LETTERS Assistance (Pushing Wheelchairs Around)

Number 31  Summer 2008

Troy Cooper LETTERS assistance (pushing wheelchairs around). LESLIE RESPONDS: Dear LETTERS They forgot to train these helpers. There is Unsigned: Thank you for no education supplied to the prison popula- writing. We appreciate dialogue SOLIDARITY FROM IOWA tion about wheelchairs and people with dis- and feedback. CPF as an Dear Prison Focus: abilities in prison – instead, we are “in the organization does not adhere to a I just received your latest publication and way” or abused. specifi c “ism” even though some as usual felt the electrical explosion of in- We seem to be fi ghting a never-ending of the writing in Prison Focus spiration circulate my body from temple to battle and wonder when we are going to get emphasizes class consciousness toe. I feel obligated to include this $5 and some recognition for our growing numbers. or espouses communism. What request to remain on your subscription list. We feel forgotten. we are trying to accomplish is I share all literature with the comrades and Kurt Jones, Pleasant Valley State Prison three-fold: creating a space for we can relate to the conditions of psycho- people to write on imprisonment logical brutality, as well as the divided and WHITE RACISM NOT AKIN TO issues, informing prisoners conquered prisoners surrounding us. It’s HISTORY and other people about issues related to painful to witness the collapse and con- Dear Prison Focus: incarceration (especially in California), tamination of those that used to preach I extend my cheers and applaud most of and raising overall consciousness. and practice realism and resistance. Our what you guys have to say, even though system is so far gone that snitches and do- this letter calls into question some of what QUESTIONS FOR INTEGRATION mesticated pets are the majority and have you espouse. It’s my view that prisoners, Dear Prison Focus: power and pull and position in here. “It’s especially slammed SHU prisoners, should Kern Valley State Prison has been con- not worth it” is the mantra and selfi shness have an open forum to express themselves. ducting integrated housing eligibility inter- is the code. I can only maintain that the So in the name of real transparency, I hope views. Only two main questions are asked. price of righteousness is a continuous cycle my words reach print and not the trash One, “Have you ever been involved in a ra- of sacrifi ce and dedication that can be ex- can. cial riot/incident while in CDCR,” and two, tremely challenging, yet morally fulfi lling. I’ve always had the vibe when reading “Have you ever been accused of predatory I’d like to extend heavy respects to those Prison Focus that the staff cohere with the sexual assault or been a victim thereof?” embracing loyalty to the “us” and unifi ca- Marxist theory of “no class” i.e. the human These are the two questions asked of me tion of “we”. Remember, they keep us cold, race. That theory is contrary to the realities and several other prisoners who were inter- poor, segregated, bored, empty, and hope- on the ground in prison. As an avid reader viewed recently. less. We must be our own supporters—not of world history I fi nd it alarming when Tracy B. Washington, destroyers. periodicals glamorize Karl Marx, Mao Zi Kern Valley State Prison Toby Michael, Ft. Madison, Iowa Dong and the like as voices of change and the downtrodden. Quack!! COMMENTS TO ED ON RACISM DISABLED RIGHTS DON’T EXIST I took issue with Ed Meads characteriza- Dear Prison Focus: Dear Prison Focus: tion of the white race in issue 29, winter In the winter 2007 issue of Prison Focus I recently read issue no. 29 issue and 2007 “Ed’s Comments” on racism. I’d ap- no. 27 “Ed’s Comments” were as usual very much enjoyed the articles. preciate a minute, a real short crash course well written and enjoyable to read, except I am disabled—in a wheelchair—and in history and the opportunity to rebut the for his section “On Racism.” For several constantly fi ghting for the wheelchair false characterization of world history at years now I’ve read and have had interest- bound. It seems as though the CDCR, re- least to how I read it. How about in China ing correspondence and talks with folks in garding prisoners in wheelchairs, thinks where Mao Zedong killed 30-40 million of the far left about their political views. Ed’s we should be happy with what they give his people? Or in Africa where Sudanese section “On Racism” is typical of many on us, whether it complies with the Americans and Somalian rebels and government forc- the left when it comes to the subject of rac- With Disabilities Act (ADA) or not. I am es are killing defenseless [African] people ism. I have to ask, are white folks the only angered to see able-bodied employees tell by the hundreds of thousands with no end racists? someone in a wheelchair there is nothing in sight by Africans. I can only speak on prison life here in wrong with their housing (i.e. in a gym), Believe me, life is tough, and those New York, which it seems is very different hard-to-access lockers, beds too close to- in positions of power usually tread over than other prisons around the country. New gether and poor bathroom facilities. Is any- people not in power. That there Ed is not York’s maximum security prisons have no one who is wheelchair bound and possibly a white thing but the greed in all men to white gangs running around preaching rac- an expert ADA advocate ever going to see want more. ism that I am aware of. Yet white male pris- the way we live? I grew up in a working class neighbor- oners hear daily how “white men did this” While I support getting improved medi- hood and learned early on whining will get “white men did that” “it’s all the white cal care, both mental and physical for all you nowhere in life… neither will shifting man’s fault.” Comments like this cause prisoners, those of us who have chronic blame on to others. People who succeed in many white men to become angry, con- medical conditions and are disabled are life do so through sheer desire and deter- fused and not want to associate with many often overlooked. Why is that? Only re- mination…to say anything different is dis- of the other races who preach this stuff. cently has CDCR added prisoner work as- ingenuous. signments to provide disabled people with Unsigned Continued on page 29

2 PRISON FOCUS CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE Black August ...... 4

Prison Focus is a publication of Cali- Concept: Unity ...... 5 fornia Prison Focus, a nonproﬁ t organization that works with and on behalf The One Third Rule...... 5 of prisoners in California’s control units and other institutions. George Warned Us ...... 6 Permission is granted to reprint orig- Political Prisoners in the U.S...... 7 inal articles from Prison Focus as long as credit is noted to Prison Focus and America’s Gulag Keeps Growing ...... 8 California Prison Focus. Also, please send us a copy of publication in which ‘Creative’ Informing: Turning in Neighbors to Make a Buck ...... 14 the article appears. Prison Focus welcomes articles, Changeless Change: The Law of Politics ...... 14 stories, opinion columns, news re- The Z Unit: It’s A Zinger...... 16 ports, poetry, photos, cartoons and other artwork. Send contributions to Food Quality ...... 17 Editors, Prison Focus, 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 507, Oakland, CA 94612. Soul confinement in Indiana ...... 18 Web: www.prisons.org. Email CPF at [email protected]. Prisoners of the Prison Industry ...... 18 Subscribe to Prison Focus for $20 What if 5.3 Million More Could Vote? ...... 19 and receive four issues ($5 for prisoners and free to California SHU prison- Angola 3 Update ...... 22 ers). Upon request, you may receive a free sample in the next bulk mailing. Beyond Abu-Ghraib and Gitmo ...... 22 Back issues are $2 each (if available). For further information, phone (510) History Train ...... 23 836-7222 or fax (510) 836-7333. Reflections on the Stop Max Converence ...... 24 © 2008 California Prison Focus Parole Board Updates ...... 30 EDITORS Three Strike Update From FACTS ...... 31 Leslie DiBenedetto - Ed Mead

PRINTING Sonoma Valley Publishers DEPARTMENTS

CONTRIBUTORS HIV & Hep C in Prison ...... 9 Kiilu Nyasha Jason A. Wilcox Litigation In Prison ...... 10 Yskari Douglas Assata Shakur Chaka Roger Hummel Recent History ...... 12 Jaan Laaman Khalfani Khaldun E.Nadelmann Sadot Williams M. Henderson Erika Wood Henry Hill Bato REGULAR FEATURES M. Abu-Jamal Andrea Parra Letters ...... 2 Skinhead Grinch Sally Bystroff Charles Carbone Geri Silva Quote Box ...... 8 Penny Schoner Jesus Gomez Saul Kanowitz Cleve Husley Ed’s Comments ...... 21 Paul Watson Troy Cooper Michael Smith Mark Makinson Book Reviews ...... 28 Bonny Kerness Kim Carter

NUMBER 31 3 ESSAYS ON SOCIETY AND PRISONS

BLACK AUGUST: WORDS FROM THEN AND NOW Summer greetings from Prison Focus. We hope you are well. In this issue we look back to the 1970s in order to refl ect on today. Kiilu Nyasha, long-time activist and former Black Panther contributed the feature article titled: ‘Black August 2008.” She reminds us of George Jackson’s legacy and reminds us not to forget, and to struggle for the release of our political prisoners who remain incarcerated. In this section we also include current instructional pieces by our own Ed Mead (former political prisoner), and Yskari Yero Douglas who writes about unity. Chaka brings us up to speed on current tactics the U.S. government is hoping to use to control terror titled “George Jackson Warned Us.” We are reminded about the 100-plus political prisoners behind the walls today by Jan Laaman. And we hope you are inspired by the poem by Claude McKay fi rst read in 1971. Inside this edition we bring you writing from High Desert State Prison (California), the isolation units in Indiana and Pennsylvania, and from Texas, among other places. You will hear from prisoners about legal challenges, food issues, politics and isolation. From people on the outside you can read about the Stop Max conference in Pennsylvania, thoughts on the initiatives that have made and have not made the California ballot this fall, among other things. And we have reports from two of our committees: HIV and Hep-C and Liti- gation in Prison. Hope you enjoy. We await your feedback. —Leslie DiBenedetto, Co-editor BLACK AUGUST 2008 By Kiilu Nyasha consciousness. Ione and Sierra Conservation Center (what his is the 38th anniversary of Black Attorney Steve Bingham, tried and ac- a euphemism!) in Jamestown, Jackson’s August, fi rst organized to honor our quitted of all charges in the case resulting words should be heeded: Tmartyred freedom fi ghters, Jona- from the events of August 21, 1971, once “If there were any differences or griev- than and George Jackson, Khatari Gaul- told me that when prison staff cleaned out ances between us in the black colonies den, James McClain, William Christmas, Jackson’s cell after he was killed, they and the peoples of other colonies across and the sole survivor of the August 7,1970 found 99 books covering the history of the the country, around the world, we should Courthouse Slave Rebellion, Ruchell world. In fact, he had sent me a book list (I be willing to forget them in the desperate Cinque Magee. This is a time to embrace had a lot of catching up to do.), and told me need for coordination against Amerikan the principles of unity, self-sacrifi ce, politi- he read some six dailies and several books fascism…. To destroy it will require coop- cal education, physical fi tness and/or train- a week, while doing 1,000 fi ngertip push- eration and communion between our relat- ing in martial arts, resistance and revolu- ups a day. He was in solitary confi nement ed parts; communion between colony and tion -- transforming ourselves into the new for most of his 11 years in prison for a $70 colony, nation and nation.” man, the new woman. robbery when he was 18 years old. Moreover, it’s important to bear in mind As Mumia Abu-Jamal noted, “August that “race” is a false construct, that our ge- is a month of meaning, of repression and netic map is 99.9 percent the same indicat- radical resistance, of injustice and divine ing one human race (having cultural, reli- justice; of repression and righteous rebel- gious, national, political differences), and lion; of individual and collective efforts to that all humans originated on the Mother free the slaves and break the chains that continent of Africa. bind us.” From Blood in My Eye, George Jackson Primarily, August is the month we recall calls upon us to the great loss exacted upon our Black revo- “Settle your quarrels, come together, lutionary movement with the assassination understand the reality of our situa- of George Jackson and his younger brother, tion, understand that fascism is already the teenaged Jonathan Jackson. Jonathan Bingham noted in an interview, “It’s clear here, that people are dying who could was martyred when he led the August 7 re- to me that his responsibility in bringing in- be saved, that generations more will bellion; George was martyred a year later ternational attention to prison conditions live poor butchered half-lives if you fail on August 21, 1971. in California brought on him the wrath of to act. Do what must be done; discover I had the privilege and the good fortune the California Department of Corrections. your humanity and your love in revolu- of being in the right place at the right time This, together with his designation as Field tion.” to initiate a correspondence with George, Marshal of the Black Panther Party, cer- Given today’s harsh realities, the need and later, a one-hour visit in the holding tainly put him in their cross hairs.” to organize a revolutionary movement is cell of San Quentin. I’ve met no one before Moreover, his two books, bestseller greater than ever. or since who was more dedicated to revo- “Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of Today’s social and environmental prob- lutionary change. George Jackson” and “Blood In My Eye,” lems are many times worse than they were As you will note from some of the quotes completed just before his death were also 30 - 40 years ago and threatening to worsen. below, George was a brilliant leader who set factors. Economic disparities are greater than ever a righteous example of intellectual, physi- As California prisons prepare to integrate with one percent of the world’s population cal growth and advanced development of double cells, beginning with Mule Creek in owning 80 percent of the wealth. Billions 4 PRISON FOCUS of people are living on less than a dollar ing from capitalism to socialism, redistrib- or ideology, yet for unity to work there a day! uting the wealth, abolishing the prison sys- must be unity of purpose, and consequently Food riots have broken out in Haiti, tem per se, changing domestic and foreign unity of action. It must be emphasized that Bangladesh, Egypt and elsewhere as food policies. unity in strategic approach to accomplish- prices soar along with the cost of fuel. And George Jackson wrote: “When we paring or reaching goals and objectives must millions are going hungry right here in the ticipate is this election to win, instead of accompany unity of action. belly of the beast. disrupt, we’re lending to its credibility, Here are a few keys to making unity The U.S. now has the highest rate of and destroying our own. With all the fac- work: incarceration in the world – and rising. It tors of control over the electoral process in 1. Always follow majority view in deci- currently has 2.4 million people locked up the hands of the minority ruling class, the sion making with seven million more on probation or people’s party can always be made to seem 2. Always view collective interests as parole. isolated, unimportant, even extraneous.... being more important than individual California has the greatest number of All political parties, as things stand, will interest prisoners and prisons – some 90 pris- support the power complex.” 3. Always struggle to understand the ons, jails, and camps housing more than In conclusion, let’s honor this Black focus of unity: and always struggle to 170,000 men and women. – with a plan to August by honoring the politics of our make unity a success add another 53,000 beds! And the cost is beloved Comrade brother, George Lester It should be our aim to have unity, but astronomical. Jackson. Study his works and struggle to not simply for unity’s sake, but to set and Add to this the lack of adequate health release political prisoners, especially his reach goals. Let our unity be to win what- care, education and employment, prolifera- comrades, Hugo L.A. Pinell and Ruchell ever battle we take up.  tion of drugs and guns, homelessness, hun- Cinque Magee, doing their 44th and 45th ger and destitution, unjust imperialist wars, year, respectively, in California gulags. and climate-change disasters. In closing, I ask you to send your love THE ONE THIRD The result is the destruction of our fami- energies to our wounded warrior, Comrade lies and communities, social isolation/ Mjumbe Gazi, who is gravely ill with lung RULE alienation, PTSD, drug addiction, child and cancer, hospitalized in Oakland. His voice By Ed Mead spousal abuse, and violence turned inward can be heard on “Black August Commem- uring the fi rst American Revolu- as manifested in random, senseless killings oration 2006,” a four-hour radio program tion one third of the people sup- of oppressed people by other oppressed produced by yours truly and archived at Dported the Crown (King George of people. KPFA: http://www.kpfa.org.  England), one third of the people supported By the end of the 1970’s, the Black Pan- the cause of independence and revolution, ther Party was dissolved -- victim of the and the last third could not have cared less FBI’s notorious COINTELPRO that used CONCEPT: UNITY one way or the other. Over and over again it every dirty trick in the book to destroy it, as By Yskari Yero Douglas has been my experience that this rule holds well as its youthful lack of experience. Yet nity is the state of being one. Most true not only in other examples of history, its impact upon the Black community, the of us want it, but do not know or but also today. nation and the world was immeasurable. quite understand how exactly to When I was in the U.S. Penitentiary at I still believe Comrade George was cor- U bring it about. There is lasting truth in the Marion, there was an armed escape attempt rect when he said, “withdrawal from the saying “in unity there is strength,” as well by about six prisoners from the recreation enemy state and its social, political and as “united we stand—divided we fall.” Yet yard at a time of day when it was full of economic life is the fi rst step toward its de- there is more to unity than just wanting it, prisoners. Two prisoners were in front of struction.” or even in just coming together. Unity is adjacent gun towers, and two more were As George put it, “Fascism has temporar- not that simple, if so, we’d have it already. in between the towers. The four fi red their ily succeeded under the guise of reform.” Unity is not ready-made; it is a process. home-made single shot pistols at their re- Modern-day fascism is the combined It involves both dialogue and commitment: spective towers and then all six of them dictatorship of big business and govern- dialogue around the issues on which we hit the double fences. The gunfi re did not ment, characterized by greed, militarism, plan to struggle, on points of strategy, and put the tower guards down, however, and racism, homophobia, and classism. commitment to the decisions and resolu- they immediately opened fi re on the escap- I think the fascist powers that be feel tions agreed upon, as well as to a common ing prisoners. The prisoners, now under compelled to put a fresh face on fascism set of principles and values—developed in fi re and struck in the razor wire between – a brown face. common—to make unity a success. the two fences, surrendered; one receive a We cannot be so naïve as to think that Unity involves genuine camaraderie grazing head shot. Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama with those whom you plan to unite. The ac- Sirens blared and the gruff sound of au- has broken all records in campaign fund- quaintance or relationship must transcend thority came through loud speakers on the raising because he’s going to change things the superfi cial. An understanding of perma- yard, ordering all prisoners to immediately for you and me. Please. As Jamil al-Amin nent positions must be established. Unity return to their cells. A third of the prison- (H.Rap Brown) noted, “If voting could is possible without having uniformity. In a ers complied with the order and promptly change things; they’d make it lllegal.” coalition or united front type of situation returned to their cells as directed. Another It should be obvious that Obama cannot there may exist differences in perspective third hovered near the door leading to the and will not produce real change, like mov- cellblocks but did not actually go inside. NUMBER 31 5 The last third of us held our ground in a group, in the face of the goon squad and GEORGE JACKSON WARNED US other assembled pigs. They ordered us in- By Chaka of them organized themselves under the side. We refused, saying we would not go he Violent Radicalization and banner of the Black Panther Party and the in until there was medical treatment on the Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Black Liberation Army, and others were/are scene for the wounded prisoner. From the TAct passed overwhelmingly in the part of other revolutionary formations and safety of the crowd I timidly threw a small House of Representative on Oct. 23, 2007*. collectives. What they share(d) in common rock at the lieutenant barking the orders, I hope I have your full attention. was a willingness to up the ante of struggle others followed. The cops fell back and Years ago in Blood in My Eye, George as the apparatus of U.S. state terrorism in- promptly got a medical crew out to attend Jackson wrote: “Death and prison for all tensifi ed their brutality. Confronted with the wounded prisoner. With the prisoner who object - fascism in its fi nal and secure overwhelming state violence, often in the being treated, we went in as ordered. The state. It has happened here.” It has been form of police assassinations, they resisted. point is that if you have a third of the popu- happening here. And those who dared to struggle have paid, lation you have enough. To understand what Comrade George are still paying, with their lives. How do you get that third? By struggle was saying we have to rely less on estab- Today, our freedom fi ghter - Assata in its many forms, but mostly through suc- lishment academics as to what fascism Shakur - remains in exile. The terror mon- cessful struggles. The object is to win. One means. Most of them understand fascism gers have placed a $1 million bounty on way might be to more narrowly focus our as something that happened in Europe dur- her head. Others also remain exiled, suffer- meager resources—to aim more precisely. ing the 1930s. George tried to improve our ing separation from loved ones, yet giving Let’s stop and think of who we are trying to understanding of fascism by daring to look us hope, as they avoid direct repression. reach and why. beyond continental Europe. He recognized But many of our freedom fi ghters - Jalil When I think about who we are trying U.S. fascism by locating it in the history Muntaqim, Herman Bell, Robert (Seth) to reach I envision a pyramid that has been of genocidal extermination of indigenous Hayes, Mutulu Shakur, Sekou Odinga, divided into three sections. First there is a peoples and genocidal enslavement of Af- Field Marshall Eddie Conway, Leonard little part at the very top of the pyramid. rikans. George also recognized that fas- Peltier, Sundiata Acoli, Marilyn Buck, Mu- Then there is a larger middle portion of the cism continued into the present because he mia Abu Jamal and many others - remain pyramid, and fi nally a very large section at did not separate white supremacy from its incarcerated. They are political prisoners the base. In this representation the top piece logical conclusion: genocide. Witness the and prisoners of war, individuals who re- would be the more politically advanced or attempts to destroy public housing in New main caged because they fought and con- more rights and class conscious elements Orleans as homelessness increases dramat- tinue to fi ght. of our target audience. The middle section ically. In these times of global apartheid, “di- would be the intermediate sectors. And the U.S. concentration camps - prisons and saster capitalism,” and intensifying white base would represent the more backwards jails - are sites of terror and warfare. To supremacist violence we should call upon elements. When we do our political work some it seems undeclared, but the over 2 the spirit of George Jackson to possess we should focus our energies on the more million people imprisoned reveals high-in- us. “As a slave, the social phenomenon advanced elements, those at the top of the tensity, racialized and class-based warfare. that engages my whole consciousness is, pyramid, who can in turn win over the in- Critically, this war against us is also highly of course, revolution,” Comrade George termediate segment. That intermediate stra- gendered. While Afrikan men are the vast stated boldly. This is what made him so ta will then in turn be able to win over or majority of those incarcerated, Afrikan terrifying to the ruling class. The pressing neutralize the more backward sectors of the women are currently being incarcerated at task we face today is to transform the so- prison population. higher rates. The incredibly disproportion- cial phenomenon that engages our whole How does this pyramid scheme work in ate number of Afrikans and other racialized consciousness. Intensifying our struggle to actual practice? First, individual prisoners people in the U.S. gulags should make clear emancipate all our political prisoners and should be reaching out to family members our deadly reality. The recent ruling by the prisoners of war and to permanently dis- and to folks doing prisoner support work Supreme Court that asserts the right of fed- mantle the prison industrial complex is a in their respective areas. Prisoners have eral judges to sentence individuals below crucial aspect of this work. not done as well in maintaining ties with the guideline recommendations in crack Emancipating our freedom fi ghters is no progressive organizations on the outside. cocaine cases and the decision by the Sen- easy task. The governing people refuse to Articles on prison events and conditions tencing Commission to apply that ruling recognize them as political prisoners and should be written and sent to the publica- retroactively, should be a reminder of how prisoners of war and have kept them locked tions of these outside groups, not to the much work we have left such as the manda- up for decades. Those that run the criminal bourgeois media outlets who always sup- tory minimum terms imposed by Congress injustice system continue to criminalize or- port the status quo. We are not going to be along with their devastating impact on our ganizing for social justice and prevent re- able to reach those backward elements; we communities. Mass incarceration remains sistance to political and social repression. will leave the bulk of that task to the inter- not only a means of social control for popu- It is from this vantage point we must mediate sector. lations rendered surplus by changes in the resist the “legalization” of The Violent Our objective should be to make the global and U.S. capitalist economy – it is Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism backward prisoners more rights conscious, genocidal. Prevention Act. As the Center for Consti- and the rights conscious prisoners more On the frontlines trying to halt geno- tutional Rights has pointed out this legisla- class conscious.  cide were/are our freedom fi ghters. Some tion is so broad and sweeping that it can

6 PRISON FOCUS easily be used as a tool for state repression. ing civil disobedience and non-violent di- cano Movements, anti-imperialist/anti- Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, kidnappings rect action by developing policies for “pre- war movements, anti-racist/anti-fascist (extraordinary renditions), illegal wiring vention, disruption and mitigation.”Call struggles, the Women’s Movement, social tapping, and the legalization of torture (e.g. it COINTELPRO 2.0.Crafted by former and economic justice struggles, and espe- water boarding) all reveal that the legal House Intelligence Committee Chairwom- cially in the past several years, from the framework for increased repression is be- an Jane Harman (D-CA), the legislation Environmental/Animal Rights movement. ing rapidly expanded. would create a domestic commission, a They are Black, white, Latino and Native Recently we witnessed the renewed at- university-based “Center of Excellence” American. Most of these political prison- tacks on the members (past) of the Black that would study and then, target domes- ers have been in captivity since the 1970s Panther Party and the BPP’s legacy of re- tic “radicalization” as a “threat” to the and 1980s. Some were convicted on totally sistance to empire. The San Francisco 8 “homeland.”] fabricated charges, others for nebulous po- case reveals there is no action too repre- litical conspiracies or for acts of resistance. hensible for the forces of repression. Even All received huge sentences for their po- though a Los Angeles judge, in 1975, dis- UNTITLED litical beliefs or actions in support of these missed a case brought against some Black beliefs. If we must die let it not be like hogs, Panther Party members because police had Additionally, there are many thousands Hunted and pinned in an inglorious spot, systematically tortured BPP member Har- of revolutionary-minded, politically-con- While around us bark the mad and hungry old Taylor, the police have re-opened this scious prisoners in U.S. jails. These are dogs more than 30-year-old case against Taylor people who became more politically aware Making their mock at our accursed lot; and other activists. The struggle to end this and active once they landed in prison. A lot If we must die then let us nobly die, specifi c attack continues. of these prisoners also get singled out for So that our precious blood may not be If Comrade George was correct in noting extra harsh and restrictive treatment like shed in vain. that the “fascist state has found it essential the political prisoners. Since 9/11, the U.S. Then even the monsters we defy to disguise the opulence of its ruling-class has also imprisoned thousands of Arab and Shall be constrained leisure existence by providing the lower Muslim visitors to this country, as well as To honor us though dead. classes with a mass consumer’s fl ea market some Islamic citizens and residents. We kinsmen must meet the common foe, of its own,” the capacity to participate in The U.S. government likes to deny that Though for outnumbered, let us show us this “fl ea market” is shrinking for the lower it holds political prisoners. The harsh pu- brave, and middle classes as wealth inequality in- nitive conditions of confi nement, often in And for their thousand blows, creases.  special “control unit type” prisons, that Deal one death blow. Source: www.blackagendareport.com. political prisoners face day in, day out, de- What though before us lies the open grave, Submitted by Freedom Archives, cade after decade, exposes and refutes this Like men we’ll face the murderous pack, 522 Valencia Street, S.F., CA 94110 government myth. Not only does America Pressed to the wall, dying, [Editor’s Note: As of May, the Senate has hold political prisoners, but they are be- But fi ghting back. not passed the act. Here is more informa- ing held under longer sentences than any -Claude McKay tion on the subject provided by http://dan- kind of prisoners, anywhere in the world. Poem Read at the Revolutionary Memo- delionsalad.wordpress.com: In the wake Despite this, these women and men remain rial Services for George Jackson, Field of Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and committed to their communities, move- Marshal, Black Panther Party, held at St. Susan Collins’ (R-ME) alarmist report, ments, and principles. As best they can, Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, “Violent Islamist Extremism, the Internet, through their voices and very lives, they California on August 28, 1971. and the Homegrown Terrorism Threat,” continue to uphold the politics of justice, the Senate may be moving towards passage equality and liberation, especially for the of the Orwellian “Violent Radicalization poor and working class people throughout and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act POLITICAL the world. Political prisoners in the United of 2007″ (S. 1959).A companion piece of States want and need your awareness and legislative fl otsam to the House bill, “The PRISONERS IN THE support.  Violent Radicalization and Homegrown UNITED STATES —Jaan Laaman Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007″ (H.R. The following are organizations that do By Jaan Laaman 1955), the Democrat-controlled Congress support work for political prisoners: here are about 100 political pris- seems ready to jettison Constitutional Jericho Movement, P.O. Box 650, New oners in various prisons across the guarantees of free speech and assembly. York, NY 10009; Partisan Defense United States. These women and The bill passed the House by a 404-6 vote T Committee, P.O. Box 99 Canal Street Sta, men are listed and recognized as political in October. Twenty-three congress members New York, NY 10013; ABC Federation, prisoners by numerous human rights, legal abstained, including House Speaker Nancy P.O. Box 11223, Whittier, CA. defense and progressive/socialist organiza- Pelosi and House Judiciary Chairman John “We as revolutionaries will work on turn- tions. Conyers. Under cover of studying “violent ing every prison into a university and every These people all come from the Civil radicalization,” both bills would broaden cell into a classroom. We must educate to Rights/Black Power/New African Lib- the already-fl uid defi nition of “terrorism” liberate. All power to the people.” eration struggles, the Puerto Rican In- to encompass political activity and protest – Ali Shakka, dependence Movement, Indigenous by dissident groups, effectively criminaliz- www.4strugglemag.org Peoples survival struggles, Chicano/Mexi- NUMBER 31 7 QUOTE BOX AMERICA’S GULAG For what is the crime of burglarizing a bank, compared with the crime of JUST KEEPS building one?” Bertolt Brecht GROWING By Ethan Nadelmann “We’re not a democracy. It’s a terrible misunderstanding and a slander to the e’re No. 1! We’re No. 1! The idea of democracy to call us that. In reality, we’re a plutocracy: a government New York Times’ Adam Lip- by the wealthy.” Wtak wrote a disturbing front- Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General page story on Wednesday about how the United States dwarfs the rest of the world “Of all forms of tyranny the least attractive and the most vulgar is the tyranny when it comes to locking up its citizens. of mere wealth, the tyranny of plutocracy” The United States has less than 5 percent John Pierpont Morgan of the world’s population, but a quarter of the world’s prisoners. There are now 2.3 “I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, million people behind bars in the United which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid States. According to the Justice Depart- defi ance to the laws of our country.” ment’s Bureau of Justice Statistics’ most Thomas Jefferson recent report, the number of people incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails jumped by “I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes more than 60,000 in the year ending June me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations 30, 2006. That jump represents the largest have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and increase since 2000. the money power of the country will endeavour to prolong its reign by working Mark Makinson upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.” Abraham Lincoln

“The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a ﬁ nancial element in the large centers has owned the government of the U.S. since the days of Andrew Jackson.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of State and corporate power.” Benito Mussolini

The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacriﬁ ce, Politics without principles: Mahatma Gandhi: Indian leader, 1869-1948

“When shall it be said in any country of the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance or distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes not oppressive; the rational world is my friend because I am friend of its happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast of its The United States continues to rank ﬁ rst constitution and government .” among all nations in both total prison/jail Thomas Paine population and per capita incarceration rates. The United States has held ﬁ rst place “It is never right to do wrong or to requite wrong with wrong, or when we suffer for decades, followed by China (with more evil to defend ourselves by doing evil in return.” than four times our population) at 1.6 mil- Socrates 469 - 399 BC lion and Russia at 885,670, according to the International Centre for Prison Studies “The civility of no race can be perfect whilst another race is degraded. It is at King’s College in London. a doctrine alike of the oldest and of the newest philosophy, that man is one, America’s prison population explosion and that you cannot injure any member, without a sympathetic injury to all the is fed in good part by the failed drug war members” policies of the past 30-plus years. Back in Ralph Waldo Emerson. 1844 Continued on page 11 8 PRISON FOCUS BITTERSWEET

BESTOWAL IV AND HEP C By Henry Hill was both saddened and pleased about Ms. Rubach’s departure. She defi nitely I deserved her retirement. Mary was N both an inspiration and a guide to me. But even more so, I saw her as a friend. I will never forget this anger management essay she sent me in response to a letter I’d sent her concerning my views of the RISON mistreatment of women in prison. I speak how I feel, and it tends to get pretty heavy depending on the subject. She didn’t de- As part of the HIP Project we answer ter me from feeling that way, but wanted HIP COMMITTEE mail from prisoners who need resource to suggest a healthier way of approaching VISITS CCWF information or health information about it. I will always love her for that insight HIV and HCV. Please write to us at CPF and memory. She also directed me to the he HIV and HCV in Prison Commit- (Attn: HIP). If you are at CCWF and you CCWP of which I’ve become a supporter. tee is trying to get back to CCWF on or someone you know may want to help I doubt if I’ve ever told them as to how I a regular basis, working alongside T us gather information about human rights came to know them. They can defi nitely the women inside to provide up-to-date abuses in the form of medical neglect and thank her for whatever positive I do on health news and treatment information and malpractice, drop us a line, and we may be their behalf. advocate for people experiencing medical able to interview you in person. Ms. Rubach understood my passion for neglect or abuse. Andrea and Georgia made To end this article on a good note, we change and compassion for those who are a small trip to CCWF on a Saturday in May. sincerely enjoyed meeting everyone that unable to bring it about. She made me look We met with eight women, including activ- day. We encourage all women who read at my circumstances in a way not seen be- ist and health advocate Beverly Henry. All this to help us get more articles, art and fore. Because of her, I realize that we’re were staying strong despite constant indig- poetry into the Prison Focus by and about not a forgotten people behind these walls, nities by the staff or other prisoners and the women, so send us submissions c/o Prison that we don’t have to tolerate the degrada- often frightening and inconsistent medical Focus newsletter. Also, it should be men- tions and injustices we suffer on a daily ba- treatment. tioned that almost every woman we spoke sis. She made me not only believe in peo- Many of the women we spoke to are to had good things to say about one doctor ple more, but in myself as well. This, and living with long-term, life threatening ill- at CCWF, Dr. Mahoney. She is known to be so much more will I take from our brief, nesses and have to fi ght to get basic care. respectful and knowledgeable. She appar- but forever lasting encounter. Many of them have seen other women ently listens to patients and includes them So wherever you are Ms. Rubach, what- die, becoming intimately knowledgeable in the process of creating their treatment ever it is you may be doing, rest easy know- about the dying process. Out of only eight plans by considering their wishes and in- ing you made a difference. Know that great interviews that day, we heard at least two put. She explains things well and makes the things will come because of your existence. accounts of people witnessing mortally women feel like she cares about their well- In all sincerity do I thank you. In pure love ill women being told by nursing staff that being. So, kudos goes out to Dr. Mahoney will I ever speak your name. As-Salaam their conditions were minor -- with deadly for decency!  Alaikum.  consequences. How horrible to see others suffer and die, and wonder if you might be next! Continuing problems include very sick TRIBUTE TO MARY people not getting prompt medical appoint- By Mortae Henderson ments; routine doctor visits done via satel- hank you Mary, for all that you have lite, which means the doctor can’t actually given, so unselfi shly, to those that closely examine any problems; pain medi- Tmany in society have turned their cations abruptly discontinued; and patient backs on. You have been a blessing from confi dentiality disrespected. God to us desolate souls, inspiring many If someone has HIV, it should be protect- of us to make a change in our lives for the ed information. Yet the way pill call is an- better. May life always be beautiful for nounced, word gets around about why peo- you, not only for your humanitarian work ple need medicine. Ignorant staff and other you’ve contributed to the world, but for the prisoners disrespect those who should have extraordinary woman that you are. You’re never had to worry about their information truly going to be missed, but never forgot- getting out. ten and eternally loved by us all. 

NUMBER 31 9 November 2007, the opera- WHAT LOOMS tion of a BMU anywhere in the C.D.C.R. became AHEAD illegal unless promulgated ITIGATION By Charles Carbone, Esq. L into law in accordance with he future is certain. It will refl ect the P.C. 5058.1(d) and the Ad- choices we are making right now. ministrative Procedures Act For prisons, the policy choices we (Gov. Code sec. 11340 et. T are making are unmistakably clear and un- seq.); it was not promulgat- N deniably wrong. Here are some of the low- I ed, not then and not since lights on the choices that lay before us. then. It now operates as an RUNNER’S LAW ‘underground regulation’ Set to appear on the November 2008 and is illegal no matter how ballot, this initiative is brought to us by they try to justify it. These RISON the same fi nancial and political interests P are the objective facts. that gave us California’s Three Strikes. In On a more subjective lev- this proposed state law, the leading propo- el it can be argued that the nents are the various Sheriff departments THE BMU FIGHT BMU violates the constitutional protection throughout the state. Here’s why: the bill he Behavioral Modifi cation Unit against double jeopardy (5th Amendment) would make several major changes includ- (BMU) is illegal. Period. Its exis- and the right to due process (14th Amend- ing a guarantee of nearly half a billion dol- tence at High Desert (HDSP) and ment), but the validity of such arguments T lars annually to law enforcement for more Pelican Bay (PBSP) violates both the letter depends on the case in question. Prison- policing and prosecution operations aimed of the law upon which it initially operated, ers being released from the SHU and sent mainly at our youth and at communities of as well as amendments Five and Six of the directly to BMU have an excellent double color. Using fear mongering regarding gang Constitution. It currently operates only jeopardy claim and a potential due process violence, the bill dedicates half a billion because we allow it to. We do this in two claim; the BMU is a disciplinary program dollars to increased prosecutions against ways: fi rst, by refusing to take the initiative with fewer privileges than the SHU—kick- young people allegedly in gangs. The bill to educate ourselves about the program, we out in such a program amounts to double doubles and triples sentences for youthful remain ignorant of its illegality; and sec- jeopardy, and lacking a new disciplinary gang offenders while also ensuring that ju- ond, by participating in the program itself, infraction due process also becomes an is- veniles will be tried increasingly as adults. we give in our sanction. sue. For those in general population, being The bill is so regressive that even in Los A little history. On Nov. 20, 2005, the placed in BMU without a disciplinary in- Angeles County, where the gang problem BMU began operation at HDSP under the fraction, you have the potential due process is arguably the worst in the country, the auspices of Admin. Bulletin 05/02 (A.B. claim. And, of course, the preceding para- board of supervisors expressed their oppo- 05/02). It was to operate as a ‘pilot pro- graph applies to everyone. sition to the initiative in a 9 to 1 vote. But in gram’ in accordance with P.C. 5058.1. Sub- Prisoners being released a public debate that relies on scare tactics sections (a) and (d) of P.C. 5058.1 state: around crime policy, the public will have “(a) For the purposes of this sections, from the SHU and sent to mobilize to defeat this initiative that fol- ‘Pilot Program’ means a program imple- directly to BMU have an lows the same broken model of over-incar- mented on a temporary and limited basis excellent double jeopar- ceration as a “solution” to crime. in order to test and evaluate the effective- dy claim and a potential MARSY’S LAW ness of the program, develop new tech- due process claim If Runner’s law wasn’t bad enough, voters niques, or gather information.” in November 2008 will decide on another “(d) A regulation adopted pursuant to Personally, I’ve been fi ghting this since I fl awed initiative. This one – called Marsy’s this section is repealed by operation of learned of it. I went to ICC on October 10, law – was written by the family of a murder the law, and the amendment is reversed 2007, to be evaluated for release from the victim who was a UC Santa Barbara stu- by operation of the law, two years after SHU, my fi ght began there, fi rst verbally (I dent. After her murder, the family’s grief the commencement of the pilot program had done my research) and then with a 602. was rubbed raw by feeling left out of the being implemented, unless the adop- I was released from the SHU in November prosecution process, and then later the pa- tion, amendment, or director pursuant to 2007, and placed in the BMU seven (7) role hearing process. Stemming from their Chapter 3.5 (Commencing with section days after the program began operation as rage over the prospect that their daughter’s 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 an ‘underground regulation.’ I’m no longer killer could be released, the family wrote of the Government Code….” in the BMU but I’m still fi ghting it. I’ve “Marsy’s Law” which if enacted would This legal requirement was articulated in exhausted administrative remedies, and in effectively foreclose any possibility of in- A.B. 05/02 (which is now nearly impossible June I submitted a writ of habeas corpus mates serving life sentences from obtaining to get a copy of). In September 2006, PBSP with the Del Norte Superior Court. I plan a parole date. The minimum parole denial began to operate a BMU under the auspices to take this all the way. I have provided you would change from one to three years with of Operational procedure 225; this O.P. in with the info. You need to combat this in- parole commissioners empowered to issue an adjunct of A.B. 05/02, and as such has justice. Feel free to join the fi ght.  up to a 15 year parole denial. no independent authority of its own. On 21 —Skinhead Grinch

10 PRISON FOCUS NO FUNDING FOR MEDICAL CARE of why the state’s prison “experiment” is Gulag ...... Continued from page 8 UNITS so fl awed. Under the rhetoric of reform, the The federal receiver over the medical state’s solution to prison over-crowding is 1980, around 50,000 people were incar- care in CDCR recently asked for nearly 7 to build more prisons (40,000 new beds cerated for drug law violations. The total billion dollars of state funds to build prison in state prisons, 16,000 “secure re-entry is now roughly 500,000. And this number medical facilities in the state which would beds,” 16,000 infi ll beds, and 8,000 medi- does not even include hundreds of thou- house literally 10,000 ailing prisoners. cal beds) at the cost of nearly $10 billion sands of parolees and probationers who are Given a massive state budget gap, legisla- dollars. Although hiccups in the building incarcerated for technical violations, such tors are naturally resistant to a multi-billion and permitting of the prisons have slowed as a drug relapse, nor does it include non- dollar expenditure on prisons. The receiver down the effort, ground has been broken drug offenses committed under the infl u- has threatened to seek a federal judicial or- to build even more prisons in the state. If ence of drugs, or to support a drug habit, der mandating the funds if the legislature history is any indication, once these pris- or crimes of violence committed by drug doesn’t act. The governor’s response thus ons are built, California will fi ll and over- sellers. far has been to threaten fl oating new state fi ll them with more and more of out loved The Liptak piece describes criminologists bonds to cover the costs. ones. and legal scholars in other industrialized NO CAPS ON PRISON DEATH PENALTY REACTIVATED countries as being mystifi ed and appalled POPULATION With the recent U.S. Supreme Court deci- by the number of Americans incarcerated Despite all their threats, the federal three- sion deeming lethal injection constitution- and length of the prison sentences. “The judge panel convened to consider capping al, like many other states, California’s kill- U.S. pursues the war on drugs with an ig- the prison population is poised to approve ing machine will resume with executions norant fanaticism,” said Vivian Stern, a re- a settlement which does nothing to curb the back on track at San Quentin. We know search fellow at the Centre for Prison Stud- severe over-crowding in California’s pris- that the innocent and guilty will perish in ies at King’s College in London. In the past ons other than to mildly stop the revolving state sanctioned murder. Europeans came to America to study the door for parolees who at any time comprise NO PUBLIC DEBATE prison system, but now they look at U.S. 30-40 thousand prisoners who are returned Despite having the largest prison popula- policies to see what not to do. to custody on insignifi cant parole violation in the world and California with the Two powerful forces are at play today. On tions such as absconding or testing positive largest population of that staggering fi gure, the one hand, public opinion strongly sup- for drugs; so much for any radical change the public debate is largely silent on the ports alternatives to incarceration for non- or fundamental over-haul of the prisons. cost of this unprecedented experiment on violent and especially low-level drug law This settlement appears even more certain humanity. And worse, even with Obama’s violators—and state legislatures around the now that a California Court of Appeals has promise and charm, no major presidential country are beginning to follow suit. The approved the out-of-state transfer of thou- candidate is taking on these tough issues paramount example to date is Prop. 36, the sands of California inmates to Tennessee with real solutions. The presidential elec- Californian “treatment instead of incarcera- and Louisiana where they are imprisoned tions are not providing room for a debate tion” ballot initiative in 2000 that won with in facilities run by private prisons. on the actual issues of crime and justice in 61 percent of the vote notwithstanding the NO POLITICAL WILL TO FIX America. opposition of political and law enforcement PRISON CRISIS This future is here now if we fail to do offi cials. On the other hand, the prison-in- The prison crisis is not suffering from what we can to change course. This means dustrial complex has become a powerful a lack of good fi xes. It is suffering from charting a new course for prisoners, their force in American society, able to make the a lack of political will to implement those families and our communities. Doing so most of the political inertia that sustains changes. The list of good ideas includes requires each one of us to step out of our knee-jerk, lock-’em-up policies. There are sentencing reform, early release, alterna- comfort zone and challenge this broken some prosecutors quoted in the Times story tives to incarceration, restorative justice system. Let’s do it.  who try to spin the draconian sentences as models, incentive-based rehabilitative pro- the byproduct of democracy: that elected gramming, a real parole process for life offi cials are just responding to their con- prisoners, and the release of aging prison- stituents’ desire to lock up the bad guys ers. Despite these great ideas which would and throw away the keys. There’s no doubt advance both the goals of public safety some truth in this, but far more insidious and reducing the prison population, there is how many politicians exploit fears about is no movement to implement. Without the drugs to make themselves look “tough on proper political support, these ideas con- crime.” Voters should be outraged that their tinue to go nowhere. Like four other states tax money continues to be wasted on failed in the U.S., California continues to pursue drug war policies. It’s time for a change. a fl awed correctional and criminal justice Despite hundreds of billions of dollars policy that now spends more on prisons spent and millions of Americans incarcer- than higher education. ated, illegal drugs remain cheap, potent and AB 900 widely available in every community; and The governor and legislature’s fi x to the the harms associated with them—addiction, prison crisis – AB 900 – continues to inch overdose, and the spread of HIV/AIDS and forward. This bill is perhaps the exemplar Continued on page 14 NUMBER 31 11 have had their rights violated, including This case is now pending before the rape victims, have been deprived of having Board of Parole Hearings to decide wheth- their constitutional claims heard in court,” er it will limit its inquiry to that set forth in she said. “There are two kinds of walls in the statute, or go beyond the law and con- R E C E N T American prisons: one that keeps prisoners sider the basis for denial set forth by the from escaping, and another that keeps the director. abuse that happens inside from ever reach- www.californiaprogressreport.com, ing the light of day,” said McCurdy. “The May 18, 2008 HISTORY Prison Litigation Reform Act creates prisons within prisons, except with paperwork CA RECEIVER: MONEY NEEDED instead of locks and administrative hurdles FOR MEDICAL CARE instead of bars. California prisons need an infl ux of $7 The PLRA gave a blank check to guards billion to bring inmate healthcare up to con- and corrections offi cers, and it’s time for stitutional standards, said court-appointed COST OF CALIFORNIA PRISONS the prison system to pay the piper. Jody prison medical overseer J. Clark Kelso UPGRADE SHOCKING Kent, public policy coordinator of the Monday. The state senate has been unwill- Kelso, the federal receiver charged with ACLU’s National Prison Project (NPP) ex- ing to authorize a bond to borrow money improving the state’s prison health care plained that “Prisoners are often required for the project, so Kelso has appealed to system, and the Schwarzenegger admin- to give their paperwork to the very guards California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneg- istration, are proposing $7 billion in new who have abused them, leading to intimi- ger to use his emergency powers to raise lease revenue bonds for prison expansions dation, more abuse and a culture where the needed funds. Last week, a court ruled and upgrades. prisoners stop fi ling complaints because of that section 8658 of the California Emer- Add up the interest and principal on two the consequences – ultimately making life gency Services Act granted the governor years’ worth of prison bonds, and the an- in prison worse.” In some cases prison of- authority to address prison conditions in nual hit on the general fund over the next fi cials have taken advantage of the law’s times of emergency. 25 years would be $1.2 billion. rigid standards by distributing the wrong In January, a federal judge ruled that the “It borders on the incredible,” said state paperwork or telling prisoners the status of healthcare provided in California prisons Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) at a their claims only after important deadlines does not meet constitutional standards even budget hearing on prison bonds. Senate have passed. though medical services have improved budget subcommittee chair Mike Machado http://www.aclu. org/prison, signifi cantly since the court assumed over- predicted rough treatment in the legislature April 22, 2008 sight of the system in 2005. Bringing the for the prison health facility plan. “I don’t state’s prison system up to constitutional think they’re going to react very favorably,” WILL BPH AND GOV ADHERE TO standards could take as long as four years, the Linden democrat said of his colleagues. according to offi cials at the California “But do we have a choice?” That is another LAW? Health Care Receivership. question.Kelso operates under the author- In 2007, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed In July 2007, the court ordered the for- ity of U.S. District Court Judge Thelton into law a provision that allows a person mation of a special three-judge panel to Henderson in San Francisco, who could who is permanently medically incapacitat- supervise and reduce California’s prison simply order the new construction. Hen- ed, and who poses no threat to public safe- population after fi nding that California’s derson, who found California prison health ty, to be released. In spite of this provision prison overcrowding was preventing the care unconstitutional, created the receiver’s CDCR is resisting the change. In possibly California Department of Corrections and offi ce to bring it into compliance. the fi rst case under the new law, the Direc- Rehabilitation from adequately providing www.sacbee.com, April 14, 2008 tor of CDCR recently denied a petition by a quadriplegic for a recommendation to the mental health care. The Jurist, June 10, 2008 PRISON REFORM ACT MUST BE court for consideration of recall. FIXED His reasons for the denial puts into ques- GOP LAWMAKERS REJECT $7 The House Judiciary’s Subcommittee tion whether the prison system intends to BILLION PLAN on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Se- implement the new law; the only criteria Republicans rejected a $7 Billion dollar curity is scheduled to examine reform of for consideration is whether the prisoner plan to ease prison overcrowding in order the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), is permanently medically incapacitated to provide needed heath care because they which was originally passed by Congress and whether he/she poses a threat to public believed it represented only a partial solu- in 1996 as a way to stem the tide against safety. The director concedes that the pris- tion to California’s overcrowded prisons. what were thought to be frivolous lawsuits oner in question is eligible under the statute The plan conceived by the Gov. and federal by prisoners. Since that time, the law has yet justifi es continuing to incarcerate this receiver J. Clark Kelso was for the purpose been used repeatedly to deny justice to vic- quadriplegic by pointing to the offense and of supplying health care beds, thus com- tims of rape, assault, religious rights viola- his behavior in prison claiming that a recall plying with two federal class action suits. tions and other serious abuses. “PLRA was is “not in the interests of justice.” Kelso, who has the judicial authority to ad- passed to reduce frivolous lawsuits, not A careful look at the statute reveals that dress the problem, said in a letter that he meritorious ones,” said ACLU Legislative consideration of the nature of the commit- will get the money with or without the law- Counsel Jesselyn McCurdy. “People who ment offense or alleged behavior while in prison is not part of the evaluation. makers’ approval—even if it means taking

12 PRISON FOCUS it from California’s already cash-strapped ties. His concern is heightened because the NORA QUALIFIES FOR NOVEMBER budget. Kelso said he’ll downsize the plan CDCR is presently engaged in selectively BALLOT if possible. In the meantime he said, “I can shipping 8,500 foreign national prisoners Secretary of State Debra Bowen certifi ed no longer stand idly by while the state con- to privately-run facilities. the non-violent offenders sentencing parole tinues its pattern of prevarication.” Demo- Former court-appointed Receiver Robert and rehabilitation initiative (NORA) for crats predict that as a result of Republicans Sillen, called three of the four out-of-state the November ballot. This statute requires rejection of the bill may very well lead to prisoner deaths “not quite natural.” He said the state to expand and increase funding early release of prisoners and a gaping new his staff was reviewing the prisoner’s med- and oversight for individualized treatment budget hole. ical fi les to determine if their deaths were and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent www.sacbee.com, May 2008 preventable. The prisoners died in Nevada, drug offenders and parolees. It will reduce Arizona, Tennessee and an undisclosed lo- criminal consequences of nonviolent drug CA GOP REJECT SETTLEMENT cation under the federal witness protection offenses by mandating three-tiered proba- DRAFT program. tion with treatment and by providing for Details of the draft have not been made It is not clear whether prisoners trans- case dismissal and/or sealing of records public but Republican lawmakers are con- ferred out-of-state due to overcrowding, after probation, and will limit the court’s cerned about the draft settlement on prison which are typically housed at private fa- authority to incarcerate offenders who vio- overcrowding. Sen. George Runner has ex- cilities, are covered under the protections late probation or parole. NORA will create pressed serious concern over the possibil- of the Plata v. Schwarzenegger prison numerous divisions, boards, commissions, ity of early release for prisoners. In addi- healthcare receivership. If they are, that and reporting requirements regarding drug tion Republican lawmakers felt they had to might create a confl icting two-tier program treatment and rehabilitation. shoot down Senate Bill 1665 because it was for healthcare delivery: the profi t-driven only a partial solution to fi xing California’s substandard care typical of private prisons FAMILY BATTLES SILENCE prison overcrowding problem. They said and the federal constitution- dictated stan- The sister of a man killed in a Florence they want fi xes made to last years. dard of care provided under the receiver. penitentiary riot says offi cials haven’t an- www.sacbee.com, May 2008 Recently-enacted California Penal Code § swered her questions. 11191(4) expressly provides that prisoners “I was told he was stabbed,” Williams PRISON TRANSFERS ILLEGAL? with serious physical or mental illnesses said. “In a way, it (the information) came Three judges in the 3rd district court of may be excluded from involuntary trans- from the prison and in a way it didn’t, if you appeals will issue a ruling within 90days fers if their condition qualifi es. More than know what I mean. So I called the prison, concerning out-of-state transfers initiated 400 of the planned 8,500 foreign nationals and they said they had to autopsy the body. by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The gov- have already been shipped to other states as I asked why an autopsy when they knew ernor insisted he acted in the best interest of September 2007. he had been stabbed. They never told me of California when he transferred several Associated Press, www.scpr.org, he had been shot. Then I talked to someone thousand prisoners to out of state prisons. May 17, 2008 in the chapel, and he said a group of black Atty. Thomas Patton, representing the state inmates were told to lie down. My brother of California in this case backs Schwar- RACIAL INTEGRATION IN didn’t, so they shot him in the chest with a zenegger up, stating that the Governor was CALIFORNIA PRISON shotgun.” Hooker was black. within his right to invoke special powers San Quentin and approximately 30 other A white inmate, Brian Kubik, also was that he has under California’s Emergency state penal facilities are gearing up to carry killed in the fi ght, was allegedly shot in the Services Act and send those prisoners out out a federal court mediation agreement for chest by guards. Kubik’s family says it has of state. integrating double cells. A 1995 lawsuit the same unanswered questions. On the other hand, Attys. Greg Adam fi led by a black California inmate, Garrison The Denver Post, May 22, 2008; and Art Scotland do not agree. According Johnson, said that the California Depart- www.denverpost.com/news/ci_9340180 to Scotland, the governor ignored some ment of Corrections’ practice of segregat- of the language set forth in the ESA that ing prisoners by race violated his rights. A FORMER GUARD GETS PROBA- limits when the governor can invoke it. Ac- 2005 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court led TION IN PRISONER DEATH cording to Atty. Adams, “the legislature set to federal court mediation and the agree- A former prison guard charged in out a simple set of criteria that must be fol- ment that double cells would be desegregat- the death of a prisoner whose head was lowed and the governor did not do it.” If ed. While most prisoners and correctional slammed against a wall, pleaded no contest the judges rule against the Governor’ deci- offi cials agree that it is a noble idea, many to manslaughter and was given the mini- sion, it is likely out of state prisoners will fear the worst. However, experts say it can mum sentence. have to be returned. work. The Texas prison system integrated Jose Rodriguez Jr., 28, originally faced KPCC, May 27, 2008 its cells in the early 1990s and eventually a 99-year sentence on a murder charge that saw a decline in racial tensions, said Pro- prosecutors reduced to manslaughter, the INVESTIGATION OF OUT-OF-STATE fessor Jim Marquart, chair of the criminol- Plainview Daily Herald reported. After DEATHS ogy department at the University of Texas Rodriguez pleaded no contest, a jury gave The federal court-appointed receiver for at Dallas. He said there was a spike in in- him two years’ probation and no fi ne on a California’s prison healthcare system is terracial violence at fi rst, but after a while second-degree felony charge that carried investigating the deaths of four prisoners, it died down. maximum punishments of 20 years in pris- who were transferred to out-of-state facili- www.sfgate.com, May 26, 2008 on and a $10,000 fi ne.

NUMBER 31 13 Rodriguez was accused of slamming 52- or Crime Stoppers U.S.A President Elaine Gulag ...... Continued from page 11 year-old Paul Ray Judia’s head into a cell Cloyd, who hails the snitches for getting wall and Judia died at a hospital three days “creative” to offset a rough economy. hepatitis—continue to mount. Meanwhile, after the incident. He was a transfer prison- It’s diffi cult to judge the most disturbing the war on drugs has created new problems er serving a 10-year sentence for burglary. aspect of this story - the fact that people of its own, including rampant racial dispar- http://www.examiner.com/a-1383388, would slavishly turn in their grandchildren ities in the criminal justice system, broken May 21, 2008 and neighbors for instant cash - or the hor- families, increased poverty, unchecked fed- rible spectacle of having to endure The New eral power and eroded civil liberties. Our C/OS INVESTIGATED FOR SETTING York Times celebrating it. elected offi cials need new metrics to deter- UP “For tips that bring results, programs in mine whether progress is being made. Five Orange County, FL jail corrections most places pay $50 to $1,000, with some It’s time for a new bottom line for U.S. offi cers are under criminal investigation for jurisdictions giving bonuses for help solv- drug policy—one that focuses on reducing staging fi ghts between prisoners. ing the most serious crimes, or an extra the cumulative death, disease, crime and A criminal and internal investigation “gun bounty” if a weapon is recovered. In suffering associated with both drug misuse opened after another corrections offi cer Sussex County, the average payment for a and drug prohibition. A good start would reported the incident. Sources said correc- tip that results in an arrest is $400,” accord- be enacting short- and long-term national tions offi cers organized the fi ghts. Investi- ing to the report. goals for reducing the problems associated gators were trying to fi gure out if any bets “Crime doesn’t pay but we do,” say the with both drugs and the war on drugs. Such were made during the fi ghts. One man said mobile billboards cruising Jacksonville, goals should include reducing social prob- his son was beaten during one of the al- Fla. A poster in Jackson, Tenn., draws a lems like drug addiction, overdose deaths, leged fi ghts. neat equation: ‘Ring Ring + Bling Bling the spread of HIV/AIDS from injection “They were the ultimate fi ghts. Go in = Cha-Ching.’ The bling, in this case, is a drug use, racial disparities in the criminal a cell for three minutes and then in some pair of handcuffs.” justice system, and the enormous number cases four people. Two on two, but it ended Enthusiastic spies are assured that they of nonviolent offenders behind bars. Fed- up being three on one,” he said. can earn as much as $750 per week for in- eral drug agencies should be judged—and The fi ve corrections offi cers have been formation leading to two or three arrests, funded—according to their ability to meet moved to desk duty while the investigation more money than a minimum wage job. these goals.  is conducted. The tattle-tales’ identity is kept anonymous Ethan Nadelmann is the executive direc- wftv.com, May 2008 and they can even report people by text tor of the Drug Policy Alliance. message. http://www. alternet. org/story/83434/ Crime Stoppers coordinator Trish Routte ‘CREATIVE’ described the ability to make a living from MILITARY SAYS reporting friends and family members to INFORMING: the authorities as “wonderful.” ‘SEGREGATION As any budding dictator will tell you, the TURNING IN creation of an informant society where indi- BOXES’ FOR IRAQI NEIGHBORS TO viduals self-regulate their behavior in fear PRISONERS ARE of being turned in by a citizen spy is one of MAKE A BUCK the key stepping stones to tyranny. To have ‘HUMANE’ By Paul Joseph Watson the media celebrate the fact that people are By David Edwards and Stephen C. Web- outhwest Florida Crime Stoppers and reporting on their neighbors and grandchil- ster, CNN, 08/07/2008 the The New York Times are heartily dren puts the icing on the cake.  NN’s Barbara Starr, in a Thursday Scelebrating the fact that an increas- Source: Prison Planet, May 19, 2008 report, examined what the US mili- ing number of Americans are becoming in- Ctary is calling ‘segregation boxes’: formants and turning in their neighbors and small, wooden crates being used in Iraq to family members to the authorities in return hold prisoners, which the US military infor cash rewards. sists are ‘humane.’ Citing gas prices, foreclosure rates and Measuring 3 feet square and about 6 runaway food price infl ation, The Times feet tall, the military claims that prisoners lauds the fact that citizens are reporting on isolated in the chambers are checked fre- each other, ensuring “a substantial increase quently, but the practice is raising concern in Crime Stopper-related arrests and recov- among human rights advocates. ered property, as callers turn in neighbors, “There is concern that they could be used grandchildren or former boyfriends in ex- in places where detainees are enclosed in change for a little cash.” extremely hot conditions,” said Jennifer The fact that people turning in their own Daskal of Human Rights Watch. neighbors and family members for pay- “Typically, prisoners are isolated for no offs is one of the hallmarks of a Stasi-like more than 12 hours,” said Starr. police state doesn’t seem to register with reporters Shaila Dewan, Brenda Goodman, Continued on page 20 14 PRISON FOCUS pire, with a smile. (John McCain promises We see this in the vast, obscene amounts CHANGELESS he won’t smile.) of money raised for virtually all political CHANGE: THE LAW How could it be otherwise with the al- offi ces. most obscene amounts of money in play? At bottom, politics is the elevation of OF POLITICS How could it be other than this with the symbol over substance, for it seeks to cre- By Mumia Abu-Jamal hundreds of millions of dollars that have ate the illusion of change, while leaving “If voting could change the system, they sloshed through all of the presidential cam- unchanged the essential power relations at would make it illegal.” paigns, most of it for media ad buys? the lower levels of society. Jamil Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown) That doesn’t mean that people aren’t in- Politics is great for changing forms, but rue change doesn’t come through terested, or even desperate for change. But it stumbles at changing essentials. the ballot box–even though we’re what kind of change will they get? We’ve seen that in South Africa, where Tall taught that it does. Voting was When’s the last time the faces of those in political power have instituted to insure stability, not change. changed dramatically–in its starkest sense, I know this may seem somewhat sacrile- you’ve heard any presi- from palest white to darkest black–and yet gious to many entranced during this current dential candidate mention those who hold fi nancial power, immense political season, for it certainly looks like the words imperialism, wealth, and thus, those who control poli- change. poor people, or ... capital- ticians, remain predominantly white–and But if we look deeper, we see how the ism? remain in ultimate control. very process itself–the campaign–is an ex- Conversely, for the Black urban and rural ercise in conformity. People come to po- When’s the last time you’ve heard any poor, their lives are almost as hopeless as litical campaigns to reassure themselves presidential candidate mention the words before, for what has changed is that a Black that their politicians won’t bring too much imperialism, poor people, or–heavens for- middle class has arisen into their political change. fend!–capitalism? If they mention capital- ascendency. In essence, our political campaigns are ism, it’s almost like a religion that needs Here in the U.S., we often boast about little more than slick popularity contests: defending–for no “viable” candidate criti- Blacks having more and more political of- who looks best? Who makes me feel most cizes capitalism. For, like a religion, it fi ces in local, state and federal government comfortable? Who would I like to have a must be believed, just like politicians, until posts. Yet, if this is so (and it is) why are brew with? they inevitably betray those who voted for our lives so miserable, so threatened, so John Kerry lost in 2004 not only because them. endangered? Why are our communities so large parts of Ohio were stolen, nor that Who do you think they ultimately owe dysfunctional? he was successfully swift-boated by lies their loyalty to? Those who voted for them, Why are Black urban schools so under- about his tour in Vietnam; he lost because or those who gave them millions of dollars performing? his opponents launched a stealth campaign to run?  Why are Black and Latino homeowners against him branding him as an intellectu- Source: www.prisonradio.org the bulk of folks losing their homes to fore- al, an egghead with advanced degrees who April 5, 2008 closures? even spoke French! Why are so many of our lives nightmares Americans, especially in this age of anti- of survival in the midst of plenty? intellectualism, aren’t comfortable with SYMBOL VERSUS How is it that more Black politicians ulti- eggheads. So, they comfortably ‘elected’ a mately means less Black political power? blockhead. SUBSTANCE It’s because black-faced politicians can Therein lies the current contrast between By Mumia Abu-Jamal best advance the aims of white economic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clin- ur national politics is largely the supremacy. For they are but employees ton–not race nor gender–but popularity. stuff of illusion. of white wealth, who do the duty of those At bottom, our politics is 95 percent OIt is the stuff of spin. It is the who can afford them. That great French beauty contest. manipulation of images to pluck the observer of American politics, Alexis de On issues, the two are almost insepa- heartstrings, or to stoke the furnaces of Tocqueville, aptly noted, “Than politics, rable. emotion. the American citizen knows no higher pro- And truth be told (despite right wing pro- Any emotion will do: love, hate, fear, all fession–for it is the most lucrative.” paganda to the contrary) neither are actu- are but instruments upon which politicians Black politicians confuse us with their ally liberals; both are neo liberals, who are, will play to move people to the polls, to presence–not their power. at heart, globalists of the NAFTA type. get them either to vote for them, or against For power is the ability to make change Neither wants to repeal NAFTA–they their opponents. in the conditions of people’s lives (for the want to “re-negotiate” it (not really sur- What all of this really means in the day- better), to represent their interests, and to prising considering that both are also law- to-day lives of many of the voters, is quite gain resources for the betterment of Black yers.). little, for politicians don’t really care about people and their communities. They are vying for who will become what voters want; they care about those Presence is merely being there, being Chief Manager of the Empire, after the who can afford them–those who pay them there in the place of a white politician, do- Bush wrecking crew is done. well for their services. ing essentially nothing differently.  Neither are anti-imperialists–they just In essence, politics is a business, and vot- Source: www.prisonradio.org want better, smarter management of it; em- ers are merely bare necessities. April 12, 2008 NUMBER 31 15 WRITINGS FROM INSIDE AND OUT In this section we hear from prisoners in high security institutions across the United States about the challenges and conditions they are facing. You can also read about this country’s incarceration binge in the article “American Gulag,” Last but not least, you can read about the long history of disenfranchising felons and the prospect of their enfranchisement in the piece by Erika Wood. —Leslie DiBenedetto, Co-editor THE Z UNIT: IT’S A ZINGER! By Jason A. Wilcox out of our cells, so we try not to miss it. blanket coated in pepper spray and he’s hard-core yard calls for a hard-core Of course, we have to undergo a butt na- been trying to exchange it for a clean one hole, and that’s what High Desert ked visual cavity search, both going there for six weeks and counting. Over half of A State Prison (HDSP) provides. “Z and coming back, but it’s worth it just to CDCR convicts have Hepatitis C, but the unit” is as stark as they come. It is one of get out of our cells. Unlike most Ad Segs, bulls refuse to give us Ajax or disinfectant those new stand-alone Ad Segs that are all they are pretty consistent in giving us our to clean our cells and toilets with. When we the rage in 180s [prison design] today. The cage time. complained, they decided to express their cells are cramped and spartan, without even The cage itself is barren, except for a lack of concern for our lives by instituting a desk, mirror, or outside window to look toilet/sink combo in one corner. Unlike a joke: once a week they come by and offer out. It is hard to tell what time it is, or one in some states, there are no board games us a one ounce shot of windex, telling us to day from the other. The monotony is dead- or exercise equipment available to us. We clean our cells with that. No other means ening. After the courts ruled that CDCR can’t even get a view of our surroundings are provided to clean our living quarters, in could no longer weld us into our cells, they because 10 ft. from our cages there is a clear violation of CR, Title 15, Sec. 3060. were forced to come up with a new twist. fence with green netting, designed solely to Older cons used to advise me to “drink Now they not only lock our doors and tray block our view. (Or is it to block the out- a lot of water and walk slow,” but the wa- slots, they secure them with two padlocks, side world from seeing us?) They forbid us ter out of the tap has excessive amounts of one on the tray slot and one holding the from wearing our thermals out there after arsenic in it, so what should we do? The door closed. The beds are Pelican Bay- March 31st, no matter how deep the snow water also has particles fl oating in it. The style concrete bunks, with no pillows, and is. The cages are totally exposed to the ele- overpaid babysitters claim they’ll have the they have two 10” x 24” cubby holes in the ments, so we get sunburned in the summer problem fi xed “any decade now.” We are base of the bottom bunk to store our mea- and frozen in the winter. The only good part forced to choose between being dehydrated ger possessions. is a piece of aluminum that covers a third of and drinking poison. Despite the Mar. 12, 2007 memo from the enclosed top to the cage. It casts a weak The food is cold when it’s served to us, the director of Adult Institutions ordering shadow we can take turns standing under, and hairnets/gloves are not used. They used them to do so, Z Unit staff openly brag that to avoid the unrelenting desert sun. No to unwrap everything in our lunches, allow they’ll never allow us to have our TVs, ra- guards are posted while we are out there, it to spoil, and then serve it to us, but after dios, or personal property. It took me over so you’d better be sure to have your heat many, many cases of food poisoning, they four months just to get my address book, strokes or exercise-induced cardiac arrests now leave everything in its original wrap- shower shoes and dictionary out of prop- in your cell, where medical help is theoreti- per, except for popping a hole in our bread erty and they refused to issue me the rest. cally available. bags, so that it’ll go stale on us. Regard- Not content to deprive us of entertain- Whether that medical help is any bet- ing vegetables, we are given dirty carrots ment from TVs and radios, they also limit ter inside the cell is open for debate. John and the stems from broccoli plants. No one us to one book, magazine and newspaper. Clark, RN, is entrusted with looking after knows what they do with the green, leafy Any excess reading material is stored in our medical needs. He fails in that duty. broccoli tops. They either throw them away our lockers, which are at the front of our He’d rather spend all of his time leading or feed them to livestock. Either way, we tiers, near the showers, where we can never bull sessions with the guards, than doing don’t get ‘em. We don’t know why we see them, (or observe what’s being done to his job, even if that means allowing prison- never get corn, peas or other nutritious veg- them). We must beg, wheedle, cajole, coax ers to die from lack of medical care. Why gies. and plead with staff for the “privilege” of should he care? He gets paid the same, no The law library is woefully inadequate. exchanging a book we’ve already read for matter how he acts. He refuses to do rounds, Books that we need are either missing, or one of the newer ones from our storage or to triage patients. He won’t pick up sick so badly damaged as to be unusable. To locker. It can take weeks or months to fi nd call slips, and we have to fi le appeals to get prevent us from working on writs in our a cop who is willing to walk his fat butt our meds refi lled or to see a doctor. That cells, they’ve passed an underground rule down the tier and do an exchange for us. can take months. X-rays take at least an ad- that prevents us from buying manila enve- The rest of the turkeys just scowl and snarl, ditional month, by which time any broken lopes. We can’t buy them at canteen, nor “Not right now.” bones will have set wrongly, ensuring us a can we buy them and take them back to our Recreation consists of being placed in future full of pain and suffering. cells from the law library. I’ve appealed 8’ x 15’ chain link dog cages, one cell per As of this writing, it has been four weeks this new rule, and hope to win it, since it’s cage, three times a week, for three or four since we’ve been issued clean sheets. All so obviously illegal. As for reading books, hours a shot. It’s the only time (except for of our other laundry is full of holes, or way they have a small cart full of books that three showers a week) that we get to come too small to wear. My cellie was given a they’ve confi scated from us convicts, and 16 PRISON FOCUS they bring it down the tier every couple of weeks. It’s happened twice in the last GOOD FOOD = 602 RULING month and a half. We are allowed to check GOOD BEHAVIOR DISMISSES out one book at a time, unless we are out of By Roger Hummel the cell for some reason. FOOD QUALITY mprisoned souls have long complained Staff commonly throws away our 602s that prison food is tasteless, unappetiz- [complaint forms]. The appeals coordina- CONCERNS ing, and nutritionally barren. Not only is tor searches for any pretext, no matter how I This piece is a summary of a claim sent to the quality of food criticized by the prison- bogus or false, to reject our appeals. When the courts this late spring. ers but the miniscule servings often border I 602ed her for refusing to process our ap- obert Luca asked for a writ from on starvation rations. Anecdotal evidence peals, she refused to process it. Talk about the Superior Court of California now suggests that poorly-fed prisoners are adding insult to injury; she claims that ap- Rrelating to several aspects for food more unruly than those who are well fed. peals coordinators are immune from 602s, service. The claims include: nutritionally For example, recent studies in Europe which is a blatant lie. I sent her sarcastic inadequate food; inconsistently portioned have cast new light on the relationship be- and false response to the Sacramento Chief food; and is served in an unsanitary pro- tween prison food and prisoner behavior. of Inmate Appeals, but he threw it away. cess, particularly with respect to hot meals In 2002, Natural Justice, a British charity The “code of silence” is alive and well in that were not served hot enough (to possi- outfi t, ran a 9-month study of 231 British CDCR! bly minimize the growth of bacteria. Ad- prisoners. These prisoners received daily To sum it all up, this is a miserable place, ministrative complaints (602s) on this issue rations of vitamins, minerals, and essential made more so by uncaring, sadistic guards. did not result in improvements. fatty acids such as omega-3s while a con- CDCR claims HDSP is where they house The court’s response concluded there trol group of prisoners received placebos. the so-called “worst of the worst” mainline was no evidence that the prisoner was de- During the study, the number of disciplin- (general population) population (except for prived of “minimal civilized measures of ary offenses committed by each prisoner the “B” facility here, which they recently life’s necessities” and there was no indif- was documented. Those who received the made SNY, aka “protective custody.” Be- ference to inmate health and welfare. The extra nutrients committed an average of 26 cause of our perceived reputations, HDSP court’s ruling stated “the circular logic that percent fewer violations than those who re- doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to ‘hot means not cold’ (and therefore ‘cold ceived the placebos. More importantly, the maltreating us. If you are up for transfer means not hot’) is unacceptable.” It also de- number of violent offenses was 37 percent to HDSP, you have my condolences. You manded the “respondent should determine lower for the properly nourished prisoners. won’t like “High Desert Drama!” How bad [the temperature range that is acceptable to The results of the study were published in is life here in Z Unit? It is so horrible that most consumers] and establish a prepara- 2002 in the British Journal of Psychiatry. I actually look forward to going to Pelican tion/serving procedure to assure a reason- Two years later, a study in the Nether- Bay or Corcoran SHUs, as that will be an able level of compliance…. The court or- lands yielded similar conclusions. The improvement over this place, a sort of va- ders respondent to do so and fi le serve the number of disciplinary offenses among cation. Think about that for awhile. proposed procedure within 90 days of ser- the well-nourished prisoners fell to almost If you are a lawyer or social activist, vice of the ruling.” half. please know that we can use some outside Robert Luca plans fi le his appeal on the Today, Dr. John Stein, a professor of help. Contact CPF via snail mail, phone or basis of discovery, as his attorney never neuroscience at Oxford University in Eng- email and we will try to assist.  fi led a motion to compel, when he said that land, is about to embark on a similar study he would. TO ALL PRISONERS: A NOTE ON in three British prisons. Stein will recruit Luca also reports that the judge basically WRITING TO CPF 1,000 prisoners to test his theory that good took their word for it, even with two c/o’s For ease and effi ciency, please nutrition leads to good behavior. Half of testifying mostly on Luca’s behalf. The follow these guidelines when writing the prisoners will receive extra nutrients judge even “said the 602 process does not to CPF: while the others will receive a placebo in a work.”  • Write your complete name, ad- double blind-study. dress, prison number and date No one is suggesting that proper nutrition Prisoner SELL YOUR ART on the letter is the only factor that governs a prisoner’s behavior. It is, however, increasingly clear Artists! ON THE WEB • Print legibly and be brief that a nutritionally inferior diet can make Prisoner-created art behavior worse. You can sell: and crafts, except any  Drawings • Indicate on the envelope who In prisons closer to home, New York City  Paintings writings, sold over the the letter is for (i.e., Newsletter, Corrections Commissioner Martin Horn  Paños Internet. Send only etc.)  Music copies, no originals! announced in February that inmates will no  Crafts longer have access to butter, whole milk, Offer void where • Write and underline if an action Prison Art Project candy, white bread, or sweetened drinks. prohibited by prison is requested (Although this does P.O. Box 69586 Horn, whose medical credentials were not rules. Send a SASE Seattle, WA 98168-9586 for a free brochure. not guarantee a response disclosed, said with fewer prisoners “hav- http://www.prisonart.org Prison Art is a not- [email protected] • Do not send unsolicited legal ing a stroke or going into diabetic shock,” for-profit service. Call: 206 -271 -5003 or medical documents it will save taxpayers money. 

NUMBER 31 17 no-contact visits at least allowed us to sit to point out that the purpose of democratic SOUL across from one another with a glass wall government is to promote the general wel- CONFINEMENT IN separating the visitors. Phones allowed fare, and to use taxpayer’s money for all for clear communication. Now we can the people’s sake. Whether public money is INDIANA only see one family member at a time on bailing out the shareholders of Fannie Mae By Khalfani Khaldun a video computer screen. It cuts the view or hiring mercenaries in Iraq or lining the cross the U.S., prisons within pris- at the heads and shoulders. Only ten visitor pockets of the Corrections Corporation of on are proliferating. These units booths are available on this entire unit that America, it is an abuse of the public trust. Aused for solitary confi nement go totals 227 prisoners. If ten families show Of course we have to remember, these by bland and bureaucratic names like Secu- up all at once, and then fi ve more show up are often the policies of bureaucrats who rity Housing Units, Closed Custody, Man- there will be no room to facilitate them. claim to hate government and “privatize” agement Control Units, or Special Confi ne- Visits will be cut short. We were never af- its functions whenever possible. Let’s see ment Units. Prison offi cials seem to feel forded the opportunity of the due process what this has gotten us. they need a type of second sentencing at right to challenge these visits. No one at A for-profi t prison system sees medical their disposal, one without the due process this facility issued a memorandum, direc- care, retraining and rehabilitation as over- strings of state and federal law. tive or policy mandating the approval to head and cuts corners whenever possible. Prisons and control units are also a implement them. In essence, these prison- The corporate prison industry requires as warden’s dream solution for neutralizing crats just went ahead and did it, and said: many customers as possible. Turning felons convicts who have shown leadership po- “Damn the consequences.” back into citizens is already very diffi cult. tential, intelligence, legal expertise, integ- Since the visits began, prisoners have Pilot programs exist that have dramatically rity, independent thought, ethnic pride, or fi led several complaints that the screen is cut recidivism, but for-profi t institutions allegiance to a higher power. The threat of not clear. They do not allow our families have vested interests in not trying them. being placed in these control units also pro- to see us clearly – the camera causes us to California spends $49,000 per prisoner per duces a chilling effect, pressuring individu- look down at the computer screen, and our year. Of this, less than $700 goes for edu- als to remain unaffi liated, extremely pas- loved ones can only view the top of our cation, under $300 for vocational training. sive, and vulnerable. SHUs pose special head. This is absolutely wrong, cruel, and The prison library gets $23. dangers to prisoners’ souls as well as their dehumanizing.  A prison industry has a vested interest bodies, minds, and relationships to the out- in jailing as many people — and keeping side world and our First Amendment rights them jailed — for as long as possible. Con- and freedoms of expression, association, PRISONERS OF sequently, the industry lobbies state and and religion. federal government aggressively to crimi- Here in Carlisle, Indiana, the Wabash THE PRISON nalize as many activities as possible and Valley correctional facility also houses the maximize sentences. These efforts fall on Special Confi nement Unit (SCU). This is INDUSTRY fertile soil with legislators eager to appear a 23-hour-a-day lockdown, no contact fa- Cape Cod Times, 08-01-2008 tough on crime, and happy to collect cam- cility. The only contact we have is when merica has become the most im- paign contributions when they vote accord- we’re being placed in restraints and es- prisoned nation on Earth. Per capi- ingly. corted by several pigs holding a dog leash Ata, more Americans are in jail than Over half our inmates in federal peniten- hooked onto the handcuffs. We are also are Cubans, Iranians, or Chinese. We have tiaries are there on drug charges, often for not allowed any contact with our fam- more young black men in prison than in simple possession. Neither rapists nor mur- ily, children, supporters and friends. The college. Prisons are the most rapidly-grow- derers face a systematic matrix of manda- SCU visits are behind a thick glass window ing segment of American government. tory sentencing and denial of scholarships and communication is through a two-way In 1970, our entire system held under or other forms of public assistance as do telephone. These visits have long placed 200,000 inmates. Include local jails and we drug offenders. At some point the costs, undue hardships on prisoners and our fami- now incarcerate 2.3 million Americans. Al- both monetary and human, of breaking lies. These visits are for only one hour, and most one-quarter of the world’s prisoners up families and using increasingly scarce only extended to families who come from are Americans. public money should suggest we’d do bet- as far as Chicago or Gary, Indiana. To be Some weeks ago in this space, we looked ter to learn from our Canadian and Euro- deprived of physical contact with our fam- at the dangers of substituting contractors pean friends: for most offenders, especially ily members is tantamount to unwarranted for enlisted military personnel. We have nonviolent ones, drug dependency is bet- punishment placed upon our loved ones. a similar problem with our prisons. In the ter understood as a medical problem than On November 26, 2007, prisoncrats name of public safety and effi ciency, we’ve a criminal one. In America, it has become in charge of the SCU engaged in another been persuaded to turn many of our pris- profi table to think otherwise. act of repression. They instituted yet an- ons over to private contractors who build, A ballooning prison industry becomes other visitation change that further isolates staff and operate prisons and collect a fee parasitic, devouring public resources need- us from our families and loved ones. For per prisoner, per day. In the process, we’ve ed for education and infrastructure. Florida, some strange reason, all SCU visits are now fi nanced a powerful corporate lobby whose according to TIME magazine, is a perfect on a status called “video screen monitor- primary interest is profi ts, not public ser- example of a foundering public education ing.” This procedure has now taken away vice. system beaten out by the prison lobby in our ability to actually see one another. The It is not an attack on private enterprise its scramble for funds. State after state is

18 PRISON FOCUS seeing its prison industry consuming more when the same foot ointment, cold meds, understand their deep roots in the troubled than its share of public money. or antacid tabs are all sold to gen-popula- history of American race relations. In the As with the overuse of corporate contrac- tion prisoners for less than $3.25 each at late 1800s these laws spread as part of a tors in Iraq, we see the chickens of privati- the commissary. larger backlash against the adoption of the zation coming home to roost. We’ve been Related, long-term confi nement prison- Reconstruction Amendments—the Thir- told that private enterprise can do virtually ers are not permitted to have prison work teenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amend- everything more cheaply and effi ciently assignments to help them with money for ments of the U.S. Constitution—which than government. Once again we’re learn- basic needs like hygiene/healthcare items. ended slavery, granted equal citizenship to ing this is not true. What successful busi- So for those who are not blessed to receive freed slaves, and prohibited racial discrimi- nesses do effi ciently is make money by cut- fi nancial support from loved ones, debt to nation in voting. ting costs and expanding markets. When the prison health services can accumulate very Over time, Southern Democrats sought object is public service, every dollar taken quickly. Most grievances to the administra- to solidify their hold on the region by out for profi t, management and sharehold- tion about this unwritten policy have gone modifying voting laws in ways that would ers is a dollar not available to purchase the unanswered and for the few grievances exclude African-Americans from the polls. services the taxpayer paid for. While this where a response was given, they were Despite their newfound eligibility to vote, is in the interest of corporate investors, it vague open-ended form statements. many freed slaves remained effectively does not promote the general good. This is just one of the dozens of oppres- disenfranchised. (Violence and intimida- Bills keep coming due that we’re in- sive acts that take place daily in the SCI- tion were rampant.) The legal barriers em- creasingly unable to pay. Meanwhile, those Greene SuperMax facility long-term soli- ployed—including literacy tests, residency who’ve enriched themselves at our expense tary confi nement unit.  requirements, grandfather clauses, and poll all these years will be keeping every penny, taxes—while race-neutral on their face, even as the rest of us tighten our belts.  were intentional barriers to African-Ameri- WHAT IF 5.3 can voting. Lawrence Brown of Hyannis teaches Felony disenfranchisement laws were humanities at Cape Cod Academy in Os- MILLION MORE also key deterrent to the African American terville. His column appears every Friday. AMERICANS vote. Reach him at 508-771-5096. Between 1865 and 1900, 18 states ad- COULD VOTE? opted laws restricting the voting rights of criminal offenders. By 1900, 38 states had By Erika Wood some type of felon voting restriction, most PA-DOC GOUGING cross the country there are 5.3 mil- of which disenfranchised convicted felons lion Americans who are denied the until they received a pardon. At the same LONG-TERM right to vote because of a felony A time, states expanded the criminal codes conviction in their past. Nearly 4 million PRISONERS to punish offenses including vagrancy, of these people are not in prison; they live, By Sadot Williams petty larceny, miscegenation, bigamy, and work, pay taxes, and raise families in our he administration at SCI-Greene, the receiving stolen goods. Aggressive arrest communities, but remain disenfranchised Super Max facility in southwestern and conviction efforts followed, moti- for years, often for decades, and sometimes Pennsylvania, is keeping its 500- vated by the practice of “convict leasing,” T for life. plus bed long-term solitary confi nement whereby former slaves were convicted of States vary widely on when they restore (isolation) unit, which sits outside of the crimes and then leased out to work the very voting rights to former prisoners. Maine main gen-population prison, fi lled to maxi- plantations and factories from which they and Vermont do not disenfranchise people mum capacity with well over 90 percent had ostensibly been freed. Thus targeted with convictions; even prisoners may vote African Americans and Hispanic prison- criminalization and felony disenfranchise- there. Thirteen states and the District of ers for fi nancial gains in a deal worked out ment combined to produce both practical Columbia disenfranchise people only while with Prison Health Services—the priva- re-enslavement and the legal loss of voting they are incarcerated; fi ve states disenfran- tized healthcare provider for the PS-DOC rights, usually for life, which effectively chise those who are incarcerated or on pa- based out of Brentwood, Tennessee. suppressed the political power of African role, but allow people on probation to vote; Prisoners, locked down in the long-term Americans for decades. 20 states disenfranchise people in prison, confi nement unit, are forced to pay high The disproportionate impact of felony on parole, and on probation; and 10 states sick call fees for over the counter meds that disenfranchisement laws on people of color permanently disenfranchise some catego- are sold to gen-population prisoners at com- continues to this day. Nationwide, 13 per- ries of people who have completed their missary for a fraction of the cost of going to cent of African-American men have lost correctional supervision. Kentucky and sick call. Under PA-DOC policy, prisoners the right to vote, a rate that is seven times Virginia are the last two remaining states in long-term confi nement are permitted to the national average. In eight states, more that permanently disenfranchise all people keep their non-narcotic meds prescriptions than 15 percent of African-Americans can- with felony convictions, unless they apply in their cell to self-medicate. However, not vote due to a felony conviction, and for and receive individual, discretionary prisoners in long-term confi nement in need four of those states—Arizona, Iowa, Ken- clemency from the governor. of cold meds, antacid tabs or food ointment tucky, and Nebraska—disenfranchise more To fully appreciate how these laws com- they must fi rst pay $5.00 to be seen at sick than 20 percent of their African-American promise our democracy, it is important to call and then another $5.00 for the meds, voting-age population.

NUMBER 31 19 These statistics mirror stark racial dis- laws work against the successful reentry John Conyers will soon introduce the De- parities in the criminal justice system. A re- of offenders.” Many realize that, in terms mocracy Restoration Act, a bill that seeks cent study by the Pew Center on the States of public safety, bringing people into the to restore voting rights in federal elections revealed that 1 in 100 Americans is now political process makes them stakehold- to all Americans who have been released behind bars. That fi gure is startling enough, ers, helping to steer former offenders away from prison and are living in the communi- but the study also reports that 1 in 9 Afri- from future crimes. As one Kentucky pros- ty. In February, Senator Feingold, joined by can-American men between the ages of 20 ecutor wrote, “Voting shows a commitment former republican congressman and Bush I and 34 is in prison. to the future of the community.” Branding cabinet member, Jack Kemp, wrote, “once Felony disenfranchisement laws do not people as political outsiders by barring the criminal justice system has determined only impact those who lose their voting them from the polls disrupts reentry into that [people] are ready to return to the com- rights. Entire communities lose their politi- the community and does not do anything to munity, they should receive the rights and cal capital when their citizens cannot vote. keep people from re-offending. There is ab- responsibilities that come with that status, Denying the vote to one person has a ripple solutely no credible evidence showing that and should not continue to be relegated to effect, dramatically decreasing the political continuing to disenfranchise people after second-class citizenship.” power of urban and minority communities. release from prison serves any legitimate The energy and optimism spreading Throughout the country, minority com- law enforcement purpose. Disenfranchise- across our country this election season is munities have lost political infl uence ment has nothing to do with being “tough palpable. But our democracy stands for thanks to felony disenfranchisement laws. on crime.” nothing if not the fundamental tenet that In the last 25 years, as incarceration rates Since 1997, 16 states have reformed their each citizen is entitled to one vote, and each skyrocketed and African-Americans were laws to expand the franchise or ease voting vote counts the same regardless of who sent to prison at a rate seven times that of rights restoration procedures. Recent re- casts it. The promise of our democracy will whites, the political power of minority com- forms include an executive order signed by never be realized if 4 million Americans re- munities has been decimated. It’s a simple then-Governor Tom Vilsack in Iowa which main disenfranchised. It is time to end this equation: communities with high rates of restored voting rights to 80,000 Iowa citi- last blanket barrier to the ballot box.  people with felony convictions have fewer zens on Independence Day, 2005. On Elec- Erika Wood is deputy director of the votes to cast. Consequently, all residents of tion Day 2006, Rhode Island voters were Democracy Program at the Brennan these communities, not just those with con- the fi rst in the country to approve a state Center for Justice at NYU School of Law victions, lose their political infl uence. constitutional amendment authorizing auto- where she directs the Right to Vote project. What’s more, even when people with matic restoration of voting rights to people Her most recent publication is “Restoring felony convictions are eligible to vote, they as soon as they are released from prison. the Right to Vote.” are often de facto disenfranchised due to The Rhode Island Department of Correc- Source: AlterNet, http://www.alternet. bureaucratic barriers. In 2003, Alabama tions became a voter registration agency, org/story/82457/ could not process more than 80 percent of and now every individual is handed a voter applications within statutory time limits, registration form on the day they leave and completely failed to respond to dozens prison. In April 2007, Florida Governor of applications. And in New York, Brennan Charlie Crist issued new clemency rules Center surveys have repeatedly uncovered ending that state’s policy of permanent dis- widespread confusion and misinformation enfranchisement for all felony offenders. among elections offi cials. In 2005, one Also in April 2007, Maryland Governor third of local election boards mistakenly Martin O’Malley signed a law streamlining advised that people could not vote while on the state’s complicated restoration system probation, and many illegally required un- by automatically restoring voting rights necessary documentation before allowing upon completion of sentence. people to register. This law also eliminated the requirement Fortunately, there are signs of progress. that people in Maryland pay off any court- Advocates, policy-makers, and some un- imposed fees and fi nes before being able to usual allies have made great strides towards register to vote. restoring voting rights, and have built sig- And just last month, Kentucky Gov. nifi cant national momentum towards build- Steve Beshear eliminated some of the bur- Boxes...... Continued from page 14 ing a more just and inclusive democracy. densome requirements his predecessor im- “Since the abuses at Abu Ghraib, the US Critics of voting restoration argue that posed on people trying to get their voting has improved conditions for the 20,000 de- disenfranchisement is an appropriate pun- rights restored. People with felony convic- tainees it holds,” said Starr. ishment for breaking the law. But in fact, tions have been disenfranchised for life in And while the military insists the prison- many in law enforcement have come to be- Kentucky and can only regain their right to ers held in ‘segregation boxes’ are given lieve that felony disenfranchisement laws vote by receiving clemency from the gov- food, water and access to a toilet, “human do more harm than good. The American ernor. rights advocates warn that as long as the US Probation and Parole Association recently Still, millions of U.S. citizens continue to military puts people in these conditions, the released a resolution calling for restora- be denied the right to vote. This year, Con- day may come when a captured US soldier tion of voting rights upon completion of gress has decided to address the issue on a is held in a wooden crate somewhere in the prison, fi nding that “disenfranchisement national level. Sen. Russ Feingold and Rep. world,” said Starr. 

20 PRISON FOCUS Note: The views expressed in these comments are the opinions of the writer, and ED’S COMMENTS do not necessarily refl ect the views of California Prison Focus or its members. By Ed Mead efore I was a revolutionary I was Sheriff Hennessey said the criminal justice practices. While their little resolution is a jailhouse lawyer (in fact I’m the system is “disproportionately adversely af- nice, technically speaking they can’t really Bco-founder of Prison Legal News). fecting San Francisco’s African American keep ex-convicts from voting. U.S. Consti- If you too are interested in jailhouse law- community.” Gee, ya think? tution’s 15th Amendment Section 1, says yering or the law, I have a book for you. There are online bulletin boards called “The right of citizens of the United States Well, it is not out yet. It is being written by forums dealing with a variety of issues, in- to vote shall not be denied or abridged by Mumia Abu-Jamal and is tentatively called cluding forums for prisoner family mem- the United States or by any state on account Jailhouse Lawyers – Prisoner Defending bers and loved ones (in fact I even run a of race, color, or previous condition of ser- Prisoners vs. the USA. My good friend No- small forum at http://www.prisonart.org/ vitude.” You can’t get much simpler than elle Hanrahan of the Prison Radio Project fourms). I was in such a forum recently that. gave me a draft copy to look over. Oh yes, and the fi rst post I read was this one from a We should not only be pushing for the I do have a small chapter in the book called California woman: vote for those released from prison, which “From ‘Social Prisoner’ to Jailhouse Law- “It’s so bad how prisons are run, you is an easy victory, but for the right to vote yer, to Revolutionary: Ed Mead’s Journey.” know races not getting along, if you’re for those still behind bars. When prisoners Anyway, while reading the manuscript black you can’t come over here, if you’re have the vote in the county or town they I saw a couple of quotes about the law I a northerner Latin, you can’t walk over are incarcerated, constructive change (well, would like to share with you. (Actually, I’d here, if you’re white, you can’t sit over just reforms) will follow. Most of these like to share wide swaths of the book with here, if you are a sorreno, you can’t walk prisons are located in remote areas near you, but that would be wrong and besides I over here. It makes it so hard on us dur- small towns where their vote will count. do not have the space to do so here.) ing visits because sometimes when I vis- So there you sit, a literal slave of the In the book, Mumia examines the ques- it, and I’m in line waiting to be processed state (a status legitimized by the Thirteenth tion: “What is the law?” He cites the French small chit chat can begin with a person of Amendment), totally disenfranchised, kept Enlightenment thinker Rousseau as saying another race. When I get inside, my man in a state of continual dependency and ir- the “…law is an invention of the strong to may say, “don’t sit at that table, I can’t sit responsibility, in living conditions not fi t chain and rule the weak.” He also quotes with a sorreno/black/white/northerner”... for an animal, and confi ned at gun point Karl Marx from the Communist Manifesto He isn’t aware that the person’s wife and against your will. Yet California prisoners to the effect that the law is “the will of [one] I exchanged smiles in the parking lot. won’t be having that vote and things will class made into a law for all.” After citing a So I have to act like I have never seen not be changing for the better as long as liberal and a revolutionary, Mumia quotes a her before. There are also some of you they remain so foolishly divided. All they capitalist who writes the same thing. Adam who have your pictures on here that I see can focus on is that the guy in the next cell Smith, author of the 1776 The Wealth of when I go to see my man, but I dare not is of a different skin color or comes from a Nations, lectured on whom the law serves: smile or let you know I recognize you for different region. “Laws and governments may be con- fear that our men don’t get along. What a The times they are a changing – end- sidered in this and indeed in every case world we live in.....” less war, the gutting of habeas corpus, tax as a combination of the rich to oppress Because this was a large forum board breaks for the rich, high gas prices, high the poor, and preserve to themselves the there were lots of posts on this subject. food prices, incompetent disaster relief, inequality of the goods which would oth- Family members and loved ones of pris- home foreclosures, lack of jobs, a loss of erwise be soon destroyed by the attacks oners from all over the country chimed in faith in the system and much more. Health of the poor, who if not hindered by the on the discussion. One after another, from care is a joke for poor people and even life government would soon reduce the oth- state after state, said it was not that way at expectancy in the U.S. has dropped—we ers to an equality with themselves….” the facility where their loved ones were are now down to 42nd in the world. Wanna Yes, capitalist law is to prevent equality. confi ned. “It’s not that way here in New know what’s next for the economy? Look For those of you suffering from the illusion York,” one would say. And another would at California, the world’s seventh largest that the law is anything other than an instru- add “not here in Kentucky either.” Read- economy: consumer spending down, un- ment of class rule, there you have it—from ing through all the posts it appeared that employment up, and municipalities going the horse’s mouth. only California visitors were subjected to bust. It’s gonna get much worse for pris- Here’s an item I came across today. Ac- this level of artifi cial division (not by the oners—more crowding and less money cording to a May 5th statement issued by San state, mind you, but by the prisoners them- for things like food. All of this will soon Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey, 60 selves!). combine to create a climate for progres- percent of all prisoners in his jail are Afri- There was another thread saying that The sive change. You on the inside have a year can American, and 67 percent of the female Association of Paroling Authorities Inter- or two to prepare for the struggle that will prisoners are black. Yet because housing national recently voted to approve a reso- bring about this change. Waste time and prices in that city have steadily increased, lution to restore voting rights to individu- what little you have now will be looked the black population has been decreasing. als after release from prison. The APAI is back on as the good old days. Only 6.7 percent of San Francisco’s pop- an international membership organization Change? Oh yeah, Barack Obama prom- ulation is black, while the percentage of composed of criminal justice professionals ises change (they all do). A section of the blacks in the U.S. is just under 14 percent. dedicated to maintaining responsible parole white ruling class wants to put a black face

NUMBER 31 21 on the government that rules for them, you tional rights. ernments take immediate steps to stop the know, like South Africa did with Nelson The majority did not choose to argue domestic physical and mental abuses that Mandela (now they have white capitalism that the facts as set out by the magistrate contravene international anti-torture law. with a black face selling weapons materials and Judge Welch weren’t correct; they just “Examples of torture in the U.S. have been to Israel). It makes no real difference who’s decided that these uncontradicted facts did documented by U.S. organizations and ver- elected president, the military-industrial not warrant a new trial, without giving a ifi ed by the U.N. for more than a decade,” complex, the big bankers and the transna- reason for their decision. Thus they sanc- says Network Executive Director Ajamu tional corporations are the ones that really tioned the long established pattern in the Baraka. “It is high time for these practices rule. They are not leaving power regardless country of using promises to snitches to to be abolished.” of who wins the election. The most you as a obtain convictions regardless of the truth. Though most people associate torture citizen can hope for is a kinder, gentler U.S. Outside the U.S. Department of Justice fac- with waterboarding, sleep deprivation and imperialism (as promised to us by George ing the R.F. Kennedy Courtyard is carved other interrogation techniques, the actual Bush Senior). Elections are merely expen- the statement “When Justice is done in the defi nition goes well beyond that narrow sive reality shows we watch on corporate U.S. Courts, America wins.” America lost scope to include “cruel, inhuman or de- television. But hey, I’m not telling you any- today. grading treatment or punishment.” Various thing you didn’t already know.  However, Herman Wallace and Albert international agreements and covenants Woodfox, will not quit seeking Justice. that have been ratifi ed by the U.S. use this They are innocent and those who have language, including the universal Declara- ANGOLA 3 UPDATE pledged to come to their aid will not fail tion of Human Rights and the U.N. Con- in their mission. We will continue appeal- vention Against Torture, which came into he effort to free the Angola 3 has ing their verdicts, continue helping the force on June 26, 1987. picked up steam since fall of 2007. murdered guard’s widow fi nd the truth, and After the decimating loss of key T continue to speak out against a justice sys- supporter, Anita Roddick in September of tem that places old men who are not a threat last year, the Coalition to Free The Angola to society in isolation, uses snitches and in- Three has accelerated its efforts to free Al- formants to obtain convictions regardless bert Woodfox and Herman Wallace of the of the truth, and incarcerates individuals Angola 3—the two* remaining people im- whose political and religious beliefs do not prisoned. On March 24thof this year, after conform to those in power. 35 years, 11 months and 7 days in solitary We call on all political, religious and confi nement, they were moved to a special moral authorities in this country to work dorm where they are now able to spend for their release. More importantly we call time outside and are free to walk around a on every citizen in this country to join this dorm without shackles. This sudden move effort. As long as Herman and Albert are in occurred a scant three days after Rep. John prison we are not free.  Conyers visited Angola Prison to meet with *The third of the Angola Three, Robert Herman and Albert. In spite of a strong and King Wilkerson, was exonerated by the clear display of public support, the First State of Louisiana in February 2001 and Circuit Court in Louisiana turned down subsequently released. Herman’s most recent post-conviction appeal. By Michael Smith The Coalition issued the following state- Under that broader defi nition, several ment in response to the First Circuit’s rul- BEYOND ABU common practices in the U.S. deserve closing: GHRAIB & GITMO: er scrutiny, for example, forced psychiatric Louisiana Justice turned a blind eye to its drugging is being done in domestic jails own injustice. Despite asking that evidence STOP TORTURE IN and prisons, psychiatric institutions, wards be taken in the case of state of Louisiana of general hospitals, juvenile detention fa- v. Herman Wallace they ignored the magis- THE U.S. cilities and residences, nursing homes, as trate’s fi ndings that Herman was convicted une 26 marked the United Nations well as by outpatient commitment orders on the basis of favors being offered to the International Day in Support of Vic- and mental health courts, to name a few. state’s witnesses for their testimony. The tims of Torture. The spotlight has J Forced electroshock is also on the rise, decision was 2 -1 denying relief. The ma- been shining for months on U.S. govern- alarmingly, including for behavior con- jority failed to give any reason for their de- ment torture of prisoners at the Abu Ghraib trol. “These repressive measures are mis- cision, while Judge Welch had the courage and Guantanamo Bay detention facilities, labeled as help and healing -- unimaginably to say: “There was a reasonable likelihood and these abuses were a major focus of at- so. Whether they are considered torture or that the verdict would have different had tention on June 26. But the U.S. Human cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, the jury had been aware of the promise and Rights Network and its 255 member orga- they constitute severe forms of violence favors to the state’s witness.” He acknowl- nizations have long argued that torture does condoned and authorized by the state and edged that the state’s failure to disclose this not begin and end outside U.S. borders, and information violated Herman’s constitu- we urge that local, state and federal gov- Continued on page 31

22 PRISON FOCUS solamente. Realities that trap us in differ- be you—to heal our ills, pay our bills, kill HISTORY TRAIN ent belief systems. Believe what you will bill, rob will and chill on the hill. Unopened By Bato believe. Having only what we know. Sens- minds that conceal our limited and pitiful The History Train, ever movin’, ever ing danger, excitement, seeking happiness. thoughts. The potential for knowledge yet weary heartbeats poundin’ on tracks Self pity and despair. Animosity and hate. unexplored. Relying instead upon echo’s of soundin’, choo choo, our lives, ever rol- Sensing truth, and falsity. Beguiled and a fabricated history, ready-made, and suit- lin’ with the journey of one’s travels and blinded. Bought and sold. The disharmony ed to those who die believing. History for travails, until the miles run out, surely the of argument, and self estrangement. We all mass acceptance’s sake, and into a unifi ed miles run out for all passengers on-board. want to be right. Outcast outlaw. Indeci- belief system wherein we reside. When not The sum of one’s wayward history in rela- sion, from not knowing. The chaos of life. in the right…you’re in the wrong. You’re tion to everything else… passed on the Or the stillness of solitary thought. Find the plain wrong even if right. way. Your personal ride. Where you got power of mind to suspend time, and take Captivity: where all human expression on, where you get off. The last stop. The fl ight. Make self discoveries. Learn to leap is distorted and suppressed. From such train continuing on… hasta, hasta. In over mental blocks and reveal the shafts depths, prisoners come to believe what sum: What didja see?; What didja hear?; of penetrating light, trying to get in. Ergo is, and what is not so. What passes for the What didja know? Or was it all just stop enlightment. Tells us what is. Leads us to truth without the benefi t of light. Without and go…. por la vida? truth. I AM … as I thought to think. information. Without food for the brain’s HISTORY Speaks to those that listen. HISTORY as a test. History moved on. health and growth. Listen and hear beyond blind isolation, and Personal inertia remained our only solitary HISTORY whose path we tread as fel- what the indolent mind confi nes. Heart- companion, our greatest nemesis. Phan- low wayfarers, citizens, outsiders and social beats in sync, with the universe of unlim- tom thoughts that chain and hold us fast, is transgressors. Human beings with unfortu- ited worlds and possibilities. What is both our immobility and our solitary. What did nate, but designated parts to play within a known and unknown. We can feel our way we think to think? Never needing to reach history not of our making, nor choosing. thru portals of glimpsed light, the fl icker out… Slaves, serfs, prisoners, the indentured and and static glitter of the guiding principle HISTORY Speaks to those in dire need, downtrodden. Body and soul, taken away. of I AM. Sight unseen. Surely, one can those in challenging and desperate circum- Our sorry truths, harboring within the con- know what IS. Have and obtain knowl- stances. Those whose worldly burdens are fi nes of self-deception, the mass condition- edge. Reach a center of clarity, a rigorous- weighty and unjust—whose lives have ing of ill-conceived thoughts, we accept in ly gained and strived for plateau of inner ended before starting. absence of light of truth. What is truth? sight, in an otherwise world full of illusion History speaks in tongues, Old school, HISTORY speaks to those in search of and self deception. Enlarging one’s mind new school, no school, poor school. Our semblances of truth and authenticity who thru exploration, overcoming debilitating individual character and personality, leave listen and hear. thoughts in debilitating environs—that’s reason behind i.e. all we wanted was the This essay is Essay dedicated to Bob the way. History that returns to refl ect upon train ride … at full speed. We are who we Carrow: Camarada & Champion of the us helps us connect with self. Good and are, or made to be as we are. The social Oppressed: Legal Scholar and hombre of bad intent, is shaped and reshaped into order: different standards and measures knowledge who shared his life, and history one’s current reality. The process of rea- of morality and culpability. Where we fi t with me while imprisoned: gave me his son, keeping in mind what we know, the or misfi t. Subjects and subjugated as his- free time and shared freedom. Orale Bob, exercise of logic over speculation and bad tory dictates. Class of failure: date of birth. from whom I learned to think beyond the mental subjective assessments. What we Law proscribes for the prisoner sentenced. walls of the imprisoned mind. Bob is now know; what we don’t know; what we learn. Someone’s gotta be in jail therefore: Let it no more. History is... bato  Tell a friend… HISTORY that each day, extends further into a blurry hurried past, later to return to confound us, trip up us and contradict us with the absurd. The invented. Proofs and more proofs, factoids and fi bs that drain away and wash out with time but remain the same. Actuality, never again to return to reassure us of the actual fact of the matter. The que paso? What was said; what we thought we heard; what we forgot or failed to remember. HISTORY that invariably surrounds us, encapsulates our artifi cially contrived sur- face environment. Captures our imagina- tion or fantasy, our ignorance, and shades our perceptions. Stealth history: a false L-to-right : Bato from CPF along with Emory Douglas Former Minister of Education for the BPP in recent attendance at Malaquia Montoya’s 70th-earth years gathering. Malaquias is a reality inserted into the history book of well noted Chicano muralist and professor, and a long time supporter of political prisoners events that is our sole reliable truth… including SQ6 and Opponent of Death Penalty. oheyo

NUMBER 31 23 REFLECTIONS FROM THE STOP MAX CONFERENCE The American Friends Service Committee called a conference in late May to bring together activists, former prisoners, lawyers and community workers working on supermax or control unit prisons. Essentially, prisons within prisons, with titles like Security Housing Unit or Adjustment Center, these prison units have been in existence for a long time. With growing modern popularity, the AFSC and other organization came together years ago to try to gather a critical mass with the goal to shut down these units. Today, AFSC is spear- heading another campaign to bring awareness and strengthen the ﬁ ght against supermax prisons with the organizations and individuals still dedicated to their abolition. Speakers at the conference included, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, human rights activist, former boxer and exoneree from a triple life sentence; Jimmy Santiago Baca a poet, teacher, and former Supermax prisoner; Terry Kupers M.D, psychiatrist, author, and expert witness in several class action law suits on the quality of mental health services inside control unit prisons and jails; and Laura Whitehorn former prisoner of isolation and editor of POZ magazine. Several members of California Prison Focus attended and here are two pieces that came from what they called an inspiring event.

against the Black Liberation Movement; STOP MAX – WITH Counter Abuse campaigns are Resistance IMAGINING A EXAMPLES! struggles in supermax prisons; Changing WORLD WITHOUT the militaristic model for personal and so- By Penny Schoner cial change in the gang unit. This last work- PRISONS ompletely overhaul the Parchman shop was put on by a group of young men Farms SHU? No longer a dream. By Andrea Parra who have been organizing around this issue A team of attorneys and their local he recent STOPMAX Campaign C in Maine and surrounding states. assistants fought for roughly nine years, Conference (held in Philadelphia) We met for three days. The third day re- through several court actions, to compel Twas attended by people from all gional meetings formed strategy sessions the state to follow its own laws. Cases of over the nation. What the 300+ individuals to plan the way forward. Future conference the men inside were put before a bargain- had in common was respect and demand calls will assist in coordinating. There was ing committee and many of the men were for human rights for all, particularly pris- an art show with prisoners’ work and were released into general population; some re- oners enduring the torture and abuse of be- quite commendable. leased from prison when it was found they ing placed in isolation. American Friends Service Committee had served more time than their sentence Inspired by Justice Now’s CD, The We made us feel welcome in Philadelphia. required. Next the medical staff was evalu- That Sets Us Free: Building a World With- Many ex-prisoners shared a lot of wisdom ated and found in need of replacement. out Prisons, I asked several people what with us. California Prison Focus wants to Qualifi ed staff was hired and an outside they thought a world without prisons would thank AFSC again for a fi ne and informa- oversight committee established. The com- be like and here are their responses: tive conference.  plete report on this project is riveting and “A world where human beings are healed Cleve Husley will be published soon. and forgiven. A world where human rights California delegates needed to hear are provided to all…a world where children some success stories and the STOP MAX can be counseled and loved.” Conference supplied them. Thirty-three —Beneta Standly, ACLU (GA) workshops were held, presented three and “A world without prisons would look like four at a time, and the California delega- this: you could walk into any hospital and tion spread out with tape recorders so we get free services, you could walk into any wouldn’t miss too much. A sampling of university, sign up that day and just start the subjects: Unlock the box: lessons and going to class. It would mean that there strategies in fi ghting isolation; Closing wouldn’t be any borders because borders Prisons, fi ghting for justice; Self Advocacy, are a form of prisons.” getting results for prison abuse; The Suc- —Francisco, Chicano Mexicano Prison cessful Overhaul of the Mississippi Prison Project (CA) Supermax prison; Impact of death penalty on families; Creative Writing for survival “A world without prisons would look in solitary; Education vs. incarceration; like 100 percent employment, a focus on History of supermax litigation; From Isola- individual creativity and that all life is val- tion cell block to the City Block; Struggles ued…a world without prisons would mean of native American religious and spiritual that the elderly would embrace the youth practices in prison; Psychiatric torture and and the youth would embrace the elderly. violence against prisoners; Women Prison- A world without prisons would be a place ers and Rights; Legacy of Torture, the war where people feel like a part of the environment and feel as though they had an

24 PRISON FOCUS invested interest. Everyone would feel like will cost Californians more than $1 billion under the broad umbrella of gang related they’re able to contribute and their creativi- more (in today’s dollars) than general ob- even though experts have said that medical ty could be expressed…and maybe it might ligation bonds that are approved by a vote. treatment and social services are more ef- look like a rainbow gathering!” The suit contends that this is an illegal fective deterrents. It creates a fl awed hear- —Ham’diya Mu, waste of public resources with no corre- say exception allowing the admission of Human Rights Coalition (PA) sponding public benefi t. out-of-court testimony when an individual Further, the plaintiffs contend that the refuses to testify, despite a court order to “A world without prisons would be heav- bonds themselves and the interim fi nanc- do so, and denies due process and legal en. It would be beautiful. No one would ing used to fi nance construction before the protections for all Californians, and much have to look at brick walls, they’d be able bonds are issued are both subject to the pro- more.  to see the trees and birds fl ying and see the vision in the state constitution that requires Source: www.defeatrunner.org morning doves kissing and singing. And a vote of the people before the Legislature they wouldn’t have to feel like their soul can incur debt in excess of $300,000 (Ar- was caged.” ticle XVI, Section 1). The plaintiffs allege —former woman prisoner HELP DEFEAT that, because the voters defeated bonds for prison construction in 1990 and 1996, the MARSY’S LAW “Um…um…children ruling the whole state is using the “lease-revenue” fi nanc- world and universe!” ing arrangement to attempt to avoid this AND RUNNER —8 year old whose father is a former constitutional requirement. prisoner INITIATIVES The plaintiffs are asking the court to de- iPS has completed a very thorough “We have to remember that this land, this clare both the proposed bonds and the in- analysis of both initiatives, and is land that’s known as the U.S., was indeed a terim fi nancing based on the bonds illegal, preparing fi nal documents for dis- world without prisons before white people and to permanently prohibit the state from T tribution to our members. TiPS is also pre- came. And it could be again, a practical issuing the bonds without fi rst submitting paring to defeat the initiatives by host- world where we solve our problems, help them to a vote of the people. ing nearly three dozen community events our children and build safe and honored If successful, the suit will restore Cali- throughout California. communities.” fornians’ rights to vote on whether they TiPS needs more than 900 volun- —Jamie Bissonette, author of When the want to build more prisons; it will slow the teers throughout California. Volunteer- Prisoners Ran Walpole rapidly expanding prison budget––which ing is easy, and can be for as little as one will soon overtake spending on higher “A world without prisons would be beau- hour per week. If you are interested in education; and it will create pressure for tiful. We could start to rejuvenate and nur- defeating these initiatives, but are sit- real change in the state’s sentencing and ture our most precious resource which is ting by hoping someone else will do parole policies. the human resource.” the job, then I strongly encourage you For more information about the lawsuit —Soffi yah Elijah, to get involved today, and right away. see CURB’s website: www.curbprison- Deputy Director of the Criminal Justice TiPS believes a public education cam- spending.org.  Institute at Harvard paign is the best chance against these Initiatives. Some of the roles we envision our volunteers can fi ll are: CURB FILES SUIT DEFEAT THE 1) VolunteerCoordinators RUNNER INITIATIVE 2) Voter Registration Assistants TO STOP PRISON 3) Media Assistance he Runner Initiative, qualifi ed for 4) Organizing Town Hall Meetings CONSTRUCTION the November 8th ballot, would 5) Pubic Speakers n May 6, Californians United for a Tincrease prison spending by over 6) Inmate Visitor Volunteers Responsible Budget (CURB) and $1 billion the fi rst year and more than 20 7) Phone/Computer Volunteers Oseveral individual taxpayers fi led a billion over the fi rst 40 years, worsen- 8) Faith-Based Community Outreach lawsuit to block the issuance of $7.4 billion ing California’s ongoing budget crisis. It 9) Volunteers to reach out to local busi- in bonds to fi nance construction of 53,000 would also prosecute more youth as adults, ness seaders and organizations new prison and jail beds. This program, undo trends towards youth rehabilitation, We have a tough job ahead of us and we approved by the legislature in legislation increase drug sentencing, force the report- need all the help we can get. Please email known as AB 900, represents the largest ing of undocumented immigrants who are [email protected] if you can help prison expansion in history. The bonds the arrested to Immigration and Customs En- with these tasks. In all cases TiPS will state intends to issue to fi nance this con- forcement (ICE), refuse bail for undocu- answer questions and guide volunteers to- struction are “lease revenue bonds,” a fi - mented immigrants arrested for “gang-re- ward succeeding with our goals. nancing mechanism used to avoid submit- lated” or violent felonies and forces people Taxpayers for Public Safety (TiPS) pow- ting the bonds to a popular vote as required in public housing to be subject to annual er is inherent in its members. Every single by the California Constitution. criminal background checks, subjecting member is important and essential to our The suit claims the bonds are illegal for people to lose their homes. This initia- ability to reach new potential members and several reasons. First, based on the testi- tive increases penalties for drug-related increase the reach of our union.”  mony of the plaintiffs’ expert these bonds offenses and offenses alleged to be listed NUMBER 31 25 us on the outside. Liberation Army and the Weathermen Un- AFSC STOPMAX In 1996, the National Campaign held four derground. CONFERENCE Regional Hearings across the country, giv- The government, in response to this ing voice to people in prison, ex-prisoners, massive outcry against social inequities Temple University, June 2008 family members, advocates, lawyers and and for national liberation, utilized an By Bonnie Kerness, others whom were impacted by the use of FBI Counter Intelligence Program called AFSC Prison Watch Project isolation. In 1997 we came out with the In- COINTELPRO, which had as its objective want to thank the AFSC for renewing terim Report which held data on the emer- the crippling of the Black Panther Party its commitment to issues of isolation gence of over 45 control units or supermax and other radical forces. Over the years and torture in US prisons; the AFSC I prisons in almost every state. We matched that this directive was carried out, many of Healing Justice staff for their collective inside and outside monitors in each state those young people who weren’t murdered brilliance and spirit and Naima Black and and formed the testimonies we received into were put in prisons across the country. the Stopmax Team for organizing this ex- a Listening Project called “Testimonies of Some, now in their 60’s and 70’s are still traordinary community. Torture” and the “Survivor’s Manual”. In there. Those directives are still being car- In the mid 80’s I received a letter from 1998, the National AFSC folded the work ried out, only now we have an entire offi ce Ojore Lutalo who had just been placed in of the Campaign into Newark, NJ’s Prison of Homeland Security monitoring what it the Management Control Unit at Trenton Watch Project of the New York Metropoli- calls “radical prisoners”. State Prison. He asked what a control unit tan Regional Offi ce. During the four years While the US denied that there were was, why he was in there and how long he of its existence, NCSCUP trained dozens people being held for political reasons, would have to stay. At that point, we knew of students in organizing principles, includ- there was no way at the time, to work with little of control units, except for the ground ing helping to develop about half a dozen prisoners without hearing repeatedly of the breaking work of Nancy Kurshan and Steve campus Prisoner Awareness groups. Many existence of such people, including indi- Whitman of the Committee to End the of those former students are still working viduals who clearly fi t the United Nations Marion Lockdown (CEML) and the many for social change today. defi nition of political prisoners and prison- prisoners who reached out to the AFSC, The history of the National Campaign ers of war and the particular treatment they which, in 1985 produced a pamphlet called to Stop Control Unit Prisons really began endured once in prison. As early as 1978, “The Lessons of Marion”. We began hear- with the movements of the 60’s and 70’s. Andrew Young , who was US Ambassador ing from people throughout the country My generation belonged to a society where to the United Nations, was quoted in news- saying that they were prisoners being held we genuinely believed that each of us was paper interviews as saying that “there were in extended isolation for political reasons. free to dissent politically. In those years, hundreds, perhaps thousands of people I We also heard from jailhouse lawyers, Is- people acted out this belief in a number would describe as political prisoners” in lamic militants and prisoner activists many of ways. Native peoples contributed to the US prisons. of whom found themselves locked down in formation of the American Indian Move- Across the nation, we saw an enhanced 24/7 solitary confi nement. The AFSC be- ment dedicated to self determination; Puer- use of sensory deprivation/isolation units gan contacting people inside and outside to Ricans joined the movement to free the for such people, and it was this growing the prisons to see who was interested in island from US colonialism; white students “special treatment” which we began moni- working specifi cally on control unit isola- formed the Students for a Democratic Soci- toring. At the time, Ralph Arons, a former tion issues, and in 1994 (after eight years ety and other groups, while others worked warden at Marion, was quoted at a con- of organizing) we hosted the formation of in the southern Civil Rights movements. gressional hearing as saying, “The purpose the National Campaign to Stop Control This was also a time that the New Afrikan of the Marion Control Unit is to control Unit Prisons. This was done with the help Independence Movement reasserted itself, revolutionary attitudes in the prison system of CEML, Komboa Ervin, who was one of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense and in society at large”. the Marion Brothers, Corey Weinstein of was formed, as well as a time where there For those of us who have been in the California Prison Focus, Alejandro Molina was a distinct rise in the prisoner’s rights struggle for decades, the deliberate use of from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, stu- movement. It was time when television long term sensory deprivation is haunt- dents from Oberlin College, young people news had graphic pictures of State Troop- ing. People that we’ve known, worked across the country who belonged to the ers, Police, the FBI, and the National Guard with and loved have been, and some still Anarchist Black Cross, the United Church killing our peers. It was a time when I saw are, being held in this manner. Some of of Christ, Yaki Owusu of Spear and Shield, on the evening news the bullet holes fi red those are people in the audience today. The the input of the women held in small group by police into Panther Fred Hampton’s names Ojore Lutalo; Sundiata Acoli, who isolation at Lexington, Ky. and many oth- sleeping body, a time when young people the Management Control Unit in NJ was ers who gave strength and purpose to the protesting the Viet Nam War died on the built for in 1975; Assata Shakur, who was work. Some of these people were actively Jackson and Kent State campuses killed held for over fi ve years in isolation. Mar- involved in the different political move- by the National Guard, a time when civil shall Eddie Conway, Albert Nuh Washing- ments of the 60’s and 70’s and understood rights workers were killed with impunity, ton, who died in prison; Geronimo Pratt; how control units were being used against and a time when we felt as if there was Dhoruba Bin Wahad, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, us all. Getting issues of isolation and tor- no opportunity to stop mourning because Mumia Abu Jamal; Leonard Peltier, David ture into the light has been a long road and each day another activist was dead. These Gilbert, Marilyn Buck, Sekou Odinga, Ray I bow in gratitude to those inside who so killings and other acts of oppression led to Luc Levasseur, Kazi Toure, Masai Ehe- gracefully and patiently mentored those of underground formations such as the Black hosi; Leonard Peltier, Oscar Lopez Rivera,

26 PRISON FOCUS Alejandrina Torres, Dylcia Pagan, Bashir the Civil Rights Era, I am very mindful of all of us, are a powerful community of re- Hameed, Standing Deer and Sekou Odin- who is considered a “security threat” to this sistance, and this is a dream come true for ga, Lorenzo Kom’boa Ervin; Richard Wil- country and how they are treated. me.  liams, Tom Manning, Merle and the rest of Prison gang policies occur within the the Africas, Africa, Susan Rosenberg, Lau- context of larger society and the wider No One Can Stop the Rain ra Whitehorn, Linda Evans, Marilyn Buck, criminal justice system, and the growth of By Assata Shakur Sylvia Baraldini, Mutulu Shakur, Imam security threat group management units are Watch, the grass is growing. Jamil Al-Amin - these names and dozens part of the larger policy agenda regarding Watch, but don’t make it obvious. of others haunt the spaces of every control US prisons. One of the standards that the Let your eyes roam casually, but watch! unit, SHU, DDU, ad seg unit and special federal government sets in order for states In any prison yard, you can see it, housing unit in the country. No matter what to receive prison construction subsidies is growing. name they are given, their purpose is the to mandate the building of supermax pris- In the cracks, in the crevices, between the same as it is in Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo ons or security threat group management steel and the concrete, the breaking of minds. For every name I’ve units. Out of the dead gray dust, read, there are a thousand more. One of the things that makes this such an The bravest blades of grass shoot up, bold For people of my generation, this work exciting time to re-new our efforts through and full of life. is done with a compelling and lifetime pas- Stopmax, is that we now have the growing Watch, the grass is growing. sion and an understanding that the work understanding of the validity United Na- It is growing through the cracks. is not risk free. We’ve made a promise to tions international law. The Convention The guards say grass is against the Law. those dead and alive to abolish these torture Against Torture, the Convention on the Grass is contraband in prison. chambers. People throughout the world are Elimination of All Forms of Racial Dis- The guards say that the grass is insolent. beginning to understand what the prisoners crimination, The UN Convention on Politi- It is uppity grass, radical grass, militant have been saying to us for decades about cal and Civil Rights and other international grass, terrorist grass, the oppressive tactics of the US govern- and regional treaties help give us a new set They call it weeds. ment. The department of corrections is of legal, educational and organizing tools Nasty weeds, nigga weeds, dirty, spic, more than a set of institutions, it is a state for social change. savage indian, wetback, pinko, of mind. It is that state of mind which has Our work this weekend is very rooted in Commie weeds subversive! expanded the use of isolation, the use of struggle against the system and political And so the guards try to wipe out the devices of torture and the Counter Intelli- oppression. It is deeply touching to me to grass. gence Program, as part of Homeland Secu- have representatives of so many long time They yank it from its roots. rity, against activists, both inside and out- political formations present. Those of us in They poison it with drugs. side the walls. Ojore Lutalo, the man who AFSC rooted in these issues, continue to They maul it. fi rst contacted us in 1986, was released hear from prisoner activists, the mentally ill, They rake it. from the control unit via litigation in 2002 people charged with being gang members Blades of grass has been found hanging in after 16 years in isolation. In 2004, he let us and thousands of others all being housed in cells, covered with know that he had been placed back into the extended isolation where devices of torture Bruises, “Apparent suicides”. Management Control unit with no charges are used with impunity. After each Home- The guards say that the “GRASS is pending or any explanation. When I called land Security Code change, Prison Watch UNAUTHORIZED.” the Department of Corrections, it took is fl ooded with calls from people report- “DO NOT LET THE GRASS GROW:” many conversations before I was bluntly ing loved ones with Islamic names being You can spy on the grass. You can lock up told that this was upon the order of Home- placed in solitary without charges. the grass. land Security, that he is one of a number of Our work this weekend is a time when You can mow it down, temporarily. prisoners across the country who they have the building of new relationships and the But you will never keep it from growing. targeted in this way. broadening of our base can truly create so- Watch, the grass is beautiful. The latest progression of control units cial change. I think we all need to be mind- The guards try to mow it down, but it are called “security threat group manage- ful of the deep sense of grief that many of keeps on growing. ment units”. This is particularly egregious us feel as it impacts on our work and in- The grass grows into a poem. because it is the government which gets to teractions. There may be groups here who The grass grows into a song. defi ne what a “security threat group” is. need to work through differences with one The grass paints itself across the canvas According to a national survey done by another. There may be groups here who of life. the Department of Justice in 1997, the De- can form working alliances no matter what And the picture is clear and the lyrics are partments of Corrections of Minnesota and those differences are. Our priority has to be true, Oregon named all Asians as gangs, which to work cooperatively to shut down these And the haunting voices sing so sweet and Minnesota further compounds by adding torture chambers. strong all Native Americans. The State of NJ DOC I want to honor our foremothers and That the people hear the grass from far lists the Black Cat Collective as a gang. forefathers in this movement for aboli- away. The Black Cat Collective is my free fos- tion of prisons, isolation and torture with And the people start to dance, and the ter son along with two friends who put on a poem of Assata Shakur’s called “No One people start to sing, and the song is Afro-Centric cultural programs in libraries. Can Stop the Rain”, which reminds us that freedom. Because my own background stems from no one can stop a righteous movement. We, Watch the grass is growing.

NUMBER 31 27 support to cope with the trauma. CD-CP or Child Development- Community Policing BOOK REVIEWS programs have been instituted to change or transform the way police handle the arrest and the scene of the crime. Children are of- and change that brings the men to their fi rst fered counseling and other services to re- THE RED ARMY Vipassana orientation. The documentary duce the trauma of parental arrests. FACTION does a great deal to un-do the demoniza- In All Alone, Bernstein reports on the tion of men in prison that runs so deeply in work at the Children’s Center at Sing Sing By Ed Mead popular culture. It reintroduces the notion in New York, La Bodega de la Familia in A Documentary History by J. Smith and of rehabilitation in an era of retribution and Manhatten’s East Side and several others. Andre Moncourt retaliation. Each program fi nds as many ways as pos- Volume 1: Projectiles for the People As participants move through their in- sible to open doors between child(ren) and his soon-to-be-released book is troduction to Vipassana and later work to parent to allow for positive changes, and about the Red Army Faction that maintain their practice in the face of pris- for ways to aid in reconstructing these re- operated in American-occupied T on administrators’ ban, we see everyone’s lationships. For example, some prisoners Germany during the 1970s. It is a book struggle to live a life consistent with our have been given access to parenting class- that should be read by any serious student values and to move deeper in our under- es, while some prisons have child centers; of anti-imperialist politics. “Volume 1: standing of ourselves. a few even offer a quiet space for family Projectiles for the People” provides a his- Offering an alternative to the aggression gatherings, some offer family counseling. tory of the RAF’s development through that is prison life, the lessons in meditation Combinations of services are in many in- the words of its letters and communiqués. hold the promise of altering a hostile en- stitutions but there are no places where it What makes the book especially important vironment – and also hold promise for the is prison policy to have a thoughtful regard and relevant, however, is the careful re- larger, hostile environment outside prison for these relationships. search and documentation done by its edi- walls. Consideration for the child is still needed tors. Their effort makes this work far more My only criticism of this optimistic and when prison assignments (location) are than a collection of communiqués. From moving story is that the dhamma (also made. Phone calls should to be cheaper for this book you will learn the mistakes of a spelled dharma) practice is adjustment ori- more frequent contact, and children need to group that was both large and strong, but ented, in that the whole focus is to have be treated with respect by prison staff and which (like our own home-grown attempts the individual adjust to a destructive en- their needs considered in visitation rooms in this regard) was unable to successfully vironment. It is indeed good for prisoners and through the prison entry protocols. communicate with the working class of a to gain personal insights through the use Many steps to constructively rebuild “democratic” country on a level that met meditation techniques, but they are also these relationships need to happen during their needs. While the armed struggle can literal slaves of the state, disenfranchised, incarceration prior to reentry. This must a be the seed of something much larger, it and kept in a perpetual state of irresponsi- part of a prisoner’s rehabilitation program. is also another means of reaching out and bility and dependency. For any practice to Bernstein has talked with children and communicating with the people. Students be truly effective it must also address the young people all over America and has interested in this historic era would do well reality in which these prisoners are forced come to one inescapable conclusion: each to study this book and to internalize both to live—not merely make it easier for them decision we make on how to handle law- the successes and failures of one of the to adjust to that negative reality.  breakers-from arrest protocols through largest organized armed anti-imperialists Contact: Bullfrog Films, P.O. Box 149, sentencing through policies governing the organizations operating in Western Europe Oley, PA 19547; http://www.bullfrogfi lms. prospects of returning prisoners - affects since World War II.  com children’s lives in deep and lasting ways. Source: www.kersplebedeb.com Many of the things we worry about on behalf of the children - poverty, single or no ALL ALONE IN parent families, homelessness, unemploy- DVD REVIEW: ment, juvenile delinquency - are exacer- THE DHAMMA THE WORLD: bated by, if not directly attributable to, parental incarceration. BROTHERS CHILDREN OF THE Comment from the reviewer: For those By Ed Mead INCARCERATED who go before the Board of Prison Terms for a parole hearing please note - they are he Dhamma Brothers DVD (76 By Nell Bernstein very interested in your work and effort to Minutes in length) poignantly dem- Re-reviewed by Sally Bystroff repair damage in your family. Keep track of onstrates the resiliency of the pris- ourteen cities in this country have ad- T the work you do, the letters you have writ- oners who participated in a 10-day silent opted a plan to help heal the wounds ten, the response from family members. retreat in their prison’s gym. It expertly infl icted upon children from frequent F Note change that shows your own maturing interweaves the stories of a few prisoners and prolonged exposure to domestic vio- visible by a drop off or lack of incidents. to help us understand the causes and condi- lence and criminal activity by parents now Rehab in California prisons really falls on tions of crime and punishment. We are for- incarcerated. Children need a great deal of tunate to witness the deep desire for healing your shoulders.  28 PRISON FOCUS forward progress must be defeated. les and someone who became privy to the Letters ...... Continued from page 2 You ask if my “crowd [will] still blame mechanisms of the LAPD then and now, I Many whites in NY prisons grow up in the whites when/if Obama is elected president would say that I was surprised to hear that same neighborhoods, lived in the same life and continues the same imperialistic/capi- Sarah Jane even had a release date. I also style and had the same challenges in life as talistic policies [of] this system?” First, it would never even remotely allow myself the other races. Yet in prison whites often is not about “blame,” it’s about racism. to believe that her release was an accident. hear its “all their fault.” Secondly, I can tell you that just as elect- As should be public knowledge now, the I can agree with Ed about all the war ing Nelson Mandela to the presidency of CDCR is being scrutinized for the faulty crimes America has committed over the South Africa merely put a black face on medical treatment that is being provided years. But to blame only whites for war white capitalism, so too will the election of to prisoners for decades at the expense of deaths is foolish when so many horror sto- Obama result in little actual change. Oh, thousands of lives, and the subject of over- ries can be heard from countries all around he might be a kinder, gentler imperialism crowding and whether or not lower level the world. in some respects, but it will nonetheless be prisoners should be released. Will Ed and the rest of the “Blame White imperialism. Obama will be serving the in- We (the conscious) continue to proceed in Folks” crowd still blame whites when/if terests of his masters—the rich, white rul- the direction of seeking a better tomorrow Obama is elected president and continues ing class. have to know and understand that it will be the same imperialistic/capitalistic policies As for Black racism, I agree with the us that will be sacrifi ced and not the public this system is so well known for? comments of George Jackson, who said offi cials who are at fault or made mistakes Yet I do agree with Ed in one other re- there is no such thing as Black racism. by choosing profi t over the reduction of the gard as do a few from the other races I’m Those who have been the victims of racism prison population. If you have a voice that around. We are prisoners and we should are not likely to impose that level of oppres- beckons to be heard, and is being heard, be stick together. However, Ed’s Comments sion on others. Rather what whites perceive aware because you always can become the “On Racism” by calling only white people as black racism is nothing other than a next scapegoat for the state’s machine. “racist” just causes more divisions. Not all healthy defense reaction to white racism. Brian Hill, Corcoran whites are racists or agree with this system Regarding whites being the blame for this as Ed surely knows. and for that, as you are hearing around you GREETINGS FROM ATTICA Chris Slavin, from black prisoners, they are right. Admit Dear Prison Focus: Stormville, NY it. Your duty as a progressive white pris- I’m writing to you because I’m a prisoner ED RESPONDS: Thanks for your letter oner is to combat white racism—it is your (I use the word prisoner because I’m being Chris. Yes, I could have written that sec- obligation. The fi rst step in the path to for- held here against my will) in a New York tion better. We need the input from prison- ward progress is to defeat those elements State Department of Corrections facility, ers like you who have genuine questions in who seek to divide prisoners—whether it currently housed in the SHU here at Attica. terms of the road ahead. I too have done is by gender, sexual orientation, or race. This place is foul, cruel, torturous, and a time in eastern prisons where whites were These backwards elements are serving the hell hole. They house a bunch of mental a minority. In fact, I was one of the “white, interests of the pigs to divide us. The toll health patients here that don’t need to be blue-eyed devils” Black Muslim prison- you must pay to be a white prisoner activist confi ned; they need help and the guards are ers seem to hate so much back in the early is to be a race traitor—embrace that name not equipped to deal with them so they are days. and join the forces of progress. starved, splashed with cold water, kept fro- I suggest you ask yourself what is the I’ve faced death for doing such things as zen by windows being left open, violated primary contradiction preventing prison- attempting to integrate a segregated prison and disrespected. ers from unifying against their common mess hall by having black prisoners come The showers are very unclean and there enemy? I think you will conclude that it is and eat at my table one meal, and then me is dirt and mildew and whatever else caked racism. If that’s what’s standing between us eating at their tables the next. I am not ask- on. We are forced to shower bare footed prisoners and solidarity, then it is our duty ing anyone to do anything I have not put my in the fi lth. You are not allowed to buy to fi ght it. Just as we cannot expect women life on the line doing myself. What I have your own toothpaste and they only have to educate men around the issues of sexism, also found is that shame will bring the rac- small tubes that don’t do anything for your so too we cannot expect people of color to ists groups around. I have many stories to breath. Everyone that comes through here educate us whites around the issue of racial tell about this, but suffi ce it to say that if is beat badly and do not receive medical at- oppression. you create a struggle, a point of confl ict, tention. As a white you are a racist, as am I, just the racists will ultimately join the progres- Please keep doing what you do for the as being a male makes all men sexists. You sive forces (after fi rst trying to stop any people like me that are stuck in the SHU! cannot be raised in this capitalist culture struggle from happening). James K. Bell aka Baby Sundiata Shakur, without being infected by its sicknesses. Attica, NY Recognizing this enables you take political SARA JANE OLSEN’S RELEASE responsibility not only for your own racism AND RE-ARREST WAKE UP YOUNG PRISONERS! and sexism, but also to combat the racism Dear Prison Focus: Dear Prison Focus: within your own ranks. For white prisoners I just wish to voice myself about the re- I’m writing in response to Gabriel Reyes’ it is a dangerous and diffi cult job, yet it is cent release and rearrest of Sarah Jane Olson writing in the spring 2008 (no. 30) issue of the responsibility as a politically conscious by the powers that be. First and foremost, Prison Focus. I’ve been incarcerated on white prisoner to do so. This obstacle to as a resident of South Central Los Ange- and off in California since 1979. I’ve been

NUMBER 31 29 down on this one for 13 years. Let me be- OUR OWN WORST ENEMY gin to respond to Reyes and his belief that Dear Prison Focus: PAROLE BOARD prisoners are actually doing something First of all, I’d like to compliment you on UPDATES concerning their struggle. the P.F. #30 and a job well done. everal BPH Commissioners are com- Until everyone stops destroying one an- Secondly, I’d like to comment on a ing up for their confi rmation hearings other, nothing will change. You don’t have touchy subject and some of the things with on June 18th.The Senate Rules Com- a clue about solidarity! California prisons Mr. Grinch wrote about because he is either S mittee chaired by Senator Don Perata (D- are simply full of drug addicts, baby gang self-deceived or resides in an entirely dif- Oakland), has informed the governor that bangers who serve no purpose besides do- ferent CDCR than I do. until the appointment of commissioners to ing CDCR’s work. I’ve been in the California Department of the Board of Parole Hearings represents a On my way back from court, I was put in Corrections (and now Rehabilitation) since broad spectrum of individuals instead of D.V.I. AD-Seg unit for seven months where 1982. I was 18 years wise and walked into those that are currently being selected from I saw many things like 20-year-old shot a race war of unknown origins. Since then, the limited group of either victims of crime callers, and a population on psych meds. I have been involved in and know the de- or law enforcement, the nominees will not People are fi ghting the wrong battle. tails regarding the fl ashpoint of several race be confi rmed by the Senate. To assist the CDCR has taken everything—they even confl icts, and none of them were predicated Rules Committee in justifying the continu- control how many times you can fl ush your on drugs. Yes, drugs are prevalent in prison ance of this policy, TiPS is collecting ex- toilet. It’s sad, really sad to see all these and do affect us over all in that they keep amples of abuse of discretion by members tough guys in such a state of denial. us asleep and our creative energy dormant. of the Board of Parole Hearings so that the In Reyes’ closing he made an appeal to But the real culprits, and you know it, are nominee maybe confronted with their inap- get friends and family to organize. But I individual belief systems which are based propriate conduct. say, the organization must take place with- on race and separation and, as long as these This is where TIPS members can help in! Just see how the three strike amendment are in place, we are basically shorthanded out immensely. We are requesting non-re- fell way short of the signatures needed— and out matched. turnable photocopies of the transcript of organizing must take place at the core. . As Ed points out in his response to Mr. a Parole Hearing which indicate that the Alcede M. Melonson Jr. Grinch, a dialog is defi nitely in order. But hearing offi cer either conducted the hearing fi rst we must be honest with ourselves and inappropriately, indicated a predisposition ANOTHER RESPONSE others if we want to tackle the real issues for the ruling before the hearing, ruled in a Dear Prison Focus: and make some actual progress. Over the manner inconsistent with the evidence pre- I read Ed’s response to Gabriel Reyes in past 20 years paroling for lifers has been sented, required the prisoner to complete a the spring 2008, about gang leaders. The like defending oneself all over again CDCR program which was not available, majority of them do not have regard for against the very charges that fi rst sent us to or in some other manner acted inappropri- their people, or the life on the streets. They prison. We have lost nearly all of our privi- ately. are infatuated by fantasy, and sustained by leges and those retained have been watered There are certain restrictions which must greed. They talk a good game to manipu- down. We once had weights, cameras, and be applied. No documents will be returned late the ignorance of those who become a family visits for all, even while in the SHU. and all deemed appropriate will be sent to part of this charade. We had boxing rings, along with basket- the senate rules committee for their pur- I know struggle and structure. I’m not ball and football teams who competed with poses. Second, we will not have the time proud to say I’ve seen, San Quentin SHU teams from the streets. Then there was Red to read the entire transcript, so it will be and Soledad D-Wing in the early 1980’s rose Productions who produced concerts your responsibility to write on a separate as well as Leavenworth, Lewisburg, Terre with musicians that we can now only hear piece of paper which is included with the Haute, Lompoc Federal Prison, where I on the radio. All gone! transcript the page(s) and line number(s) was Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s aide. These dudes We have been our own worst enemy and that you want brought to the attention of don’t stand up for change as a collective can blame no one but ourselves and the the committee. Finally, it is important that body. outdated belief systems which we seem to the photocopied transcript include the date, A large segment of people in general cling to for status and comfort. Not just our location and hearing offi cer(s) names. Mail population are afraid of change, and pris- bodies, but our minds are chained and held to: TIPS, 1029 K Street, Suite 25, Sacra- oner psychologists, psychiatrists, and ad- captive as well. As a consequence most of mento, CA 95814.  ministrators perpetuate this ongoing reac- us are blind. We can’t see things as they Source: Taxpayers for Improving Public tionary behavior by simply conditioning really are; we can’t understand the issues Safety (TIPS), www.forpublicsaftey.com, the over-all attitudes of staff, who interact- that are really important to us. As a result May 5, 2008 ing with different races, perpetuate acts of many of us will live, struggle, and die in aggression to keep division amongst the these prison cells with a hope that never prisoners. materialized and a life-illusion which kept I’m in the hole at High Desert. There is us hoping. no structure among white, black, brown, Wake up brothers … no matter what race Asian, or Indian. Most see prison guards as or creed, because like Earth Wind and Fire parents, sad to say, but this is my analysis. said, “that’s all in the head, whether you Michael Creddle, wanna believe it or not.” High Desert Robert, HDSP

30 PRISON FOCUS THREE STRIKES month x 12 months = $270,000. Now you force as the devices were intended, TAS- have another 100 out here who give $20/ ERs are routinely used to incapacitate sus- UPDATE FROM month x 12 months and you have another pects deemed unruly or simply uncoopera- $24,000, and so on. If those most affected tive. In its fi nal report on U.S. compliance FACTS expect someone else to support their cause with the Convention Against Torture in By Geri Silva, Director when they only half-heartedly support it May of 2006, the U.N. Committee Against ith 500 impassioned volunteers themselves, they are fooling themselves Torture noted that the extensive use of working nights, weekends and to their own detriment. Those of you who TASERs “raises serious issues of compat- Wwhen possible, weekdays ‘til know me, at least from what I have written, ibility” with the Convention. their voices gave out and their back’s ached, should know that I have one agenda, which The report criticized several other crimi- FACTS still fell far short of the number of is to see this law compromised, a step at a nal justice practices in the U.S., including signatures needed to qualify “The Three time if that is necessary. housing children in adult jails and pris- Strikes Reform Act of 2008” for the ballot. Recently FACTS held a meeting on how ons; the prolonged isolation of prisoners If heart, energy and passion could have put to engage members in an open discussion housed in so-called “supermax” prisons; us over the top, we’d have sailed through, about the future of our work. Many great the circumstances and lack of accountabil- but the fact is, you must have money (over ideas came out of the meeting including an ity around the Burge police torture cases in $1 million) and/or far more than 500 vol- emphasis on the need to unify other groups Chicago; and the treatment of women in- unteers. involved in prison reform for the common mates, including gender-based humiliation. FACTS worked through the criticisms of cause of changing this unjust law. We know The Committee noted that many of these other organizations who claimed we col- that we cannot do this alone. Your support same concerns were the subject of its previ- lected millions of dollars and had nothing along with that of your friends, loved ones, ous review in 2000, but that the problems to show for it, through the frequent name and the community is crucial. Many thanks had persisted without resolution. calling by prisoners who could not under- to Prison Focus for giving us the opportu- Rather than arguing the fi ne points of stand why we would promote such a weak nity to give you all a report.  what constitutes “cruel, inhuman or de- initiative. Of course, those who followed grading,” as U.S. offi cials have often done, our efforts from the beginning would know CPF ON KPOO RADIO a more enlightened approach would be to that we always promoted the strongest re- address these problems at their source and form possible, with many of us advocating Listen Thursdays from 11 a.m. bring US practice in line with objective infor abolishing the law in its entirety. Real- to 12 p.m. weekly! Tune in to ternational standards. Anything less would ity is a hard lesson. What seems not to be undermine U.S. credibility on the subject understood by those who felt betrayed by 89.5 FM in San Francisco and at a most critical juncture. “It is important us was that in order to undertake a fi ght for the Bay Area, or stream from that defenders of human rights in the U.S. abolition or substantive reform, we would anywhere online at http://www. express our fundamental solidarity with all need many thousands in the fi ght with us kpoo.com victims of torture and ill treatment in this and many millions in our campaign fund. country and around the world,” Baraka Most of the monies raised this year went says. “This day reminds us of our moral into our campaign account to support the Gitmo ...... Continued from page 22 responsibility to demand that the humanity ballot effort. So, while some were ques- of marginalized and vulnerable individuals tioning what we did with “all” the money by public opinion - and must be stopped”, and groups is recognized and protected by we raised, we were struggling to keep the says Daniel Hazen Torture Survivor and or- all governments, under all circumstances.” doors open. Our staff now numbers 2 ½, ganizer with StopForce.  and we found ourselves without the funds The sentencing of juveniles to Life With- Freedom Archives to hire an executive director. out Parole (LWOP), for example, would 522 Valencia Street I’m not trying to dish out blame, I just arguably contravene international anti-tor- San Francisco, CA 94110 want all who personally suffer the most ture law. According to research by Human 415 863-9977 from this insanely punitive law to know Rights Watch and Amnesty International, that we give it all we’ve got in every way there are at least 2,225 child offenders serv- possible, and every time another organiza- ing LWOP in U.S. prisons. The majority of tion or individual planted seeds of doubt in these inmates (59 percent) are fi rst-time your minds or you questioned our integrity, offenders. Such sentences, which effec- we lost support and our efforts were fur- tively mean death by incarceration, violate ther crippled. Imagine if the loved ones of international human rights law as well as all 4,500+ nonviolent strikers agreed to not the principles of fairness and justice that only work in the campaign, but pledged a should underpin the U.S. criminal justice minimum of $5.00 a month, imagine, how system. much further we could go. Think now of The indiscriminate use of TASERs by Jesus Gomez other funders who would see an effort that law enforcement - and a series of deaths generated support from among its own— that have resulted - is another example of they would be inspired to give to a winning torture that would fi t under the broader def- effort. Let’s do a little math: 4500 x $5/ inition. Rather than a substitute for lethal

NUMBER 31 31 SOME GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS SPECIAL THANKS TO PRISON FOCUS California Prison Focus extends its warm thank you to the SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR SUBMISSIONS: Lynne and Dan Alper Fund for their generous contribution to the ongoing work of CPF. • Artwork or graphics

• Letters (250 words) Let us know if you want us to use your name or we will only publish your initials PRISON FOCUS 2008 and city & state of residence. You can also specify Prison Focus #32 will be about the future of prisons. Please “anonymous.” send your articles and artwork. Due date for submissions for the next issue is 10/01/08. If you have ideas for issue • Short Articles (250-500 words) The same #33 send them in to us as well. identification guidelines apply. Topics can be issue specific, or current news or information. BUILDING THE MOVEMENT CAMPAIGN • Helpful resources with address and pertinent infor- (AND UPDATING OUR DATABASE) mation. Thank you for sending names and addresses of family and friends that are supportive of our work to defend • Larger articles are accepted but be aware-our space prisoners’ rights. All of these people should have received is limited. our last newsletter and will continue to receive them for a period of time. We also thank our anonymous donor for a Topics: PF topic of issue; current news; recent or pending signifi cant contribution to CPF for this effort which is de- legislation or policy; news from your institution; organizing signed to help us build and unify our collective efforts to efforts; books—basically anything related to the prison end tortuous prison conditions—especially isolation—and industrial complex as you see it. Individual legal cases are put an end to the prison industrial complex. Please con- not usually printed. tinue to send us names and addresses for this project. Sorry, we cannot return your submissions unless a prior Also, we have recently acquired a new program for arrangement is made. Submissions are not guaranteed keeping track of Prison Focus subscriptions that should to be published and we generally cannot respond to your be more effective and effi cient. We apologize for any er- submissions because of the volume of mail we receive. PF rors in the past and we’ll be sure to credit you with future welcomes all submissions (they will not be returned). issues. If you haven’t paid for an annual subscription late- ly and you know it’s time to renew, please do so. Our $5 rate for prisoners doesn’t cover the entire cost of receiving CPF’S MISSION STATEMENT four issues, but together represents a signifi cant sum that California Prison Focus fi ghts to abolish the California prison allows us to continue this fi ne publication. system as we know it. We investigate and expose human Ron Ahnen, Database Manager rights abuses with the goal of ending long term isolation, Other publications available from CPF: medical neglect, and all forms of discrimination. We are • Prison Self-Help Manual (to challenge gang community activists, prisoners, and their family members validations): $20 ($13 for prisoners) working to inspire the public to demand change. • 602 Appeal Form Suggestions: $2