIDE: invistigate and report on conditions in SHU, Ad Seg. and Despite the shoestring budget California Prison Focus other isolation units - but in California only. Despite wanting ASSOCIATE EDITOR: WATANI STINER operates on, we continue to give free subscriptions to to expand our readership, we do not have the capacity to all men and women in the SHU. In addition, we are receive and process reports that are not related to the use CONTRIBUTORS giving free issues of Prison Focus to individuals in of solitary confinement in California. So please refrain from Administrative Segregation, or other forms of solitary sending us lengthy reports of non-related abuses. Also, the CPF OUTSIDE confinement. If you are in Ad Seg. please write to us majority of our resources are California specific. We encourage CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS between issues to let us know that you are still at that non-Californians to write to local prisoner advocacy groups for Kim Rohrbach Bonnie Kerness same address. Likewise, if your address has changed, state-specific resources. Tom McMahone Pam Fadem let us know. Help us keep our database up to date. Lastly, please continue to send us your ideas and input Salomé Ragot Juleyka Lantigua-Williams Remember, we can only continue do this if we regarding where you would like CPF to put our energy. We Kim Pollak Adam C. Morse receive both prisoner and non-prisoner support.. If you have had an influx of activists since the election. University Genevieve Fuller James Ridgeway want to see this paper stick around, support it. Do your students reach out to us on a regular basis, seeking ways to get Francis Lai PHSS Committee to End friends and family members have subscriptions, so involved, especially with short-term projects. As we develop they too can keep up with the issues? Help us spread new projects, large and small, we will share them with you. Sleep Deprivation awareness by increasing our readership and support. (You can read about some of our projects on pages 22 and 23). Adam Liptak You are our most direct, and often only connection to Some projects involve gathering and sharing your artwork IMPRISONED CONTRIBUTORS your families and communities. You have a job to do. and stories. We want to reach out to the Spanish speaking Keep California Prison Focus alive! population, women, LGTBQ prisoners and the mentally ill, Juan Moreno Haines CPF sends thousands of pages of self-advocacy with a continuing focus on solitary confinement. I often refer Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa resources inside every year. Despite our official back to the letters we've received in the past, responding to Santiago Soto policy to receive payment (stamps) before sending requests for feedback. So I ask again, where would you like to Sergio M. Hyland out materials, we often send the resources right away, see us put our energy? ie: community outreach and education requesting and counting on follow-up payment. Again, (getting your stories out), increasing the publication of this Permission is granted to reprint original articles from we can only continue to do this if the recipients cover paper to 4x a year, or increasing the readership in outside Prison Focus as long as credit is noted to Prison Focus postage and printing costs. And if you can’t pay today, communities, or publishing the paper in Spanish, or joining a and California Prison Focus. Also, please send us a pay tomorrow. If you can pay today, send a little extra legislative campaign and focusing on policy change, etc... We copy of the publication in which the article appears. for those that can’t. are small and we can't do it all. What's priorities would you like The changes we all want to see will take widespread us to make? organizing, participation, effort and sacrafices. Your energy and contributions of stamps, articles and ubscribe to Prison Focus and receive three issues. PF is artwork, as well as your recruitment of outside published every four months. $20 for non-prisoners, $6 support, will keep us going. for prisoners and free to men and women in California S http://www.prisons.org Despite pushing to get our paper out further into SHU and Adminstrative Segregation. General Population and other non-SHU units, and If you have not paid for an annual subscription for awhile [email protected] also to imprisoned activists around the country, CPF and you know it's time to renew, please do so. © 2016 California Prison Focus

NUMBER 50 3 Housing Conditions holding cell for 6 hours while he waited to see what turned out to be a foot doctor. He lives with this pain as he tries CORCORAN As well-reported in previous issues of Prison Focus, the facilities at Corcoran are in a constant state of disrepair, to do his work assignment. For his diabetes, he has been including leaking in the roof and extremely poor water instructed to take his diabetes meds only on a full stomach quality. Mr. V complained that the water at Corcoran is but the nurses who provide all the medical services force often yellow and smelly, which does not surprise anyone him to swallow the medication in front of him whenever who has taken a breath there. Bottled water is available at they deliver it, in order to avoid trafficking of contraband the commissary but of course not all prisoners have funds and because they do not want to come back by his cell at for this. mealtime. He also noted that his diabetes exacerbated by Poor housing conditions are exacerbated by the freezing the freezing air pumped into their cells in Ad Seg all night air pumped into cells in Ad Seg all night long by the long by the night shift guards (see above on Facilities). night shift guards, who are, in at least one man’s words, We also heard from prisoners with a condition common “rogues.” to many California prisoners, which is complications due Compounding the poor living conditions are issues to Hepatitis C. Mr. F, who is terminally ill with cirrhosis involving basic movement in and out of cells. Mr. A of the liver due to Hep C, reported that he had had decent reported that one week not long ago, his unit was made to medical care at various prisons but in Corcoran, he has not go over four days without showers, and the day showers been provided with the appropriate housing. Since he is were scheduled they were skipped, ostensibly because a wheelchair-bound, he is entitled to special housing in a football game was on during that time. “medical cell,” so that there are less chances he can hurt Mr. O reported that he was in a bad living situation with himself by falling out of the wheelchair. He is presently his cellmate, and alerted staff that he needed to be moved. in “transit” to another facility, but is terrified of leaving PRISON REPORT Three full days later, after several requests, a small Corcoran because this would end his relationship with two By Patricia Hilden, Timothy Reiss, and Taeva Shefler confrontation with the cellmate over the lights resulted in doctors who have been caring for him. Transfer creates long term disruption of care and is a major inhibitor to his is a summary of present conditions at Corco- Mr. O getting punched in the face. He later learned that delivery of care. ran State Prison, with data from a legal research the cellmate had several previous 115s for in-cell fights in Mr. I, who has also been diagnosed with Hep C, stated visit in January 2017 as well as letters written to close proximity. T that he has never been treated for his condition. CPF. As with all prison reports published by Prison Focus, Health and Mental Health Mr. W reported he had “mild” brain damage and indeed, in order to protest those who write and visit with us, we We interviewed at least four men who are in dire mental this meant that he could hardly focus on any question. do not use any names that will identify any of the people health straits. Mr. T confessed to being in a lot of mental He sat smiling throughout the interview, although was visited. Initials used to identify speakers are not represen- trouble; he is in Ad Seg and terrified of his condition, unable to respond to questions. We quickly realized that tative of names, and the repetition of initials does not indi- especially since he was a long-termer in the SHU at an interview was impossible and we terminated it. He did cate it is the same person both times. Pelican Bay who had adjusted there. He found that he report that he receives no treatment for this brain damage The Visit could not adjust to the main yard population but instead, or the condition. When we arrived in Corcoran, the stench created by felt himself becoming terribly anxious and frightened Mr. M reported that he has chronic dizziness, ringing in the dozens of cattle feed lots and dairies surrounding the of everyone and everything. Ultimately, some incident the ears, and nausea, leading him to believe he may have prison was overwhelming. It had been raining hard for put him back into isolation at Corcoran where he has a brain tumor, but the prison will only send him to an ear, days and the cattle waste smell was everywhere, including been asking for help every day in all the ways he knows nose, and throat doctor, who does nothing to help him. inside the prison itself, as we quickly discovered. how to ask. Similarly, Mr. O had a hard time holding a Several men reported serious issues with access to dental At the first station, the guard in charge was baffled by conversation, and continued to repeat the same narrative care. Mr. Y has a really bad tooth that had cracked during our appearance. He insisted he had no record of any kind over and over and over, in the same words. He was very a fall. He first saw one dentist, who put peroxide into the of any legal research visits – or indeed, any other visits. jumpy and physically uncomfortable. hole in his broken tooth and told him to continue this Eventually, he decided to send us to the SHU entrance. At Mr. S reported that he was permanently in Ad Seg treatment. When informed that inmates are not allowed to the SHU station, we were informed that one on “the list” because of “mental health” issues. There are apparently have peroxide, he said salt would do. Of course inmates – which he had in his hand – had declined. The fact that no regular counselors available for anyone. Mr. R reported are also forbidden salt. This reveals the lack of awareness the duty guard at the entrance did not know about us, but severe levels of anxiety which he credited to his recent and training that prison doctors have regarding the harsh these two SHU guards had both the information and a list release from the SHU; he does not get the support he limitations on prisoners ability to care for themselves, of those to be visited that day shows a typical level of lack needs, and notes that the failure of CDCR to treat his as well as an unnecessary lack of collaboration between of coordination between guards and units within a prison. medical conditions seriously affect his mental health. medical and custody, such that effective medical treatment Once we went through the door of the outside room Physical Health is functionally impossible due to such high levels of for the SHU, the guards kept us waiting a long time in Many of the men with whom we visited are in dire bureaucratization. front of the sally ports, which are outside. It was 40° physical condition. They explained to us that despite Mr. K had seen a dentist whom he decided was and drizzling so this was, needless to say, unpleasant. regular requests for care, doctors under-diagnose and deliberately trying to injure him by putting a needle in Once we got inside, we learned that more of those on under-treat many illnesses, leading men across the prison the roof of his mouth. He left the visit because of this and Monday’s list had “declined,” including one who had to be in daily pain and often with worsening conditions. hadn’t seen one since. asked for special legal attention and for which Patricia For instance, Mr. C described how he had fell during a While outside the prison, we did encounter a dentist who had received additional information. Once we got inside, seizure and seriously hurt his wrist. He did not realize it was visiting from Arizona and seeing patients at the prison. we had to explain our situation again to whom seemed to was broken until the terrible pain drove him to plea to Given the severe needs of dental care, it seems patently be new guards. The visiting booths we were provided had see a doctor. That doctor said it was “sprained” and gave unacceptable not to have full time dentists on staff at or plexiglass and phones, as expected; however, the phones him acetaminophen (which in not an anti-inflammatory near the prison. were permanently set at the highest volume, so the sounds and thus unhelpful to his condition, but the only pain Access to effective vision care is also a challenge. Mr. from the phones traveled, making us concerned that the medication allowed in these prisons). Mr. C could not H reported that when he tried to get a new prescription guards could hear the content of our communications. sleep because of the continuous pain, so he put in for for his eyes, he was told that he was not allowed to get Corcoran: a prison of transition another medical visit. This time they x-rayed the wrist and the lenses replaced on the glasses he has had for years, but Corcoran is, in many ways, a prison of transition. Unlike told him it had actually been broken but that there was would only be allowed to buy prison glasses. This is a clear previous visits, where the individuals were exclusively nothing they could now do because it had healed too much violation of Title 15 which allows one to purchase glasses or mostly in the SHU, this time the individuals we met without proper care. Not only did it continue to hurt but from an outside vendor. with were both on the mainline and no longer in the SHU. it became unusable so he put in for more testing. After Racism Several of those we visited were in Ad-Seg, including over 90 days, they ordered another x-ray. This showed that We found that racism is endemic throughout Corcoran. individuals who in our opinion should not be housed in the wrist had healed into a visible knot (which he showed While both Latinos are African Americans suffer the impact such conditions, due to serious mental difficulties, grave me). He is now in chronic pain and unable to use his of racist guards, it is understood that Black men experience physical illnesses, among other factors. hand. In the outside world, he would likely need surgery the worst of it. Interestingly, the Black men interviewed Likely due to the dramatic decrease in the SHU so that he could ever have hope of using his arm again. all talked about the racism but said they expected it – as population due to the Ashker v. Brown settlement in Unfortunately, with the long sentence he is service, he is indeed they should, given US society and US history! September 2015, it appears that Corcoran has closed an not likely to ever be released, so effectively he now only Several noted that their court cases – including parole entire section of what had been the SHU (unit 4B), which has use of one hand for the rest of his life. hearings – had been affected by various racist assumptions now sits empty, while much of the other unit (unit 4A) A second interviewee, Mr. L, also had complaints of expressed, in one case, by the parole board that decided is housing for people who are in transit from a SHU poor orthopedic care. He has a permanently damaged that the man was clearly a “criminal type” because he to a mainline elsewhere. These are essentially SHU- hand due to a surgery where a prison doctor apparently had been in trouble once as a youth of 14. Latinos noted like conditions and many are held for inordinately long removed the carpal bones. He is in constant pain as a the racism – but often noted, too, that it hit hardest on the periods of time. These individuals expressed frustration result, and another surgeon informed him that only fusing Black men. One white prisoner interviewed revealed a with getting stuck in transition, as they have neither their the bones permanently would possibly relieve the pain. typical response of those in (relatively) privilege by stating possessions, which are held by property until they are He has no use of the hand and has no word on whether the that he did not witness any racism against anyone. permanently housed somewhere, nor access to regular prison will provide this surgery. Mr. N confirmed, as many of our correspondents do, that family visits or programming of any kind. Mr. W reported a lack of medical attention to two while not all guards are bad, and many try to be decent, Mr. B reported that he was transferred from Pelican Bay severe conditions, a back injury and diabetes. Despite his those who are nice quickly become outcasts and are treated and brought down to Corcoran, where he was placed in a documented back injury, Mr. W has been given a work poorly by their peers, which makes it difficult for them to unit with known enemies. He wrote to us after an incident assignment that requires high levels of physical labor. “do the right thing.” resulting in numerous stab wounds. He is now in grave He has asked and asked to see a doctor for the pain but physical condition. when he finally got taken to medical, he was kept in a tiny

4 PRISON FOCUS Property the prisons. Since early 2016, CCWP advocates in the Property is held for inordinately long periods for those Los Angeles area have been visiting people inside on a SLEEP DEPRIVATION men transferred from long-term SHU. Mr. U reported that weekly basis, struggling to see people on suicide watch, UPDATE it takes 4 to 6 weeks just to receive prison-issue clothing. insisting that it cannot be “business as usual” at CIW. We By The Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity (PHSS) Several told us that once their property was returned, items have called, written, petitioned and emailed to officials in Committee to End Sleep Deprivation were missing and that there was no recourse because when Sacramento. In early August 2016 , Sen. Connie Leyva Dr. Jamie Zeitzer, recognized worldwide as an expert in their property had been brought to them and they had asked (D, 20th District-Corona) helped family advocates win a sleep and circadian rhythms, concluded in his 10/25/2015 for receipts, they were all told that the prison had no receipts demand for a State audit to examine suicide prevention report: “The current practice of 30 minute wellness checks so that there is no record of the items delivered. This is a and reduction policies, procedures and practices at all the of inmates housed in the SHU is likely a cause of severe clear violation of Title 15, and we encourage prisoners in CAalifornia prisons. The California State Auditor’s office sleep disruption. This type of sleep disruption is likely this situation to file 602s if they are in this situation. is currently in the initial research phase of the audit and has worse than anything that has been provocatively studied 30 minute checks been contacting community and family advocates (Audit in a laboratory. The known consequences of chronic All interviewees told us that the 30 minute rounds objectives can be found at: https://www.auditor.ca.gov/ sleep loss, including disruptions to metabolism, memory, continue unabated. Most said that the day shift guards reports/scope/2016-131). mood, and health, are likely even more severe in these are pretty good about keeping the checks as quiet and A state audit and a new warden are NOT enough. We individuals. The mandated purpose of these wellness unobtrusive as possible. But at night, especially when urge the CDCR to interview and listen to family members checks (i.e., suicide prevention) is, in fact, likely to have substitute guards are on, the checks are deliberately as loud and former prisoners; to hold staff accountable for cruel, the opposite effect and inadvertently increase suicidality and intrusive as possible. Keeping everyone awake seems inhumane, treatment of our loved ones inside; to emphasize in these individuals. ...There have been no direct studies to be the purpose, and sleep deprivation continues to have decarceration as key to addressing the mental health needs of intentionally waking an individual every thirty minutes negative and long term effects on everyone. of people inside. We will continue to raise the issues that every night for days, weeks, or months, as doing so would X-ray Scanners people inside say are most critical, and demand justice and be considered highly unethical in a research environment.” All reported that the X-ray search machines continue change. Here are some of the key changes people inside “Security/welfare checks” persist in SHU’s, Ad-seg’s, to be the “old style ones,” which we take to mean metal want: Psychiatric, and Condemned Units throughout California detectors rather than x-ray scanners, and aren’t used that •.Change abusive suicide watch policies that only increase prisons, waking people locked in solitary confinement much. The metal detectors are used whenever there is isolation and despair. (See Sleep Deprivation article.) every 30 minutes, night and day. The PHSS Committee To movement in or out of units for work detail or visits. When •.Allow people to provide help to each other in need, End Sleep Deprivation works to end these checks. individuals are moved to different cells, they are usually Without Punishment. A culture of care and support must be In May 2016, we published a survey to elicit information “wanded” by hand. encouraged and allowed to grow. from prisoners about the checks. Soon we’ll have a more Law Library •.Investigate drug combinations given to people in mental detailed survey for you to answer about the harmful effects. health units. Most of the men we met with told us that access to the law We want to document the effects in detail to get the checks •.Respect and implement bed move requests to keep library is nearly impossible. Several of our correspondents stopped. everyone safe. are jailhouse lawyers and in active litigation. They Systematic abuse and neglect caused and/or contributed Please contact us at :[email protected] and universally stated that there is a dearth of material and to six recent deaths at California Institution for Women check our website for updates and action campaigns at: all of it was outdated, making it difficult to keep up with (CIW). A campaign by surviving family members and www.womenprisoners.org Bring our loved ones home important (and possibly positive) changes in the law. California Coalition for Women Prisoners demanding alive!● investigation into those deaths has led to the current Work Assignments Joint Legislative Audit of CIW and all CDCr suicide Work assignments are, as many know, only available prevention policies & practices. We have sent materials to prisoners on the main line. While a few of those we and communicated with both the Audit Committee and interviewed had work assignments, those in the SHU, in the CA State Auditor, the body conducting the audit for Ad Seg, or in transit did not. Many were just waiting for the legislature, urging they recommend a STOP to the assignments since they had been recently released from the “security/welfare checks.” SHU. Work assignments were few and far between, with Suicide expert and Special Master in Coleman v. long waiting lists, many over one year. Brown, Lindsay Hayes and Matthew Lopes, still claim the Programming “security/welfare checks” are suicide prevention despite Many of the individuals we spoke with had requested the sleep deprivation and excruciating mental and physical programming but were not provided any. Waiting lists for health problems they cause. Write to Hayes and Lopes (and educational courses are apparently long and all those in send us a copy) about how the checks affect(ed) you and transit are ineligible. They all expressed frustration about what you think true mental health and suicide prevention this. We note that as individuals are moved out of the SHU require, or send one letter to the PHSS Committee, and we and become eligible for parole, it is extremely frustrating to will forward it to Hayes and Lopes. see individuals request programming, be rejected, and then We also ask people not in prison to write Hayes and denied for parole based on lack of programming. CDCR Lopes and urge them to stop this harmful practice. Share has an obligation to make programming and rehabilitative any personal or professional understandings of the need services available to those it confines. ● for sleep and the effects of sleep disruption/deprivation. REPORT FROM CCWF Mr. Lindsay M. Hayes, Letter Excerpt 40 Lantern Lane, Mansfield, MA 02048 CCWF, specifically the Appeals Coordinator, has Matthew A. Lopes Jr., SUICIDE CRISIS incubated an institutional culture that permits, condones Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West LLC, 317 Iron Horse Way, Suite 301 CONTINUES AT CIW and covers up abuse. This corrosive atmosphere of fear and Providence, RI 02908, By Pam Fadem for CCWP violence stems from a widespread failure of staff to perform the most basic requirements of their jobs. PHSS Committee to End Sleep Deprivation alifornia Institute for Women (CIW) is responsible P.O. Box 5692, Eureka, CA 95502 for six suicides in the past two years, the highest The Appeals Coordinator refused to properly process or Thank You rate of any California prison. Despite new investigate allegations of misconduct which addresses an C officer’s irrational intolerance of, or hostility towards me leadership after the warden, Kimberly Hughes, forced “I had mean headaches, chest pains for retirement in August 2016, CIW has repeatedly failed and several others.... This is not an isolated incident with lack of sleep, and I was constantly irritated, to follow their own mental health crisis policies and this officer, but rather a pervasive indifference toward anxious and full of anger and frustration. procedures. To date, no correctional officers have lost their prisoners. Instead of taking steps to remedy allegations of I documented all that... I’ve been out the jobs despite the systematic, neglectful failures that led to abuse or retaliation, high level prison officials, including SHU for several months now and I’ve been these six deaths. Since the start of 2017, there have been the Appeals Coordinator, prevent violation of prisoners’ feeling and sleeping better, but I’m still more suicide attempts in the mental health crisis unit at rights from coming to light. Anonymous, CCWF dealing with some issues over that. I get CIW. headaches, blurred vision and at times any People are committing suicide because of the inhumane noise wakes me up and I can’t fall back to sleep normally.” Anonymous, Pelican Bay conditions at CIW, including forcing people into solitary REPORT FROM KERN confinement when they are the most vulnerable. Guards Message from a Jailhouse Laywer: To those who are are indifferent to these deaths and blatantly refuse to follow suffering sleep deprivation and want to do something, CIW’s suicide prevention policy with no repercussions. Letter Excerpt: they should first file a 602 and go to the Federal Court When the women experiencing mental crisis ask the COs “I hope you can help with a dire situation going on afterwards. Sleep undoubtedly counts as one of life’s for help, they are told to “calm down” and sent back to at . There are large numbers of basic needs, thus conditions designed to prevent sleep their cells where at least two people have hung themselves abuse incidents against inmates, especially those who might violate the Eighth Amendment. I’ve found that in the past year alone. There is a culture of disrespect, complain about anything. Inmate are having all of their the following case law support the claim of “Sleep disregard and neglect that is unacceptable! possessions taken including all of their legal documents Deprivation” and should be used to file a lawsuit: California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) and correspondence. Prisoners are being beaten and has been working with people inside the prison, family having gang members put into their cells to hurt and 1. West v Atkins 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988) members and other advocates outside for years: issuing intimidate them into silence to force them to drop their 2. Lemire v Cal Dept Corrections & Rehabilitation 756, press releases and legislative memos since the Fall of complaints against the guards. The so-called counselors F30 1062, 1074 (9th Cir. 2013) 3. Farmer v Brennan 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994) 2013; having family members and former prisoners do nothing at all. Most inmates are held in reception for 4. Helling v McKinney 509 U.S. 25 (1993) and give testimony at legislative hearings; doing petition three months, but some have been there for six months or 5. Harder v Showers 174 F30 716, 720 (5th Cir. 1999) and phone campaigns; and demonstrating in front of longer.” Anonymous NUMBER 50 5 prisons. on staff, but only one on call, and that the closest hospital is HIGH DESERT Petty 115s are extremely frustrating to prisoners, as they quite small (only 25 beds) and prisoners are never transferred affect people’s ability to transfer, and more than anything, there. A nurse practitioner confirmed the facility cannot PRISON REPORT people desperately want out of HDSP. support his condition, but has not had success in advocating By Annalee Davis, Katie Tertocha and Taeva Shefler Mr. V reported a situation where he was told that legal for his transfer. his is a summary of present conditions at High Desert mail addressed to Mr. Jones contained narcotics and did not The treatment of Hep C is especially frustrating to State Prison, as collected by CPF through letters writ- pass through inspection. At the hearing, the guard admitted individuals. It is rumored that under CDCR policy, Hep ten to our office and a legal research visit conducted he had no proof Mr. V requested such drugs, however, he C must reach stage 4 before individuals are eligible for T was still found guilty. His visits were taken away for one any treatment. Mr. W told us that he receives no treatment in November 2016. As with all prison reports published by Prison Focus, in order to protest those who write and visit year, contact visits for two years, and yard for 30 days. whatsoever for his Hep C. When he does see a doctor, he with us, we do not use any names that will identify any of Grievances/Administrative Appeals (602s) checks his blood pressure and sends him on his way. As a the people visited. Initials used to identify speakers are not Several of our correspondents fully exercise their ability result, Mr. C has very high anxiety about his health. He said representative of names, and the repetition of initials does to file 602s. We commend these efforts, as they are the first that in the SHU at Pelican Bay, he had a significantly easier not indicate it is the same person. step to access to the courts and an important mechanism for time getting prescription medication than at HD. Mr. J told us Longtime readers of Prison Focus may note that reporting getting one’s rights enforced. Mr. H reported that most of that his cellmate, who has late-stage Hep C, was hospitalized on High Desert is a relatively new practice for us. In previous his 602s are “partially granted,” but none are fully approved. for two weeks and upon return received no follow up care. years, we exclusively reported on the conditions in the SHU, This is frustrating because it limits his ability to appeal up Dental care is also difficult to receive and many prisoners at Pelican Bay, Corcoran, and occasionally Tehachapi. In the chain. expressed dissatisfaction with the level of care. Mr. C stated recent times, however, due to the vast movement out of the There were a few successes with the 602 process. Mr. I that the dentist is quick to pull out teeth rather than fix them. SHU resulting from the Ashker v. Brown settlement, we relayed one success with a 602 concerning his mail; he He had severe tooth pain and it took about 6 months to see have begun to hear more and more reports of the harsh and tried to mail a drawing of his daughter to his daughter, the dentist after putting in a request. Others reported a delay inhumane conditions in many of the other prisons, especially but it was returned back to him for not being suitable. He of only 2-3 months to see the dentist. Mr. E stated that he those places where former SHU residents have been moved. included copy of Title 15 in his 602 and was able to send the has put in requests for a cleaning, but that is considered not Accounts of extensive lockdowns, long stays in ASU, and drawing. Others we correspond with feel that writing 602s serious enough to warrant an appointment. lack of programming expected on the mainline have driven us are pointless because they are so rarely successful. Guard Behavior to increase our attention to the level 4, high security prisons, Mr. D reported that he had to file a 602 on his property, “There is a different breed of prison up here. They follow where according to many SHU “kickouts,” conditions are as it did not arrive for nearly 3 months following a transfer their own rules.” as bad, if not worse, than the SHU. As one correspondent from another institution. He did finally receive (most of) his Mr. Z reported that ever since the 2015 Ashker settlement, wrote, “High Desert has the thought that since it is in the property. SHU prisoners and other activist prisoners who promote far corner of the state, not too many people will care what Mr. M filed a 602 regarding a “stripped down” mattress. He positive programming are harassed either by getting happens.” We reject the idea that distance and isolation give never received a written response on the 602, but within two removed from jobs, or through limitations on movement CDCR a pass on following its own rules, and its obligation to days, he received a replacement mattress. He was pleased access, designed to deny them the ability to promote positive treat humans with the basic dignity all deserve. this was resolved at his cell door, without a written response. activities. General conditions at HD Yard/Lockdowns One individual who visited with CPF reported that he The cell conditions at High Desert fall grossly below basic The general consensus is that doing time in general received threats of retaliation immediately after the visit standards for livability. Inmates are responsible for cleaning population at HD is like being in ASU or SHU but with less for speaking with CPF. We condemn this behavior and the their own cells, yet they are not provided with cleaning yard time. Mr. O stated that he had been at HD since May chilling of constitutionally-guaranteed access to the courts supplies. Mr. B reported that he has only received cleaning 2016 but had only been to the yard a total of 10 times. that it leads to. “The meetings will not go unheard or supplies, scrub pads, cups, and spoons twice in the months In the fall, Mr. X reported a consecutive two month unnoticed in High Desert’s eyes…” he has been at HD. The mattresses are stinky and tiny. Mr. lockdown. They were told there were threats to staff and Mr. G reported that some guards are better than others, but U reported that his cell was leaking when it rained. He security, but a full search (which could be done in a single many are not ready for change, such as new programming. requested work order repair, did not receive anything, and day) was not done. After that, the unit was put on a modified Anything that requires guards to work harder is resisted. was forced to personally patch the leak. He used soap. yard schedule due to construction on the yard for a wheelchair Mr. H stated that the guards at HD are more petty than In the day rooms, there only one phone. Even at Pelican ramp. During modified programming, each tier gets dayroom at many other institutions where he has been housed, such Bay there were two phones per section. every other day, but it’s not consistent. The first official yard as yelling at prisoners on intercom for extremely minor The temperature in the cells at HD vary significantly based was the week prior to CPF’s November visit, the first time violations. on locations. Mr. O reported that in his block, the temperature since August. Mr. V confirmed that sentiment, stating that this is the is warm, but elsewhere, he knows there are constant In another unit, Mr. K reported rolling lockdowns: two worst prison out of all of the Level 4’s that he’s been at (al- complaints of cold air pumped into the cells. Individuals in weeks on lockdown, back to yard for a week, then another most all of them) because of the guards. They hold a lot of Ad Seg reported very cold temperatures. lockdown. Reports guards are making up excuses for a tension and aggression toward prisoners. Cell searches happen randomly every day. Each shift has lockdown, claiming “weapons” or “metal missing,” or even Mr. U felt that because he doesn’t interact with the guards, to search 6 cells a day at random, according to an internal something like a cup missing in the chow hall, but then the the guards leave him alone. He reports that the guards only CDC memo. During searches the COs drag the mattress onto guards do not conduct the typical searches associated with “bug” the inmates who speak out to them. the nasty dirty ground. those risks, if they were real. In one especially troubling report, Mr. B described a “Fight Several individuals reported that laundry gets picked up A couple interviewees did state they had regular yard Club” where guards put prisoners of different races into the but it comes back dirty every week. access, although sometimes yard is cut short due to staffing yard together when they are at war with one another. They Despite these conditions, one individual who was at HD issues, or will inexplicably start very late. set up controlled situation and allow prisoners to “clear the from 2010-13, left, and recently returned, noted that the On the yard itself, there is extremely limited recreational air” while they place bets on the winner. new Warden is making changes and is much better than the equipment, and there are often fights. According to Mr. H, Violence previous one. guards do not get involved, but instead throw small hand More than some other facilities, CPF receives a lot of X-ray Scanners grenades at people to try to stop fights, or shoot at the wall. reports of violence at HD. Mr. I reported that there are rumors As reported elsewhere in this issue, CPF has heard reports Law Library that three prisoners died in October alone at HD. One person from across the prison system that X-ray Scanners are getting Mr. L explained that HD law librarian does not have a reported that someone was killed the day after our visit. We do installed and used on a regular basis. At HDSP, interviewees contract with the state, so the library is only open when she not have details on whether the suspected killer was another told us that machines had been installed in early November is available. As a “Priority Legal User,” he is supposed to get prisoner or a guard, but regardless, it is the responsibility of 2016 on the way to the visiting area, but not yet in use. It a minimum of 4 hrs/week in the library, but it is inconsistent. CDCR to ensure the integrity of every individual’s life in was Mr. T’s understanding that they would be put into use in “General Legal Users” have an even harder time, with their care. Failure to protect other prisoners from violence is early 2017, after guards were trained on their use (we have a wait list of over 200 to gain access. On the week of our a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel not received any updated reports on their use at HDSP at the visit, the library was only open two days. Mr. E stated that and unusual punishment. time of publication). he regularly waits up to two months between visits, which Food Until such time as the X-ray machines are put into use, the makes researching for a case he intends to file essentially Reports of the quality of food were varied. Some stated it “regular” metal detectors are still used, but only when there impossible. was bearable, although they would prefer more variety and are incidents on a unit. The law library is even more difficult to access during access to a healthier diet and especially more vegetables. Rules Violation Reports (115s) lockdowns. Mr. D noted that he had to file a 602 in order Others reported that the quality of the food was very low: Several individuals we met with had not had trouble with to gain access to the library because there are so many undercooked, cold, and tasteless. Mr. W stated “I prefer the arbitrary or false 115s. Others did report instances where lockdowns. food at Pelican Bay, and that’s saying something.” Mr. E 115s were issued based on poor evidence. For instance, Mr. B Medical Care stated that he is regularly served rotten milk, bruised apples, reported that one day, he was randomly handcuffed and told It is almost unnecessary to state that our correspondents or moldy bread, but the food is not replaced if he complains. to stand in the back of my cell. One of his enemies walked describe medical care at HD as grossly below basic This is especially difficult for those who are indigent and by and threw a weapon from his sock into the cell. He was standards. Mr. S stated that others in his yard have cancer thus don’t have access to the canteen. \ then convicted on constructive possession, which landed him but are not getting needed medications, and do not regularly Mail in the SHU. Another individual reported receiving a 115 for see medical. Mr. Q told us that he had a knee injury over a One of the biggest issues with access to mail centers constructive possession when his cellmate was found with a year ago and immediately after, the doctor recommended an around the censorship of an allied newspaper, the SF Bay weapon. He is appealing this and his 602 is currently pending MRI for him. He has now seen the doctor two more times View. Many people across the California prison system, at the third level. He felt his due process rights were violated, since then but has never received the MRI. including those at High Desert, did not receive the Bay View as he was found guilty by association. In one urgent case, Mr. X described a severe heart Sept/Oct issue, but never received notice of censorship, as Mr. H reported that he had heard of someone getting condition as a result of a stabbing at a different institution. required by Title 15. written up for having toilet bowl cleaner in his cell. This was He had emergency surgery, but was left with a hole in his Mr. H reported that it took 4 months for his cellmate to surprising given that cleaners are commonly allowed in other heart. It is his understanding that there is no full-time doctor receive a letter from the Bay Area. Another individual stated

6 PRISON FOCUS

Letters...... Continued on page PB that he is in the process of filing 602s about timeliness of mail. Most reported a delay of two or three weeks before REPORT FROM PRISONS AND POLITICS delivery, including for legal mail. Several individuals CALIFORNIA HEALTH IN 2017 reported that in the lower D yard, a big stack of mail was By Juan Moreno Haines, San Quentin, California thrown in the trash. Large bulk of mail for prisoners from all CARE FACILITY he 2016 election showed us all that enough of the Letter Excerpt: races/ethnicity. It was discovered by kitchen workers. electorate likens the ability to run a business with Hello. This is just a information letter letting you know There is a new rule about magazines and many people the competency to be the President of the United complained that they are no longer allowed magazines if the “Get Down” here at California Health Care Facility. You T States. Sadly, this is not the case. Businessmen benefit can share this letter and cry any way you want! they are not “educational.” This is frustrating to people who themselves, whereas the President works for all the I am at the Health Care Facility because I’m bipolar. I have paid for magazine subscription but believe they are country's citizens equally. getting thrown out. suffer from depression and I’m an emotional cutter. Programming and Work Assignments .A government operating as a There are very few educational and programming Someone really needs to look at the opportunities at HD. Mr. K reported that there is one GED profitable business is something to solitary confinement here called be wary of, not a notion to embrace. class and two college classes for the whole prison. The mental health treatment. classes are apparently not at capacity, although there is Still, government and business need each other’s a waiting list of over 100 people. Mr. K received a letter The treatment here is segregation and I find it is damaging support. American consumers get an assortment of stating that the wait list for college classes is approximately to my mental health and very frustrating. goods from fair business practices, like food, electronics a year and a half. Three guys and I get TV for 1 ½ hours in the am. and 1 and entertainment. Then there is tobacco, alcohol, legal Mr. Y had heard that starting in 2017, HD is supposed ½ hours in the pm. That’s group . Health Care Sucks. My drugs, and automobiles. Even though these things satisfy to receive more programming opportunities, including feet have been hurting me for three weeks with only motrin consumer demand, history is marred with business autobody, electrical, building maintenance, as well as a and I haven’t seen a doctor yet. The staff refuse to give out practices that hurt and discriminate against people, pre-parole class for individuals who are less than two years medical requests. particularly minorities. There has been corruption, deceit, out from release. There is presently a re-entry hub, that The psychological effort is hard to take. Twenty one and cover-ups, at the expense of the consumer — the has classes on substance abuse, family relations, anger hours a day with no TV or radio. Only a book to look at. public. We need the government as an independent management, and criminal thinking, but it is not available to Thank you for your time and the newspaper. monitor of business practices. In addition, the government most prisoners, including those with the longest sentences. Sincerely, RH, CHCF fights for the fundamental rights that each person is born Mr. T reported that even though he received a GED and with, but not necessarily in control of. AA degree, but they are not reflected in his C-file. .Most recently, the federal government stopped using Mr. C described access to a self-control program, which private prisons because of how badly profiteers were consists of essay assignments inside the cell two times per REPORT ON HIGH treating people in their lock-up units. To up its profits. week. He liked it. It is the only program he’s had since he’s DESERT SPECIAL Corrections Corporation of America (renamed CoreCivic) been at HDSP. skimped costs by under-paying guards, while providing He signed up for anger management, never got called. NEEDS YARD inadequate health care and rehabilitative services to Several of our correspondents reported that they did have Letter Excerpt: inmates. On the other hand, several state governments are work assignments, including yard crew, a recreational clerk My son has concerns for the safety of young naive moving toward prison reforms that return people to their on the yard, and a law clerk. Mr. U explained that there inmates coming into SNYs from the streets. My son families with support services geared toward stable living. are also opportunities to work porter jobs, laundry, canteen, dropped out of the prison gangs many years ago. He The more than 3,000 volunteers who come to San Quentin medical, kitchen, and in the educational department. In wasn’t a street gang member ever. He went through the believe in prison reform and help incarcerated people general, however, there are not enough jobs for everyone and whole process of qualifying for SNY protection years ago. undergo their rehabilitative efforts. However, San Quentin people expressed frustration at the forced boredom of their He says the old drop outs, like him, want programming, is an exception. The country’s prisons and jails are in lives. Mr. H stated there are only 42 jobs available in his no drama. However new gang drop-outs are coming in disarray. The United States has 5% percent of the world’s whole unit. Several prisoners volunteer to do work without from General Population and they are not going through population, but houses 25% of the world’s incarcerated pay just for something to do. the same process of qualifying. He calls these new gang people. Property members SNY gangs, identified by a tattoo playboy bunny behind the ear. The SNY gangs are going after the new .Prisons, as they exist, give society a false sense of Several correspondents, especially those transferred out inmates coming in from the street (likely their first term), security. Law-abiding citizens believe that if criminals of the SHU, noted that it took weeks, if not months, for pulling them into their new SNY gangs. COs just look the are put behind bars, the community will be safe. Simply their property to be delivered after their transfer to HD from other way. incarcerating people does not change them into better Pelican Bay. Some reported that all of the property arrived, citizens, nor does mass incarceration affect crime rates. others described items of personal importance that they are In fact, all indicators reveal that mass incarceration still missing. Mr. E told us that when he arrived at HD, he The yard is dangerous and the makes people more susceptible to criminal thinking. The was told many pieces of property he had at Pelican Bay were danger appears to be growing. incarceration experience is ill-equipped to help people not allowed at HD. He was told he could send the property Where is the protection for these overcome a wide range of issues, including substance home, but his family has never received it. He filed a 602 guys? abuse, mental illness and childhood trauma. Most people’s about this issue, but has not received a positive response. problems are swept under the rug rather than diagnosed Technically, the prison is supposed to compensate him for He’s concerned that these actions by the newer SNY and treated. Without the incentive or opportunity to missing property, but he is not hopeful.● gang members are not looked on favorably by the older change, most people will not. More notably, around 95% generation of inmates that came into SNY after a hard of incarcerated people will get out of prison, and they are process of qualifying for protective custody. Because there being returned to their communities in worse shape than is no CDCR action, my son is concerned that drama will when they begin their incarceration experience. break out between the older generation of programmers "Shamefully, U.S. incarceration has and the younger SNY gang members. Protection is going become an economic bonanza with by the wayside due to a lack of enforcement by CDCR The mass incarceration strategy reports of as much as $80 billion in staff. ● has resulted in 2.2 million men the annual punishment motherload." and women being locked away, Anonymous (From PF Archives) disenfranchised, stripped of their citizenship and deemed second- class. A NOTE ON THE ASHKER They are surviving a destructive sophistry of punishment, SETTLEMENT a denial of dignity that does not end when they get out of By Kim Rohrbach prison. Nearly 2 million children feel the repercussions of We have elected not to publish a separate article on incarceration in the absence of their parents and siblings. matters concerning the Ashker v. Brown settlement in this .There is something to be said about listening to the issue of Prison Focus. We will say a few words, though. mistakes of incarcerated people and their reasons. The one-year period within which all Ashker reviews Solutions are within them. The media can play an important were to be completed came and went on October 14 2016, role in this process, or it can be used as an insulator that around the time we last published. We understand that, as keeps people divided and stuck in their beliefs without of early February, ten or fewer class members were still challenging them to do otherwise. In the end, the most waiting to either see the Departmental Review Board or important role of the media is to hold the powerful be released into the general population. However, reports accountable, and to amplify the voices of the powerless. from the Ashker Litigation Team and from letters received Journalists, advocates and politicians who focus on by California Prison Focus indicate an issue with class the disadvantaged, the underclass, and particularly the members ending up in Ad Seg following release. incarcerated are on the right path to honoring the very A member of the litigation team will soon be attending foundations of Americanism.● a Correctional Officer training at Salinas Valley State Prison., concerning the use of confidential information “It is dangerous to be right in matters on and how to accuse a person of a SHU-eligible offense. We which the established authorities are wrong.” are curious what she’ll hear…● ― Voltaire, The Age of Louis XIV

NUMBER 50 7

Letters...... Continued on page PB 1. These leaders are individuals who rule themselves by The Agreement To End Hostilities submitting to God. They then rule over those who follow and Hugo Pinell LETTERS them by serving. Musings from Pelican Bay... A personal lesson you can take from Yes, the qualifications for leadership are vastly different .Regarding the conditions here at America’s presidential election. than those used today. But so are the results. SHU: these cells are very cold. Correctional Officials are The 2016 presidential election was extremely divisive. From Saleeban Mohammad Ali, a.k.a. Saleeban Adan tampering with mail/legal mail, etc.; reading incoming and But as much as the two sides violently conflicted outcoming mail aloud all the tine.. Cell searches are constant, with each other, they and their combined 120 million there are medical charges for each visit and service is slow. supporters agreed on one thing: character has no place on Resentencing Under Prop 47 The.law library is next to non-existent unless you have a the presidential ballot. For more than a year, a churning, I recently discovered how myself and many other Calif. legal deadline.. Special Needs Yard/Protected Custody are convulsing struggle over leadership has swirled through prisoners can benefit from prop. 47 if they committed a back here playing the role of pig state.. They’re attempting the conscience of America and of the world. The central theft in a commercial establishment if the value of the to dent the Agreement To End Hostilities. But strong minds question has been: who will be the best leader? The answer property or money taken is under 950.00 Many prisoners will prevail.. There are a few of us New Afrikans, Mexican/ has boiled down to: who will give the nation the right mix don’t know this information who may be entitled to Indian(s), whitemens who’re keeping it together.. of jobs, taxes, and bombs? What we saw in this election resentencing under prop. 47. I request that you make Revolutionary salutations and regards are dutifully was the logical result of voters having some time ago this information available to all California prisoners. The extended to the New Afrikan/Black brothas and sistas, and rejected the foundation of true leadership: the ability to deadline to file under prop. 47 is November 2017. all the other (solid/active) Mexican/Indians, white men, etc lead yourself. The Bible discusses the qualities required in All California prisoners who are serving time for a of the prisoner class.. Hopefully your time here in these leaders of families, cities, and nations. It almost completely theft from a commercial establishment during regular SHU caskets is being wisely spent on educational, physical ignores job creation, policy sophistication, and even business hours, where the stolen property was valued at and mental strengthening activities to which will enable you military administration. It almost completely focuses on less than $950.00, may petition the sentencing court for a not only to become and remain positive and productive, one thing: personal character! For a few occasional news recall of sentence under prop. 47 to have the felony theft but also, to extend the same learnings to other prisoners cycles, the presidential election involved notions of being conviction reduced to a misdemeanor. Under penal code who may be in need of such lessons, by an experienced “fit for office” or “presidential”. But voters considered section 459.5 shoplifting statute, intention to commit individual of the prisoner class.. these to be sideshows to the qualifications that “really larceny requirement of p.c. 459.5 can be satisfied by the broader sense of an intent to commit theft; thus an intent matter”. The Bible, by contrast, says personal character is Consciousness must be helped. the qualification that really matters! to commit theft by robbery or burglary would satisfy that Quoted from the honorable comrade – Frantz Fanon So many of those in authority have never learned this element. People v. Root (2016 4th Dist.) 245 cal. App. fundamental character principle. Asa result, they are 4th 353, 2016 cal. App. Lexis 160 That is, if we, [the prisoner class] are continuing to better making an absolute mess of this world. “He that hath no The California Supreme Court recently ruled in 2013 the conditions and our people(s) within the confines of this rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, (People v. Williams) that all robberies in a commercial decaying prison industrial slave complex.. This has started and without walls” (Proverbs 25-28). Here is where establishment mirrors that of larceny. (See also, People with, and can continue to build from, The Agreement To rulership must start! Ruling your own spirit. You must v. Gonzales [2015 4th Dist.], which is currently pending End Hostilities [See The Agreement To End Hostilities, Pg. govern yourself! review in the California Supreme Court. The 2nd District 22). Millions of people today believe that weak personal Court of Appeal ruled that “larceny” as used in the .Not long ago I wrote a brief letter to a sincere, concerned character has nothing to do with a leader’s success. God shoplifting statute includes all forms of theft. People v. friend of the prisoner class. I mentioned that there were knows that weak character disqualifies someone from Garner (2016 2nd Dist.) 2016 Cal. App. Lexis 703 (same) a collective of individuals here who were spewing high office. If a man cannot rule himself, how can he rule People v. Vargas (2016 2nd Dist.) 197 Calif Rptr. 3rd reactionary/racist jargon, aloud.. This went on for months others? As Jesus said, “If the blind lead the blind, both shall 638, 2016 Cal. App. Lexis 3b. before I thought to mention it to the public. About two days fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14) To a young man who is If the conduct underlying your offense meets the after I sent out a confidential letter, it became apparent that looking ahead to having a family, forging a career, taking “statutory definition” of shoplifting under P.C. 4595 its contents had been compromised. That not only angered his place as a contributor to and builder of society, what which requires an intent to commit larceny, file a petition me, but made me want to present my sentiments towards was the apostle Paul’s advice? “Urge the young men to under prop 47 with you sentencing court. (Also see Penal their racist, nonsense and bellicose, unethical behavior. But control themselves” (Titus 2:6, Revised Standard Version)/ Code Sc. 459.5) that’s not my, nor any new afrikan/black prisoner’s place The Moffatt translation states, “Tell the young men also to Good luck, Marcin Hollis, PBSP to do.. So I did what what I felt was best - or second best! be masters of themselves at all points”. Normally, my reactions to such disrespect/stupidity would A person who lacks self-control renders himself unfit to have been to ‘fight fire with fire.’.. Instead, I remained a lead in many ways. He caves in to peer pressure easily. A Top Down Snitch Breeding Program mature, conscious New Afrikan revolutionary-minded He is too concerned about what others think of him. He Excerpts by Shawkat Hamdi Black prisoner who’s in sync with those like minds. That’s prioritizes appearance over substance, leading to cheating California Rehabilitation Center (Housed in California Institution for Men) very difficult to do when I’ve responded to hostility, and corner-cutting. He is susceptible to unsound judgment, On 12-15-2016 the U.S. Justice Department launched an combatively and offensively for the majority of my life.. favoritism, partiality and unpredictability. He wrestles investigation into Orange County Sheriff Department for The almighty Allah/God is ‘great’! ... Those of you who with feelings of depression and inferiority. He gets jealous their use of jailhouse snitches. The Orange County TRED know me know positive/productive transition I’ve made. easily, especially when someone around him succeeds. He system is a computerized system for tracking jailhouse .I’m putting forth this letter to make the public aware that can become terribly manipulative and political. He loses inmates and informants; a database built and maintained there has been a change in those individuals' behavior, for his temper. He acts arrogantly –even tyrannically – to mask by the Orange County sheriff, that remains secret despite the best.. As long as they continue we can co-exist as an his insecurities. He is self-destructive and succumbs to bad numerous specific discovery orders by the court. California (active) prisoner class....As soldiers or prisoners of all races influences. He has difficulty controlling his own passion Rehabilitation Center (CRC) is actively running a snitch and/or formations - we can no longer allow CDCR/PISC to and lusts. breeding program of their own, from the top down. They govern our way of thinking, or control if and when we act The more authority such a person has, the more damage have signs in every housing unit to recruit informants with out towards each other.... They already control our physical he can do to more people! Someone who truly conquers a phone number directly to an ISU Lieutenant: “Help us freedom.. We must seize this time and continue to show himself and successfully administers his own self-rule can help you.” This program reflects a failure of leadership the initiative of honoring what all of our esteemed elders/ successfully take on more and more authority, doing more that shows management incompetence. CRC disregards soldiers put in place to ensure a better, more productive and more good for more and more people. Proverbs 16:32 the dangers of relying on jailhouse snitches...accusing (inner) society to reside in.. says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and inmates with no other evidence. Inmates are being sand On a different note: he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”. If you are bagged. One must ask: What arrangement or favors did I recently read an article by a New Afrikan/Black elder faithful in small matters, Jesus Christ said, you will be in the snitch receive? Was the snitch's allegations made while in the California Prison Focus #49 [more on the killing of the big ones. he was on drugs/meds? Was he beat up or in good health Hugo Pinell].. I mean no disrespect (truly) to the brotha, Learn to truly govern yourself – then you can influence at the time of questioning? What is the background of the who wrote it or anyone to whom felt it necessary to convey your family, your country, your world. It will begin snitch? such information or intelligence about brotha – Yogi or the unlocking your potential for leadership and genuine While I was housed at California Rehabilitation Center prison movement, etc.... But extending a bit of constructive success. Notice this proverb about godly leadership: retaliation was a serious problem. When I refused to snitch criticism on the ongoing articles, etc about the loss of “Mercy and truth preserve the kind. And by loving-kindness for C/O Navarette, he “confiscated” all of my property brotha – Hugo (Yogi) Pinell, divulging such information he upholds his throne.” (Proverbs 20:28, New King James and planted a phone on me. He then tried to extort me. (externally) to the public seemed a bit harsh and very Version) The word ‘loving-kindness’ can mean good deeds His friends in ISU were the ones who retaliated for him. confusing.... Not to mention conflicting, in light of the on- or kindness. Truth refers to trustworthiness. The living They went as far as having my girlfriend strip searched at going positive sentiments about Hugo, expressed by many Bible renders this verse, “If a King is kind, honest, and fair, visiting and searched my bunk weekly. revolutionary nationalist brothas and sistas. Don’t get me his kingdom stands secure.” If you asked a hundred world C/O Navarette offered me tobacco and a phone to drop wrong, big brotha -soldier.. I overstand your message, ‘let leaders to list the most important qualities contributing to my staff complaint. I refused, so he recruited jailhouse the brotha, go ahead and rest in power (everyone just kick the longevity of an administration or Kingdom, how many snitches that he was able to coerse into making false back)’.. On the same note – please overstand this.. would mention honesty and loving-kindness? statements on me in exchange for tobacco and “anything to .Whether anyone (whoever) like it or not, brotha – Hugo The fact is, the Bible trains people in a different type make your stay easier.” C/O Navarette then filed multiple “Yogi” Pinell was (is) apart of the (black/people of color) of government – one that works! God isn’t calling on the confidential reports into my confidential file that, along community, love one(s).. This message was made clear governors to solve problems. They cannot make people’s with other false allegations, was ultimately used against by many of the people; the masses, my parents, relatives, lives better, cannot even successfully enact decent jobs, me, resulting in an RVR and a SHU term. homies and comrades, etc raised ‘me’ as such: ‘When our tax, or defense policies. If you want to learn how to build peoples are out of line, it is we, the people (love ones) who a government that actually works, study the scriptural must deal with them – not outsiders. instruction God outlines in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus There are brothas and sistas, such as myself, wanting

8 PRISON FOCUS

By Michael Russell Essays...... Continued on page PB LETTERS desperately to learn from, you, and those revolutionary will then come back 15 minutes later to pick up food trays. includes no water/fluids, near death intellectuals of like minds.. We wish to force alliances/ Then, another officer will do the pipe security check, so comes every four days… I wrote allegiance with you – whole heartedly. But in this age this is four to five times within those 20 minutes that these to the court judge who issued the we must all realize that certain things are not meant to be officers harass and make each inmate uncomfortable. court-order for the force-feeding aired in public... It causes dissensions and dislike towards Before any of this, I went to sleep about 9:30 pm until to try to get an “injunction” to stop a movement - or can - of such a fruitful meaning for the about 5:00 am, when I routinely get up to urinate. I always the DOC from misusing the court- New Afrikan/Black community abroad. To each one, teach woke up full of energy, ready for my day to go to work. order. On December 20th 2016, the one – until we reach one.. Now I can’t even get up for breakfast. prison doctor Jeffry Manlove testified ~Life, Love & Loyalty ~ ‘GJU’ I can’t think, read, write, stay focused, or concentrate at that the reason why he changed his prescription order for me to be force Editor’s Note: Ed layed out his analysis in his article all now, because I’m tired and burnt out. I feel fatigued. I’ve made numerous complaints to medical staff – to fed and hydrated only when I am in Prison Focus Issue 49. Powell presented his critique of near death was because “they were Ed’s article, which I thought was thoughful and insightful. the physician and nurses, but they fail to aid me, or they say that it’s the prison officials I need to address. They trying to get me to eat”, meaning that he admitted that he Hayward had issues with Powell’s article, and expressed is misusing the court-order and using it as a method of discomfort with airing out dirty laundry, so to speak. While can’t do anything about the conditions in Ad Seg, yet the psychologists all have their offices in the medical coercion to try to bend my will, rather than for its intended his concerns are understandable, they are not justifiable. purpose which is to provide medical treatment to prevent I would agree if it was a “condemnation” rather than a department. The mental torture, trauma and deprivation of sleep are an infliction of psychological pain. We injury or death from starvation and dehydration. “critique”. There should be no martyr’s immunity against However, the judge sided with the DOC and permitted criticism of our movements, leaders or soldiers. W.S. should be free from disrespectful, loud, noisy, and cruel conditions of confinement. I don’t think I can ever heal them to resort to such torture techniques. The judge told from this shock of disturbance, freakish harassment, and me that “if they kill me my only consolation would be that my family would have grounds for a civil claim against the Letter to Mr. Lindsay Hayes regarding tormented state of mind. My mood is angry, irritated, shocked, annoyed, and bothered by this harassment. DOC”. You can find the transcripts on-line. The case is: sleep deprivation “Wis. DOC vs. Cesar Deleon #322800 (See Sleep Deprivation Update, pg. 5) Prison officials do not have proper procedures that respect Dodge County Case No.16CV301” Letter CCd to Matthew Lopes the rights of human conditions in prison. They enjoy the practice of what the Constitution was created to prohibit And now because the judge gave the D.O.C the greenlight Dear Mr. Hayes, – torture, harassment, threats, terrorism, brutality, abuse, to torture me with these water boarding-like techniques, the DOC is using it on all prisoners in the WDOC who are I was arrested and detentioned in Ad Seg at DVI on misconduct, and cruel and unusual punishment. I am left on hunger strike. But because they still haven’t been able March 27, 2016. The practice of false security/welfare feeling deprived of my right to liberty and my civil rights. to break us, the DOC decided to intensify the pressure by checks occur every 20 minutes. They sound louder at Please help stop this cruelty that pierces our psychological performing other kinds of stress-inducements, on top of night – more intense and annoying, because the alarm state of mind, this abuse of law which causes physical the water boarding-like torture techniques. Every time they seems louder and noisier when all else is quiet. This pain, loss of sleep, loss of respect, loss of fundamental extract us for the daily evaluations and/or force-feedings penetrating, and irritating screech sound on every cell door fair treatment, and the peace of mind to be free from (when we qualify) the guards use this opportunity to use shocks, tortures, and aggravates us, causing a jumping fear tyranny. Please recommend that these misnamed welfare/ excessive force and ram sack our cells. every 20 minutes, day and night. The flashing of a bright security checks end. flashlight penetrates my eyes like a shock, like when you Sincerely yours, D.O., Duel Vocationl Institution see lights of a train and the noise sends chills through you. They find any excuse to put us on I wind up angry, my blood pressure and heart rate paper restrictions, which means increase. This can’t be good for my heart. Sometimes every Illegal Use of Segregation at Sonoma we cannot send nor receive mail, to 15 minutes, the officer races by, hitting my door frame hard County Jail isolate us from our supporters. twice, as if to deliberately wake me up and keep me up. It October 26, 2017 sends a penetrating, heart-aggravating piercing in me that I am writing to inform you of some issues and action And they take our clothes to humiliate us and, well it is affects my physical, mental and emotional mind and body. we’ve taken in the Sonoma County Jail. By the time you winter in Wisconsin. You can imagine how cold it get in The sounds are from a metal pipe the officers use to hit the receive this we will be days into a hunger strike. We began here. frame of my door, hitting metal to metal that causes a loud today. We are being held unlawfully in Administrative Not long ago in Guantanamo Bay the prisoners went on echoing alarm that sounds all the way to the end of the Segregation on 23 ½ hour lockdown, causing us undue hunger strike. And the military was using the same water building, like a car alarm you can hear a distance away. It’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual suffering. They boarding-like technique on them. As a result of being loud, annoying, and disturbing. hold us for prolonged periods of time and place us on subjected to such methods, of only hydrating the subject I get very little sleep, if any. I feel as though I don’t get indefinite terms of isolation. There are gentlemen back when he is near death, the prisoners developed a serious any sleep at all. My eyes hurt from being puffy, swollen, here who have been here for over 6 months and could be medical condition known as ‘dehydration syndrome’. tired, and red/irritated. My body aches from tossing and here for years depending on their case. I’ve personally Eventually human/civil rights attorneys stepped in to help turning back and forth. Nothing blocks out the loud, been in segregation all but19 days in the last 18 months. stop this practice. alarming, beeping, echoing noises and hitting sound from For some of us we are not placed here because we broke What surprises me is that here in Wisconsin no one the metal bar. This is the longest I’ve ever been deprived facility rules or are any type of disciplinary issue. They cares. They can torture prisoners of law all they want and of sleep. say we’re here because we choose to exercise our right to no one cares. No attorney wants to help us. My mind and my eyes hurt. I have headaches. My ears remain silent. By exercising our right they unjustly punish But we continue to peacefully resist. And even ache. My body is burned out and fatigued, weak and run us. There are about ten of us back here in this situation. We though I've been enduring a lot of harassment, beatings down, as if I’m old and worn out. These checks have feel this facility uses barbarous tactics to break us down, by and injuries from falling from dehydration, I plan on caused me to have stomach aches, diarrhea, chest pains, holding us to the lowest levels of human decency until we pushing forth. and heartburn. I’ve lost weight, from 204 to 181 pounds give in to them. Our rights are being violated and we are We truly appreciate your support and we want everyone just in the 90 days I’ve been in Ad Seg, from this anxiety, being deprived our privileges due per Title 15. There has to know we are doing our part in the struggle against mental anguish, and confused state of mind. been much scrutiny on Sonoma County over the past few solitary confinement. In the day, when I am reading books, writing letters to years, due to the beating of inmates, unlawful policies and In struggle, Cesar DeLeon my family, drawing, praying or taking naps, the element procedures and outright disrespect for our constitutional of surprise when the c/o’s hit my cell door twice, causing rights. Sincerely and with the deepest humility, this alarm to sound loud, makes me jump. I’m startled, Inmates in segregation. I decided to not follow the prisoners’ annoyed, out of my wits, and it scares me. I feel it shock code of violence and politics of killing my heart and my brain, causing trauma and emotional and and mayhem. physical distress. At night, I am kept up by the reckless Wisconsin Prisoner Hunger Strike “You can use my whole name Santiago Soto, I’ll tell you loud echoing noise that pierces my ears and my whole January 1, 2017 why. body, and by the flashing of the officers flashlight as he There is a group of us prisoners in Wisconsin I made the transition from an active yard (so called hard- hits the door frame. I have a hard time getting up to receive protesting long-term solitary confinement. Currently the core yard) to a Sensitive Needs Yard (i.e. soft yard full of my breakfast tray because I am so tired from being kept up administration, Wisconsin Department of Corrections prison informants, sexual predators, rapers, child molesters, all night in a tortured shocked state of mind. (WCOD) can keep you on administrative confinement child killers, etc.) I decided to not follow the prisoners’ code Some of these guards hit the door frame harder to scare (AC) in solitary confinement (SC) indefinitely. With our of violence and politics of killing and mayhem. Therefore, I and deliberately disturb me, to get me angry and upset, hunger strike we seek to bring awareness to the issue and was occupying a cell that they needed for a soldier willing to because they know I’m grievancing this harm done to me. put a one year cap on AC. blindly follow orders. Some officers who I’ve told to not hit it so hard laugh at I personally been on this hunger strike since June 2016, The SNY program allows me to be the only owner of my me and tell me, “Don’t come to Ad Seg. You are not here but in Wisconsin prisoners can be force-fed. I have been destiny. to be comfortable.” They rattle their keys and yell out force-fed for about six months now. At first the DOC hoped loudly, to let you know they are walking the tier. Some that sticking tubes up my nose would compel me drop the ignore you when you ask for a form or sick call slip for hunger strike, so they were doing it three times per day No slave can knock on my door and medical. The officers do this even if they just passed you a feeding me 2,250 calories. Then, when they realized that order me to kill or harm another food tray and water in a cup, knowing they just had direct we were not going to break, the prison doctor reduced the slave. communication with each inmate. They still hit the metal calories to 1,500 to be administered AM and PM. Their pipe, rather than check on any specific inmate. hope was that the midday hunger pains would compel Now it is just me against the whole world. And I’m loving At the same time, the psych staff goes by and punches us to eat. When that didn’t do the trick, on December to be free of the chains of slavery that gangs have over all buttons on his clipboard, and sounds the alarm button on 1st 2016, the doctor wrote another type of prescription prisoners. the door frame of each door, and asks each of us the same order. He ordered that I only be force-fed and hydrated Love and respect, Soto questions every day, usually in the morning. The officers “when I am near death”. And because my hunger-strike

NUMBER 50 9

...while the notion of an even playing field is good in theory, it is not reflective of the realities facing the underprivileged or disadvantaged youth of today. Transgender Discrimination These torture chambers, prison walls do not form barriers PRISONERS UNITED separating inmates from protections US Constitution at California Institute for Men including out 1st, 8th Amendment rights...Only through I am currently housed at California Institute for OF SILICON VALLEY unity and peace can we overcome solitary confinement, and Men. This facility has been designated as a hub for us Published December 22, 2016 in the PUSV find justice, prosperity, equal opportunities and peace in transgender inmates. newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/gwhq2hp every facet of society, by working to fix the overwhelming We here are going through some obstacles in our pursuit – LETTER OF APPRECIATION – disparities in and out of these walls, that can never contain for equal treatment and freedom from harassment, from reetings and solidarity to each other and all who us. sexual discrimination in the hiring process and work place. participated in our initial Hunger Strike to end If we remain proactive in our efforts we will produce Transgender discrimination is what I’m fighting to the arbitrary use of solitary confinement and G change. We need to stay active in our strategizing and right. I have been denied work in the Inmate Ward Labor inhumane treatment in Santa Clara County Jails. communication... Then expand our sights and struggles and program (IWL). Since jobs are few here, ILW is considered Before we set off into the body of this letter we would we will overwhelm this unconstitutional treatment. a plum assignment, which involves construction, cement like to extend our respect and appreciation to all who They capitalize off of our ignorance so wake up guys pouring, digging and other entry-level positions. These participated and sacrificed to provoke change. Although and pick up a book and learn your rights. They say this jobs are good paying jobs; $150 to $200 monthly. I’ve we came from diverse backgrounds be it race, religion, is the land of the free. That is not what Amerikkka means been here a year and a half and to this day of this writing, color or creed we set out differences aside, inter- where the 1% rich determine what the poor needs. This is no transgender has been hired, even after my complaint locked arms forming a formidable force through civil the land of mass incarceration where prisons have become (602). disobedience in solidarity. slave plantations. This is the land of the slave,where they Allow the sacrifices each participant has made be have you busting your ass for low wages. This is the land of inspiration to others to join in our struggle, allow our lies where the police say they serve to protect but will kill These abuses are the result of a peaceful protest to demonstrate the power of unity and unarmed civilians. Politicians, judges, D.A....those guys that culture cover-ups and collusion the positive changes that can be effected when we view prey on the poor and weak. The true measure of character from the top. each other not as classification of inmates defined by the is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the color of clothing issued to prisoners by administration but From Warden Dean Borders all the way to the Inmate incarcerated and condemned. instead as human beings who share the same oppressive IWL leadman and his supervisor, Mr. Wally Luce, the In Solidarity, D.I. conditions. hiring process is rigged. [The above individuals] are For decades prisoners have been slammed down in allowed to view inmates medical files, do background solitary confinement, locked away from education and BOOK REVIEW: checks on inmates, charge fees for hiring people and rehabilitation programs or barred from participating in discriminate against transgenders. COLD BLACK HEART fellowship of their faith due to administration beliefs The assignment Lt. Williams should know that the … Meanwhile our families are being exploited with SYNDROME proper process for hiring is being circumvented, but he practices that amount to price gouging through exorbitant Answers To A World Filled With insists on giving the impression that all is right in the job commissary and phone rates. While they survive in a region market, at one of the most corrupt prisons in California. Cold Black Heart Syndrome with rising rent cost plagued by a homeless epidemic in Anonymous By Tommy Hightower city with ordinances that throws people in jail for having hy is America so divided? How could a non- no place to live… Let’s be thankful we have religious politician, strife-causing billionaire elected to leaders and community organizations like De-Bug who the presidency? Hate, dissent, racism, division Extortion at Oregon Department of rally behind us to champion our cause and see us different, W has filled the national and international conversation. Why? Correction Facility who are the difference, who see us as human beings, who The book, Cold Black Heart Syndrome was created from Oregon Department of Correction (ODOC) wanna give are not persuaded by those in positions of authority whom an epiphany by Thomas A. Hightower in early 2010. Just you a monetary fine for every perceived misstep. I’m define us by our allegations and classification rhetoric to made available when the 2016 election was winding down sending you a copy of OCOC’s disciplinary fine matrix. If pump fear in the heart of the public in their effort to kill the book shines a light on the ills plaguing our nation today. you look at it, you’ll see 3 main rule infractions. Assault I, our support base when they are preoccupied beating us to Hate-mongering has become big business in today’s II, III. (Because there’s no such thing as a fight here.) We death like Michael Tyree … In the spirit of thankfulness world. The elite know how to use your own fears and biases assault each other. That way it sounds violent. Extortion, perhaps one might consider reaching out to their family against you, to gain power and wealth. Donald Trump which we aresubject to all day everyday: do this or else and friends letting them know they are appreciated; we capitalized on the fear and prejudices of America’s middle this will happen. Work or go to the hole. Move into the cell appreciate you and yours for your support so Thank You! class. By turning political correctness into a despised with an incompatible cellmate or go to the hole. And lastly, Before we bring this letter of appreciation to a close trait, he capitalized on saying in public what millions only Disturbance: see, according to these officials a disturbance we would like to abreast the prisoner population that our labored internally in secret. Hate is not a new social ill. can be one incident, 3-4 days long. I can’t stress this any hunger strike has not ended, it has been momentarily It’s ancient. But at no time before in history have negative harder. The last disturbance in August at OSP involved suspended. We gave administration (30) days to bring emotions been such a powerful weapon against the entire over 200 people. Yet this transpired for 3 days, under about tangible changes for the benefit of all prisoners. We human race. controlled conditions of specific cells opened with CO’s will continue our efforts until all of our core demands have Cold black heart syndrome is the disease killing the standing feet away with jugs of pepper spray. Everyone’s been met. We will not be duped by the superficial such as human race. But it doesn’t have to be that way. This book getting wet today. And that’s how the disturbance goes movie night and a snack, we must persist as a collective will arm it’s readers with the most powerful defense on down, it’s controlled 2 second combat where the most that stands firm on principle. We must not be deluded by a earth: knowledge that teaches you how to overcome those violence and only weapons being used are by the CO’s. carrot on a stick offered to us by an oppressed system that who profit from hate. And, then everyone gets a $200.00 fine. 200 plus prisoners is fueled by greed and political ambitions. As the author pens this epiphany: “The human body is getting $200.00 fines. Do you know how long it takes to To prevail in our struggle for prisoners human rights made up of billions of unique, individual cells. Each cell pay $200.00? Well, 180 days DSU, then most whites to we respectfully ask the prisoner population to exercise must work perfectly with each other to form a healthy body. IMU. (Intensive Management Unit: solitary confinement) diplomacy for it is not in our own interest to engage in Like a healthy body filled with different cells, capitalizing , but those that don’t, it takes 4-6 months to get a $30.00 combat with one another when we are fighting together to on their differences, so is a healthy human race. Billions of a month job. We’re talking 18-24 months. Obviously improve our conditions of confinement. We ask those of unique individuals who each have a purpose in the healthy that instills hopelessness and bitterness where most men you who sway influence in our housing unit to work with function of the human race. We are created a social species, catch more write-ups, which of course gets more fines. A each other to resolve conflict peacefully by promoting who have allowed the few elite to poison our thoughts never-ending garnishment on our end and profit on their prisoner solidarity. Let’s try not to provide ammunition to towards each others’ differences. It’s not too late to be a end. Officer Appreciation Day for them, baking soda and the administration that allows them to justify the reasoning happy, healthy human race again. indigent envelopes for us. All in the name of rehabilitation for the use of solitary confinement. Our goal is to promote Please, check out Cold Black Heart Syndrome today. and accountability. our cause by unifying like-minded people to support our Help the author write the next edition of this sage of life’s Lastly, whenever they can’t earn profits through the next planned Hunger strike. secrets and wealth. We are richer when love triumphs over gladiator scraps, they simply try to integrate sex offenders Truly, hate! with non-sex offenders; Knowing from decades of PRISONERS UNITED OF SILICON VALLEY This book is available through Amazon. evidence, no white is allowed to live with a sex-offender. It’s a recipe for profits in ODOC.’s coffers, and they build statistics. See, look at all this hate. Look at the extortion, Oppressive and Tortorous Conditions in look at these racial disturbances. They’re the ones creating, Louisiana promoting and perpetuating these occurrences. This plea is for advocacy against the cruel and unusual In your last Newsletter you gave a SHOUT OUT to conditions. here in Louisiana at David Wade Correctional those guys that donated $43.00 worth of stamps. You said Center. No one in their right mind should let this that’s how we win. Ok, that sacrifice moves me to write suffering and these humane living conditions go on. The you this $45 check. I’m conscious that there’s no such unconstitutionally tortorous conditions need to be stopped. thing as commitment without contribution. I myself have This is solitary torture. hunger striked, assaulted staff, withdrawn economically There are many uncertainties and overwhelming and supported causes. I want to make a difference. I got challenges for us here in the (SHU) torture chambers in love for those that challenge-fight-resist. prisons across the state. Through sacrafices and hunger Respects, Toby strikes we can make a change, make instrumental changes that will positively effect future generations and shine CPF is not aware of this practice taking Editor’s Note: a brighter light on all those living in oppression and place in California. We are interested in learning more perpetual torutre. We need... to expand our movement to and welcome submissions with more information about bigger, stronget and more informative horizons. the practice of fines for violations.

10 PRISON FOCUS Now I Understand By Antjuan Darnell Cox POETRY Jogging at VSP Anonymous, Chowchilla Penitentiary raised because I thought it was cool I am… Trayvon Martin Even though I round the dirt track I was blind to the fact that ByJames Mason, FL again—always watching behind I was just a fool. Crackers... Can’t understand that Black Lives Matter for fist or shiv—I’m running against And standing your ground is the beginning of the battle myself—against the thirty years My mind was raped I paid the price to lay-a-way a life that have brought me to cinders at an early age, under foot—burnt tire smells in the recklessly my thoughts So we can change from the fast lane and merge to the right air—the wounded bullhorn buzzer was stuck in a maze. I will not rest in peace until we reach our destiny Every hoodie in the hood represents a chess piece bleating over the yards—sun Blind and misguided Life isn’t ruined when young men learn by doing thrashing in the clouds like my dreams misunderstood my worth, Pardon me, Steve Harvey is a positive influence of suffocating in the bleached locked down in a cradle Faith makes it possible to face another obstacle undies of convicted felons— cursed at birth. The power in prayer will prevail ware fare psychological choked by state-issued mumus—when I am… what reflects from my thoughts and actions I slip into the pile of laundry Confused and misused We are born with bones to follow laws of attraction I’m folding, swallowed by soap scum functioning off of lies, Matter of fact, waiting on God is like sitting in traffic and high suds of regret—one more out of love for my mentors I’ll ride for everybody to avoid more crashing lap and the morning moon rises I became the victimized. One checkmate don’t make you a champion and sails through the yard recall as if that tiny speck of light flickering For those of the struggle Every day I pray for knowledge, wisdom and understanding… up from what might as well be Mars who really don’t know, My family, and all the others in the struggle no matter where you go I love you too, but the problem is we got too comfortable could spell anything fresh, new or the world is a ghetto. Pictures are worth 1000 words and I’m tired of talking unstained, as if this dark ring With that being said, I am… Trayvon Martin. pounded into the earth by

Law of nature is fallen angels could ever offer cause and effect, anything more than another knowledge is key Tears dull slap of mother earth under now watch me resurrect! By Stephen LaValle, NY the punishing thump of these feet that have carried me in circles Imagine teardrops left uncried. I use to feel so alone inside circles that came so close but never again From pain trapped inside. Waiting to escape. to flight, almost touching the sun because knowledge and wisdom Loosing It has become my friend……. Through the window of your eyes. By St. Lewis NOW I UNDERSTAND. “Why won’t you let us out?” I’m aware that my thoughts are crashing, imploding before completion The tears question the Conscience. Fragments of my memories, histories, ideas and sense of self whizzing by speed of light “I don't smoke, don't drink, don't fuck. “Relinquish your Fears and doubts Fast bits every which way hitting nothing. At least i can fucking think.” And heal yourself in the process.” I strive to stop my digression regain what’s slipping away by tricking the mind ― Ian Mackaye Keeping written accounts of what seems important shit ain’t working worth a damn lost in The Conscience told the tears, either trying to find substance in the space, an anchor, something to grab on to. “I know you really want me to cry God’s blessing, or Goddess touch, a good woman in the clutch… SHOUT OUT But if I release you from bondage Come on stop the bleeding of my mind!!! In gaining your Freedom you die.” I don’t cry and I’m not scared. BOX! I marvel at the waste of my potential, my unclaimed talents…It’s kind of spectacular THANK YOU TOBY The tears gave it some thought Really no one to lay blame on. Just me. Before giving the Conscience an answer, OK. I can still fix this by paying attention to any honest opportunity that comes my way. FOR YOUR GENEROUS “If crying brings you to triumph DONATION!! I need a few, create a few. I got it this time. Enjoy the fuckin’ process. Yeah now I get it!! Then dying is not such a disaster. Fuck Took SO Long!!

WE BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SEX ABUSE IN WOMEN’S PRISONS international law. Even former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun has By Bonnie Kerness stated: Posted on January 31, 2017 at http://www.nj.com “Prison rape not only threatens the lives of those who fall prey to their aggressors, he issue of prison rape, America’s dirty little secret, is so serious a problem but it is potentially devastating to the human spirit. Shame, depression, and a that in 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). shattering loss of self-esteem accompany the perpetual terror the victim thereafter Unfortunately, the “elimination” part of that legislation has been must endure.” T The public pays heavily for these institutions without knowing what is enforced only intermittently. NJ Advance Media reporter S.P. Sullivan’s investigation “Locked Up, Fighting Back” echoed the hundreds of testimonies happening behind those walls. that AFSC’s Prison Watch receives from imprisoned women each year. Letters, telephone calls and visits from people formerly incarcerated confirm stories we What is happening to our sisters and brothers in hear from behind the walls. prison reflects poorly on our prison system which I have held women in my arms who have described the worst of their assaults is only authorized by law to remove people from and the impact of living with that trauma upon release. society, not torture them. It also reflects poorly Prosecutor says he’s conducting “ongoing investigation” into abuse at New on us as a society, and exposes whole families Jersey. women’s prison. After reading the article, Lydia Thornton, a formerly imprisoned woman who and communities to the aftermath of institutional served three years at New Jersey’s Edna Mahon Correctional Facility, told me this: violence. “Everyone in certain prison units knew that certain officers would pursue As Lydia so aptly said, “What happens behind prison walls does not stay there: some of the women relentlessly. Some women give into rape to get extra food, it affects people, families and all our communities. I paid my debt to society, as cell phone use, sanitary napkins, food from outside, extra privileges or simply did many others. We should not have had to live with such abuse or be tortured by attention. Even though I was aware of many inappropriate interactions, you learn the memory of it... A safer prison culture will improve public safety and reduce quickly in prison to mind your own business at your own risk.” recidivism.” Sexual violence is often a tool used to subdue prisoners who guards see as According to experts, sex abuse behind bars is underreported. New Jersey problems. Many of those “problem” women are placed in maximum security and reports few substantiated prison rape cases to federal government. then assaulted repeatedly - often unable to communicate their abuse to anyone. Because these crimes of sexual violence occur to people in our governments’ One woman reported holding semen in her mouth so she could “prove” her custody, we bear responsibility, along with those who ignore the law. We, the humiliation. These women are not alone. people, can -- and must -- act to interrupt this ongoing terror. According to data on the Department of Corrections, about 100 alleged sexual There is a county jail, a juvenile detention facility, or a state prison near every assaults have occurred since 2012. Of those only two have been “substantiated.” one of us. Do we know what our fellow citizens are experiencing? This is not surprising since it becomes one person’s word against another in a Despite federal and state legislation, there is no community oversight. We culture which assumes prisoners are never to be believed. Even when the offending must form community groups committed to knowing what is happening to those officers are fired, the horror that these women live through is not exposed publicly, imprisoned via our churches, temples, mosques, and other community groups. We and often the officers do not face criminal charges and are free to seek similar must support family members with those in prison by encouraging them to share employment elsewhere. their stories.● This is likewise an international shame. The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women states clearly that rape is a violation of

NUMBER 50 11 CPF Anniversary Event...... Continued from page 1 abusive relationships. And they knew that and they would even relate to my family, because I didn’t understand how Still, his understanding was somewhat superficial and it use it to their advantage to get us to submit, to get us to the emotional things that I went through— they was just wasn’t until around 2005, after he’d received a life sentence snitch and everything else under the sun.” put to rest. They never were really dealt with, so as soon as and eventually got sent to the hole for a long spell, that he ♦♦♦♦♦ I found myself back in the home, all of that stuff flared up began to understand his “internal journey.” Gradually he Raymond Aguilar had been released from Tehachapi and I found myself not wanting to be in the home, but not came to more deeply appreciate the connections between the just four months prior to the panel discussion. He lives in knowing why.” external events that Gary Webb had written about, and his Stockton, California, where he grew up, and works as a The “not wanting to be in the home” left the younger own life, decisions and actions. youth counselor for Fathers and Families of San Joaquin. Williams, who loved his family, feeling conflicted on top “Sittin’ in the hole, I started to realize what my part in all “As it stands right now,” said Aguilar, “in Stockton— of everything else he was going through. He did not know of this was,” he explained. “Deep down inside, I knew that I San Joaquin Valley—ninety percent of the kids that are in how to cope with, explain, or even understand on his own was participating in something that I never should have been juvenile hall facing [a] life sentence are boys and men of terms what he was experiencing. participated in.” color. Ninety percent.” And, before voters approved Prop. “And, in all of the rejection from everybody else in life,” ♦♦♦♦♦ 57 in November, he elaborated, juveniles as young as 14 Williams added, “even in the appearance of rejection from The youngest of the four panelists, Mianta McKnight, in were being tried as adults. Aguilar himself was tried as an my family, guess who never rejected me? Right? Duh. … her late 30s, and Raymond Aguilar, age 41, are children of adult at age 16. I can go get whatever I wanted from them soon as I hit the yet a third era. When they were born, the so-called War on “What does that say about the system?” What does that block.” Crime declared by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 had been say about our community, that we are gonna give up on Raymond Aguilar described his own experience coming going on for a decade or more, having ramped up during our youth and try them as … adults?” out of prison and the SHU. He remembers thinking: Nixon’s presidency. When they were children, the Reagan Aguilar’s childhood and adolescence, as described “I’m gonna get myself acclimated … and try to make a administration, which was proclaiming “Just Say No” on the by him, underscore a common-sense point that can also difference in my community. Especially, for all the things one hand, was giving the wink and a nod to the Contras’ drug be drawn from William’s and McKnight’s remarks: that I’ve done wrong, let me now turn around and do trafficking, on the other. Before either Mianta or Raymond the lack of a supportive familial environment can have something positive and constructive.” As his remarks hit the age of 35, the incarcerated population within this devastating long-term repercussions for a youngster. This evinced though, the tentacles of the prison system extend country had ballooned by almost six hundred percent!3 is particularly true in a society that throws, foremost, its well beyond any prison’s walls and beyond the duration of McKnight grew up in San Francisco and has been out of most oppressed members and those most in need of help a prisoner’s sentence: prison for about three years. She gave birth to a baby girl into the gullet of the prison system. “When I’m paroled, part of my parole conditions is that almost a year ago and is employed with Justice Now, a Bay At 15 years old, Aguilar fatally shot a man who had I’m on high control… I’m a validated gang member… on Area organization working with people inside of women’s robbed his grandmother. He told the audience: "At a gang injunction. How am I gonna be a productive citizen prisoners. sixteen, I had a fifth-grade comprehension level. I wasn’t in my community if I’m being paroled ‘High Risk"… McKnight’s parents divorced when she was young.. going to school. [I] grew up out of a foster care system. I putting a bad light on me already. How do you then expect Though divorces was common at the time, her overall was in and out of shelter homes… I was being adopted by me to get out here and get a job? … How am I going to go circumstances as a juvenile and young adult, were less foster parents who didn’t care and who beat the shit out into the educational departments and say, ‘Hey, let me tell than typical. McKnight explained: “My father had married of me, and neglect was all that I knew…When I was sent you something: I was once where you guys were at: Let me somebody else, and she was molesting my brother and to prison… I was affiliated with an organization inside, make a difference?’ “ I. She molested me from the age of two until I was about because, like brother Troy [Williams] said, that was my For Aguilar, the “how” was supplied in part by others eight. That went on for six years and when the sexual abuse family.” who were there to extend helping hands. Fathers and stopped, the physical, mental and verbal started, so I held At age 18, Aguilar was booted from the California Families of San Joaquin, an organization working with low- some resentment against her.". Youth Authority into the adult prison system, into Pelican income fathers and men of color, including those formerly At 17, I had a boyfriend—thought we were gonna be Bay, no less. “I was (a) young, foolish child thinking I was incarcerated, engaged him as an employee. In addition, together forever. We decided to rob my house. The ultimate grown when I really wasn’t.” Aguilar is working with a formerly incarcerated comrade goal, she explained, was to make her step mother "feel what While at Pelican Bay’s SHU, Aguilar recalled: “I who has since started his own advocacy organization. it felt like to lose something. Not to kill her. The end result started reading books, I started reading newspapers, Not everybody released from prison, though, meets is that she died in that robbery." magazines, just readin to pass the time. … Most of the with the same fortune as Aguilar. Relevant to finding a job “I was tried as an adult; they did not want to hear what was time, we’re learning and educatin’ about the organization, and the significant practical hurdles that people face once going on in my house beforehand... I did say something, I and the history of our organization and of our people. beyond the prison walls, Mianta McKnight elaborated: did tell, and nothing changed. So, that changed my belief When I got to prison and I seen the California Prison “One of my target projects [at Justice Now] is working on system, in terms of, the truth mattered. Since I did not feel Focus newsletter, I looked at it as another newsletter that Prop. 47 and figuring out where the resources are going. … safe at home, I sought acceptance outside the house and I could read to pass my time. It took me many days, many Where’s the money going that’s supposed to be there for that’s how I ended up with this guy to begin with. “I made months, perhaps even a few years to really understand people of color? Women of color? Girls? Because those a decision, and my decision cost me something far greater what the Prison Focus was really teachin’ me… This resources are not available. And, as a person of color … than I was willing to bargain— cost me the trust of my fam- is an intimidating magazine to a kid who don’t have that has survived the prison industrial complex [PIC], I ily; it cost somebody their life, and I ruined many, many an education. I’m lookin’ at the pictures. I’m looking see the importance of the resources, and not just getting things along the way. " at, ‘Where’s the color up in here?’ You know what I’m out. 'Cause once you get out, then what? Who’s gonna help “So I entered juvenile hall in Redwood City. They lied and saying? We’re makin’ clothes hangers out of this. We’re you? Whose gonna support you? Who’s gonna advocate told me I was going home. I didn’t see home for a very, very using this as our napkins. One day, maybe I’m using the for yourself out here?” long time. restroom. Maybe I need this. You know what I’m saying? Forging a path forward “I was locked up in X Unit, which was solitary confinement And it wasn’t until that Moses moment when I seen the In prison, McKnight had to advocate for and rehabilitate … I did not know what day it was. There were no windows. light. I’m like—sittin’ here—and I’m like, ‘Should I use herself. The CDCR does not do it for you, she emphasized; I hadn’t seen my parents yet. I hadn’t seen my attorney yet. this to wipe, or should I use this to read?’ So, I’m sittin’ in fact, “they actually put every roadblock in your path.” They came and opened the door and slammed it and told me here, and I’m looking at this Prison Focus, and when I Nonetheless, the skills that she did acquired inside, that I was never getting out. I believed them. I told my parents was done, I said, ‘Man, I got to read this again’; I think, eventually aided her in paroling, are skills she uses each … that if they keep me forever, I’m going kill myself, and I ‘Somethin caught my attention.’ And it was one of the and every day. She fights against the PIC so that her infant meant it." bills that they were trying to pass to help juveniles like daughter “will never see the inside of it” and “to help the “I went to prison when I was 21.…When those gates myself get out of prison. I said, ‘Damn, well this can give people inside that don’t have a voice currently, as a result closed after I made it to prison, I had a panic attack because me some kind of information that I could use.’ “ of trying to be snuffed and choked out by CDCR.” I knew I’m not gonna make it outta this place. … I was told These days, Aguilar doesn’t define himself as a gang In contrast, Troy Williams, whose final stop within as a young person coming inside, ‘Don’t worry about it: go member, or even an ex-gang member. “I’m a formerly the system was the mainline at San Quentin, benefitted ahead and get in trouble: You’re never gonna get out. The incarcerated individual who has educated himself,” he from the relative abundance of educational opportunities only way you’re gonna leave is in a pine box.’ And I almost specified, “and I want a second chance at life.” available there. While at San Quentin, he got a leg up as believed them.” Challenges on the outside a journalist and video producer in the making, and as a Of how prison guards treat women and girls, McKnight A topic of the November 12 discussion, unsurprisingly, restorative justice advocate. After regarding an ecology stated, in painfully clear terms: “They have … batons now was the different challenges that release from prison program run by Van Jones with initial skepticism—why that they use, like they’re ninjas. … They have smoke bombs. entails. should he be worrying about trees when people were dying They beat us, they rape us, they—kill us. … They would With humor in his voice, Watani Stiner remembered, where he grew up?—he reconsidered. He realized that “the never cram eight dudes in one room, but they’ll sardine us “I always thought that the biggest challenge I would have way we treat the very thing that sustains us is reflected in in there. … It’s dehumanizing to have to ask for sanitary is how to operate a cell phone, a computer.” Instead, the way we treat each other... It made a lot of sense." supplies, and prove that you’re on your menstrual cycle and rebuilding his relationship with his children proved to be Despite having benefitted from the programs at San say, ‘I really need a pad, dude’, and still not get it." Instead far more fraught than learning to use digital technology. Quentin, Williams is clear on where the keys to personal she was told to use a sock. (McKnight pointed out that not “Prison provides this buffer between you and your and social transformation ultimately lay. He elaborated, everybody inside a woman's prison identifies as a woman.) family,” Stiner continued. “Once I got out, I had to deal explaining that "if you're relying on somebody else to come Until 2005, male guards had free reign to violate with all the emotions, the sense of abandonment, the in and take care of your community, that's never gonna incarcerated females under the pretense of conducting anger.” While recognizing why he had turned himself happen. (People) need to stand up and figure out ways that searches for contraband. But, as reported in 'Prison Focus' into the U.S. authorities, Watani stated that it did not work for us," regardless of "what comes at us,what's going Issue 50, CPF successfully campaigned to prohibit male negate what his children had gone through during his on with this (Trump) election, and everything else." guards from conducting searches on females. Regarding the incarceration. He had to learn to “accept the anger, and He went on to explain: "This system is running exactly prohibition, McKnight had to say, “That was a huge victory, the love,” and get to know his children anew. the way it supposed to run. And if we don't stand up to because we were being touched in every way possible by Troy Williams, too, talked about his difficulties in make a change, then change is never gonna happen. … them. So, even if you had nothing on you, they…could grope, dealing with family, particularly when he got out of This is our generation: This is our time: It's not just about touch, grab, feel and everything else. And most of us had juvenile hall as a much younger man: “Corporations the old people or the young people. We gotta get out of that been sexual abuse victims; been raped; been beaten; been in didn’t want me; jobs didn’t want me. I really couldn’t old Willie Lynch-type syndrome, right? And we all gotta

12 PRISON FOCUS Angeles County, and ). We have a figure out a way to come together so that …we can allow administrative review (notice and comment) process, copy of the proposal. our communities to heal in the way that they need to heal. which is administered by the OAL. The process can be The Conpass is geared toward use in prisons and diamond Because irregardless of what goes on, if I don't respond slow, and the OAL’s ultimate approval is not guaranteed. mines, and other locations as well. The Secure 1000 is a to it, then it has no effect. … An' when we really wanna However, in response to public pressure and external much bigger rig qualified by the Transportation Security stop the system, then we gotta stop feeding the system. We oversight, an agency may end up revising or amending Administration (TSA) for use in airports. gotta stop allowing our young to be fed to the system." proposed regulations, or withdrawing them altogether. Privacy and safety related Concerns Raymond Aguilar echoed these sentiments. In Stockton, By issuing underground regulations, however, an agency The images produced using the Conpass, as depicted he said, politicians foster initiatives like gun buy-back can conveniently - and unlawfully - bypass the process., in promotional materials available on the internet, are so programs; initiatives that happen to make for great bringing us back to Kathleen Allison’s memo. Existing explicit as to allow for a person’s genitals to be seen. An publicity, but end up dividing neighbor against neighbor... (OAL-approved) Title 15 regulations regarding searches and earlier-generation model of the Secure 1000 was pulled What works is when… we take back our community. And seizures—namely, sections 3287, 3173.2 and 3410.1—do from airports in 2013 due to the images they produced we say, ‘We are Stockton. We are Oakland. We are Frisco. not explicitly contemplate, much less provide for, the use and concerns over privacy. Though unsubstantiated, we … And we’re gonna take care of our community because, of X-ray scanners per se to search people. Yet, by means have heard rumors that CDCR may have acquired scanners for years, we have harmed our community.’ of merely issuing a memo, the CDCR can re-interpret and directly from the TSA. This technology is not cheap and A critical aspect of healing one’s community, the implement sections 3287, 3173.2 and 3410.1 as it sees fit, in the expenses add up when tallied for some 35 odd facilities. panelists agreed, is engaging with the young. On this disregard of the law. The CDCR is no stranger to the privacy issue. In a class score, Williams remarked: Notwithstanding the APA’s prescription against action filed in 2001, the plaintiffs—visitors at Lancaster “I think it’s critical that when we drive by a young dude, underground regulations, there are circumstances in which State Prison who were being scanned with the Secure or a young lady … we stop and have some dialogue with a regulation may be exempt from the APA. To cite one 1000—alleged multiple violations of plaintiffs’ federal and them. Right? Like, ‘Wha’s up? How you doin? How was key example: if a regulation “embodies the only legally state privacy rights. The Department stipulated to removing your day?’" tenable interpretation of a provision of law,” it is exempt 2 the X-ray scanners in 2008, and as of April 2015, the “If I’m on the yard, we can be mortal enemies, but per Government Code section 11349, subdivision (f). This litigation was still ongoing. (Whether it still is is presently I’m gonna acknowledge that you standin’ in front of me. becomes relevant due to the recent amendment of Penal Code section 6402, effective June 27, 2016. unknown to this writer.). Nowadays you will walk by … and people won’t even The privacy “rights” of those in custody are already Amended Penal Code Section 6402 acknowledge that you're breathin’. Like, that’s bad on severely compromised by the “strip, squat, spread, and Section 6402 is found in Part 3 of the Penal Code, Title 7 your spirit. Right? So when we see our young people, cough” procedure that both men and women undergo let’s—listen to them. Let’s quit telling them how to think (Administration of the State Correctional System), Chapter during spot checks and visits. However, concern over the and how to be, and just hear them.” 10.7 (Prison Visitation). The amended statute requires CDCR cumulative effects of exposure to even small amounts of “Because they haven’t been heard,” added McKnight. to “develop policies related to its contraband interdiction ionizing radiation—the type found in X-rays or gamma Watani Stiner discussed furthermore, the older efforts for individuals entering CDCR detention facilities.” rays— has also long been part of a broader controversy generation’s role in “passing the historical baton” on to the Per section 6402, subdivision (a), the term “all individuals” over X-ray scanners. While the TSA has always maintained youth. ... We can’t just talk about all of the glorification; includes “visitors, all department staff including executive that the technology poses no hazard, the European Union how great we were during the 60's" he cautioned. “We also staff, volunteers and contract employees.” There isno prohibited the use of X-ray scanners in 2011 “in order to not have to talk about … the mistakes and the weaknesses, in mention of “inmates” or “prisoners” in section 6402. jeopardize citizens’ health and safety.” order to understand and not make the same mistakes. … I Section 6402, subdivision (f) requires that all individuals The National Academy of Sciences, established by an Act think that the older generation has that responsibility; not “who have a positive alert for contraband by an electronic of Congress in 1863, has long advised the federal government to become this ‘I know it all’ guru whose going to pass drug detection device, a passive alert dog, or other on scientific and technical matters. The research arm of the

information on to them, but to interact and engage with the technology” be informed of or offered “further potential National Academy of Sciences, The National Research Council (NRC), publishes periodic reports on the risks younger people. And I find so much hope in young people search or visitation options.” Per subdivision (i), the CDCR associated with low-level exposure to ionizing radiation. today. I mean, I really find a lot of hope.”● “shall consider the use of full-body scanners” in determining Its most recent report came out in 20063 (updating its prior ______which “additional search options to offer” visitors and 1990 report). In the preface, the NRC acknowledged the 3. Mary D. Looman and John D. Carl, A Country Called employees. Subdivision (i) however, does not preordain or difficulties in understanding the cumulative health effects Prison (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015), 12–13. require that the Department adopt or implement the use of In 1980, less than 330,000 Americans were locked up. of low doses of radiation. Yet, it concluded that there is (1) X-ray scanners, or any other specified method of search. a “linear dose-response relationship between exposure to Returning to the issue of exemption from the APA, we see ionizing radiation and the development of radiation-induced no single interpretation of section 6402 as being the “only solid cancers in humans”; and (2) “no compelling evidence” CPF TO FILE legally tenable interpretation.” We find the most plausible suggesting this risk is zero at any threshold of exposure, and legally tenable interpretation of section 6402, to be the though it will be "small” at low doses. The NRC defines “UNDERGROUND following: the term “low dose,” as it pertains to ionizing radiation, REGULATIONS” PETITION ●● It is inapplicable to prisoners—although it could be as doses “in the range of near zero up to about” 100 mSV interpreted to allow for an exception where prisoners (millisievert), or 0.1 Sv. CONCERNING X-RAY are just passing through an institution on “standby” (in Without additional data, the NRC noted that an assessment SCANNER SEARCHES which case, they become like visitors, staff, volunteers can’t be made of a connection between low doses of and contractors, circulating in and out of an institution). radiation and health effects beyond cancer. We understand By Kim Rohrbach ●● It authorizes CDCR to promulgate regulations for tarting in October 2016, volunteers with the these findings to mean that getting cancer is a known risk of administrative review, that permit the qualified being exposed to even low levels of X-rays; a risk that may Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition and or conditional use of full-body scanners to search increase with the repetition of exposure, over time. California Prison Focus began hearing reports about individuals entering prison grounds. By its terms, S Relative to the CDCR’s current use of X-ray scanners, X-ray scanners acquired by the California Department of subdivision (i) merely requires the Department’s Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). consideration of the use of full-body scanners. the concerns discussed above are compounded by questions By now, many of our incarcerated readers will have Precisely for that reason, any regulations permitting related to maintenance and repair—not to mention the encountered or been subject to the use of X-rays scanners the actual use of full-body scanners would have to go adequacy of training received by officers operating them. firsthand. Some may have received a November 30, 2016 through the administrative review process and would The Department’s willingness to be accountable to its wards memo with the subject line “Use of Low Dose Full Body not be exempt from the APA. and the broader public is up in the air here, as is too often the X-ray Scanner,” signed by Kathleen Allison, Director of the News From the Ground case. The ongoing expenditure of public funds to acquire Department’s Division of Adult Institutions. Information we’ve received about the X-ray scanners has X-ray scanners raises further questions, to say the least. This memo states that “the implementation of the Low Dose been invaluable to our efforts. This can not be overstated. Possible Outcomes of Petitioning the OAL Full Body X-ray Scanners will begin at selected institutions Information coming directly to CPF from CDCR officials In response to our petition, the CDCR could elect to and expand to incorporate all CDCR adult institutions.” has been minimal, evasive and/or inconsistent with other provide a certification to the OAL that it won’t issue or act Per the memo, the scanners are part of a strategy to prevent information we have. on the regulations that we allege are underground. Action by the introduction of contraband. The memo presumptuously It seems that X-ray scanners are currently being used the OAL or any other state agency would then be suspended, advises, “It is expected when you are selected to be scanned only to scan incarcerated people on a routine basis, such as pursuant to Code of Regulations, section 280, subdivision with the Low Dose Full Body X-ray Scanner, you do so in following visits. To date, we believe that at least 12 prisons (h). So, while the CDCR would agree to stop issuing or compliance with the California Code of Regulations, Title for men and two prisons for women, (CIW and CCFW) have acting on regulations around X-ray scanners, there would 15, Section 3005, Conduct” which requires those in custody scanners. be no formal determination from the OAL. to obey “all laws, regulations and local procedures.”) We have received some reports, and welcome more A determination would issue absent such certification, Since October, scanner-related information and reports information regarding the frequency with which people were our petition considered. The determination would state have been pouring in from visitors, those in custody and are being scanned, whether or not scanning is occuring whether the regulations contested are “regulations” for the outside advocates. Concern over the X-ray scanners is routinely, outside of visits, and other related information and purposes of the APA, which should have been adopted per widespread and, in our view, well-placed. In response, we are personal experiences. Details are appreciated (who, what, the administrative review procedure, but weren’t. researching grounds for filing an “underground regulation” where and when). Per Government Code section 11340.5, a determination, petition with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). It appears that at least two different X-ray machines are once issued, must be filed with the Secretary of State. The Background on Underground Regulations and being used: the Adani Conpass and the Rapiscan Secure 1000. OAL must make the determination known to the CDCR, California’s Administrative Procedures Act (APA)1 Visitors have identified a model they’ve seen as the Adani the Governor and the Legislature, and make it available The APA says that state agencies “shall not” issue, use, Conpass; this is corroborated with secondhand information to the public and the courts. Within 30 days of the date enforce or attempt to enforce any regulations that have not received from employees. In January 2016, the Department that the determination is published, judicial review of the been adopted and filed with the Secretary of State. put in a Budget Change Proposal which included funding for determination may be sought, asking that it be modified or Regulations that have been properly filed undergo the three Rapiscan Secure 1000 SP Body Scanner Maintenance set aside. ● ______ntracts (relative to California State Prison, Solano and Los ______1. The APA is codified in Government Code sections 11340– 3. National Research Council of the National Academies, Health 11365. Provisions concerning underground regulations are found 2. Additional exemptions are set forth in Government Code section Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation (2006) in Code of Regulations, Title 1, sections 250–280. 11349, inclusive, and Penal Code sections 5058–5058.3

NUMBER 50 13 AMEND THE 13TH mass incarceration, criminalization and “legal” slavery in It was a tragedy for three decades – yes, 30-plus years I was our communities. forced to suffer all forms of torture and to witness killings ABOLISH “LEGAL” SLAVERY IN We will seek to accomplish this end via a three-prong at the hands of CDCr officials and staff, aided and abetted AMERIKA MOVEMENT strategy designed to raise social awareness of, and public by governors, stakeholders, the Legislature, etc.. opposition to the continuation of “legal” slavery in The New Afrikan Prisoner Government (NAPG) has The Thirteenth Amendment marked the discursive suffered and endured violent attacks upon our prisoner link between the civilly dead felon and the slave or Amerika, while simultaneously undermining its basis: social nonperson… Once the connection to prisons A) Organize a national petition-drive to Amend the 13th community for decades, at the hands of CDCr employees. and slaves had been made, slavery could resurface Amendment to remove its “legal” slavery provision at the We have a U.S. constitutional right to resist any form of under other names… – Colin Dayan Federal level, and a corresponding petition in each state torture, repression and violations of both our human and to rescind all “Civil Death” and social containment “laws” civil rights. merika is a slave State. A nation who’s wealth which derive their powers from the legal slavery provision I shall not be found among the broken men and women! and prestige rests upon the subjugation and of the 13th Amendment. I shall live and die a warrior for our New Afrikan Nation exploitation of other humans. In Amerika this A B) To carry out targeted demonstrations which highlight and humanity! process of transforming People from humans into slaves the negative social impact and continued existence of legal After being transferred from CDCr’s solitary confinement is carried out through the “Rule of Law.” Slavery is legal slavery in Amerika. Central to this point is educating, at the Pelican Bay SHU to its Tehachipi SHU during the in the United States. We do not mean it was legal, but it organizing and mobilizing as many People as possible period of July 10-17, 2014, including a layover in the is legal, and has always – in one form or another – been to support and/or participate in the MILLIONS 4 hellish Ad Seg (Administrative Segregation) unit at Deuel a corner-stone of the hierarchal structure of Amerikan PRISONERS MARCH on Washington, D.C. on August Vocational Institution (DVI), it would not take long before society. 19th, 2017. the CDCr officials at CCI (Tehachapi) would show their C) Promote and seek formal authority for the collective scheme to have me assassinated as the New That slavery remains legal in the implementation of community-based parole, pardon and Afrikan principal negotiator plaintiff in the Ashker v. U.S., though disturbing, is not as clemency review boards based on the concept of “Strategic Brown class action lawsuit. shocking as the fact that the vast Release.” During our peaceful protest by the solitary confinement majority of U.S. citizens don’t know Building a successful movement with these aims begins prisoner class (SCPC) against Steps 3 and 4 of the CDCr- slavery remains legal. with developing a competent and effective structure. CCI Step Down Program (SDP), we collectively stopped Slavery and involuntary servitude for anyone – even those participating in the dysfunctional SDP at CCI-Tehachipi The U.S. Constitution states, “Neither slavery nor convicted of a crime – is itself criminal, morally repugnant Prison on May 11, 2015. This was because the SDP has been involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime and indefensible. In the final analysis, the complete violating our SCPC liberty interest arising from the Due whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall abolition of slavery in Amerika is a historical imperative. Process Clause itself, and CDCr had to stop its SDPfrom exist within the United States.” From 1862 to the present We invite you to join us in this crucial work.● imposing stigmatizing classifications and concomitant behavior modification. I realize now that the SDP between day, Amerikan criminology and legislative effect would be Support “Amend the 13th”! 2012 and 2015 violated our constitutional rights, and it still a series of refinements on this single theme: the systematic For more information: visit Amendthe13th.org. criminalization of New Afrikans, other oppressed does. nationalities and the poor; populations designated for In an obviously sinister campaign to undermine the exploitation or disposal by the U.S. from its inception. AMEND THE 13TH collective solidarity of our historic Agreement to End The primary rationale for “Amend the 13th” is simple: Let’s Bring It Together Hostilities, these officials tried to manipulate the other There are thousands of dynamic progressive groups racial groups supporting the AEH to turn against me. and activists engaging the system in anti-PISC (Prison Message from Comrade Malik in Texas First, SHU Counselor Vanessa Ybarra went to one of Industrial Slave Complex) work – waging the same “What I’m proposing is y’all in Cali, us in Texas and the our 16 Prisoner Human Rights Movement representatives, struggle at many different points. But this beast is so big, dudes in Alabama with F.A.M. form a bond of solidarity so Gabriel Huerta, and tried to get him and other reps to so powerful, so imbedded in social life in the U.S., that we can push forward on abolishing slavery and amending turn against me, asking Huerta, “Why do you all let that it is able to ignore, absorb or superficially reform away the 13th [V]. … I’m just trying to open up the lines of Black inmate speak for you all during this boycott of the our individual attacks, while keeping the heart of all these communication so we can begin our work!” Step Down Program? My supervisors want to know.” contradictions protected under layers of Constitutional Correctional Counselor II B. Snider, Capt. P. Matzen, legitimacy and conditioned public support. The heart of Associate Warden J. Gutierrez, Chief Deputy Warden W. these contradictions is the slavery provision of the 13th EXITING SOLITARY Sullivan, Chief Deputy Warden Grove and Warden Kim Amendment. Holland are the supervisors she was referring to. The maintenance of slavery in the U.S. for those subject CONFINEMENT – AND However, things did not go as planned because Brother to the courts is designed to maintain both the physical THE GAMES CDCR PLAYS Gabriel saw right through what this counselor and structures of race/class oppression and the (psychological/ By Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa her supervisors were trying to do in creating a hostile, ideological) character structures upon which the capitalist Published in full in the S.F. Bayview on December 29, 2016 antagonistic atmosphere and consensus against me by my system is based. t is very important that you all clearly understand the peers. First, Gabriel asked the counselor, “Who are you depth of human torture to which I was subjected for talking about?” Then the counselor replied, “Dewberry.” 30-plus years by CDCr and CCPOA. (See end note.) Dewberry is my given last name. U.S. capitalism can not function I And Gabriel told that counselor, “Dewberry is one of without these populations forced to The torture was directed at me and similarly situated prisoners held in California’s solitary confinement locations the four principal negotiators who represent the Prisoner the bottom rung of society, acting throughout CDCr, with the approval and sanctioning of Human Rights Movement’s prisoner SHU class. And he is as surplus labor, human chattel or California governors, attorneys general, CDCr secretaries one of the main plaintiffs in theAshker v. Brown class action social scapegoats. and directors, and the California Legislature. They have lawsuit against CDCr. He has been speaking on behalf of allowed, with no regard for human life, the systematic killing prisoners from 2010 to right now, and he speaks for our best Sexism and xenophobia play roles just as crucial as of prisoners, both physically and mentally, for decades. interests and as our principal negotiator!” The counselor racism and classism in the U.S. capitalist arrangement. I was placed in solitary confinement – the SHU – on turned around and walked out of the sallyport area. Amerika, to our knowledge, is the only nation on the May 15, 1985, on trumped-up, illegal and fabricated state The second attempt was by another SHU counselor planet Earth which maintains a “legal” provision by documents by two leading CDCr lieutenants, Criminal from 4B building named Vaca, who approached the which its own citizens can be reduced to “slaves of the Activity Coordinator (CAC) Lt. L.O. Thomas and Lt. Suzan PHRM representative and other prisoners, then said, “You state” within its national Constitution. Before there can Hubbard of North Block Housing (NBH) at San Quentin prisoners should go back to participating in the Step Down be any serious talk of degrading the social foundations of State Prison. These two leading lieutenants removed me Program or all of you who are boycotting the SDP will not supremacy and hate, we must eliminate their embodiment from San Quentin general population, not for alleged be released to the general population this year (2015) or in “law.” criminal acts or rule violations, but for the politics of the next year (2016), all because you are listening to that Black The “Amend the 13th: Abolish “Legal” Slavery in revolutionary New Afrikan political organization and the prisoner.” Amerika Movement” is an all-inclusive, coalition-based beliefs and cultural views of the New Afrikan revolutionary When Gabriel Huerta asked Vaca, “What Black prisoner national campaign and community-based organizing leftist organization titled the (BGF). are you referring to?” the counselor responded, “I’m talking effort which is determined to remove the legal and I was targeted by CDCr prison officials at San Quentin about Dewberry. By the way, Huerta, since when do you social basis for the dehumanization of those subject to during 1983 on up until I was removed from the general Mexicans follow what this Black prisoner says?” The Rep the judicial machinery of the United States, and finally population (GP) and housed in San Quentin’s Control Units refused to play into that old CDCr manipulation game and abolish slavery in Amerika once and for all. within their solitary confinement housing building, North terminated the conversation by telling the counselor, “You The Movement has three (3) basic aims: Housing Unit (NHU). The sole reason for my being housed can take me back to my cell,” and left. 1) To amend the 13th Amendment to the U.S. there was that I was educating the New Afrikan prisoners, So neither of the attempts worked, because Brother Constitution to remove its “legal” slavery provision for on San Quentin’s GP about our rich New Afrikan history Gabriel recognized what time it was. He summed it up in all persons; including those found guilty and sentenced behind California prison walls and across the United States. these words: for a felony offense. I was teaching them that we as a people shall not be forced 2) To abolish and/or repeal all “Civil Death” laws and to deny ourselves our California or U.S. constitutional CDCr had been manipulating and social containment statutes which do not afford Prisoners, rights. Yes, I personally believe that every New Afrikan x-offenders and their communities full human, political, playing us against each other... woman and man has the right to protest any CDCr Jim Crow They can’t do that any longer. economic and participatory rights in social life in Amerika or Black Code-type rules or laws which violate our human that derive their power from the 13th Amendment. rights as a person or prisoner. This life-threatening CDCr campaign leading up to my 3) To develop and implement as quickly as possible So, during the 1980s while I was within the GP, I continued release out of SHU in October 2015 would be followed by autonomous community-based economic, political and to educate my people, the New Afrikan nation,until I was the unprofessional attitudes and illegal actions by CDCr social infrastructure capable of eliminating, mitigating or placed in solitary confinement from 1983 to Oct. 11, 2015. employeesin the general population. diminishing to the greatest degree the negative impact of

14 PRISON FOCUS Hostilities (AEH). Mr. Pinell would not want for us to Upon my preparing to allegedly be released to general For the first time in my imprisonment, I was somewhat enter into a war conflict, especially after we signed Thje population, I was notified on Aug. 11, 2015, that I would shaken to the inner core of this New Afrikan revolutionary Agreement back on Aug. 12, 2012. be attending my first Institutional Classification Committee nationalist man by a simple hug from my younger sister, And we, the PHRM, must see that our historical (ICC) hearing in over 30 years. Let’s put this ICC into Queen Marie, during our October 2015 visit. A hug should document remains firm to our cause and objectives, which perspective as to why these ICC hearings now have merit be a natural form of affection between a brother and sister. are to radically change CDCr’s behavior directed at the for the Solitary Confinement Prisoner Class (SCPC). However, while my sister was squeezing me so tightly, Solitary Confinement Prisoner Class. We, the SCPC, had to take our struggle to the streets of all I could think about during those moments was of the this world by participating in three non-violent peaceful family members who died, whom I will never be able to protests. In the first, commencing July 1, 2011, a total of Those of us who have been hug or speak with them again. 6,600 woman and men participated. And when CDCr failed released to the general population They include 1) Stella, my cousin, who died in 1989; to honor the agreements they had made to end the first are responsible for enforcing The 2) Leon, my big brother, who died in 1991; 3) Steven, my strike, we were compelled to enter our second protest on Agreement to End Hostilities here nephew, 1994; 4) Morris, my uncle, 1994; 5) Tanner Birk, Sept. 26, 2011, in which a total of 12,600 men and women my uncle, 1995; 6) Tutter, my aunt, 1995; 7) Lonnie, my behind the walls of California uncle, 1995; 8) Hillard Jr., my uncle, 1997; 9) Ardis, my participated across this state. prisons and jails, and to curb all CDCr begged for us to discontinue our protest and allow cousin, 1997; 10) Ardis Sr., my uncle, 2002; 11) Bobbie for them to make the necessary interdepartmental major community violence across this Dean, my cousin, 2004; 12) Clifton, my uncle, 2009; changes which would release the longest held SCPC first. state and outside of prison. 13) James “Ba-ba,” my cousin, 2009; 14) Carol, my big The four principal negotiators – Brutha Sitawa, Arturo sister, 2010; 15) Nathan, my cousin, 2010; and 16) Queen “You agents wasted a trip to come and speak with me. Castellanos, Todd Ashker and George Franco – along Mama, lost April 28, 2014. So, when you go back to report on my pro-AEH comments with our 16 Prisoner Human Rights Movement (PHRM) Each one of them was illegally denied the right and concerning Mr. Pinell’s murder, let your superiors – that is, representatives, decided to suspend our protest in mid- opportunity to physically touch me for over 30 years, due Govornor Brown, CDCr Secretary Beard, Undersecretary October 2011 and allow for CDCr to show their good faith to my political and cultural beliefs – three decades for a Kernan and the chief of the Office of Correctional Safety efforts to reform their illegal solitary confinement policies, “thought crime” which did not exist. – know I shall request that you, CDCr, allow us to be laws and rules and place all 10,000 SCPC women and men This is just a window into what we prisoners had to released to the general population forthwith. We have onto a fully functional general population by Feb. 1, 2013. suffer for decades by order of our tormentors –CDCr been held illegally for the past one to 40 years.” We vowed to resume our protest to death or until CDCr – and it continues to this day within the realm of CDCr These three special agents never did answer my question negotiates with us in a real way. On February 1, 2013, the modified general population. Our struggle for justice, as to why they travelled from the state capital to the four principal negotiators announced that we would resume equality and human rights continues. mountain of Tehachapi Prison, to speak with me prior to our protest on July 8, 2013, being that CDCr wants to wage my being released to the general population. It became a their war of attrition against me and similarly situated concern to me, because I know that CDCr did not condone We need the support of all people SCPC. our AEH historical collective solidarity document and its in California and the world to On July 8, 2013, we entered into the largest hunger strike objectives. This raised some serious questions in my mind stop the injustice we suffer at the in prison history. Some 30,000 prisoners participated and as to why these government officials would direct these our just cause forced Govornor Brown, California Attorney hands of California Department agents to interview me. A question they refused to answer. General Kamala Harris, all CDCr secretaries between 2010 of Corrections and Rehabilitation As you all can imagine, I was suspicious at best and 2016 and their stakeholders, who all had the current officials and the California about whether I could expect any good faith from CDCr data, to recognize the torturous conditions we SCPC had to Correctional Peace Officers supervisors, officials or staffers upon my release from endure for decades. I was one of thousands held at Pelican Association and others of their ilk. Tehachapi Prison solitary confinement housing, heading Bay, and I don’t want another woman, man or child to be toward Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP). forced to suffer what I went through. We SCPC observed I would be extremely irresponsible if I didn’t seek the On Oct. 13, 2015, I arrived at SVSP receiving and and suffered the cruel and devastating harm caused by support of my New Afrikan people – and all [my] sista release (R&R). Upon exiting the CDCr transportation bus CDCr. and brutha entertainers across Oakland, the Bay Area and and entering the R&R, I was met by three Institution Gang On Aug. 11, 2015, I was approached by Building 8 the country. Investigators (IGI), the welcoming crew awaiting me. I Correctional Counselor Vaca at approximately 8:25 a.m. at Yes, our New Afrikan Lives Matter here behind the was then escorted into a property storage room where it my cell door for the purpose of preparing my central files enemy lines of California’s unjust prison system. On behalf was only the four of us. for possible release to a general population. Vaca informed of our New Afrikan prisoner community, I pray that you Now, these three IGI officers wanted to know my state me that I am the first solitary confinement prisoner class will show your support for our freedom campaigns and of mind as it related to the assassination of Mr. Hugo member whose case files he is currently reviewing and that I whatever you all can donate shall be greatly appreciated. “Yogi” Pinell. I simply informed them that I would be was scheduled to appear before a full ICC on Aug. 19, 2015. Please send your donations to pushing the AEH when I’d be released to the yard, with Within a two-hour time period, this same counselor, Vaca, all racial groups and especially with my New Afrikan FREEDOM OUTREACH appeared at my cell door with a sinister smirk on his face Prisoner Government (NAPG), and explain to all people P.O. Box 7359 suggesting that I could now appear before this ICC hearing the importance of this historic document, whcih I had Oakland, CA 94601-3023. “tomorrow,” (Aug. 12, 2015). personally signed off on. The IGI made their usual threats. Counselor Vaca was too enthusiastic for me to attend Endnote: CDCr stands for the California Department Now, within the next 10 days, I was allowed to attend the the earlier hearing, so I told Vaca, “I’ll stick to the original of Corrections and rehabilitation – the last word exercising yard, where all of the Afrikan tribes embraced schedule date of Aug. 19, 2015,” instead of his suggested uncapitalized by many prisoners to signify how little me as their own Big Brutha! As in all situations, I went new schedule. This counselor was upset at me for sticking rehab exists. CCPOA – California Correctional Peace into my political prisoner activism mode in changing with the original ICC hearing date, which was very strange Officers Association – is the guards’ union, which exerts this modified general population prison into an actual to me and it warranted me to reflect upon his previous great influence within CDCr and on state policy and functional general population. misconduct of trying to manipulate and influence other legislation.● There is minimal change. The CCPOA (prison guards) California racial groups – Southern Mexican, White and have been doing everything in their power to stop, delay Northern Mexican – to breach our Agreement to End or hinder and obstruct prisoners from being afforded work Hostilities (AEH). assignments and real educational opportunity. We are Vaca had personally tried to have a leading prisoner of denied full exercising yard hours, vocational trades, the each racial group to silence – assassinate – my voice of same dayroom time as other 180-design prisoners. prisoner activism directed at CDCr and CCI (Tehachapi) Correctional officers and sergeants continue verbal officials. These veteran prisoners did not fall for Vaca’s harassment with their Green Wall attitudes. It is clear that tactics of divide and conquer; they stayed true to our the above-mentioned CDCr employees have an ingrained Agreement to End Hostilities. dislike for all prisoners who are being released from Now, on Aug. 12, 2015, Hugo Pinell was set up by solitary confinement (SHU) to CDCr modified general CDCr officials at New Folsom Prison and killed (by white populations. prisoners). CDCr delayed my scheduled hearing for over The CCPOA have been doing everything in their power a month and during said time period, three special agents to stop, delay or hinder and obstruct prisoners from came to interview me about the murder of Mr. Pinell. These being afforded work assignments and real educational three special agents pulled me out of my Tehachapi Prison opportunity. cage for an interview on Aug. 14, 2016, two days after the Now, just consider having to be faced with the above murder of Mr. Pinell. matters being denied to me and similarly situated These agents were dispatched by CDCr Secretary Jeffrey prisoners, while preparing to have my first contact visit Beard and then Undersecretary Scott Kernan (now Secretary with my family in 30 years. Yes, I was compelled to close Kernan) to come and interview me and other New Afrikan the lid on the jar and withhold all of this corruption and prisoners. The concern that was expressed to me was, how wrongdoing from my family. do I feel about the death of Mr. Pinell and would there be an Upon my first visit to see my Queen, my sister, Marie all-out war between the two racial groups? A. Levin, and her husband, Randy Levin, Marie left home These are my thoughts in relation to Mr. Pinell’s in such a rush to come see me that she left her California assassination and my release to a general population: I had ID at home. I was unable to see her that Saturday. I had expressed to these three special agents, first and foremost, the opportunity though to have a conversation with my “Why did you all travel from another part of California to brother-in-law. It was a great time for the two of us. The speak with me about a death that I have no facts on other following day I was able to see Marie and Randy together, than listening to the radio?” I told the agents, “I shall without that thick shield of plexiglas between us. be engaging myself in pushing The Agreement to End

NUMBER 50 15 THE LINK BETWEEN Examining the racial disparities between prisoners other commodities which prisoners are forced to pay and guards can provide insight into why there are disparities inflated rates for. Profiting off of prisoners would bein RACE AND SOLITARY in punishment, including the use of solitary. steady decline, while the cost of prisons would continue to The influence of race on prison staff’s decision-making rise; causing state budgets to balloon, hurting taxpayers’ CONFINEMENT is the subject of a paper by Andrea Armstrong, a law pockets, forcing them to demand a change to the status Men of color are overrepresented in professor at Loyola University New Orleans, titled “Race, quo. isolation, while whites are typically Prison Discipline, and the Law.” Her conclusions on race Currently, one very large obstacle stands in the way underrepresented. include: of any potential prisoner worker unionization: the By Juleyka Lantigua-Williams First, minority offenders may be more likely to be “punishment clause” in the 13th Amendment of the United Printed in The Atlantic on DEC 5, 2016 perceived as a disciplinary threat by correctional officers, States Constitution allows for legal slavery and forced tark disparities in prisoners’ treatment are embedded regardless of an offender’s actual behavior. For example, labor as punishment for conviction of a crime. Therefore, into criminal-justice systems at the city, county, state, a correctional officer may be more likely to perceive a prisoner is constitutionally obligated to comply with any Sand federal levels, and have disproportionate, negative contraband in a black offender’s hand than in a white demand to work, and is in violation if they refuse to work effects on men of color. A new analysis from the Association offender’s hand. A prison guard may also decide more for any reason. And rule violations in prison result in time of State Correctional Administrators and Yale Law School quickly that a black offender is a threat as compared to spent inside of some of the most inhumane and infamous provides a fresh trove of information with which to explore a white offender, leading perhaps to increased citations control units the world has ever known. the racial dynamics in state and federal prisons—specifically for black offenders. It is also possible that the threat is If prisoners were able to unionize, we would be able to through their findings on solitary confinement. exaggerated for minority offenders, and therefore, minority demand and acquire such things as: “People of color are overrepresented in solitary inmates may face more serious conduct reports than their ●● Higher wages confinement compared to the general prison population,” fellow white inmates for the same type of behavior. ●● Better healthcare said Judith Resnik, a professor at Yale Law School and one New York is among those states with a significant racial ●● High quality education and programming of the study’s authors. “In theory, if race wasn’t a variable, imbalance between staff and prisoners. According to The ●● The creation of stronger bonds with family and coommunity, you wouldn’t see that kind of variation. You worry. It gives Times Union, 85 percent of the state’s 30,000-strong And much more. you a cause to worry.” corrections staff is white, but the majority of prisoners Also, prisoner workers’ unions could link with other The basis for the data is a 2015 survey on the use of are people of color. Twenty-five percent of the state’s high-profile non-incarcerated worker unions to push a solitary confinement in 48 jurisdictions, which represent 56,000 prisoners are Latino, though only 3 percent of the political agenda which would include-among other things- about 96 percent of all prisoners: 45 states, the District of staff belong to that group; and while only 11 percent of giving prisoners the right to vote while incarcerated, Columbia, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Virgin the staff is black, half of the state’s inmates identify as sentencing reform, housing legislation, the return of Islands. Of those 48, 43 of them—representing 54,000 such. And there are significant differences in the rates of good-time credit, presumptive parole and a slew of other inmates—provided the surveyors with details on race. solitary confinement among blacks, whites, and Latinos important items which affect the lives of prisoners, their The study concluded that, overall, black male prisoners in New York, The New York Times recently reported in families, and their communities. made up 40 percent of the total prison population in those an in-depth investigation. Blacks and Latinos were sent to This isn’t a new idea. Ireland and other European 43 jurisdictions, but constituted 45 percent of the “restricted solitary confinement more often and for longer intervals. nations have found success with this formula. But only housing population,” another way to describe those in “At Clinton [prison] … black inmates were nearly four because those they don't have a “punishment clause” in solitary confinement. In 31 of the 43, the percentage of black times as likely to be sent to isolation as whites, and they their constitution! men who spent time in solitary wasn’t proportional to their were held there for an average of 125 days, compared with The key to our victory in this fight hinges upon our slice of the general population—it was greater. Latinos were 90 days for whites,” the article said.● also disproportionately represented in solitary: On the whole, ability to apply the pressure needed in order to force 21 percent of inmates in confinement were Latino, even Congress to strike this “punishment clause” from the though this group constituted only 20 percent of the total Constitution. If this clause is stricken, a prisoner could population. Overall, in 22 of the 43 jurisdictions, Latinos A TREATISE TO END then withhold their labor without fear of being thrown into were overrepresented in relation to their general-population MASS INCARCERATION a control unit. We do this by publically putting politicians’ feet to the fire by asking them if they still support slavery numbers. By Sergio M. Hyland At the same time, figures for white inmates were largely in 2016. Fearing alienation, even the most right-leaning Editor’s Note: The following is an edited and reduced version conservative would disavow any support for slavery. Once inverse, with 36 of the 43 jurisdictions reporting that whites of the full article by my comrade and fellow worker, Sergio were underrepresented in solitary. (Women prisoners also Muhammad Hyland. Sergio is a die-hard organizer, brilliant writer, we start the movement by getting the conversation started, undergo solitary confinement, though not as frequently as and a student of the great Russell Maroon Shoatz (Black Panther, we then begin presenting legislation which would strike Black Liberation Army Vet and political prisoner). The following the clause-much in the way that the movement started to their male counterparts; this article focuses on the men’s is the explosive conclusion of his full piece which analyzed the “ban the box!” data.) tactics of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Enjoy! The numbers look slightly different at the state level. In Only after we accomplish this first step of striking the hen it comes to the prison industrial complex, some states, the racial makeup of prisons and their solitary- clause, can we start with the second step of suffocating those who control and benefit off of this confinement populations appeared more balanced—like in the economic life out of the Prison Industrial Complex. system are in a definite minority, and are far Kentucky, where white prisoners made up 70 percent of W And as the anarcho-syndicalists of Europe did earn their less in human numbers than those adversely affected by both the general and restricted-housing populations. Black economic freedom, we’ll use our economic freedom to it. The cost of prisons doesn’t merely affect prisoners prisoners represented 28 percent of those imprisoned and 27 earn our literal physical freedom! and their families, but taxpayers as well. Those dynamics percent of those in solitary. The dynamic is similar in the Before I close, I’d just like to reemphasize a critical make our situation more comparable to that of Gandhi and District of Columbia, with whites representing 2 percent point made by R.M. Shoatz: even in King’s and Gandhi’s what was taking place in India. of both the general and solitary-confinement populations, “non-violent” revolutions, there were other external and blacks representing 90 percent and 94 percent of those movements/ situations taking place. WWII was causing groups, respectively. The best-and only-way to success- the British to deplete their resources and focus their By and large, similarly aligned figures can be found fully defeat the Prison Industrial attention on defending their homeland, leaving the Indian throughout the country. But in some states, the racial Complex, is to suffocate the eco- colony as little more than an afterthought. With King and the civil rights movement, there were also violent anti- disproportions are startling. nomic life out of it. “Whether someone who is detained is exhibiting anger or colonial struggles going on around the world in places such as Vietnam, which forced the United States to get so insubordination is tinged by our stereotypes about that racial The proper way to view this is to focus on the methods heavily involved that the civil rights movement basically group.” used by anarcho-syndicalists in Europe, who believed that snuck in through the back door. For example, in a handful of states where Latinos represent the only way to earn their economic freedom was through Today we see the same things taking place. With a large swath of the overall population, the racial disparities their economic organizations (unions). wars in lraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and the constant threat are significant. In California, Latinos made up 42 percent Prisons function so smoothly largely due to the of terrorism, attention, resources, and focus are being of the general prison population, but 86 percent of those in cooperation of inmates. That cooperation is often diverted from the struggle to end mass incarceration. This solitary confinement. Whites, by contrast, were 22 percent incentivized through employment opportunities. The fact movement can be a thorn in the side of the institution. of the general population, but only nine percent of those in of the matter is that prisons cannot function so smoothly- The more Amerikan dollars spent on violent external solitary. And in Texas, Latinos made up 50 percent of those in or at all-without the cooperation and cheap-and often free- forces, the more likely our non-violent anti-incarceration solitary, but only 34 percent of the overall prison population. labor of prisoners. struggle will find success because prison reform will pale Yet again, whites’ figures were lower: They represented 32 The vast majority of jobs within prisons are filled by in comparison to the threat of violent external forces. percent of the general prison population, but 25 percent of prisoners. Officers are outnumbered by prisoners 50-1 and As with any other revolution, the struggle to end the population in solitary confinement. Mississippi, too, had sometimes more. Ten kitchen staff members supervise mass incarceration will take time, dedication, and focus. dissimilar numbers among the racial groups. up to 300 inmate workers throughout the workday. Dedicated activists and revolutionaries must realize The Yale study found that in almost all responding Maintenance crews have one civilian supervisor for up to that while prisoners will eventually be the main force jurisdictions, the percentage of white inmates subjected to ten inmate workers. Prison staff make up to 100 dollars behind the movement, this force hinges upon our allies solitary was disproportionate to their slice of the general per hour on overtime, while prisoners max-out at 42 cents on the outside of prison and their effectiveness in forcing population. per hour. Congress to strike the clause. Any movement without “A question that is raised by the data and not answered Ultimately, a prisoner's power is in that prisoner’s ability this critical element will ultimately fail. The time and by the data is: Why are people being put in, [and] how to withhold their cheap/free labor (strikes). If prisoners conditions are perfect. Eliminating the punishment constant across—even within a jurisdiction—are the went on a worker strike-even if only at one institution- clause would essentially hamstring the Department of sanctions?” Resnik said. “Are you worried that the general that institution would immediately shut down. Cheap Corrections, taking away their ability to retaliate against social mechanisms that over-incarcerate people of color or or free incarcerated labor would have to be replaced by prisoners for exercising their constitutional rights. that over-discipline young boys are going to be at work in expensive non-incarcerated labor, at non-incarcerated Currently, hunger strikes are being utilized to bring prison? The answer from our data is yes, you should worry, wages of up to 100 dollars per hour. Prisoner worker attention to the plight of prisoners. Also, a number of now go and find out more.” strikes would coincide with boycotts of commissary and

16 PRISON FOCUS (attempted) work-stoppages have taken place. However, men at the hands of corrupt police. officer, Douglas Fackrell, stopped Edward Strieff after he these efforts have been largely futile. Not tactically, but As long as we the slaves keep showing up to work, for had left the house based on what the state later conceded strategically, because as it stands a stoppage is still a free or for an extra lunch bag, we will always be doomed were insufficient grounds, making the stop unlawful. violation of Department of Corrections rules, thus justifying and I, as slaves, easily replaced by future lumpen genera- Officer Fackrell then ran a check and discovered a war- the Department of Corrections’ repressive responses to these tions. We need to wake up and realize that we are slaves. rant for a minor traffic violation. He arrested Mr. Strieff, strikes. Courageous as they may be, these actions are useless And second, that we have the keys to our freedom. With- searched him and found a baggie containing methamphet- without the right kind of political support-which can only out our cooperation to willingly provide free labor, the amines and drug paraphernalia. The question for the jus- come through striking the clause! beast will starve to death. Truly speaking no matter what tices was whether the drugs must be suppressed given the When prisoners are able to legally withhold their labor we did, we don’t deserve a lifetime of slavery, decades of unlawful stop or whether they could be used as evidence and create prisoner worker unions, we can then follow in the isolation and the occasional execution in the killing fields given the arrest warrant. footsteps of the anarcho-syndicalists to create a perfect storm (At prison yards and the ghettos). “Officer Fackrell was at most negligent,” Justice Thomas of organized chaos, inflating the Department of Corrections They can twist it any way that they want and sing the wrote, adding that “there is no evidence that Officer Fack- budget to unsustainable proportions. That, coupled with same old song, that we are the worst of the worst. But rell’s illegal stop reflected flagrantly unlawful police mis- an economic boycott of services offered to prisoners at that is the propaganda specifically designed to feed the conduct.” grossly inflated rates, would at least threaten to bankrupt ignorant masses. At no point in history has this country Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Anthony the Department of Corrections of its financial and political and racist ruling class had such an obedient, peaceful, M. Kennedy, Stephen G. Breyer and Samuel A. Alito Jr. capital. ignorant and comfortable slave population; Where they joined the majority opinion. Returning to our communities and our families is our willingly get up every day to work the fields and sweat- In a dissent that cited W. E. B. Du Bois, James Baldwin priority. Prisoners want to live lives that matter, where we shops for free, or for a ridiculous $.15 an hour. Where is and Ta-Nehisi Coates, Justice Sotomayor said the court had have a voice in the way we are governed. Mass incarceration our pride, honor, power of reasoning and right to live and vastly expanded police power. destroys communities and families, and lays the foundations die as free men. “The court today holds that the discovery of a warrant for following generations to fall victim to the system as What are we waiting for; To be 70, 80 or 90 years old? for an unpaid parking ticket will forgive a police officer’s well. The real cost of prisons aren’t merely financial. Mass No fascist regime in the world has ever conceded any- violation of your Fourth Amendment rights,” she wrote. incarceration continues to highlight Amerika’s biggest flaws- thing without a struggle. When every single slave says in “Do not be soothed by the opinion’s technical language: its classism, sexism, and racism. It mirrors the biggest crime one voice: enough, I won’t work for free anymore. And This case allows the police to stop you on the street, de- against humanity: slavery-also perpetrated by Amerika, and as our ancestors did, “let the crops wrought on the field.” mand your identification and check it for outstanding traf- justified through interpretation of law and religious texts. We That will get their attention, and they will come to the fic warrants — even if you are doing nothing wrong. don’t have to quote statistics; we‘ve heard enough of them. negotiating table, because the plantation can’t afford to Bottom of Form The time for talk has ended. A new era of activism has begun, be in lockdown and lose money. “If the officer discovers a warrant for a fine you forgot and it‘s like a breath of fresh air. But we cannot be co-opted The USA’s slave has been so much brainwashed and to pay,” she continued, “courts will now excuse his illegal by allowing a few successes-no matter how significant-to manipulated, that he looks forward to get out of his cage stop and will admit into evidence anything he happens to impede our progress or lighten up on the enemy. to go to his “work”. And when the master doesn’t open find by searching you after arresting you on the warrant.” While the struggle to end mass incarceration must take his cages door, the slave gets upset and yells. Because he Justice Sotomayor added that many people were at risk. place inside of prison walls, the movement of prisoners is doesn’t care any longer, his warrior spirit has been broken. Federal and state databases show more than 7.8 million contingent upon what takes place on the outside of prison And if someone comes along and tells him that it doesn’t outstanding warrants, she wrote, “the vast majority of walls, first. The movement to strike the punishment clause have to be this way, and that he can be “free” of perpetual which appear to be for minor offenses.” There are, she add- must be centered on an effort to change legislation. Some slavery, the slave would consider this to be dangerous ed, 180,000 misdemeanor warrants in Utah. And accord- people believe that the courts should provide relief; holding thought. And he will be scared to lose his electronics, ing to the Justice Department, about 16,000 of the 21,000 onto the hope that the mere idea of slavery in Amerika jobs, visits, commissary and telephone calls. He has residents of Ferguson, Mo., are subject to arrest warrants. in 2016 is so reprehensible that it must be considered become officially and comfortably institutionalized, as a Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined most of Justice So- unconstitutional. However, in previous attempts to unionize, slave. tomayor’s dissent, along with all of a separate dissent from prisoners have taken this fight to the courts, and lost on The slave has been dependent for most of his life, so Justice Elena Kagan. But Justice Sotomayor reserved her each occasion. And every court’s opinion has been rooted that sometimes it doesn’t register that he has been treated most personal reflection for a part of her dissent in which in the constitutionality of the punishment clause, upholding and spoken to as if you were a child. This is why real she wrote only for herself, setting out in detail the dangers it time and again as constitutional. The courts are tasked history books and TV documentaries with some intellec- and indignities that often accompany police stops. with interpreting the law, while Congress is responsible for tual value our band at all these plantations. This informa- “For generations,” she wrote, “black and brown parents changing the law. tion may give the slave the wrong idea about the quality, have given their children ‘the talk’ — instructing them nev- freedom and justice. The state can’t afford to educate its er to run down the street; always keep your hands where We live in a capitalist society, and in enslaved population. they can be seen; do not even think of talking back to a a capitalist society, only economic So garbage is played 24/7 on our TV sets and the pur- stranger — all out of fear of how an officer with a gun will pressure creates change. chase of tablets with unlimited children’s games is en- react to them.” couraged. Those who tried to wake up the masses are “We must not pretend that the countless people who That pressure can be applied violently or non-violently, eliminated or isolated. It all depends on the individual’s are routinely targeted by police are ‘isolated,’” she wrote. but due to the general perception of prisons and prisoners, capacity to lead and inform, about his understanding of “They are the canaries in the coal mine whose deaths, civil as little more than criminals, any revolutionary action taken the predicament in which we have become entangled. and literal, warn us that no one can breathe in this atmo- by prisoners must be non-violent. Otherwise, we risk turning One thing is for sure, he knows that his enemy is not the sphere. They are the ones who recognize that unlawful po- the masses against us, as this violence would only serve slave in the cage next door.● lice stops corrode all our civil liberties and threaten all our to validate the false reputation given to prisoners, by the lives. Until their voices matter, too, our justice system will benefactors of the Prison Industrial Complex.● continue to be anything but.” SUPREME COURT Justin Driver, a law professor at the University of Chi- STRIKE THE CLAUSE! cago, said Justice Sotomayor’s dissent was remarkable. It Sergio Hyland #FX 1537 SAYS POLICE MAY is, he said, “the strongest indication we have yet that the State Correctional Institute Coal Township Black Lives Matter movement has made a difference at the 1 Kelley Drive USE EVIDENCE FOUND Supreme Court — at least with one justice.”● Coal Township, PA 17866 AFTER ILLEGAL STOPS By Adam Liptak Published on June 20, 2016 at www.nytimes.com UPDATE ON VIDEO SLAVE/MASTER he (federal) Supreme Court ruled on Monday that RELATIONSHIP evidence found by police officers after illegal VISITING By Lucio LaGamas stops may be used in court if the officers conduct- On February 21, 2017, the California Senate Public Safety T Committee will hold an informational hearing on video alutes and Respects to all the members of the society ed their searches after learning that the defendants had working for a better world.. outstanding arrest warrants. visitation in county jails. The hearing will be at the state Seems to me that the prison movement in Califor- Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority in capitol in Sacramento, but the time, place and agenda have S the 5-to-3 decision, said such searches do not violate the not yet been announced. The agenda will be announced nia for real reform is stagnated. We have become danger- ously pacified, comfortable and content. Fourth Amendment when the warrant is valid and uncon- here: : http://spsf.senate.ca.gov/hearings. We believe that A few trinkets and privileges were thrown our way and nected to the conduct that prompted the stop. there will be an opportunity for public comment. we believed that to be victory. However, what about real Justice Thomas’s opinion drew a fiery dissent from We are in a period when many counties are building or changes? The California Parole Board (PBH) is still up to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who said that “it is no secret seeking to build new jails. Some counties are building its old tricks of denying parole under false pretenses with that people of color are disproportionate victims of this jails without facilities for in-person visiting. Instead, they no hope of a change. type of scrutiny.” are setting up video-visiting as the only visiting method. Something that we need to realize is that BPH will never “This case tells everyone, white and black, guilty and There are many problems with video visiting. Last year, really change because, it’s whole existence depends in the innocent, that an officer can verify your legal status at any the legislature passed, but the governor vetoed, a bill that perpetual slavery of tens of thousands of society’s most time,” she wrote. “It says that your body is subject to in- would require in-person visiting in county jails. SB 1157 marginalized segments of the population. And that is why it vasion while courts excuse the violation of your rights. It (introduced by Senator Holly Mitchell) would have allowed keeps denying parole to thousands of eligible slaves. There implies that you are not a citizen of a democracy but the counties to install and use video visitation as a supplemental are plenty of cases where 70 year old men are denied parole subject of a carceral state, just waiting to be cataloged.” option, but would have prevented them from eliminating because they represent a danger to society. The irony of the The case, Utah v. Strieff, No. 14-1373, arose from po- in-person visitation. It seems that the legislature remains situation doesn’t escape my mind, that these same hypo- lice surveillance of a house in South Salt Lake based on concerned about this issue. ● crites turn a blind eye to the killings of brown and black an anonymous tip of “narcotics activity” there. A police

NUMBER 50 17 POWER STRUCTURES & THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF RESISTANCE IN THE 2011 AND 2013 CALIFORNIA PRISON HUNGER STRIKES By Adam C. Morse with California Prison Focus for many years. I was provided them to participate, if even for just a few days. Hopefully we ower is everywhere. While we can circumvent power further clarification on prisoners’ communal support in can get another 1 or 2 before the target date. (Note: there are and its arbitrary forms in a variety of ways, one hunger strike participation: others from different groups who are participating and will cannot escape power in its entirety. AM: “So there was some sort of camaraderie or communal raise the overall number for this unit).” P This passage illustrates challenges in recruitment. The suggestions to one another, like, you should continue or you letter goes on to say that this particular prisoners’ unit has It was the continental philosopher should not continue with the strike?” Physician: “There was a lot of caring for each other in many older prisoners who cannot safely participate, as the Michel Foucault who stated, howev- there...that people are very sick, on multiple meds, and that strike is voluntary, not mandatory. Short Corridor prisoner 4 er, that “where there is power, there yeah, [you should] support us in other ways, write to your discusses expectations for striking: is resistance.” friends...there’s stuff to do, but you don’t have to be the one “As far as the Northern Mexicans are concerned, we are putting your life in jeopardy. I mean, no one wanted to die.” only requesting a minimum of five days and anything beyond The California prison hunger strikes of 2011 and 2013 Thus the Pelican Bay and California prisoners overall that will be left up to the individual participant. At least were efforts to resist the regime of solitary confinement, hoped that as many prisoners as possible would join the one of us has committed to at least 10 days. But we are not with the goal of remaking carceral, i.e. prison space. The movement, yet participation could be manifested in other pushing an all or nothing agenda. In other words, we are not strikes saw increasing participation between the first and ways beyond simply not eating, such as writing letters, asking people to die for this, all we are asking is to do what third strikes; the July 2011 strike saw 6,600 prisoners not communicating information, and providing other forms you can.” eating, the September 2011 strike saw at least 12,000 not of moral support. That being said, most letters discuss It is difficult to ascertain from this passage the eating, and the 2013 strike involved upwards of 30,000 involvement relative to not eating. unique reasons as to why the representatives are calling hunger strikers across California SHUs. While there was In another letter in issue 37 of Prison Focus, Prisoner for this particular racial group to strike for five days, after certainly strong support from outside families and organiza- 1 explains how the strike will be defined by refusing solid which point the strike is left up to prisoners on their own. tions, the strikes were initiated, planned and organized by food but also by taking water i.e.the protest is not to be a Nevertheless, while the strike is said to be voluntary, this prisoners. These strikes can be considered social movements dry hunger strike. This letter emphasizes the three-race discourse suggests that the Short Corridor desired for certain in their own right, collectively organized attempts to reform unity of the resistance, asking CPF to publish letters from numbers of prisoners to participate for certain durations of and abolish certain elements of the prison landscape. As a prisoners from each of the three racial groups with which time; however, establishing participation was evidently an geographer and researcher, I questioned the social organi- prisoners identify in order to represent this phenomenon. initial challenge for the representative structure. zation of the strikes. CDCR is a power structure. Prison Thus the group orientation of the strikes is demonstrated In a July 7 letter, a Corcoran prisoner provides details authorities constitute an apparatus of state power and state by their desire for equal racial representation of their social regarding the strike leadership structure in place in the violence. However, I believe we have to go further than organization. Corcoran SHU just before the first strike began: this in thinking about where power is located in a social and Other Short Corridor prisoners discuss the interracial “One of our spokespersons, (name redacted), has spoken to political struggle. When we organize and fight back, we are cooperation in the hunger strikes leading up to the first 2011 administration officials in relation to the hunger strike on at striking back against coercive state power – but, just as im- strike. In a letter dated April 24, 2011, Pelican Bay and Short least three occasions. On the last occasion the administration portantly, we must acknowledge that power exists and func- Corridor Prisoner 3 comments on this phenomenon: “...the expressed its desire to meet with each participant individually tions within the scale of resistance itself. This is to say that so-called worst of the worst prisoners have gotten together – an obvious gambit to muddle or fracture the core demands we must consider how power works at the scale of those and agreed to a peaceful protest...New Afrikans, Mexicans, and how they are presented. Brother (name redacted) of individuals and groups resisting the state, because social Whites, and others have signed on to do this indefinitely until course has rejected this, as did the other spokespersons. The movements involve establishing power structures and power our demands [are] met...this is a small step but there’s no collective New Afrikan population has made it clear that we relations in order for them to happen. Is this implicit in a telling where we can go from here if we survive this Hunger speak with one voice, and only we dictate the terms of any struggle? Is it necessary? Are power relations unavoidable in Strike.” discussion, and (name redacted) is our voice in any such prisoner-led organization against state violence? These are Thus, according to Short Corridor Prisoner 3, commitment dialogue.” difficult questions, and require more thought than what this for enduring violence by hunger striking across racial lines in This passage reflects relations between the prison article can provide. Nevertheless, we must consider to what the SHU prison population is necessary to produce change. authorities and SHU prisoners, but specifically the extent there were power structures present in the social orga- This letter also discusses the extent of participation: “This ‘spokespersons,’ which are Corcoran’s equivalent of the nization of the California prison hunger strikes in 2011 and is a call for all prisoners in (SHU) Security Housing units, ‘representatives’ at Pelican Bay. A certain form of social 2013, and furthermore, why did these power relations exist (Ad-Seg’s) Administration Segregation and (G.P.s) General hierarchy is sketched out here, in that power is vested in one and function as they did? And lastly, my ultimate question Population as well as the free oppressed and non-oppressed of the spokespersons for purposes of communicating and here, is why is it necessary and/or useful for us to consider people to support the July 1st 2011 Peaceful Hunger Strike negotiating with the prison authorities. According to this power relations that may exist within prison populations? Protest... If you cannot participate in the ‘Hunger Strike’ then prisoner, other prisoners refused intimidation by the guards, .Prior to the hunger strikes, the Short Corridor Collective support it in principle by not eating the first 24 hours of the in effect respecting the spokesperson(s) position of localized as well as other non-Short Corridor prisoners wrote to hunger strike.” authority. California Prison Focus describing plans for the hunger Thus while it was based in the SHU, the Short Corridor Prisoners commented on the scope of prisoner strikes. Prisoners also wrote about events transpiring during was interested in establishing solidarity beyond their specific participation in their letters in the following weeks of the the strikes. While the majority of these letters came from space of confinement within the larger carceral apparatus hunger strike. As of July 14, spokesperson 1 at Corcoran Short Corridor members, a handful of other prisoners wrote of Pelican Bay and throughout the California system. describes the growing involvement of racial groups as the stating the extent to which they planned on participating Prisoner 3, as a Short Corridor representative, asks that strike continues: in the strike(s). I visited CPF in Oakland and collected a other prisoners show solidarity by not eating for the first day. “On 7/9/11 our white brothers began entering the fray, sample of these letters in order to gain an understanding This demonstrates the dichotomy present between the social moving from moral support to active participation in the of what particular groups of prisoners were involved. With expectation that prisoners do what they are told versus acting hunger strike, while our Northern Mexican brothers continue respect to confidentiality, I have left out specific names of on a personal conviction outside of this structure. to lend their moral support. The New Afrikan and Southern individuals, and therefore identify prisoners by a number The Short Corridor prisoners frequently spoke in their Mexican collectives have persevered unabated and there (e.g. Prisoner 1, Prisoner 2, etc.). I pay close attention here letters about wanting to be referred to as ‘representatives’ of have been several more hospitalizations...” to cultural, social and political affiliations amongst groups of the strikes, and not ‘leaders’. This was an attempt to separate While these letters reporting on recruitment state that prisoners, in order to appreciate what power relations were themselves from the ways in which the CDCR represented older prisoners are not expected to join the strikes because present within these techniques of resistance. the strikes as being coercively organized by gang influence. of their age or other health issues, several of these prisoners Prison Focus, Issue 37, contains an article “Hunger These prisoners utilized a different vocabulary in order to were reported to be striking on some level despite medical Strike Clarification" in which Pelican Bay Prisoner 1,a demonstrate that the CDCR’s argument that the strikes were implications. Short Corridor Collective member, states, “This peaceful coercively organized by alleged gang members could not Facing dwindling participants and an ultimatum HS [hunger strike] protest is not ‘led’ by any individual or be supported. This was echoed in several different letters from CDCR stating that they would re-examine the 5 Core group; it was deemed necessary after more than a year of sent by several different members of the Short Corridor Demands, the Short Corridor chose to end the first hunger discussion and thought amongst many PBSP- SHU prisoners who were representatives of the different racial and ethnic strike after three weeks. In an August 22 letter, Short Corridor from all races.” This illustrates that the Short Corridor did groups at Pelican Bay. A letter dated May 30, 2011 sent prisoner 1 shares plans for another hunger strike in the fall: not want to establish a hierarchy in the social organization of by Short Corridor Prisoner 1 identifies the “Principal H.S. “...as it stands now, the H.S. will begin around 2, on Sept. the strikes, whether from the Short Corridor or from any one Representatives/Negotiators” of which there are nine at this 26 (a lot of the Africans are doing Ramadan during mo. of racial group. Furthermore, this prisoner explained that this point, including Short Corridor Prisoner 1. This prisoner asks August; plus we want to see what...comes of the Aug. 23rd was a peaceful hunger strike, and should not be considered CPF to electronically share this information, because if other assembly hearing.” an offensive tactic. prisoners in the California system see it then it will impact In this same issue, in an article titled “HS Thoughts” the number of prisoners across the state that participate. In Pelican Bay and Short Corridor Prisoner 2 corroborates that the Short Corridor acknowledged a June 8 letter, Prisoner 2 asks CPF to add a Short Corridor cultural appreciation as being the July 2011 strike was to include SHU prisoners from all prisoner to the published list of representatives. These efforts races acting together as one in the struggle. He also suggested demonstrate that there is a defined representative authority to necessary for the success of a ways to participate: “To the HS participants themselves, which other SHU prisoners heeded their attention. collective movement... we recommend: no one participate if they are too elderly While the first 2011 strike began July 8, prisoners As we can see, the Short Corridor acknowledged cultural or have a serious chronic illness...And, if one cell- partner did not all join the movement immediately, as participation appreciation as being necessary for the success of a collective cannot join, then the other shouldn’t either...Anyone can join evolved slowly as the strike began. In a letter from June 12, movement, in order for African American prisoners of the any time while the HS continues and should remain on it as Short Corridor prisoner 4 explains how the representative Muslim faith to be involved in the next strike. This passage long as possible in support”. structure continues to recruit other prisoners to join the also exhibits a certain level of consciousness of prisoners I conducted an interview with a physician who has been movement: being a class in and of themselves, as the Short Corridor a private correctional medical consultant and associated “Those who are healthy we are still trying to convince

18 PRISON FOCUS recognizes the challenges to group resistance and seeks to before I will not eat until we get concrete change and the hunger strikes constitute a power relation with the rest work around them. justice in longterm isolation and validation policy. Or I of the California SHU population. It is possible, perhaps An October 9th letter from a Corcoran Sokesperson 1 will die fighting for justice...The fight continues and I shall likely, that many prisoners participated in the hunger provides details of social organization during the second stay the course until we achieve victory.” strikes without the wider class consciousness of what they strike: This stated commitment to death and the defensive were fighting against and why. Furthermore, it is possible “All new afrikan and southern mexican partisans in this yet violent implications of such a struggle was commented that many strikers refused food without full appreciation isolation unit...are participating in the hunger strike, while on in other letters. In particular, this discourse was echoed of the implicit destruction of their bodies, by doing so. our white and southern mexican brothers are providing from the spokesperson(s) at Corcoran. A letter of July As I move forward in my research, I hope to collect support. We have not eaten since September 25th and 14, 2011 from Corcoran Spokesperson 1 also illustrates more data on strike participation within and across the the administration here has unleashed an unprecedented this commitment to the possible violent outcomes of the different racial groups of California prisoners. More wave of retaliatory reprisals aimed against us at breaking struggle: “I am, and most who think as I do, are comfortable firsthand ethnographic accounts that reveal wider class- the hunger strikes and provoking a reaction which would with the notion of dying to ensure we affect a meaningful consciousness beyond the hunger strike representatives undermine the non-violent basis of this peaceful protest. change in this torture without end.” This prisoner further have yet to be collected. Nevertheless, the ethnographic They have thus far failed...We are all participating of our states that they did not intend to cease resistance until “the discourse presented here from these prisoners’ letters own individual free will guided by a collective desire to hunger strike was over and that the 5 core demands would demonstrates that this effort was driven by a small group of end this systematic torture and industrial profiteering at be met. However, until we receive some verification from prisoners that exhibit a level of social, political and cultural our expense.” our comrades in Pelican Bay, we will not stop...We are all awareness was necessary for successfully organize the As we can see, this spokesperson represents the SHU prepared to continue until our bodies fail...” SHU population at Pelican Bay and across the California strikers at Corcoran, and is participating out of personal A letter dated June 23, 2013 sent by Pelican Bay (and even National) prison landscape. There was a certain convictions with a group interest. Thus there is temporal representative 1 discusses plans for a third upcoming level of social anticipation; perhaps an expectation of continuity in regard to the second strike functioning hunger strike at the beginning of July. Representative 1, discipline that came from the representative structure at with the same goals and mentality of the first strike. in reference to himself and the rest of the collective SHU Pelican Bay. Compliance amongst individual members Furthermore, there is a sociological and geographical population, indicates that “We will await our death... of the racial groups was a prerequisite for these protests. similarity across the California prison landscape in that, representing group commitment to not giving up on the That being said, a ‘representative’ or ‘spokesperson’ while ‘spokespersons’ is a different word choice than hunger strike until CDCR agrees to consider their 5 Core – based power structure was minimally hierarchical. ‘representatives,’ the Corcoran SHU demonstrates that Demands. Corcoran Prisoner 2, in describing developments Representatives and spokespersons made strong efforts to they have a representative body, following the example of over the first month of the third strike, writes about the keep it that way. the Short Corridor Collective at Pelican Bay, and seeks to extent to which the group movement was withstanding Any concerned social thinker will certainly appreciate avoid the CDCR’s process of systematic labeling. the strike. This prisoner comments on prisoners who had the success of the California prisoners’ organizational While prisoners within the Short Corridor Collective terminated their strikes after being further isolated from efforts in planning and carrying out the strikes. We and other SHU prisoners demonstrate their willingness to one another: should appreciate how collective prisoner identity carried recruit others to voluntarily join in the hunger strikes, it “So they gave up everything just to be moved back to significant weight as opposed to singular racial/ethnic is unclear how much power the leadership structure had 4BII. It was an incredibly selfish act. All of this sacrifice identities in these geographies of resistance. in orchestrating social organization. Ed Mead, a member – putting our minds & bodies through this, the 115s, the of California Prison Focus, explains that despite the fact validation points, the loss of credits, TVs, canteens...all The 2011 and 2013 California that the gang leaders in the Short Corridor did put the for naught. So you know, virtually everyone is stunned & prison hunger strikes established word out for other prisoners to follow, there were potential upset at this decision but they can’t complain. They are limitations to their organizing ability: mandated to follow orders w/out question. But no one a model from which the political “You know, the gang leaders are not that powerful. They governs the Crips, so we are still hunger striking...without left, in and outside of prison, can can’t bring 30,000 people to stop eating for a day...the first the numbers of the masses our sacrifice is meaningless – learn in conducting similar modes hunger strike they had 6,600...Maybe that’s the extent of or has at least no practical effect. And that creates a huge of protest. the influence they would have. The second hunger strike dilemma for me: Do we continue or stop?” they had almost 12,000. The third one, of course, they In a letter from the following day, August 17, 2013, In an age of neoliberalism, unfettered capitalism, and more than doubled that on the first day. I think that has a lot Corcoran Prisoner 2 explains how social expectations for the sheer horror of the Trump administration, prisoners to do with educating, you know, raising the consciousness hunger strike participation had been loosened by this later will continue to become more vulnerable to the state. We of the population, more so than…some kind of command stage in the strike: “The leaders of the other groups have must think about how power is constructed within the hierarchy—the line that CDCR pushes.” modified their positions and now say that participation scale of our resistance movements, in order to combat and Mead suggests that each subsequent strike gained in the H/S is optional. This is widely seen as an attempt end state violence. For that we must say thank you to the momentum from the precedent set by the previous strike, to somehow cover up what they must now painfully California prison population for what they were able to do and that without each of the stages or episodes of resistance and regrettably recognize was a terrible decision. But and what they were able to teach us as the resistance goes before the ultimate 2013 strike, 30,000 participants could regardless, making it optional is still abandoning everyone. forward. Note: If you have any further questions regarding the not have been recruited to the struggle. According to For though it has always technically been optional, every article or the research, and/or have interest in participating Mead, the representatives do not have this kind of power able-bodied person was strongly encouraged to participate in the research, please reply to Adam Morse via California despite their status as the Short Corridor Collective: “... – sort of like an opt-out policy. But now it’s the exact Prison Focus.● even after the Agreement to End Hostilities, race riots opposite – more like an opt- in policy. And the early are still taking place. A lot fewer, but if the gang leaders returns remain discouraging as less than 10% of the former had that much discipline, those kinds of thing wouldn’t strikers in my building have elected to opt in. I expect that 8 RICHEST PEOPLE AS be happening”. From a research perspective it is has those of us who remain will be moved and isolated in an been challenging to determine to what extent episodes of attempt to break us. So, in sum, the Crips here remain on WEALTHY AS POOREST violence occurred after the Agreement to End Hostilities H/S, the overall numbers here are expected to be low (but HALF OF THE WORLD – was issued; however they clearly did not undo the terms of committed).” the agreement or CDCR’s agreement to acknowledge the Thus we can gain a sense of the extent to which OXFAM Published January 16, 2017 at https://www.rt.com/ prisoners’ demands. collective organization relative to racial/ethnic affiliations news/373786-wealth-gap-oxfam-report/ Aside from what stands out as data pertaining to was in effect during the final days of the hunger strike at he wealth of the eight richest people on earth equals the leadership structure(s) present in the California prison Corcoran. According to this prisoner's account of events, that of the poorest 3.6 billion, according to a report hunger strikes in 2011 and 2013, I have found thematic multiple prisoners had broken the strike after being by Oxfam presented at the World Economic Forum similarities that revolve specifically around the extent relocated and disciplined by prison authorities for striking. T in Davos. This vast wealth gap is a threat which may “pull to which prisoners are committed to their movement. In Interestingly, this prisoner explains how the Crips make our societies apart,” the report warned. a letter dated July 14, 2011, Corcoran Spokesperson 1 their own decisions regarding continuous striking outside The list of the eight wealthiest individuals in the world, explains how some prisoners, including elderly ones, had of any cross-racial initiatives that were organized prior to all men, comes from Forbes magazine’s billionaires list, been hospitalized not long after beginning the strike but had the strike. This ‘opt-in’ decision for choosing to further and includes Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Facebook co- been released from their hospitalization and had returned strike or no longer strike reflects the greater freedom founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. to hunger strike further. These prisoners refused additional that was extended to prisoners, in that participation in Others include Inditex clothing company founder, care and continued not eating, despite the health impacts. the resistance was more individualized by this point at Amancio Ortega, investor Warren Buffett, Mexican business A September 2 letter from the Pelican Bay representatives Corcoran, despite what was occurring at Pelican Bay and magnate Carlos Slim, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and former discussing the upcoming secondary hunger strike at the any directives that may have been still coming from the New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. end of September: Short Corridor Collective. Oxfam emphasized the potential connection between the “...even if CDC(R) now, at this late date, starts spitting In conclusion, these letters speak to how the 2011 and growing gap between the richest and the poorest, and the out memos and even installing pull-up bars, dip bars, etc., 2013 hunger strikes were socially coordinated. In a social increasing anger at establishment politicians. in an attempt to undermine the H.S., we will “not”, call off movement there is nearly always a power structure that in “It is obscene for so much wealth to be held in the hands the H.S. until all our Five (5) Core Demands are met, or some capacity functions in executing tactics of resistance. It of so few when 1 in 10 people survive on less than $2 a unrefutable tangible proof that they will all be met.” would be naïve to believe that a given social movement can day,” said Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie As a result of the CDCR’s lack of response to the be purely egalitarian or devoid of power relations entirely. Byanyima, who will be attending the Davos Forum, demands, the Short Corridor explains that they will be There is frequently some smaller group within the wider according to The Chicago Tribune. unrelenting in their resistance until such reforms are made. population, with a certain awareness of state violence. “From Brexit to the success of Donald Trump’s This emotion is still present several weeks later when These groups suggest that prisoners ought to organize, presidential campaign, a worrying rise in racism and the the second strike was initiated. In a September 28 letter, thus by default establishing a power structure, even if it widespread disillusionment with mainstream politics, Pelican Bay Prisoner 5, a non-Short Corridor prisoner, is on a minimal scale. The Short Corridor at Pelican Bay, there are increasing signs that more and more people in emphasizes commitment during the second strike: the spokespersons at Corcoran, and other similar structures rich countries are no longer willing to tolerate the status “(I) will not eat until Friday the 30th. As I have stated that may have functioned at other California prisons during

NUMBER 50 19 quo,” Oxfam said in its new report – “An economy for the the people victimized by their crimes. Unlike the traditional just six years after it opened, was systemically violating 99%.” criminal justice system, this program doesn’t see “criminal” prisoners’ 8th Amendment rights. (It is notable that the According to the report, if things continue on their current and “victim” as mutually exclusive; the participants are Judge visited Pelican Bay personally.) Judge Henderson’s course, the world will see its first trillionaire in the next 25 seen as victims who can find healing through rebuilding decision resulted in 16 years of federal oversight at Pelican years. their relationships with themselves and their communities. Bay and other California prisons; mandated the removal Inequality exists not only between the rich and the poor, People who have graduated from this program can choose of mentally ill inmates from the SHU; and established but is gender-based as well. “On current trends, it will take to extend their trainings to become peer facilitators. a framework for redressing the use of excessive force by 170 years to see women paid the same as men,” the report Programs modeled after IPP’s programs are now being used prison guards. says. in 15 California state men’s prisons, and three women’s In 2006, in response to a report by the U.S. Commission Oxfam urged an increase in tax rates for “rich individuals correctional facilities. on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons, Judge and corporations,” adding that tax evasion is a critical issue. Despite the increased attention RJ principles have received Henderson brought the administration of the CDCR’s The UN Conference on Trade and Development estimated it is important to acknowledge some of its critiques in order $1-billion healthcare system under federal receivership. that developing countries lose around $100 billion yearly to stay more truthful to RJ’s goals. Coming from aboriginal The Commission’s report concluded that one prisoner died due to tax evasion, the report said, adding that it would unnecessarily every week in CA’s state prisons. Addressing be enough money to ensure that 124 million children who traditions in Canada, there is a growing fear that the currently have no access to education can go to school. original principles will be lost or transformed as RJ takes the American Law Institute later that year, Judge Henderson The report also slams corporate lobbying and the close an institutionalized form. Restorative justice practices are answered accusations of judicial activism archly: “Taking relationship between business and politics. currently seen as complementary to our traditional criminal an active role to induce defendants to comply with their “Crony capitalism benefits the rich, the people who own justice system, but in reality, our whole criminal justice constitutional obligations does not an activist judge make.” and run these corporations, at the expense of the common system must change in order to stay true to the original tenets Judge Henderson’s long career has been characterized good and of poverty reduction. It means that smaller of restorative justice. The term itself may raise suspicion by unlikely victories, but it is interesting to note one ironic businesses struggle to compete and ordinary people end up from groups who have traditionally been oppressed because defeat: In 1996, he attempted to block enforcement of paying more for goods and services,” it stated. the word “restorative” calls into question whether there California’s Prop. 209, which banned affirmative action in The revised figures come after last year’s report that 62 was ever justice to begin with. For this reason, the term the public sector. The Supreme Court upheld the proposition, people owned the same wealth as 50 percent of the world’s “restorative justice” is sometimes replaced with terms like overturning his ruling. As a crusader for equity for all population. The new report takes into account data from “transformative justice” and “community justice.” Some Americans, Thelton Henderson is not just an advocate for, India and China.● prison abolitionists argue that restorative justice, although but an example of the importance of creating a civil service beneficial on a preventative level, focuses too much on that truly represents the public it serves. We are grateful for individualized incidents instead of on the broader context his service, and look forward to continuing the struggle for RESTORATIVE JUSTICE of oppression. legal equity, armed with the precedents he has set.● Despite these critiques, the outcomes of restorative justice Healing and Accountability practices have seen beneficial results for both the victims By Salomé Ragot and those who committed the crime, and consequently, for UK PRISON OFFICERS’ t is no secret that the carceral system has failed. Our all of us. It is difficult to measure with concrete numbers current system of retribution has created a crisis of the success of restorative practices, but research does STRIKE YEARS IN THE Imass incarceration—disproportionately affecting link restorative justice to a decrease in recidivism rates MAKING the poor and people of color. Instead of “correcting because these practices foster a sense of belonging within By Frances Lai and rehabilitating,” the state locks people up into jails, the communities into which people are released. Unlike 0,000 members of the Prison Officers’ Association prisons, and detention centers, breaking up families and our criminal justice system today, restorative justice are (POA) held a 24-hour strike in November across communities in the process. The enormity of this crisis has modeled on the certitude that transformation is possible and England and Wales. However, the high court quickly called many activists to imagine radically different ways that people are more than the crimes that they committed. 1 granted an injunction that prevented the union from of thinking about crime, conflict, and victimization. One Calling on readers and incarcerated people, Prison Focus promoting any industrial action and ordered officers back to alternative is restorative justice, an approach to criminal wishes to hear from you! We would like to write a follow up work. A legal ban in the UK forbids prison and police officers justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders article with your voices and experiences. from going on strike. Not only did the protests impede on through reconciliation with victims and the community at ●● Have you been involved in Restorative Justice throughout the country, but officers abandoning their large. Restorative practices attempt to address harm in a practices, and if so, how did it impact your life? posts meant that inmates were deprived of time spent way that creates healing for all parties involved. ●● What ideas, comments, questions or concerns do you outside their cells in addition to countless other risks. By have pertaining to Restorative Justice? inducing union members to walk out, the POA is accused ●● What would a more compassionate, healing approach Restorative Justice practices put of attempts to “impose their own limited regime” across look like in your situation? the responsibility of handling jails managed by Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS). Please indicate if Prison Focus is permitted to publish your crime back into the hands of the The union claimed that the strike was necessary to secure writings, with or without your name. Unless you tell us community, rather than the state, the safety of officers and inmates, a remedy to what was otherwise, we will share what you tell us anonymously.● enhancing local autonomy while described as a “meltdown” of the prison estate. weaning communities off a false Strikers cited recent surges of violence and disorder as sense of dependency on law RETIREMENT OF THE the primary reason for the protests. The months preceding enforcement and state sanctioned the strike in November saw riots at Lewes, Bedford, approaches to crime. HONORABLE JUDGE Birmingham, and Swaleside prisons. A fatal stabbing as well THELTON HENDERSON as the escape of two inmates occurred at Pentonville in north In practice, restorative justice can take many different forms London mere weeks before the strike. Yet these disturbances By Genevieve Fuller and Kim Pollak in and out of the confines of prison walls. In victim/offender are not the only indication of a collapse of the prison system Thelton Henderson, a federal judge in the Northern dialogues the person who inflicted the harm and the victim, in England and Wales; the number of prisoner suicides as California district since 1990, is retiring. Henderson’s who may be accompanied by other affected community well as assaults on inmates and staff has reached record career has been distinguished by several precedent-setting members, meet with a facilitator to to discuss the incident. highs, leading Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick to decisions and a commitment to ensuring that constitutional The goal is healing for everybody involved. In peacemaking assess that the system is in the “worst state for a decade.” rights and protections extend to every American. His career (or community building) circles, participants come together Much of the discord can be attributed to the fact that the is of particular interest to prisoners and advocates of prison to share a safe space where they can express themselves and prison estate is overcrowded, understaffed, and underfunded. reform. For over 30 years, he has been an instrument of hear each other. Increasingly, these practices are being used “Cutting staff and prison budgets while allowing the number change within the California Department of Corrections. in both private and public establishments such as community of people behind bars to grow unchecked has created a toxic In 1962, Henderson became the first African-American centers, workplaces and schools. For example, public mix of violence, death, and human misery,” notes Frances Civil Rights Division lawyer. He was employed by the schools throughout Oakland have completely changed their Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal U.S. Justice Department to monitor civil rights abuses by approach to discipline by adopting school-based restorative Reform. Her Majesty’s Prisons have become within the last law enforcement, a role which included investigating the justice, with indisputably promising results; suspension rates few years places of “idleness and squalor,” where people infamous 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. He in the Oakland school district fell by 52% in one year. When are subjected to filthy living conditions and are kept inside became acquainted with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and practiced within the context of criminal justice system, their cells for 22, sometimes 23, hours a day. Furthermore, other civil rights leaders. Within a year, Henderson lost his restorative justice provides a holistic approach, taking prisons are not sufficiently prepared to deal with matters post for lending his government-issue car to Dr. King--a into account race, class and other factors that cultivate the of mental health while physical health facilities are deeply simple act of kindness that unleashed a fury of protest from conditions allowing for mass incarceration. lacking. Southern politicians who felt threatened by the federal An illustration of restorative justice work within prisons Lord Woolf, former Chief Justice of England and Wales, government’s involvement in the civil rights movement. is The Insight Prison Project, that began its work at San has likened overcrowding to “a cancer eating at the ability Henderson returned to his native California and, after a Quentin in 1997 with the Victim Offender Education Group. of the prison service” to prepare incarcerated individuals couple quiet decades in private practice, was appointed to According to their website, they “support incarcerated for reintroduction into society through education and the federal bench by President Carter. It would soon become individuals in the process of understanding and developing rehabilitation. Several prisoners are often held in cells meant apparent that the political backlash he’d experienced 20 insight into the underlying circumstances of their lives and for single occupancy, and prisons have breached maximum years prior had not broken his fighting spirit. the choices that led them to prison.” Their methods utilize capacity to the extent that holding cells in police stations In 1982, Judge Henderson overturned the murder restorative justice models as a way to help participants and courthouses are eventually used for incarceration. Ian conviction of Johnny Spain of the San Quentin Six, declaring identify the conditions otherwise left unresolved by the state Dunt of Politics.co.uk notes, “You were more likely to die in that the jury was unduly influenced by the shackles Spain criminal justice system. Through an intensive 18-month prison than five years ago…more prisoners were murdered, was forced to wear throughout his trial. In the 1995 class- curriculum, inmates can reach a better understanding of killed themselves, self-harmed and were victims of assaults action lawsuit Madrid v. Gomez, brought by Pelican Bay how their life experiences have led them to prison and have than five years ago.” prisoners, Judge Henderson found that the state prison, the opportunity to make amends to their communities and Compare the numbers, and it’s easy to see that there is a

20 PRISON FOCUS proven correlation between the rise in violence and the growth in prison population without expanding facilities. LOOKING BACK ON SIX YEARS OF LEADERSHIP The number of people held behind bars in England has AGAINST SOLITARY CONFINEMENT WITH UN almost doubled in the last 20 years, from 45,000 in 1993 to 86,000 today. Prison staff has diminished by about a TORTURE EXPERT JUAN MÉNDEZ By James Ridgeway third with 25,000 in the force in 2010 compared to 18,000 Published January 30, 2017 on www.solitarywatch.com most countries he visited. “And not in the presence of in 2015. Naturally an increase in violence follows. Prisons guards, not even in eyesight of guards. I make a point of experienced 15,000 incidents in 2007 while in 2016 the uan E. Méndez stepped down from his position as it. Otherwise you put people in jeopardy…In some, the number reached almost 24,000. United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and conditions were absolutely horrible and they knew I would Much of this can be seen as a direct result of the cost- other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or J write bad things about them but they invited me anyway.” cutting initiatives implemented in the early days of the Punishment on October 31, 2016, ending six years of This level of access is standard: His predecessor visited Coalition government. In 2012, Chris Grayling was investigating and reporting on the use of torture in the prisons in China without difficulty. appointed Secretary of State for Justice, at which point 193 UN member states. He traveled the world on fact- Yet Méndez spent the last six years attempting he implemented several controversial reforms. In addition finding visits, made urgent appeals to countries on behalf unsuccessfully to gain access to U.S. prisons, wrangling to a ban on all parcels, including those containing books of individuals at risk of torture, and submitted reports with bureaucrats in the U.S. State Department directly or clothing, Grayling also introduced a “benchmarking” and recommendations to the Human Rights Council and supervised by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and John program. This required prisons to reduce their operating General Assembly. Yet after six years of investigating Kerry. He repeatedly ran into the same obstacles that costs to the same rates as the most efficiently run prisons, filth and overcrowding at prisons throughout Africa, the confront activists, non-political fact-finding organizations, even those in the private sector. The Ministry of Justice Middle East, and Asia, the most inaccessible dungeons journalists, the general public, and anyone else who estimates that annual prison costs dropped 20% between turned out to be right here in the United States, in our attempts to figure out what goes on within U.S. prison 2010 and 2016. Budget cuts manifested in the closure of supermax prisons and solitary confinement units. walls, and particularly in solitary confinement. 18 prisons and prison wings as well as the downsizing A soft-spoken man with a natural air of dignity and The United States welcomed Méndez’s assistance and of staff. Experienced officers were forced into early conviction, Méndez sat down with me in his small office expertise when it came to other projects outside his mandate. retirement while high stress and low salaries warded at American University’s Washington College of Law, He worked behind the scenes to help free Alan Gross, a off new recruits. Due to staff shortages, many activities where he is Professor of Human Rights Law and oversees USAID worker who spent five years imprisoned in Cuba, in the daily routine were canceled, including activities the Anti-Torture Initiative. There, he spoke at length about and he was invited to speak at several U.S. congressional imperative to rehabilitation such as educational classes his efforts to shine light on solitary confinement in U.S. hearings, usually about non-solitary confinement issues in or library visits. Paired with a sentencing race among prisons. other countries. He declined to speak at the hearings, even governments to prove that politicians were “tough on Méndez knows about torture firsthand. After being the one time he was invited to speak at a Senate hearing on crime,” the result is the most inundated and arguably arrested as a young human rights lawyer in his native solitary confinement. “It seemed a little untoward to testify most ineffective prison system in all of Western Europe. Argentina in the 1970s, he was held briefly in solitary before the Senate when I was trying to get invited [into the England and Wales would do well to model themselves confinement, and then moved to a crowded pen where prisons] so as to have a better opinion about it,” he said. after their neighbor nations in the UK who run their own people were taken every day to cells and tortured, or Méndez did visit some U.S. prisons while helping with prison service: only 7,200 individuals are incarcerated in marched out to be killed. He experienced himself the UN inquiries into U.S. treatment of minorities and those of Scotland, the lowest in a decade, and Northern Ireland has terror of not knowing if or when he might join the ranks of African descent. And he managed a glimpse of the heavily a mere 1,500 people behind bars, fewer than in the mid the “disappeared.” secured, 6×9 ft inner sanctums of two prisons when 90s. Méndez moved the issue of solitary confinement front he served as an expert witness in solitary confinement Discord, however, is nothing new to the UK prison and center when he equated it with torture in his very first litigation at California’s Pelican Bay and a prison outside estate. The biggest disturbance in history was the annual report as Special Rapporteur on Torture, in which he Philadelphia. But when it came to arranging visits under 1990 Strangeways in Manchester. The 25- urged member states to ban almost all solitary confinement. his UN mandate — to inquire into torture or cruel and day upheaval protesting deplorable living conditions The report called for a ban on prolonged solitary for unusual punishment — the door slammed shut. provoked demonstrations in solidarity at eight other longer than 15 days, as well as solitary confinement of any “When I report to the Human Rights Council and then prisons. Strangeways became the catalyst that brought duration — even hours — of children, those with mental to the General Assembly…When I have complained about about the abolition of “slopping out,” a practice that disabilities, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. lack of access, the U.S. always takes the floor in response,” required prisoners to manually empty their human waste “What I advocated in 2011 has now become part Méndez said. “But the response always has been, ‘Well, every morning due to the lack of toilets in cells, a result of the UN operating framework,” said Méndez. The we’re working on it.’ He never received concrete reasons of prison facilities dating back to the Victorian era. In restrictions from his 2011 report were included in 2015 explaining why he was been denied access. the aftermath of the riot, advocates pushed reforms that revisions to a UN document called the Standard Minimal “If the US were to sign the Optional Protocol to the sought to address the overcrowding, cruel use of solitary Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The document is Convention Against Torture then they would be required confinement, and general mismanagement that was a non-binding declaration, yet Méndez said, “It’s very to allow the UN to visit prisons in the US,” he said. “But common practice in the prison system of the 70s and authoritative. It’s been around since the 1950s, and it’s they wont do so.” 80s. Despite some gains, however, overcrowding persists always been considered standard minimum rules on Méndez also spent years trying to conduct a fact-finding nearly 30 years later. prison and detention centers.” In 2015, the UN General mission in Guantanamo Bay. The United States offered After years of both reform and regression, inmates Assembly approved a set of amendments to the document him highly restricted access to the facility without the are now subject to solitary confinement typically on called the Nelson Mandela rules, which included the first ability to interview detainees in private, but he declined, a case-by-case basis, and the practice is meant to be international limitations on the use of solitary confinement, as the restrictions would prevent him from fulfilling his non-punitive. However, concerns have been raised that based on Mendez’s 2011 report. “I completely agree with responsibility as a UN independent expert. “It’s the same solitary confinement is stilled used as punishment and the Mandela rules. I was surprised they agreed with my terms they gave my predecessor in 2004 when they had applied arbitrarily. Prisoners who are suspected of drug suggestion but they did,” said Mendez. 800 people in Guantanamo,” he said. “Now they have only possession or involved in assaults on guards and other The United States, Méndez says, “did participate in 60. Supposedly things have changed for the better. They prisoners are usually singled out for segregation. While conversations leading to [the Nelson Mandela Rules], still offer the same [visiting] conditions. They claim these people may be held in solitary for up to 21 days at a time, and signed off on those reforms. They did not object to are the same rules they give to journalists and members a few hours of confinement is more common. Roughly a them,” Mendez said. “Of course, it does not automatically of the U.S. Congress.” He told the United States he could dozen or so cells make up the segregation wing of most describe an obligation, just a moral one. They agreed with not accept the terms — making it clear he was eager to prisons, but only a handful are ever occupied at any one it as a sort of aspiration.” Still, he said, it’s important that visit under different terms. “They have never changed the time. Estimates of the number of incarcerated individuals the United States participated, “and participated actively.” terms.” in isolation in the UK hover around 500, compared to at The limits proposed by Méndez in 2011 and added to the “I have very publicly engaged the U.S. on Guantanamo,” least 80,000 in the US according to a 2012 poll. Disruptive Standard Minimum Rules in 2015 are based on psychiatric he said. “The upper echelons of the U.S. say we don’t prisoners are separated from mainstream prisons in Close literature, including studies that show children suffer torture. Obama has said that.” He spoke before the Senate Supervision Centers in conditions somewhat resembling isolation differently than adults, and that after 15 days the Select Committee on Intelligence, submitted a report on isolation. These prisoners are still visited daily by a staff mind works differently and may sustain lasting damage. the need to prosecute cases on the so-called War on Terror, member, nurse, and chaplain, and they are also allowed “That doesn’t mean you can't use solitary confinement for and said he has maintained an open dialogue with U.S. unlimited outside visits and TVs in their cells. someone who wants to be protected and for as long as they leaders on the issue. “I didn’t get too far but they know Even before the strike, newly instated Justice Secretary want to be protected in that way,” said Mendez. “Or even my position.” Liz Truss had vowed to increase funding and add 2,500 isolating a predator so he doesn’t prey on weak people, Looking back on his work to end the use of prolonged new staff members, hoping to expand prisons’ autonomy or for serious disciplinary offenses like picking a fight or solitary confinement by the United States, he said it is “very in operations and maintain closer monitoring. Her main assaulting a guard — but then it should be for periods not hard to get any real change, although there are efforts.” focus is to reduce recidivism. Critics contend that these lasting more than 15 days. And of course not renewable.” Mendez is widely credited by advocates as having added moves are too little too late, pointing to the detrimental In his role as UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Méndez fuel to those efforts, and helping to enable the incremental effects of cost-cutting measures. “It’s not good enough visited prisons in 12 countries, including Mexico, Brazil, changes that have at last begun to take place. Dozens for the Coalition to sack 7,000 experienced officers and Turkestan, Guyana, Tunisia, and Sri Lanka. of activist groups have adopted the 15-day rule and other then announce the recruitment of 2,500 between now and guidelines set out by Méndez as a goals for change, and all 2020,” states MP Karl Turner, citing the replacement of Every country gave him the prison have found his practical and moral leadership an invaluable veteran officers with inexperienced ones to save money. access he required — except for asset to their work. As a new era of even greater tolerance Others call for more radical measures such as sentence for torture in the United State dawns, his leadership will be changing or early release schemes. Whatever the means, the Gambia and the United States. deeply missed.● British politicians have unanimously recognized the dire Other countries that haven’t invited him to visit prisons need to improve the prison system before it gets, what “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to are Iran, North Korea, and Russia. some would say, “as bad as America’s.”● his own facts.” “I talked to inmates of my own choosing,” he said of ― Daniel Patrick Moynihan

NUMBER 50 21 AGREEMENT TO END HOSTILITIES ANNOUNCEMENTS, ETC... August 12, 2012 o whom it may concern and all CA Prisoners: SALUDO AMIGOS, CALL FOR ARTISTS: Greetings from the entire PBSP-SHU Short CPF will be publishing a collection of artwork and/ En California, el 42% de la gente encarcelada son latinos. Corridor Hunger Strike Representatives. We are or writings created by men and women incarcerated in T Esto es asqueroso e inaceptable. Pero esto no cambiará hereby presenting this mutual agreement on behalf of all California prisons as well as other multi-media projects hasta que todos los hombres y mujeres oprimidos, latinos racial groups here in the PBSP-SHU Corridor. Wherein, for fundraising and outreach; and to spread awareness. y no latinos, dentro y fuera de los muros de la prisión, we have arrived at a mutual agreement concerning the We invite you to send us your artwork, writings and aprendan a defenderse de manera que no se dañen a sí following points: photographs. 1. If we really want to bring about substantive mean- mismos ni a los demás, ni en reclusión aislada. California Please include written permission to use your ingful changes to the CDCR system in a manner Prison Focus (CPF) cree que la educación y la información contributions for the above purposes. Also, please beneficial to all solid individuals, who have never son herramientas fundamentales para desafiar la opresión. specify if we can publish your art in the Prison Focus been broken by CDCR’s torture tactics intended to Queremos abrir un diálogo con todos que hablan español Newsletter, or for use on the outside only. Let us know coerce one to become a state informant via debrief- bajo la custodia del CDCR, y ver cómo podemos trabajar if you would like your name included, or would prefer to ing, that now is the time to for us to collectively juntos para el auto-empoderamiento y para aumentar la remain anonymous - especially with photographs (which seize this moment in time, and put an end to more capacidad de defensa de ustedes mismos y unos a otros y than 20-30 years of hostilities between our racial we would not include in the newsletter.) por los derechos humanos de todas las personas. Estamos groups. especialmente interesados ​​en entender las circunstancias 2. Therefore, beginning on October 10, 2012, all hos- tilities between our racial groups… in SHU, Ad- de los latinos en reclusión aislada. Por favor envíenos sus LLAMADA A LOS Seg, General Population, and County Jails, will pensamientos, preocupaciones e ideas. ARTISTAS: Más específicamente, nos gustaría escribir un artículo officially cease. This means that from this date on, CPF puede publicar una colección de obras de arte y all racial group hostilities need to be at an end… o reporte sobre cómo las barreras de idioma afectan las escritos creadas por hombres y mujeres encarcelados en las and if personal issues arise between individuals, apelaciones, la clasificación, y la DRB. ¿Cómo afecta a prisiones de California. Tambien gustariamos organizar otros people need to do all they can to exhaust all dip- los derechos del “debido proceso”? ¿Barreras del idioma, proyectos para fines de recaudación de fondos y tambien lomatic means to settle such disputes; do not allow en su experiencia en el recusion aislada, cómo llegó allí, difundir la conciencia sobre las condiciones y el trato de personal, individual issues to escalate into racial cuánto tiempo duro, y cómo salió? las personas en las cárceles de California. Te invitamos a group issues!! Por favor indique si Prison Focus puede publicar su enviarnos sus obras de arte, escritos y fotografías. 3. We also want to warn those in the General Popu- escritura con o sin su nombre, dentro del periódico Prison lation that IGI will continue to plant undercover Por favor incluya si CPF tiene permiso para usar sus Focus o para publicación solamente afuera de la prisión. A Sensitive Needs Yard (SNY) debriefer “inmates” contribuciones para los propósitos anteriores. También, menos que usted nos diga lo contrario, compartiremos lo amongst the solid GP prisoners with orders from especifique si podemos publicar su arte en el boletín Prison que usted nos dice anónimamente. Puede dirigir sus cartas IGI to be informers, snitches, rats, and obstruction- Focus, o para usarlo solo en el exterior. Háganos saber si a Jessica en Prison Focus. ists, in order to attempt to disrupt and undermine desea que su nombre sea incluido o prefiera permanecer CPF no ofrece ninguna defensa individual o asistencia our collective groups’ mutual understanding on is- anónimo, especialmente con fotografías (que no incluiríamos sues intended for our mutual causes [i.e., forcing legal. Además, hasta que lleguen sus amigos y familiares en el boletín). CDCR to open up all GP main lines, and return to a a trabajar con nosotros en CPF, tenemos muy limitado de rehabilitative-type system of meaningful programs/ gente que hablan español en la oficina. Así que por favor sea privileges, including lifer conjugal visits, etc. via paciente con nosotros - y escribir pulcramente para hacer peaceful protest activity/noncooperation e.g., hun- nuestro trabajo más fácil! Por último, CPF es un voluntario WE WANT YOUR SUGGESTIONS ger strike, no labor, etc. etc.]. People need to be del 100% y depende de su apoyo, y otros que se preocupan Inspired by the powerful panel discussion covered in aware and vigilant to such tactics, and refuse to al- por estos temas. Envíenos sellos y solicite a sus amigos y low such IGI inmate snitches to create chaos and the front page article, CPF is planning a series of speaker familiares que se involucren o nos apoyen convirtiéndose reignite hostilities amongst our racial groups. We panels featuring formerly incarcerated people. At our en un miembro, que viene con una suscripción el periódico, can no longer play into IGI, ISU, OCS, and SSU’s 25th anniversary commemoration, we heard from a cross- a través de nuestro sitio web. (www.prisons.org) También old manipulative divide and conquer tactics!!! generational panel of speakers who had each spent 20 years pueden enviarnos una donación por correo. In conclusion, we must all hold strong to our mutual or more in California Prisons, all of whom upon release, agreement from this point on and focus our time, atten- became active in the struggle for justice and equality. tion, and energy on mutual causes beneficial to all of us This is an opportunity to widen and deepen the [i.e., prisoners], and our best interests. We can no longer conversation about oppression and incarceration in allow CDCR to use us against each other for their ben- This was something they could not take from us - America, and to discuss ideas and strategies in moving efit!! Because the reality is that collectively, we are an the freedom to imagine, to create new worlds beyond forward. Panel discussions also provide an opportunity empowered, mighty force, that can positively change this this one.” for formerly incarcerated community members to get entire corrupt system into a system that actually benefits ― Laura McVeigh, prisoners, and thereby, the public as a whole… and we involved; to share their experiences and wisdom. simply cannot allow CDCR/CCPOA – Prison Guard’s As this is an excellent opportunity for communicating Union, IGI, ISU, OCS, and SSU, to continue to get away prisoner issues to the outside world, CPF wants to hear from with their constant form of progressive oppression and AMERICAN PRISON our incarcerated readers: What issues and topics would you warehousing of tens of thousands of prisoners, including like to see discussed at future panels? Share you ideas on the 14,000 (+) plus prisoners held in solitary confinement WRITING ARCHIVE how we can involve and bring you into these discussions? torture chambers [i.e. SHU/Ad-Seg Units], for decades!!! Write to the American Prison Writing Archive c/o Send your ideas, stories, artwork and photos to: Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Rd, Clinton, NY We send our love and respects to all those of like mind California Prison Focus Attn: Panel Committee and heart… onward in struggle and solidarity. ● 13323-1218 for information about how incarcerated people can contribute non-fiction essays based on their firsthand DESEAMOS SU SUGERENCIAS Presented by the PBSP-SHU Short Corridor Collective: experience of life inside. There is a 5,000 world limit (15 Todd Ashker, C58191, Arturo Castellanos, C17275, double-spaced pages) and handwritten contributions are Inspirado por el poderoso discusión de panel que se incluye Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa (Dewberry), C35671, Antonio also welcome. The goal is to place essays on the American en el artículo de la portada, CPF está planeando una serie Guillen, P81948, And the Representatives Body: Danny Prison Writing Archive website. de altavoces con personas anteriormente encarceladas. En Troxell, B76578, George Franco, D46556, Ronnie la conmemoración de nuestro 25 aniversario, escuchamos Yandell, V27927, Paul Redd, B72683, James Baridi PEN’s Handbook for Writers in Prison details guides on a través de un panel de anteriormente encarceladas que Williamson, D-34288. Alfred Sandoval, D61000, Louis the art of writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays cada uno pasó 20 años o más en las prisiones de California, – an invaluable resource for any incarcerated writer. Each Powell, B59864, Alex Yrigollen, H32421, Gabriel todos los cuales a ver salido, se convirtieron en activistas Huerta, C80766, Frank Clement, D07919, Raymond year, thousands of free copies of the Handbook for Writers en la lucha por la justicia y la igualdad. Chavo Perez, K12922, James Mario Perez, B48186, in Prison are sent to incarcerated men and women who request a copy. Esta es una oportunidad para ampliar y profundizar la [NOTE: All names and the statement must be verbatim Send requests to: conversación sobre la opresión y encarcelamiento en los PEN Handbook for Writers in Prison Estados Unidos, y para discutir ideas y estrategias para when used & posted on any website or media, or non- PEN American Center media, publications.] 588 Broadway, Suite 303 avanzar. Las discusiones del grupo también brindan una New York, NY 10012 oportunidad para que los miembros de la comunidad Pen also holds an annual prison writing contest. puedan reunirse con gente anteriormente encarcelados; Submissions are accepted January 1 – September 1 each Para compartir sus experiencias y sabiduría. Notice year. For more information, write to PEN Writing Awards Esta es una excelente oportunidad para comunicar las We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences for Prisoners at the address above. experiencias de los prisioneros al mundo exterior, CPF regarding The Agreement to End Hostilities. Do you feel quiere escuchar de ustedes: ¿Qué temas le gustaría ver CPF invites you to send us your stories (and art a change? discutidos en futuros grupos? Compartir ideas sobre cómo work) as well, for our own story sharing projects. (See If you or anyone you know has been given a 115 for podemos involucrar y traer a estas discusiones? confidentiality statement on pg. 24.) possessing, reading, or distributing the Agreement to End Envíe sus ideas, historias, ilustraciones y fotos a: Hostilities please report this, including details, to CPF. California Prison Focus Atención: Comité del Panel

“Ten guards and the warden couldn’t have torn me out of those books. Months passed without thinking about being imprisoned. I had never been so truly free in my life.” Malcom X.

22 PRISON FOCUS REQUEST FOR MENTAL ED UPDATE PRIVILEGE GROUP A1-A Ed is still in the hospital and expects to be there for at FOR PRIOR STEP DOWN HEALTH STORIES: least another month, more or less. He informed us that he CPF is interested in learning about the challenges faced by is waiting on a new laptop... in other words, Ed is work- PROGRAM PARTICIPATION incarcerated men and women with mental health issues, ing towards recovery, making progress and not done yet! To: Interested parties. Date: November 10, 2016 and increase our efforts in addressing the issue of mental We expext to have more good news on Ed’s progress in From: Carol Strickman, Senior Staff Attorney with health, abuse and extreme isolation. Share with us ideas and our summer issue. Legal Serives For PrisonerswWith Children suggestions on how to do so, as well as your stories and Kijana Tashiri Askari has authorized me to share this concerns. PHSS REQUEST information with interested parties. Please indicate if we are permitted to publish your writing He was a long term Pelican Bay SHU prisoner who was with or without your name, within the Prison Focus Newsletter FOR INFORMATION transferred to Tehachapi SHU and placed in the Step Down or for publication on the outside only. Unless you tell us Program there. In October, 2015, pursuant to the Ashker otherwise, we will share what you tell us anonymously. You The PHSS Parole Subcommittee is focusing on parole Settlement Agreement, he had his ICC review. The ICC released him from SHU and transferred him to Kern Valley can address your letters to Jessica at CPF. We look forward to issues specific to prisoners who have been released from State Prison general population. reading your stories. indeterminate SHU, both before and after the Ashker At KVSP, he was assigned to Privilege Group A2-B. settlement. We are particularly interested in seeing He filed a 602 seeking assignment to Privilege Group A1- SOLICITUD DE HISTORIAS DE language from transcripts of parole hearings and psych A. It was granted. His legal argument was that his prior SALUD MENTAL: evaluations that contain references to unsuitability for participation in the Step Down Program’s educational parole based on: CPF está interesado en aprender acerca de los que se curriculum met the criteria for placement on A1-A 1. Failure to debrief enfrentan los hombres y mujeres encarcelados con problemas unassigned status per CCR Title 15 sections 3043.5(a)(3) 2. Participation in the hunger strike and 3044(b)(2). de salud mental y aumentar nuestros esfuerzos para abordar la 3. Factors related to long-term indeterminate cuestión de la salud mental, abuso y el aislamiento extremo. SHU, such as inadequate programming. Comparta con nosotros ideas y sugerencias sobre cómo hacerlo así como sus historias y preocupaciones.. We are reaching out to prisoners, family members, friends WRITING LETTERS TO Por favor indique si CPF puede publicar su escritura con and penpals, including all those who may be familiar with YOUR OFFICIALS o sin su nombre, dentro del periódico Prison Focus o para prisoners for whom these issues have been raised in psych California Prison Focus encourages everyone to publicación solamente afuera de la prisión. A menos que evaluations in preparation for parole, or in denials for excercise our right to voice opposition to policies and usted nos diga lo contrario, compartiremos lo que usted nos parole. other grievances. Though letters may not bring immediate dice anónimamente. Puede dirigir sus cartas a Jessica en CPF. We are asking for documents, both psych evaluations change, they are an important tool for applying pressure on and BPH transcripts, (or relevant language from those officials in decision making. positions. In the next column FOSTER CARE TO PRISON documents) in order to try to determine patterns and is a letter of protest written by a California prisoner, to the extent to which these issues are stated as factors CDCR Secretary Kernan. PIPELINE indicating unsuitability for parole. Please provide the following information: Documents or Dear Scott Kernan, We want to hear from you… quoted language, prisoner’s name and CDC number, and I am writing to you as a concerned CA resident in sup- port of the SF Bayview Newspaper which has appealed Prison Focus is working on a feature about the connection length of time in SHU. It would also help to have the date your decision to censor the September edition of the SF between those who went through CA’s foster care system of the parole hearing. This information will be used by Bayview Newspaper at several of the CDCR facilities. as children and are now incarcerated in California adult the committee in connection with its advocacy and may I believe that this edition of the newspaper was censored correctional facilities, including the experiences of men and be shared with advocacy groups, as well as with CDCR, because it mentions the Sept. 9th national prison work women held in solitary confinement. If you’ve been through Board of Parole Hearings, and other state officials. strike organized against prison slavery. Censorship of this the California child welfare system, we would like to hear Send to: PHSS Parole Committee discussion is in direct violation of our Constitutional rights from you. Please answer some or all of the questions below. PO Box 5586 of free speech and freedom of the press. * How did your experiences in the foster or group homes Lancaster, CA 93539 You may remember, that not long ago some of the most impact and shape your life? nefarious characters thought slaves should not be taught to * When you turned 18 years old, did you feel prepared for read or write because it would lead to trouble. Today, the independent living? Did you have somewhere to go? WHEN & HOW TO descendants of all those characters are saying: The new * What are your thoughts about institutionalization? CONTACT U.S. generation of slaves should not read their newspapers. * Are you currently or were you previously in the SHU? How is this possible that with this access to education, For how long? DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE we are still debating these same old questions of people’s * Please share free to share with us anything else that you As a person imprisoned… 1. You can file an Americans with Disabilities Act rights to be informed and educated about history and cur- wish to. complaint alleging disability discrimination against rent events? Please indicate if we are permitted to publish your writing any prison or jail. For example, if you need a This is one of the main reasons of recidivism; when with or without your name, within the PF Newsletter or for wheelchair, a hearing aid, etc., write to the address slaves are kept in ignorance in a time bubble. Without publication on the outside only. Unless you tell us otherwise, below and write “Forward to Disability Rights access to different types of objective education and infor- we will share what you tell us anonymously. You can address Sections” on the envelope. mation they are disconnected with society and lose touch your letters to Jessica at California Prison Focus. We look 2. If you have been discriminated against because of with reality. You could, if you can launch an all war against forward to reading your stories. your race, color, or national origin, including limited ignorance and illiteracy a sudden drop of recidivists would English proficiency, by programs or activities El oleoducto desde el cuidado receiving federal financial assistance, write to be seen within a few years. the address below and write “forward to Federal The fact that prison labor is written in the US Constitu- de crianza hasta la prisión Coordination & Compliance” on the envelope. tion as slavery – what this article largely discusses – is escuchar de ti… 3. If you can identify a systemic pattern or practice something that is not news and cannot be contested. The Queremos that causes harm, the Special Litigation Section fact that prisoners went on strike in other states on Septem- Prison Focus está trabajando en un artículo acerca de would send a letter to the prison or jail describing ber 9, 2015 cannot be contested. The fact that prisoners la conexión entre aquellos que pasaron por el sistema de the problems and what steps the jail or prison must most likely knew about this strike from news, reported by cuidado de crianza de california como niños y ahora están take to fix them. Then, the Section will try to reach more mainstream media that has been allowed into Cal- encarcelados en las prisiones de adultos de California, an agreement with the jail or prison to address and ifornia State Prisons, can also not be contested. The SF incluyendo las experiencias de hombres y mujeres en fix the stated problems. If an agreement cannot be Bayview is not the only news source that has reported on reclusión aislada. Si ha pasado por el sistema cuidado de made, then the Attorney General may file a lawsuit the strike. Other media sources that reported on the strike crianza de California, nos gustaría escuchar de ti. Por favor in federal court. Write to the address below and include: Democracy Now, Truth Out, Mother Jones, The responda algunas o todas las preguntas que sigen. write “forward to Special Litigation Section” on the Nation, The Wall Street Journal and CBS News. So why ¿Cómo impactaron sus experiencias en las casas entre la envelope. now? Why the SF Bayview? sistema cuidado de crianza o de grupo en su vida? 4. If you experience or witness excessive force or I do not believe that the dissemination of news by a • Cuando cumplió 18 años, ¿se sintió preparado para vivir other constitutional violations by wardens and prison guards, write to the address below and write newspaper such as SF Bayview is worthy of incrimination independientemente? ¿Tenias un lugar donde ir? “forward to Criminal Section” on the envelope. Such or censorship. I believe that all prisoners have the right to • ¿Cuáles son sus pensamientos sobre la violation is called “brutality under the color of the information in the way those of us outside the prison walls institucionalización? law.” Include as many details of the incident(s) as have the right. Therefore I urge you to distribute to all the • ¿Está actualmente o estuvo anteriormente en el reclusion possible, such as the date and time, names of possible prisons, the September and October censored newspapers. aislada? ¿Por cuanto tiempo? witnesses, and supporting documents. Please do not take the 13th amendment so literally. To- • Por favor comparta libremente para compartir con The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division day’s prisoner is tomorrow’s neighbor. Society benefits as nosotros cualquier otra cosa que usted desea. Office of Assistant Attorney General, Main a whole when an educated and well-informed newly re- Por favor indique si Prison Focus puede publicar su 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW leased slave moves back into their neighborhood. As op- escritura con o sin su nombre, dentro del periódico Prison Washington, D.C. 20530 posed to an ignorant, misinformed lost slave. Policies like Focus o para publicación solamente afuera de la prisión. A NOTE: CPF encourages you to send these letters this are the main reason for recidivism. It is totally coun- menos que usted nos diga lo contrario, compartiremos lo as a mechanism to keep officials informed and to ter-productive to the overcrowding crisis within CDCR to que usted nos dice anónimamente. Puede dirigir sus cartas apply pressure on the federal government to look into set up slaves for failure. (If ever they were to be released.) a Jessica en California Prison Focus. Espero con interés leer conditions at your prison. Given the recent change in I look forward to hearing from you. sus historias. administration, the editors are not optimistic that DOJ will immediately take action. You should not expect a Sincerely, S.S. response.

NUMBER 50 23 California Prison Focus is a grassroots organization working to END SOLITARY CONFINEMENT and other forms of torture and abuse in California prisons, while challenging oppression everywhere.

PRISON FOCUS #52 ABOUT CPF Subscriptions Submissions Welcomed ubscribe to Prison Focus and receive three Prison Focus welcomes articles, stories, opinion Prison Focus is a publication of California issues (published every 4 months) columns, news reports, poetry, photos, cartoons Prison Focus. We are a small, community-based $20 for non-prisoners, $6 for prisoners and other artwork. organization that works with and on behalf of S and free to men and women in California SHU and Submissions are not guaranteed to be published, nor California prisoners. We investigate and expose Adminstrative Segregation. will they be returned. We generally cannot respond human rights abuses within California prisons, In an effort to expand our readership, we are to individual submissions because of the volume of through prison visits and correspondence, and currently offering 1 free issue for women and LGTBQ mail we receive. widespread dissemination of our quarterly prison prisoners. reports. We provide incarcerated men, women Help us keep our records current. Let us know Suggestions for general submissions: and the LGBTQ population, with resources on if your address changes. Individuals in Ad. Seg. ●● .Letters or articles (250-500 words) will only receive one issue, unless we receive ●● .Larger articles are accepted though inclusion how to advocate for themselves. We provide our newsletter free of cost, to individuals in solitary notification between issues, that you have not will depend on available space. moved. confinement. This is our 51st issue of the ●● Artwork. We need more artwork from the inside. Note: We rely entirely on donations in order to We are especially interested in prisoner-oriented Prison Focus Newsletter! Central to our work keep the paper free for those who are not able to political content. Artwork may be published in is training ourselves, prisoners and their loved contribute in dollars and cents. Every stamp counts. the Prison Focus Newsletter, and/or used in ones in self-advocacy through public protest, other capacities to further CPF’s.mission. networking, coalition building, letter-writing and NOTE: Despite wanting to expand our Send contributions to contacting prison officials and policy makers. readership, California Prison Focus does not California Prison Focus, Editors We educate, foster awareness, solidarity and have the capacity to receive and process lengthy 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 507 empowerment towards change. reports that are not related to the use of solitary Oakland, CA 94612. confinement in California. Also, the resources we provide are generally NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY California specific. We encourage non-Californians California Prison Focus treats all incoming to write to local prisoner advocacy groups for state- mail as confidential. We respect your pri- specific resources. vacy and understand that there are risks for you involved. Therefore we will keep DONATIONS what you tell us anonymous unless you give us permission to use your name. Un- Thank you to all of those who have given their less you direct us otherwise, we will share time and money to make this issue possible. We would like to send a special thank you to RESIST, what you tell us anonymously in order to a grassroots foundation that supports grassroots educate the public about conditions here organizations such as California Prison Focus. and to support advocacy for prisoners. We Thank you to all of our individual donors, from rely on you to tell us if you want us to treat both inside and outside the prison walls. your information differently (for example, The number one obstacle to printing this to use it with your name, or not to share it newspaper more often is lack of funds. Thank you with anyone). for your continued support!

BECOME A CPF ACTIVIST PRISONER CONTRIBUTIONS: For those who are not able to contribute monitarily CPF is a collective of volunteer activists. We are 100% volunteer. Check our (and even those of you that can) Sharing ayour art and stroies is a great way you can website for additional information, and contact us to get involved. contribute to CPF's awareness building and fundraising efforts.

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