MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
Under Lock & Key is a news service written by and for prisoners with a focus on what is going on behind bars throughout the United States. Under Lock & Key is available to U.S. prisoners for free through MIM(Prisons)'s Free Political Literature to Prisoners Program, by writing:
MIM(Prisons) PO Box 40799 San Francisco, CA 94140.
Is there ever a time when we would unite with reactionary
oppressor-nation lumpen organizations in a united front for peace in
prisons?
This particular question is one that contains within itself a set of
extremely complex issues concerning the ideology of these types of
groups or organizations. It is only after we examine these issues that
we can make an intelligent informed decision concerning this question of
uniting with a reactionary-oppressor organization in prison.
We know that at their very core a large percentage of these groups are
deeply rooted in their beliefs in Adolf Hitler and/or the Nordic Gods,
or they are rooted in the distorted beliefs of so called “white
Christianity”” (ie the KKK or the Church of Jesus Christ, Christian,
etc.). All of their gods are considered to be extremely Aryan and will
only deal with or help those who are white Aryan people unless it
benefits them. Those who hold to the ideals of “white Christianity” have
merely reconstructed the Holy Bible to fit their views of white
supremacy. These white Christian organizations support those
organizations who are neo-Nazi by nature.
The ideologies of both of these styles of organizations are centered
around the philosophy of one being “white.” Yet, you do find exceptions
to this way of thinking. However, you generally discover that their
mottos revolve around the principle of “if you ain’t white, you ain’t
right.” This ideology holds not only the connotation of the color of
your skin is important, but likewise so are your ethical, moral, and
religious beliefs. This, in itself implies that you are never going to
be on an equal status with them.
These white nationalists live by a 14 word creed “we must secure the
existence of our race and the future of white children.” They likewise
live by what they call the 88 precepts which create a vision of
superiority for the white race.
Both morally and ethically the vast majority of white nationalist
organizations find it extremely difficult to honestly and openly reach
out to others with a spirit and agenda of true peace. This is due to the
basic core of their beliefs that have been hammered into them since they
were young. They have been taught to use other races, groups,
organizations or individuals to gain their advantages for the betterment
of themselves and once they are finished with them they simply jettison
them and move on to their next victim.
Having presented the above to you the informed reader, I now remind you
that we as individuals and a movement must never forget that the best
method for change concerning these types of groups and organizations is
to openly and honestly invite them to participate in the process for
peace. If we diligently allow them to become actively involved in the
process then perhaps their hearts and minds will be opened to the truth.
We must never let ourselves succumb to the way of thinking that we are
better than others. We must steadfastly remain inclusive of everyone
around us. Always remember that if we can affect one mind, just one
heart, then indeed we have made a great step for all mankind.
Through slothfulness and unawareness we do surely die. Through strength,
honor, courage and vigilance we surely do survive!
MIM(Prisons) responds: This is an interesting commentary on
uniting with white nationalist organizations because it comes to the
same conclusion we have come to, but for different reasons. We agree
that the United Front for Peace in Prisons can include reactionary
organizations. It is true that sometimes through a united battle we can
educate others and change their minds to a more progressive viewpoint.
But we must be clear that we only unite with reactionary organizations
when we have common goals and enemies, and when this unity might serve
to push forward the battle with our principle enemy. Just as the Chinese
communists allied with the Kuomindang in the war against the Japanese
imperialists in spite of the Kuomindang previously attacking the
communists and expressing significant disagreement, antagonism and
aggression against the communists. At that time the principal task of
the movement was to get the Japanese occupiers out of China. And the
Kuomindang was an organization of Chinese nationals and so they shared
this goal with the communists. Once that was accomplished the communists
knew they would then need to fight the Kuomindang, but it did not make
sense to divide the anti-Japanese forces and take on both battles at
once.
Similarly we see our principal task being best advanced by building
peace and unity among prisoner organizations so that we can all focus
our fight on the criminal injustice system. This doesn’t mean we expect
white supremacist organizations to be won over to the side of the
oppressed. But we can have principled unity with these organizations as
we focus on a common enemy. We will not compromise our views or pretend
to agree with them politically. And in this principled unity we may win
over a few from the ranks of these white nationalist organizations who
begin to see the correctness of our political positions.
To all comrades within the jurisdiction of the fifth circuit, there has
been a victory ordering prison officials to maintain the temperature
(heat index!) at or below 88 degrees in Angola’s death row buildings. We
have also filed to have our buildings cooled. The court has in so many
words said that each prison must file separately in order to obtain
relief.
Please read the case: Elzie Ball, et al. v. James M. Leblanc, et
al. U.$. District Court for the Middle district of Louisiana, 988 F.
Supp. 2d 639; 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178557 Civil Action No.:
13-00368-BAJ-SCR. This is on order from Ball v. Leblanc, 792 F.3d 584,
2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 11769 (5th Cir. La. 2015).
It is important to note that the heat index is always much higher than
the actual temperature. Let us have the courts order the pigs to cool us
off, while they are heated up by having to spend $$ from a strained
budget; who likes bacon!!!
MIM(Prisons) responds: This writer is following up on the battle
comrades have been waging against some seriously dangerous conditions in
Louisiana prisons. There was a
hunger
strike in July to protest the deadly heat. Another comrade reported
on deaths and threats to prisoners attempting to expose the conditions:
“On the date of 12 June 2016 an offender by the name of Lawrence Goodeau
committed suicide due to the confinement and heat issue being so harsh.
Upon David Wade authorities doing their investigation they made multiple
threats to offenders after their investigation about them letting
investigators know about the confinement and heat issue that we are
currently in court for. There have been other deaths here at David Wade
at the hands of authority that have been swept under the rug multiple
times.
“At this point in time David Wade is under investigation for the cruel
and unusual punishment by the Dept. of Corrections and other sources
behind all of the violations by authority of David Wade. Right now
offenders are at risk of a heatstroke because of the heat issue. The
head Warden, Jerry Goodwin, who is now the regional Warden, has totally
disregarded these issues as well.”
Another comrade wrote to us recently about conditions at David Wade in
the control units:
“All prisoners are housed in their cells 24-7 and get only one outside a
week. All cells are approx 8x7 which do not meet ACA standards of
sixty-four square feet of unencumbered space for prisoners….We do not
have TVs or radios, nor access to any educational programming etc. We
are limited to three books, and we endure eighteen hours of continuous
bright light in the cells everyday, no exceptions! We must endure the
elements of both cold and heat, with temperatures often times reaching
triple digits. We are not provided any ice, and are forced to wear a
heavy linen cloth jumpsuit from 5am to 4pm. All prisoners suffer the
effects of the chemical agents that are used on us on a daily basis.
Many prisoners are also placed on (strip cell) in a thin see through
paper gown for thirty-day periods. During the winter months this is
beyond torture.”
It’s clear that conditions in Louisiana prisons are dangerous on many
levels. The heat problem is serious and we applaud these comrades for
their success in this battle. They demonstrate the value of taking on
the criminal injustice system through various channels: legal battles
can sometimes (rarely) be won, but protests behind bars and on the
streets will always help with these fights. These comrades also
demonstrate another important practice: using these battles to educate
others. Several Louisiana prisoners have been writing to Under Lock
& Key with these regular updates on the struggle, using their
work to expose the criminal injustice system and as a tool of education
behind bars. We can use these battles to build unity and educate others
on the systematic nature of imperialist oppression and the use of
prisons as tools of social control.
This is a plea for help from all prisoners housed in Louisiana at David
Wade located in Homer. This plea is for advocacy against the cruel and
unusual conditions. No one in their right mind should let this suffering
and these inhumane living conditions go on. The unconstitutionally
tortuous conditions need to be stopped. This is solitary torture.
We have been fighting with hunger strikes and cutting ourselves trying
to make DOC make some changes here in our living conditions. We also
have over 10 of us in court on all the confinement issues in the 19th
District Court in BR. LA Case #647-104. We are trying to make this a
class action but we need counsel representatives to help and to make our
voice heard outside these walls.
All prisoners are housed in their cells 24-7 and get only one hour
outside a week. All cells are approx. 8’ x 7’ which do not meet ACA
standards of sixty-four square feet of unencumbered space for prisoners.
Many studies have been conducted showing these conditions to cause
extreme psychological stress and trauma due to prolonged isolation
periods. There has been much activism done in several states about the
conditions of confinement. But not here in Louisiana where Albert
Woodfox did 46 years at this jail in one cell, and he won a court case
on the confinement issue but not a thing has changed here.
It is past due for Louisiana to be recognized for oppressive and
tortuous conditions imposed upon prisoners in this state. I would like
to point out some significant differences between Louisiana and other
states. Besides the similarities of torture and indefinite time done by
prisoners, with no determinate criteria or programs for release or to
get out of lock-down, we are living in far worse conditions. We do not
have TVs or radios, nor access to any educational programming, etc. We
are limited to three books, and we endure eighteen hours of continuous
bright light in the cells everyday, no exceptions!
We must endure the elements of both cold and heat, with temperatures
often times reaching triple digits. We are not provided any ice, and are
forced to wear a heavy linen jumpsuit from 5am to 4pm.
All prisoners suffer the effects of the chemical agents that are used on
us on a daily basis. Many prisoners are also placed on “strip cell” in a
thin see-through paper gown for thirty-day periods. During the winter
months this is beyond torture.
These are only a few of the many conditions imposed by this prison
administration. All continue to suffer and as many are illiterate and
unable to express or articulate themselves, I speak on their behalf. We
need help! We need change! We need publicity to expose this torture!
MIM(Prisons) responds: This comrade is documenting conditions in
the long term isolation units in Louisiana. This battle is part of our
fight to shut down prison control units across the country. As this
writer explains, these cells are physical and mental torture. The
long-term effects can be devastating. Our
incomplete data
from the state of Louisiana indicates that there are over 1000
long-term isolation units in that state. And we know that solitary
confinement is used as a tool of control for political activists, as
Louisiana infamously held the Angola 3 (who had formed a chapter of the
Black Panthers) in such conditions longer than any other U.$. prisoner,
as the comrade alludes to above. Join this comrade in our campaign to
expose and put an end to this torture!
In April the U.$. Treasury announced that Harriet Tubman will replace
former President Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. But not to
leave Jackson out entirely, they said ey will be moved to the back side
of the bill, along with the image of the White House. The treasury also
announced that the back of the $10 bill will be redesigned to feature
leaders of the movement to gain wimmin the right to vote, while
Alexander Hamilton will remain on the front of that bill. And the back
of the $5 bill will change to incorporate historic moments that took
place at the Lincoln Memorial. These design changes will be announced by
2020, so we can’t expect to see any new currency for a few years.
There was much debate about making changes to the U.$. currency, with
many people calling for incorporation of at least one womyn after a
history of only men featured on the bills. Yet the bills are actually a
good representation of Amerikan capitalism and we see the incorporation
of wimmin on this currency similar to the incorporation of wimmin in the
military. It is not a feminist victory to gain greater representation in
the most destructive imperialist power in the world. This will not
eliminate the patriarchy or gender oppression. Nonetheless, the
selection of a former slave for the $20 bill and suffragettes for the
$10 bill is interesting because many in the suffragette movement
opportunistically played to white nationalism, arguing to white men that
they needed to give white wimmin the right to vote to balance out the
potential political power of Black voters.(1)
Harriet Tubman was born a slave in 1820 and escaped to Philadelphia in
1849, subsequently devoting eir life to fighting slavery and guiding
other slaves to freedom. Tubman died in poverty in 1913. Ey was a fierce
New Afrikan guerilla who played an important historical role in defense
of the evolving New Afrikan nation.(2) Tubman was such an important
figure that eir existence has to be acknowledged by the dominant
Amerikan nation. Yet, as in the decision to put Tubman’s image on U.$.
currency, Amerikkka tries to whitewash the details of Tubman’s life and
claim em as a hero of this imperialist country.
Ironically, the flip side of the $20 bill will continue to celebrate
former President Andrew Jackson, a slave holder who died just a few
years before Tubman escaped to freedom. President Jackson, along with
the U.$. Congress at that time, was a strong supporter of slavery,
basically refusing to take up any proposals that would abolish slavery.
Further, Jackson supported mobs and postal workers intercepting
abolitionist anti-slavery organizing, referring to these actions as
“wicked attempts” to incite slave rebellion.(2) In eir home life, Andrew
Jackson built up the Hermitage Plantation, primarily growing cotton,
with the labor of slaves. It is estimated that Jackson grew this
plantation from a 9-slave operation to over 150 slaves by 1820.
Jackson’s legacy of support for national oppression went beyond
supporting slavery. Ey was a military leader in the fight against First
Nations in the early 1800s. Later, as President, Jackson signed the
Indian Removal Act in 1830, forcibly removing several indigenous nations
from their lands. The forced relocations, known as the Trail of Tears,
led to 46,000 indigenous people relocated during Jackson’s term, many of
whom died from disease and starvation on the way to the destination.
While sprinkled with anarchist tendencies typical to the author, we
recommend Butch Lee’s biography of Tubman to people interested in the
true history of this revolutionary activist.(3) If the growing New
Afrikan defense movement accepts Tubman on the $20 as a positive step,
then the ideological war for Tubman is being lost and more integration
is the order of the day. More integration with Amerikkka is in direct
opposition to the well-being of the majority of the world’s people who
suffer under imperialism, including New Afrikans.
Changing the faces on Amerikan currency won’t change the reality of
Amerikan imperialism. But the willingness of the Amerikan government to
do this does reflect the extent to which integrationism is being used to
keep the oppressed internal nations loyal to the empire. Yet cultural
integration does nothing to address the fundamental national oppression
that keeps imperialism extracting wealth from oppressed nations in the
Third World. These people who generate wealth for Amerikan imperialism
can never expect to see their faces on the money that is coming from
their labor. This just reinforces the divide between First World and
Third World, which will likely result in a very difficult transition
from capitalism to socialism for First World peoples. Giving up the
wealth of hundreds of years of plunder, and re-integrating into global
society as productive human beings will be a long and difficult task for
First World bourgeois and petty bourgeois people. We fully anticipate a
long period of dictatorship over the First World by the Third World,
enforcing a hard fought cultural revolution of re-education for the
First World peoples.
The deeply appreciated efforts of MIM inspire me to see with a different
view the same circumstances. Let’s look at the current election:
Both candidates have an utterly failed platform. The Amerikkkan
elections are about Amerikkkan hegemony; keeping Amerikkka the richest
and most militant/violent nation on earth.
There is no revolutionary voice or worthy candidate. Have we heard
anyone say “All the wealth of the world belongs to all the people of the
world?” That’s the revolutionary voice.
Have we heard any candidate say “The goal of humynity, including
politics, is to solve the problems of hunger, lack of shelter, cure
diseases and end oppression across the globe. Politics is NOT meant to
exploit people beyond national borders or to see that we have ‘more and
better.’” If you heard such a speech you heard a revolutionary voice.
Have you heard a candidate say “This is my plan to assist other nations
to work in harmony with us to end world hunger, child mortality, lack of
medicine and education, and dire poverty. Some candidates speak of the
upper 1%, but I’m here to tell you that
if
you live in the United $tates you are the upper 13%. It’s past time
for us to see all people as our family. The Haitian in the slum is your
sister, my sister. The Nepalese man living in the street is our father.
The infant who died in Bangladesh from a treatable fever is our
daughter, yes, one of us humyns.”
When you hear that voice, then vote. Until then, ignore the candidates
and work together for the day when your political power comes from the
barrel of a gun.
MIM(Prisons) responds: This comrade nicely summarizes where our
priorities should be as world citizens: focused on ending oppression for
people suffering under imperialism around the world. We know that the
capitalists will not peacefully give up the power they use to generate
great wealth from the majority of the world’s people. In fact, even
after a communist revolution that seizes the government for the
interests of the world’s oppressed, we can expect that the former
bourgeoisie, and even some new bourgeois recruits, will attempt to take
back their wealth and power and they will need to be kept down with
force until they can be re-integrated as productive members of society.
We call this phase of the revolution the Dictatorship of the Proletariat
because it still involves a government with power over people, but that
government is acting in the interests of the proletariat, unlike our
current government which is really a Dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie.
There will be a long period of socialism while we remould society and
our culture to educate people in treating others humanely and working
for the greater good rather than for individual gain at the expense of
others. During this process we can expect to see a new bourgeoisie
attempt to take power from the proletariat, as their goal and culture
will not disappear overnight.
We learn much from looking at the histories of the Soviet Union and
China under socialism, both about this bourgeois counterrevolution and
the cultural revolutions necessary to build towards communism. In
imperialist elections we recognize that changing the face of the
government doesn’t change the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, and we
stay focused insist on overthrowing this dictatorship rather than
adjusting the makeup hiding its evil face.
I greatly regret to have to inform you that my Under Lock & Key
No. 51 (July/August 2016) was denied and appealed here on the unit
level on 14 September 2016. That said denial was upheld on 3 October
2016. I look forward to each issue of Under Lock & Key and I
already miss this one dearly.
I would like to inform you that I have tried several things listed in
the Texas Pack but to no avail. As for the Offender Grievance
Program/Administrative Remedies, there are no such things in existence.
But what we do have is Administrative Criminal Victimization. I have
written the U.S. Department of Justice concerning many issues and I get
the same response letter every time. No help.
I’ve also tried going through the ARRM Division Administrator concerning
the denial of a Step 2 grievance but got no response. I have also
written to several of the contacts that are listed in the Texas Pack and
have gotten no response from them either. I have also filed a Sworn
Complaint with the District Attorney here in Coryell County and got no
response.
You have educated me a great deal on how to stand when nothing else I
have tried seems to work, and these people are not open to reasoning of
any type. I just wanted for you to know that I haven’t been sitting in
here doing nothing after requesting the information that you have sent
me to date. I am one of the very few that are willing to stand up for
themselves when his or her Rights are being violated and here is the
situation that you just have to understand: today’s inmate/offender is
broken. The State has broken the spirit of those that had one to begin
with and they are content with the way things are and the way that they
are being treated. And that, I am sorry to say, is a cold, hard fact.
In Solidarity, Spark Plug
MIM(Prisons) responds: The U.$. prison system has been somewhat
effective at breaking the fighting spirit of people it deems threatening
to the status quo, as this writer and many others in Texas attest. But
our present system just can’t help pushing the limits of how much it
abuses people. In response to this abuse, new people are turned into
revolutionaries every day. And once you know, you can’t unknow. Texas
comrades need to be there to direct the discontent into productive
projects as it arises, lest these potential comrades fall to defeatism.
We knew going into it that the tactics in the Texas Pack are likely
ineffective on an individual level. But some people have seen some
relief, even though it’s sporadic. An important aspect of this project
is that everyone who signs up for a Texas Pack also gets a subscription
to this newsletter. While they are seeking remedy through the
administrative and legal channels outlined in the Texas Pack, they also
have the opportunity to learn more about the reasoning behind the
project, and the other campaigns United Struggle from Within and
MIM(Prisons) are working on. Then through the pages of ULK we can
develop our struggle on a broader scale than just filing grievances and
writing letters. Keep on struggling! Keep your input coming!
In 2016, actions on and around the 45th anniversary of the historic
Attica prison uprising were the most widespread we’ve seen. For the last
five years, September 9 has been a day when comrades in the United Front
for Peace in Prisons (UFPP) come together to commemorate Attica by
fasting, striking, studying and building peace and unity for the
anti-imperialist movement. The UFPP was initiated by a number of
prison-based lumpen organizations across the United $nakes in 2011, with
dozens of organizations and cells
signing on
to the statement since then. This year’s activity was so great
because another protest was also underway on September 9th in prisons
across the United $tates. This one, initiated by the Free Alabama
Movement (FAM) and promoted by the Incarcerated Workers Organizing
Committee (IWOC), a project of the Industrial Workers of the World,
affected at least 57,000 prisoners in 31 prisons where lockdowns or
strikes lasted at least 24 hours.(1)
All of this comes on the heels of a summer in which we reported on the
hunger strikes in
Wisconsin,
Ohio
and
Louisiana
calling for an end to the torturous practice of long-term solitary
confinement. In addition, a
North
Carolina hunger strike gained some concessions around mail
censorship. These impressive displays of unity and activism are a good
sign for the prison movement.
Events this September 2016 have been historic in themselves. As we
continue our reporting on the Day of Peace and Solidarity, here we will
highlight some of the events not led by UFPP signatories. The work
strike and peaceful protest at Kinross Correctional Facility in Michigan
was the largest incident the Michigan Department of Corrections has seen
since 1981.(2) We had received a report from Hiawatha Correctional
Facility in Michigan, which was also locked down on 9 September, though
there were no actions there:
“Ever since 9am we have been on a lockdown. The comrades in Level II
[most of the prisoners] in Kinross have done a protest because of the
living conditions, the food, and no fans and heat, and this actually
started on September 9. Prisoners walked out of their job assignments,
so the unsecured Level I prisoners who work in the kitchen served the
Level II prisoners brown bag meals.”(3)
The action at Kinross started as a peaceful march of 500 people
protesting conditions. After the prisoners had returned to their
housing, 100 pigs attacked them with shotguns firing pepper spray.(4)
This led to substantial property damage and Michigan DOC are now moving
about 250 activists to higher security prisons to repress their
protests.(5)
Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama was the origin of the work
strike against “slave labor,” initiated by the Free Alabama Movement.
MIM(Prisons) has been cut off (censored) from Holman for some years now,
despite attempts to reach comrades there. On September 1st a pig at
Holman was murdered by a prisoner in an act of rebellion. The unsafe
conditions led to staff going on strike while the prisoners were still
on strike in late September. Many guards have since quit, leaving the
camp short-staffed to manage the population. We have often pointed out
that if there is one thing that pigs and prisoners might have unity on
it would be safety. While often times the staff takes up the state’s
position that pitting the prisoners against each other is a good
management strategy, this does take a toll on the sadistic pigs who do
such things and sometimes the violence is turned on them. The CO must
ask emself, do i really want to die over a plate of food? This is
exactly what happened at Holman, where it is reported that striking COs
notified FAM ahead of time and expressed support for their peaceful
demonstrations against human rights violations at the prison.(6) This is
a rare occurrence in the United $tates and speaks to the disfunctional
status of the Alabama prison system.
In South Carolina, prisoners at Turbeville Correctional Institution
reportedly fought back, gaining control of the prison for some hours.
Triggered by an uppity pig, it came the day after a prisoner was
murdered by staff.(6)
In California it’s reported that, “Over 100 prisoners have gone on
hunger-strike starting September 9th, demanding the firing of a brutal
guard, access to basic food, and an end to solitary confinement at two
county jail facilities in Merced, CA.”(6) We do not have any contacts at
either Merced County Jail. In recent years California has decentralized
its prison system due to overcrowding in the state prisons, sending many
people to local county jails. Overall, this has reduced the
connectedness of the California prison population and made
accountability more difficult. As these facilities are often less
prepared to house the growing populations of long-term prisoners, we
might expect conflicts there to continue to increase.
We are currently fighting
an
apparent ban on all mail from MIM(Prisons) to prisoners held at
Chuckwalla Valley State Prison. The CDCR has not yet acknowledged an
official ban, but rumors there are that it is a result of September 9th
organizing.
A comrade in Pelican Bay State Prison in California sent documentation
of censorship of mail from the IWOC because it included “Plans to
disrupt the order.” This comrade, along with others, began a hunger
strike on September 9th. They submitted a list of demands signed by 12
prisoners on B-yard including oversight of rules violations, a wage
increase, and a number of demands to improve conditions of the oppressed
nations outside of prisons.
We should also mention a series of actions on the outside, in many
cities, organized by those supporting the prison-led strikes to both
attract attention to the strikes and to pressure the administrations to
listen to the reasonable demands of the prisoners.(6)
What Next?
In the last issue of ULK we discussed our lack of interaction
with those in wimmin’s prisons. It is worth pointing out that the one
state-run prison in California that has reported participating in the
work strike was the wimmin’s prison at Chowchilla where a strike with
full participation was carried out. Events over the last month point out
that wimmin’s facilities are not our only gap in coverage. We have long
been aware of our lack of access in prisons that hold migrants because
they are so segregated from the general population, often face more
repressive conditions, and face a language barrier. On top of that there
are whole segments of the men’s prisons that we are not plugged into.
Sometimes repression and censorship, like at Holman, can cut us off. And
if mail is cut off to us, then people can fall off our mailing list
quietly. This demonstrates the need for more volunteers to work with
MIM(Prisons) to better focus our efforts regionally so censorship isn’t
allowed to persist due to lack of administrative capacity.
In California where county jails have suddenly become long-term prison
facilities, and they are institutionally separated, USW comrades working
on the inside to spread ULK and other materials can play an
important role in reaching more populations.
While there are common threads that connect the whole criminal injustice
system in this country, conditions vary from state-to-state and
prison-to-prison. Because of how the government is structured, focusing
on statewide organizing is important. That means identifying the
principal contradiction within your state and developing campaigns that
will mobilize the masses there. We expect states to have similar
campaigns, but as we can see from the list of actions above, some
populations are motivated by ending solitary confinement, others see a
need to focus on breaking down divisions between prison organizations,
others over mail censorship, and others over wages. We must assess what
will move the masses, as well as what battles are strategic in gaining
ground towards liberation.
We have great unity with those trying to demonstrate the continued
national oppression of New Afrikans by Amerikkkans today, and
demonstrating the historic linkages with slavery. However, when FAM says
“The State and the [Alabama] DOC are profiting hundreds of millions of
dollars off over the approximately 10,000 free labors who report to work
each day inside of their prisons, to jobs in the kitchen, maintenance,
runners, road squads, laundry, libraries and gyms, to stores and
sandwich shops, yard crews, infirmaries and dorm cleaners etc.” we have
to disagree. How can the state profit off of prisoners preparing food
for other prisoners when no money is exchanged for that food; when the
food is paid for by the state itself?
It can be a good tactic for prisoners to engage in work strikes as that
will impact the operations of the prisons: many do rely on prison
workers to keep things running. And it certainly would increase the cost
of incarceration if prisons could no longer use free (or super cheap)
prisoner labor. But we shouldn’t mislead people to think that prisons
are profitable. They are a huge waste of government money! Money that
the imperialists and the Amerikan people have agreed for decades now is
well-spent. If we fool ourselves into thinking this is just about
economics and not about national oppression and population control, we
will end up on the wrong path.
We did not get much first-hand reporting on the actions inspired by
FAM’s call to end prison slavery. But it is inspiring to hear of all the
organizing that has been happening lately. There’s more going on than we
can keep tabs on. This reinforces the need to expand the number of
people working with USW and MIM(Prisons)! We need our volunteers to
continue to step up. We need our released comrades to come out and
support those left behind. We need comrades behind the walls to build
independent institutions of the oppressed, and reach the broad masses so
that all of these struggles can be better connected and we can continue
to strategize to win!
by a North Carolina prisoner October 2016 permalink
As the comrade whom recently filed an
civil case
against NCDPS stated “there are no rights, only power struggles.”
Currently a prisoner entrapped in the cages of North Carolina, I testify
his comment as truth. Censorship within NC prisons has been expanded
from safety examination to harassing and illegal.
Censorship has become as a tool to cover up the corruption, tyranny, and
oppression. Not only outgoing and incoming mail, but also phone calls.
When an incident of corruption occurs, these facilities will not allow
prisoners to utilize commissionary to purchase stamps, envelopes, or
paper. Following the stoppage of canteens, warehouse officers will cease
the issuance of paper and envelopes for those of us who are indigent.
The
continuous
banning of ULK, and similar publications is a problem, but not our
only problem. Those of us who are experiencing these conditions, we have
to create a vanguard. And the comrades in Texas, California, and the
like, we must create a voice. Where is the unity? Where is the
solidarity. We have to construct a united front. It doesn’t only occur
in North Carolina. Maltreatment of prisoners occurs all across Amerika.
We must step up to cease these problems. Our sons, daughters, the future
generations, we must fight so they aren’t subjected to these
circumstances.
Censorship in North Carolina has risen to the point where it’s an
impossibility for my loved ones to receive a letter. Censorship in North
Carolina has elevated to the plane where legal documents are not
reaching their intended destinations. NCPDS has become so oppressive to
where there
isn’t
a law library in any correctional facility throughout the state.
NCPDS attempts to counter-attack, more appropriately worded as prevent,
a rise of consciousness. The preventative measures began with stripping
us of the tools which was used to enslave us: politics, economics, and
jurisprudence. As the historic figure Fredrick Douglass wrote to Gerril
Smith, the abolitionist, in his letter entitled “No Progress Without
Struggle”:
“The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all
concessions, yet made to the august claims, have been born of earnest
struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and
for the time putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it
does nothing. If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
Mr. Fredrick Douglass continues:
“Those who profess freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are he who want
crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and
lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many
waters. This struggle may be a moral one; it may be a physical one, or
it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power
concedes nothing without a demand.”
Is the prison industrial complex not the contemporary plantations? Are
those of us who are locked away in the penal systems of Amerika,
denounced, then deprived of their rights? Dr. John S. Rock, an
accomplished physician and lawyer, who was the first New-Afrikan
attorney admitted to the bar of the United $tates Supreme Court said,
“The greatest battles which they have fought have been upon paper.”
We are stripped of our rights according to their principles, laws, and
constitution. North Carolina this is the time to support each other, to
unite and form organizations, on the inside and outside to voice against
the oppression. You are not alone. For all of those whom are oppressed,
we have one common objective: to end it! Comrades, please aid your
assistance by advice.
The first step is organizing! One for all, all for one!
MIM(Prisons) responds: We previously reported in ULK 52 on
a former prisoner’s lawsuit against North Carolina Department of Public
Safety (NCDPS) for censoring Under Lock & Key. Since that
article we have not seen any updates on this front.
In the meantime, Director of Rehabilitative Programs and Services Nicole
E. Sullivan recently responded to our appeal of the censorship of ULK
51. In eir response, Director Sullivan acknowledges that ULK
has a policy against violence and insurrection in our newsletter, ey
still says peaceful protest when no other administrative avenue has
provided any relief is a threat to safety and order. The real threat to
safety and order is the deplorable conditions of confinement that
prisoners in North Carolina and across the country are forced to live
in. It seems Director Sullivan sees prisoners as inanimate objects
rather than people.
As ridiculous as this response is, we need a lawsuit to get NCDPS to
budge on its censorship of ULK in the short-term. Getting
ULK into the hands of prisoners is one major way we work toward
addressing the long-term problems of oppression that NCDPS is able to
operate under.
Also as part of our long-term strategy, we need to go beyond Frederick
Douglass and the “prison industrial complex” analysis. While Douglass
did provide inspiration for many, when it was time to decide between New
Afrikan self-determination and integration with Amerikkka, Douglass
affirmed eir loyalty to empire and was even appointed U.S. Marshall of
the District of Columbia. This was at a time when others, including
Harriet Tubman, were organizing separatist movements and independent
institutions for New Afrikans, post-Civil War.(1)
We oppose the line that prisons are set up for profit (the analysis of
the “prison industrial complex”) because not only is it simply not true
that the prison boom is motivated by profit from prisoner labor, it also
glosses over the primary purpose of prisons: to control oppressed
populations.(2) When we have our historical analysis ironed out, we will
be better able to take on our oppressors and win!
by a South Carolina prisoner October 2016 permalink
Within the last six months at this institution there has been at least
one riot in the unit where I was housed, and several assaults by
officers upon prisoners, which resulted in officers getting stabbed
and/or beat up.
This particular institution has a long history of racism, oppression,
and repression directed towards Blacks. In the past, it was basically
one-sided, as far as the violence - only officers assaulting prisoners.
However, that dynamic has changed drastically.
Needless to say, these people have been shipping prisoners to different
institutions throughout the state. I haven’t been shipped, but I’ve been
moved a couple of times.
A little over a week ago there was almost a lumpen-on-lumpen situation,
but some of the elders were able to obtain peace, since that particular
situation I made it my personal responsibility to hold some classes to
help educate these youthful lumpen on what it means to have unity.
I am also sad to inform you that on the September 9th Day of Peace &
Solidarity there were several prisoners who stabbed each other up -
thankfully none of them were killed. Since then, we have been mending
the different fractures that exist among the lumpen organizations here;
we’ve been using the ULK newsletters as tools to teach,
education, and unite the various groups.
MIM(Prisons) adds: This was one of a
couple
disturbances that occurred in South Carolina on or around September
9th that were not actually part of either of the major countrywide
organizing efforts made for that day. This goes to show how hostile
conditions in the state are. We commend this comrade for making the most
of the difficult situation. It is in times of strife that change can
often come.
For the second time in about one month over 900 prisoners at River North
Correctional Center were given piss tests. Now if a prisoner is causing
problems that indicate drug abuse, it’s perhaps reasonable to test him.
But testing the entire prisoner population is a fishing expedition just
hoping to catch someone.
Do the prison pigs have some admirable goal? No. They just catch people
to make lives miserable by taking jobs, suspending visits, confining in
seg, etc. If each test and lab fee is just $30 then the pigs spent over
$54,000 in a month on the off chance they might get to punish someone
for using drugs that were not prescribed.
For thousands of years humans have used mind altering substances. The
“soma” of ancient India, the mushrooms of the Incas, peyote, opium,
reefer, and alcohol are but a few examples. Only recently – within 100
years – have governments made the “drugs” illegal. What have these laws
done to stop drug use and abuse? Nothing, as we see drug abuse at an all
time high. These imperialist laws only target people, ruining lives with
jail/prison while lining the pockets of the pigs with money for funding
of the “war on drugs.”
A few generations ago a community had cobblers and tailors, blacksmiths
and silversmiths, lamp makers and other craftspeople. The cobbler knew
the people and knew the kids had warm, dry feet due to his skill. The
lamp maker knew she gave them light. Today, how many of our household
items are made by people we know? Our shoes are made in a factory by a
kid operating a machine at exploited wages. The store with neighbors who
called us by name was an imperialist casualty, destroyed by greed.
Imperialism, with its global capitalism has destroyed us. Drug abuse is
merely a convulsion before death. But you can be revived. You can join
us in re-structuring our communities, our form of government, our lives.
That’s the call of revolution. Are you willing to die in order to feel
alive? Let us use the things you make and let us make the things you
need. In revolution every person has an essential part and there’s no
time for addiction or drug abuse.
MIM(Prisons) responds: We like this author’s point about the
waste of time that is drug abuse, and the reality that this abuse comes
from the alienation fostered by capitalist culture. We sent some
feedback to this author on eir first draft of this article because it
took up an anti-corporate line that seemed to promote small scale
capitalism rather than anti-imperialism. We know that we have much unity
with this author and so suggested ey rewrite it. This rewritten version
is an improvement but still we want to clarify that small scale
capitalism is still capitalism. It is true that huge corporations are a
product of imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism. But we don’t
want to promote nostalgia for petty bourgeois businesses because that’s
a reactionary approach; trying to go back to another time. Another time
that of course never really existed, since even the early days of
capitalism were full of war, oppression, slavery and land grabbing. As
this comrade explained, we need a revolution to restructure society, and
when that happens we will be able to build a new society where people
engage in productive labor, which benefits their community. But it will
not look like the capitalism of a few generations ago. We will eliminate
the system of profit-driven work, instead allowing all people to work
for the betterment of society.
In the course of our discussion with this author over eir article ey
correctly noted that Walmart will die when imperialism dies in North
America: “Walmart exploits laborers around the globe and is a foundation
of Amerikkkan imperialism with revenue that exceeds the gross national
product of many small oppressed nations. Yet its foreign laborers are
paid pennies per hour. Most of their products are from India
(semi-fascist regime) and China (state sponsored kapitalism) where
workers are exploited. Not patronizing Walmart and not purchasing
products manufactured by exploited workers is an ‘attack’ or at least a
‘stand’ against imperialism. … The corner deli or the local mom/pop shop
isn’t exploiting workers in any nation.”
While this comrade is right that big corporations like Walmart are doing
far more exploitation of Third World workers than small shops, we don’t
agree that the corner shop isn’t exploiting workers in any nation. They
are selling the same products or using the same raw materials that
everyone else in the United $tates is selling/using: most of it comes
from Third World labor at base. Most products in Amerikan stores are
manufactured in other countries. So we shouldn’t mislead people into
thinking the stuff they buy in a smaller store is exploitation-free.
Further, the companies that promote “Made in America” products are not
off the hook. Many of them are still buying raw materials and machinery
from labor in Third World countries and just assembling products in the
United $tates. Finally, most of the U.$. economy is not even productive
industries. The service and financial sectors employ most Amerikans,
distributing the wealth within U.$. borders, exploited from other
nations via trade and extraction of real goods. There is no way to
escape participating in the economy of exploitation.
So we don’t tell people to boycott Walmart because we don’t want to
mislead people into thinking that they are going to make a difference
under imperialism by favoring one type of exploitation over another. If
the exploited workers in another country initiated an action against
Walmart (or any other corporation) and asked for our support with a
boycott, that would be a different story because that is not Amerikan
consumerism feeling good about itself by switching where we spend our
ridiculous wealth. That would be internationalist solidarity for
exploited people rising up against imperialism.