In May 2006 inmates of all racial classifications were lulled into a
false sense of security as the totalitarians blanket approach to
punishment was lifted only to be used again disproportionately against
one aspect of the inmate population. It is our belief that the blanket
approach was to disguise this administrations racist tactics in their
dealings with inmates. Now that it is applied to only one segment of the
inmate population it is all the more clear. As is stated in my first
“Calipatria under siege” report, the “Hispanic” inmate population of
Calipatria suffer disproportionate punishment as opposed to the several
other racial designations [MIM ed: we will use Latino instead of
Hispanic, but in California prisons this is almost entirely
interchangeable with Mexican]. Now with living evidence I submit this
second “communiqué” from the front line that is Calipatria State Prison.
As stated in May 2006, the blanket of torture was lifted and tensions
eased only to be complicated once again by a “skirmish” between
“southern Hispanics” [MIM ed - prison label] and correctional staff, and
though the blanket was not unfurled for a great length of time we
believe out of sheer oversight and not from a merciful standpoint. The
blanket of torture was lifted in exchange for a blanket of psychological
warfare with reminders of the totalitarians power to inflict wounds both
physical as well as mental as is mentioned in the latest skirmish and
the subsequent disappearances of “southern Hispanics.”
A return to “normal” program was beginning from total lockdown that
began in July of 2005 where we were denied everything from yard exercise
to canteen to adequate hygiene products to legal relief. Most services
were said to be slowly re-implemented to the inmate population using a
screening process where inmates were returned to a program status in
accordance with prison behavior, the most programs/privileges to inmates
who have the most appealing prison history and the least programs
privileges with the least appealing history. This “screening” is a
farce! It only applies to the Latino inmate population. Other inmates
were afforded all programs and privileges immediately while the Latino
population were/are subjected to this screening, where only
approximately 5 Latinos from each of this sub-facilities’ four general
population buildings were afforded all programs and privileges on a
weekly basis (approx 20 each week). The remainder were/are merely
afforded canteen and package program access. No yard exercise, no
vocation education, no work programs, etc., a continued punishment
merely for being Latino. It’s obvious this screening of those most
willing to program has no bearing on the administrations decision of who
to “release” or “gradually unlock” to full programs/privileges as all
Latino inmates have and show their willingness to program in accordance
to prison procedures.
This administration utilizes methods to deal with or remove the
so-called “un-desirables” with several steps in the disciplinary
procedures. For example, placement in the “hole” for those who seriously
disrupt the programs or “C” status - a confined to quarters type
punishment for those who refuse to work (to name a couple). My point is,
that aside from the above mentioned individuals undergoing disciplinary
procedures, the remainder of the 99.9% of Latino inmates have not
committed a disciplinary infraction to warrant this ongoing punishment.
Those who have committed a disciplinary infraction that are not removed
to the hole or placed on “C” status have not committed an infraction of
a serious enough nature to warrant this ongoing punishment.
Furthermore in September the blanket was unfurled once again when the
entire prison population was placed on lockdown due to weapons being
found and unfounded “intelligence” which allegedly stated the weapons
were to be used to assault staff. In the beginning the entire
institution was placed on lockdown with all programs suspended and
searches of the entire institution conducted. The administration’s
racist policies surfaced in a statement by administration posted on the
institution information channel for the inmate population to read, where
it stated “certain segments of the inmate population continue to disrupt
the program of all the segments.”
At first reading nothing is amiss, until all the racial segments of this
institution were released from lockdown and afforded all
program/privileges. That is, except the Latino population! Now this
statement by administration takes on new life. Now, “certain segments”
means Latinos, where blame for the weapons and so-called “intelligence”
is placed squarely on the Latino population. The weapons in question
were not found on any one person, but in a common area accessible to
all. Yet alleged “intelligence” was used to attribute the weapons to
Latinos. It should be noted the intelligence used by administration is
not refutable nor is there given any proof of its authenticity as it is
“confidential.” The Latinos thereby have no legal recourse to challenge
said “intelligence” as fabricated, false or even to prove it’s actual
existence. Again, disproportionate decision followed with punishment
based on blatant racial attribution of weapons said to belong to
Latinos, based as stated on unfounded and unchallengeable
“intelligence.”
As of this writing, December 2006, the Latinos are again under the
“screening” process prior to unlock of lockdown and access to all
programs/privileges. And again in a manner disproportionate to the other
races who were not subjected to the screening. As stated the entire
Latino population, merely by being housed in this prison in the general
population, is proof positive of each inmates individual as well as
collective willingness, desire and goal to program in accordance to
prison procedures, like that of other racial segments. (Calipatria is a
270 design prison - meaning less restrictive level 4 for level 4 inmates
who have and are positively programming). Like that of the other racial
segments, some individuals or groups have been alleged to have committed
disciplinary infractions serious enough to disrupt programs where the
said are removed from general population to the hole while the remainder
suffer the residual effects of those infractions with lockdowns. Yet as
stated above, the Latino population suffers punishment
disproportionately.
One only has to view our objective conditions to see the racial
overtones where Latinos as a whole are viewed as the undesirable
elements of the prison population. But not undesirable for any
disciplinary infractions committed as a whole but for merely being
Latino. Where disciplinary infractions are committed by other racial
segments of the inmate population are viewed as “isolated incidents,”
Latino disciplinary infractions are viewed as an alleged collective
conspiracy and any and all weapons found are attributed to Latinos,
allegedly corroborated by unchallengeable ’intelligence” notorious
Calipatria State Prison.
The intensity of the psychological war has gained momentum and although
raids, property seizures and disappearances have lessened, they continue
none the less. And although by all outward appearances Calipatria is in
compliance with inmates’ rights, those of the Latino prisoners are
denied, suspended or lessened and suffer the whims of a totalitarian
administrative body. And although it’s no longer 120 degrees outside, it
is still cold in the shadow of the Green wall and the Latinos are still
under siege.
MIM adds: This tactic of dividing the prisons along national lines is
one of many used by the prison administration to keep prisoners fighting
each other rather than uniting against a common enemy. Even the
appearance of preferential treatment for one nationality over another
can contribute to this division. Rather than focus on this inequality,
MIM calls on prisoners of all nationalities to unite in fighting the
unjust policies of the administration. The real enemy is the criminal
injustice system, and unity behind bars will greatly advance our
struggle against this enemy.
