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.
There comes a time when a person in oppressed conditions must wake up,
stand up and speak up about the conditions that we find ourself in. I’m
being held in a minimum facility that’s being run like a super max and I
realize the social and psychological effects that this has on a person.
Twenty two hours trapped inside a unit with no interaction with other
prisoners, except in passing and chow, living in a dorm unit that
doesn’t have enough seats for everyone to watch TV, not enough restroom
stalls, and the numerous mental states that a person has to deal with
while living in this boiling pot of confusion, depression, and
aggression.
A director of Colorado’s Correction Department, Rick Raemisch, spent the
night in an isolated cell as an experiment and he said it left him
“feeling twitchy and paranoid.” He also said he suffered mental anguish
after spending only 20 hours in solitary confinement on 23 January 2014.
Some of our brothers spend 20 months in these confined conditions, and
some 20 years. Most people who get tossed into solitary confinement
already have mental problems and these places are dumping grounds for
the mentally ill.
There was a prisoner here in the Nebraska state pen who did most of his
time in confinement. He told the staff that he had mental issues and
that he needed help before he got out but they refused to help him. He
told the staff that if he didn’t get any mental health programming or
help that he just might get out and kill someone, but they didn’t help
him, they just made him do his full time and tossed him back into
society. Within 30 days he went and killed 4 people. This is just one
issue out of many and our problems run deeper than just mental health
and substance abuse treatment. There are issues that need to be
addressed like political interest, job skill programs, and community
development. The prison overcrowding issues needs to be addressed as
well because this overcrowding is causing prisons to put these
institutions on a modified lockdown status which is why our minimum
institution is run like it’s one big Ad-Seg.
So let’s wake up, stand up and speak up, about these issues and
conditions. Much love and respect to the brothers on the east coast,
fighting in the belly of the beast, stay strong to my family in the
Midwest and down south and to all my comrades on the West, go hard till
ya go home.
MIM(Prisons) adds: Colorado Executive Director of Correction Rick
Raemisch wrote an
editorial
in the New York Times about his experience in solitary confinement
that this comrade describes. In this article he quotes
Terry
Kupers on the psychological effects of long term isolation.
He admits that “I would spend a total of 20 hours in that cell. Which,
compared with the typical stay, is practically a blink. On average,
inmates who are sent to solitary in Colorado spend an average of 23
months there. Some spend 20 years.” But he still tries to justify the
use of solitary confinement as targetting the “worst of the worst”,
those who “act up” when in reality it is often those who are politically
aware and organizing that get slammed behind the isolation door.
Not only does Colorado have formal control units, but they also have
Restricted
Privileges units which are on lockdown 22 hours a day. Further,
Colorado prisons, like those across the country, continues to refuse to
address prisoners’ grievances, a battle taken up with a
grievance
campaign in that state. We are not optimistic that Raemish’s words
will translate into fundamental change in the Colorado prisons. Until we
eliminate the basis of prisons as a tool of social control, even the
best sentiments of one executive director will not have a significant
impact on the system.
Throw a fist in the air for Fred, George, and Marx Oppression we
override all it takes is heart This is for my comrades who recognize
the trap This a unified movement far from a rap Let’s seize the
time the government we overthrow And eliminate spies informing on the
low All nations we together as one With our lives on the line
freedom shall come Nothing is given, it’s taken and demanded It’s
a war with the oppressed left standing Organize your mind focus on
the war Dumping on the pigs, peace to Assata Shakur The struggle
on the rise this I truly see This is dedicated to the people who
standing on their feet It’s a war going on nobody is safe Birthing
solid troops who don’t bind, fold or break The past is present and
the present is the past Oppressed against oppressor forever we
clash 21 guns comrades truly honored Too many sold us out I call
’em transformers All power to the people who fear nothing on this
land We learn from the past with an organized plan United Blood
Nation riding with the Panthers I’m standing on mine with
revolutionary standards In this war blood must be shed Either them
or us that’s what Denmark said I pledge allegiance to the struggle my
life is dedicated My words uplift for those who motivated First
and foremost all my true brothers stand up We will never fall cause
we always stand up!
por un@ prisioner@ en California March 2014 permalink
El mayor propósito de la publicación #7 de Bajo Llave &
Candado es el mostrar quién y quienes no quieren la paz. También
nos enfocaremos linea ya - sostenida - por tiempo de que los presos no
logran nada desuniendose y peleando entré sí mismos o con el personal de
la prisión. Cada prisión que censura este boletín reconoce que la paz
entre los presos va en contra de su meta la cual según llaman
“seguridad,” y además sostiene nuestra tesis presentada abajo.
El tiempo ha comprobado … que la deferencia ciega a los oficiales de las
correccionales no les hace un verdadero servicio. El asunto judicial con
la regularidad de procedimiento tiene relación directa sobre el
mantenimiento de la orden institucional; el cuidado ordenado con el cual
las autoridades de la prisión haces sus decisiones esta íntimamente
relacionado al nivel de respeto con el cual los prisioneros observan esa
autoridad.
No hay nada más corrosivo a la estructura de una institución pública,
como una prisión, que aquellos a los que contiene tengan el sentimiento
que están siendo tratados injustamente.” Palmigiano v. Baxter, 487 F.2d
1280, 1283 (CA1 1973). Como lo notó el Juez Principal en Morrissey v.
Brewer, 408 U.S. @ 408 U.S. 484, “Tratamiento justo…aumentará la
oportunidad de la rehabilitación evitando reacciones de arbitrariedad.”
- opinión disentido de Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539 (1974)
Nuestros registros de rastreo hablan por si mismos. Por lo menos docenas
de presos y ex-prisioneros han dejado esas vidas que alguna vez incluían
ataques físicos a los policías, y a menudo peleas contras personas,
después de haber tomado la lucha anti-imperialista mediante MIM.
Desafortunadamente, nuestra información esta un poquito desertada pues
solo podemos hablar por los prisioneros con los que estamos en contacto.
Depende de un investigador ambicioso el demostrar estadísticamente que
esos envueltos en el anti-imperialismo son menos violentos que aquellos
que no. (o más así como las oficinas de correo de las prisiones a lo
largo del país sostienen en este caso).
Mientras tanto, hay una abundancia de estudios que enseñan como todo
tipo de programas educacionales y familiares ayudan a reducir la
violencia y el carácter anti-social. (1) Desafortunadamente, en un
sistema enfocado en el castigo y a condenar al ostracismo a grupos de
personas, estos programas son usados para manipular en vez de
rehabilitar. Las prisiones de EE.UU. que ofrecen estos programas lo
hacen con el esfuerzo de tentar a los presos con una zanahoria. Tomando
este enfoque individualista ellos no están verdaderamente invirtiendo en
paz o progreso. Cuando las prioridades cambian y un preso pierde su
trabajo, o ya no puede ver a sus seres queridos, entonces ya no existe
el incentivo para ser pacifico. En contraste, una dedicación a la lucha
por un mundo sin opresión no puede ser quitado por administradores
futuros de la prisión.
Verdades:
En décadas de trabajo el Movimiento Internacionalista Maoista nunca ha
roto leyes burgueses. En años de trabajo, tampoco MIM(Prisiones) lo ha
hecho.
Miembros de MIM y miembros de MIM(Prisiones) siempre se les ha prohibido
el romper la ley.
La literatura de MIM nunca ha promovido romper la ley o tomar armas en
contra del gobierno de los EE.UU. o algún gobierno u organización local
de hecho.
Cada publicación de Under Lock & Key, el periodico de
MIM(Prisiones), anima a que los presos obedezcan las leyes y evadir
conflictos físicos.
La experiencia anecdótica provee evidencia de un modelo de violencia
reducida entre prisioneros que se han envuelto en programas educativos
guiados por el MIM y/o compañías organizacionales.
A pesar de las verdades enlistadas arriba, nuestros programas y
materiales son rechazados rutinariamente a los presos a lo largo de los
EE.UU. A finales del 2007, lanzamos nuestra página de internet donde
hemos grabado 509 incidentes de censura. La mayoría de esa censura es
para MIM(Prisiones). De estos, 11 dicen STG - “Grupo de Amenaza a la
Seguridad,” 34 dicen “Seguridad” en general, 14 dicen una amenaza de
“violencia,” y 26 dicen de nuestra amenaza a la “ley” como la razón de
la censura. Además, 164 tomaron lugar en California, donde todo el
correo de MIM fue prohibido porque supuestamente “aboga el tomar el
poder público mediante lucha armada y derribar las administraciones de
las prisiones”quitandoles el control.”(2) Mientras que las luchas
legales recientes de un camarada en California han traído a la luz un
documento que inválida esta prohibición, esta aún se sigue aplicando en
muchas de las prisiones donde MIM(prisiones) tenía una multitud de
lectores. La mayoría del resto de los incidentes de censura caen bajo
varias categorías de “inaceptable,” “no permitido,” “no
autorizado:,”rechazado” o no se daba ni siquiera una razón.
Security Threat Group (STG) o “Grupo de Amenaza a la Seguridad,” es la
palabra de moda adquirida en los años 1990 que se aplica a
organizaciones políticas y callejeras por igual, muchos según llamados
“profesionales correccionales” afirman que MIM(Prisons) es un STG. Pero
exactamente, ¿para quién somos una amenaza a la seguridad? Copiando el
lenguaje del precedente marco de jurisprudencia, se usa frecuentemente
como “perjudicial a la seguridad, buen orden, o disciplina de la
institución o […] que facilitaria actividad criminal.” El problema con
el fraseo de la decisión de esta corte es que muchas prisiones
interpretan que significa que si tu le dices a prisioneros que presenten
demandas, escriban a la prensa, que se unan a organizaciones o entablar
un juicio en respuesta a la tortura, abuso físico, falta de cuidado
médico, censura, etcétera, entonces tu estas amenazando el buen orden o
disciplina de la institución. (THORNBURGH v. ABBOTT, 490 U.S. 401
(1989))
Revisiones de esta y otra jurisprudencia demuestran que bajo capitalismo
en America, prisioneros realmente tienen derechos y la interpretación
dearriba es una violación a ellos. El real significado de esta ley sería
permitir a administradores de las prisiones a censurar materiales que
fomentan real e inmediatas amenazas de riesgo y seguridad, tal como
planear atacar a alguien más en la prisión o contrabandear armas. El
caso más reciente condenando encerrocratas por prevenir a prisioneros
recibir materiales que promueven resistencia legal, fue justo el año
pasado cuando un camarada en Wisconsin, ganó su pleito en la corte
federal.(3)
En algunos casos la administración de la prisión ha interpretado la ley
de la misma manera que nosotros lo hacemos, pero todavia afirma que
violamos esta al representar una amenaza de riesgo y seguridad. El
boletin de prohibición de California, citado arriba es un ejemplo de
esto. En estos casos además, no estamos de acuerdo hasta el punto de
llegar a involucrar a las cortes burguesas.
El memorándum de Octubre del 2006 del Director del CDCR Scott Kernan
prohibiendo publicaciones de MIM (supuestamente no todo nuestro correo)
tiene completamente inexactas declaraciones en este, tales como el
citado arriba. Si fuera posible demostrar que MIM fomento o violó la ley
sin mentir, uno de los abogados del estado ya habría hecho esto. Su
defensa favorita en muchos estados es esconderse detrás de las paredes
de la prisión, en vez de mentir como Scott Kernan lo hizo. Por eso es
que oficiales del estado necesitan ser públicamente responsables en
cualquier sociedad que alega democracia en cualquier forma.
Desde oficiales de corrección hasta el director, desempeñan el papel al
pie de la letra del burócrata intentando defender su institución
corrupta, y para poder actuar en el nombre de trabajos lucrativos.
Nosotros admitimos ser una amenaza a los trabajos de oficiales corruptos
e instituciones abusivas, como cualquier consciente ciudadano debe ser.
En esta edición leerás historias de planes frustrados de paz, violentos
montajes, y riesgo de pago para los C.O.s. Varios de los sindicatos
representando a los así llamados oficiales de paz, son algunos de los
mas fuertes en el país y su principal herramienta de influencia es la
seguridad personal. Ellos dicen “estamos poniendo nuestras vidas en
juego para proteger tus mierdas, es mejor que nos paguen bien.” Por lo
tanto la inherente motivación por más violencia, más motines, más
miembros de gangas “validados” y más máxima seguridad y prisiones
supermax. Todo esto significa más dinero en sus bolsillos.
Por lo general, Amerikanos en su totalidad se benefician de sus
posiciones de poder sobre los oprimidos. Ciudadanos Estadounidenses de
clase media se benefician por ser miembros del grupo de gente quienes
pueden ser policías o que pueden consiguen trabajos similares como
opresores en el sistema de injusticia criminal, y se benefician de los
servicios que los policias proporcionan manteniendo lineas entre los
grupos sociales.
Esto no es solo una motivación individualista de un pago más alto, esto
es además una conciencia nacional que es necesaria para crear la
mentalidad de “Nosotros vs. Ellos,” que es necesaria para dirigir
prisiones de la manera que ellos lo hacen en los Estados Unidos. Un
ejemplo esta conciencia surgió durante el reinado de terror de Guiliani
en la ciudad de Nueva York en los años 1990s, cuando el New York Times
reportó que la mayoría de residentes blancos estaban conformes con la
conducta de la policía que ellos veían, mientras que nueve de diez de
Negras sintieron que “la policía se dedicaba en la brutalidad contra
Negras.”(4)
Estas normas nacionales de “ellos contra nosotros” fueron creadas por
los colonizadores blancos y esta profundamente dentro de la historia de
arrebatos de tierras y comercio de esclavos. Después del tiempo esto
forzó al oprimido a ver el mundo de una manera similarmente dividida,
dejando a los opresores con dos alternativas; ellos pueden retractarse y
usar esto como una justificación para su propia brutalidad o pueden
disminuir la contradicción. Nuestro análisis de imperialismo y la
contradicción principal predice que Amerikanos no pueden disminuir la
contradicción, y hasta ahora hemos probado tener la razón. Y eso es
porque prisiones de Estados Unidos llegaron a ser un pequeño mundo
perversamente violento de la sociedad Amerikana.
Mientras que creemos que policías y oficiales correccionales en general
tienen intereses conferidos para oponerse a nuestros esfuerzos para
promover paz, estamos actuando en un Frente Unido con algunos empleados
del enorme sistema de justicia criminal quienes están mas interesados en
llegar a casa con sus familias cada noche, que consiguir una chance de
pago y nuevos juguetes de alta tecnología para jugar. Esto es poco
probable en lugares como California donde la historia ya ha mostrado que
les pasa a los empleados de las prisiones que hablan contra estos
intereses. En una nota asociada, MIM(Prisons) no amenaza las vidas de
las personas ni induce gente al suicidio, ni lleva a cabo asesinatos.
Muchos empleados de las prisiones afirman que MIM(Prisons) es una
amenaza porque animamos a prisioneros a organizarse. Miramos a la
historia otra vez, y ayudamos a sofocar esos temores tomando una mirada
a dos de los mas grandes ejemplos de prisioneros organizadose ellos
mismos: Attica y Walpole. En la rebelión de Attica en 1971, no fueron
asesinados oficiales correccionales hasta que la Guardia Nacional entró
y baleó a muerte a 11 empleados junto con 29 prisioneros. Hasta ese
punto los prisioneros de Attica habían organizado una sociedad dirigida
democráticamente dentro de las paredes de la prisión, incluyendo cosas
tales como su propia comida y servicios médicos, mientras que estaban
negociando con el Estado en nombre de todos los prisioneros. A los
guardias se les dio trato superior todo el tiempo.
Un par de años más tarde, prisioneros en Walpole se les fue permitido
dirigir la prisión ellos mismos cuando el sindicato de los guardias se
fue a la huelga. Ellos crearon servicios similares como los prisioneros
de Attica, y en realidad incrementaron la eficiencia de operación de la
prisión con los guardias y burócratas fuera del camino. Esto mostró que
tan pronto como a principios de los años 70s, que a los guardias de
prision se le pagaban altos salarios por hacer nada. Desde entonces la
población de la prisión se ha incrementado ocho veces, haciendo engordar
la labor aristocrática con trabajos de salarios más altos a lo largo del
camino.
Los prisioneras funcionando pacíficamente sin supervisores impactó a los
puercos, quienes entonces empezaron a correr rumores acerca de motines
dentro de Walpole. Los motines nunca sucedieron, y de hecho hubo a fin a
toda violencia y violaciones durante la semanas en que los guardias de
la prisión estuvieron ausentes, y por algún tiempo después. Esta clase
de rumores continuos no es única a un grupo particular de guardias
malévolos. En vez de eso, ellos estaban representando el mismo interés
heredado de esta clase de gente. En los últimos 15 a 20 años en
California, ellos han tenido éxito en crear una atmósfera de disturbios
y violencia. Unicamente la minoría lleva a cabo su-mismo-interés en paz,
porque esta es una amenaza a sus trabajos como clase.
Desafortunadamente, podemos esperar mucha violencia de los opresores
antes de que podamos esperar un honesto juicio de lo que esta pasando en
estos reservados calabozos. La gente quiere paz ahora. Comunidades que
están siendo ocupadas, encarceladas y bombardeadas quieren un inmediato
fin a la violencia.
Huey P. Newton dijo que le corresponde al opresor decidir si satisfacer
tales demandas del oprimido pasan de una manera pacifica o de una manera
violenta. Frantz Fanon dijo que la violencia es parte del desarrollo
humanista y nueva conciencia entre la gente. Aún si Fanon esta en lo
correcto, toma mucho para presionar a las multitudes hasta el punto de
violencia como Huey lo indicó. Esto es obvio con la tanta gente que ha
pasado más días en sumisión pacifica que estos quienes no. Resistencia
violenta de la gente surgirá como esta sea necesitada por los que
monopolizan violencia a través de su propio poder.
MIM(prisons) únicamente entabla y promueve medios legales para combatir
injusticia. Cuando el personal de las prisiones reprime cada salida
educacional y legal para prisioneros para reparación de sus quejas,
entonces se hace claro que clase de estrategias están promoviendo. En
esas prisiones, predecimos que habrá violencia, y ellos no pueden
culparnos de esto porque ellos nos han mantenido fuera.
Esto es igual a lo que decimos de todas las luchas por justicia
alrededor del mundo. Creemos que la violencia es necesaria para acabar
con la injusticia porque la historia ha mostrado que el opresor nunca
para de oprimir de una u otra manera. No queremos fomentar violencia,
estamos simplemente declarando nuestra conclusión leyendo la historia.
En cada caso de guerra revolucionaria, dependió del opresor decidir si
la violencia fuera usada o no. La historia muestra que lo mismo ha sido
verdad en el movimiento de los derechos en la prisión; la lucha por los
derechos de los prisioneros ha llegado a ser únicamente
violenta cuando el Estado ha iniciado la violencia.
Vea además The Nation, March 4, 2005: “Estudios claramente han mostrado
que participantes en educación dentro de la prisión, vocación y
programas de trabajo tienen índices de reincidencia de 20 a 60 por
ciento más bajos que los no participantes. Otro reciente y mayor estudio
de prisioneros encontró que participantes en programas de educación eran
29 por ciento menos probables de terminar de regreso a prisión, y que
participantes han ganado un salario más alto en libertad.” 2. El
texto completo de esta carta esta disponible en nuestro sitio web a lo
largo con ciento de toneladas de otros documentos relacionados a la
prohibición de California:
https://www.prisoncensorship.info/campaigns/ca/
(si tu eras un preso de California probablemente ya la has visto.) 3.
Lorenzo Johnson v. Rick Raemisch, Daniel Westfield, and Michael Thurmer,
Case No. 07-C-390-C US District Court Western District of Wisconsin.
Disponible pronto en nuestra página de archivo. 4. Hayden, Tom.
Street Wars. The New Press, 2005, p.108.
Once there was a time you could tell me any lie; I was at the
bottom of the pyramid believing there was someone, something,
watching and judging from up in the sky. Now I am the eye above the
suspended eye and am no longer susceptible to their oppressive
lies! Their lies and stories of dread and fear no longer have
their delusional hold on me. Sure death brings a final rest, but I
now also see that life is to be lived completely free. Stand up, live
free, lift your eyes up high! You no longer have to fear their
devious lies! We get one life to live and you can choose to live it
free! You don’t have to be the scared little sheep that they want
you to be!
Franklin Correctional Facility is a medium classification prison that
does its best to oppress. Rules are broken on a constant basis by this
administration. Their need to control every tiny moment and movement
really displays their fears of us ever getting on the same page to take
action. I’m not speaking riot, just trading info and court actions when
it comes to confronting their gestapo tactics. The physical beatings in
front of others by guards has placed fear into many hearts so that
writing a grievance is taboo.
As an Orientation Facilitator, I used to inform those coming to this
prison what to expect and how to protect themselves. Someone snitched on
me and I was fired.
I wrote a total of 42 grievances but it was never enough for me. The
next step was to meet the oppressors face to face, and I became the
Inmate Liaison Committee (ILC) Chairman, and that’s when the fireworks
started. Contempt and hatred for me was freely displayed. I stayed on my
horse until I was set up with a misbehavior report that sent me to the
box.
When I got out I tried to get back to the ILC but was always
stonewalled. My so-called peers refused to assist me, claiming it would
hamper their agenda and they don’t want any trouble. In other words they
are comfortable and satisfied. Sellouts is what I call them. In order
for any progress to take place snitches and sell-outs must be contained.
Corrections depends on them for their services. The “I don’t want to get
involved” types complain and bitch but don’t take any action. 1,700
prisoners reside here and about 20 will lay a pen game down. Law library
sucks because the workers want to get paid to do nothing for you.
The prisoner organizations are so controlled that we are not allowed to
advertise how to become a member. We are told what to spend and where to
spend. I say let’s organize and write Corrections in Albany, but my
prisoner peers say we don’t want to cause any trouble. How can people
who weren’t afraid to break the law be afraid to write in defending
yourself or make a point. Even if you don’t know how, ask someone. Make
the pen your gun.
The capitalist company Corcraft runs sweatshops in this prison to make
officer and prisoner clothing. Guys can’t wait to work for them because
it pays the best in comparison to 10 to 20 cents an hour for other
assignments. Commissary prices continue to increase.
Any time I attempt to band us together in writing grievances and Article
78s someone snitches on me. Microphones are placed in the library,
chapel and other places we congregate. How can any movement get
generated when dudes snitch or are going home soon? I have done all I
can, but fear and the lack of education gives corrections an
all-systems-go for future oppression in a big way. We are losing in this
injustice system and a lot of us don’t care to know how to win.
Organize!
MIM(Prisons) responds: Our work in the criminal injustice system
in Amerika involves a constant battle between those who see the value in
uniting to fight the system, and those who are taken in by the bribery
offered by the prisons in exchange for complacency or snitching. This
contradiction exists throughout the prison system in this country, but
in some states we are winning more unity and strength while in others
the anti-imperialist forces are still a small minority. New York state
still does not have a
grievance
campaign while prisoners in twelve other states have already stepped
up to push this important work forward. There was an important action
last year in Auburn Correctional Facility in New York, where prisoners
joined the food strike in California.
Activists must evaluate the conditions in their state and their prison,
and then determine what they can do to most effectively educate and
organize other prisoners. In some states this may involve mass protest,
in others we are still at the point of building study cells and
educating whoever is willing to talk with us. Wherever your struggle is
at, MIM(Prisons) can provide material to help with the educating and
organizing.
They don’t care. They’re not involved or don’t want to get involved,
but they are. Their involvement just masquerades as indifference
or inattention. It is the silent “acquiescence” of the millions that
supports the system, your silence becomes approval, for it does
nothing to interrupt the system. People use all sorts of excuses for
their indifference. They appeal to god as a shorthand route for
supporting the status quo. They talk about law and order, but
look at the present system, look at the present social order of
society. Do you see god? Do you see law and order? There’s
nothing but disorder, and instead of law and order there is only the
illusion of security. It’s an illusion because it is built upon a
long history of injustices; racism, criminality and enslavement and
genocide of millions. Many people say it is insane to resist the
system, but actually, it’s insane not to.
In the William P. Clements Prison unit in Amarillo, the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is now selling us 50 sheets of low quality
paper on commissary for $1.80. Here in the extended cell block, High
Security A.K.A. Segregation, we have showers in our cells. They only
come on 15 minutes per day. We are only issued a clean towel 3 times per
week: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. So we go Saturday, Sunday and Monday
on the same towel.
Here’s the problem. Once you are done with your shower the spray covers
at least 1/3 of your cell. If you use this towel to dry all this grey
water up you no longer have a towel suitable to dry your body off the
next day after a shower. If we get caught with a second towel for use in
this purpose we receive a disciplinary case for extra necessities. I
personally grieved this issue and it was denied because policy states
we’re only allowed one towel at a time. This is a sanitary issue.
These are just some of the injustices we see here in the Texas
department of Criminal Justice. On another level though Texas inmates
just won a small victory when the federal courts ruled TDCJ was
violating our religious rights by making prisoners of certain faiths
shave or cut their hair, like Rastafarians, Native Americans, Muslims,
Amish, and Jews. We are still waiting for the change in grooming policy
but we won.
MIM(Prisons) responds: Compared to some of the brutality,
long-term isolation, and medical neglect, lack of a clean towel may seem
like a minor issue facing Amerikan prisoners. But it is these minor
issues that really illustrate the irrationality of the prisons in this
country. Why would it be a disciplinary case for a prisoner to have a
second towel to keep his cell clean? How could this good hygiene
practice be dangerous or otherwise problematic? Prisons withold small
“privileges” like this as an arbitrary form of punishment. There is no
educational or reform purpose. There is just a long list of such actions
adding up to unsanitary, disrespectful, unstimulating, and counter
productive living conditions (when prisoners aren’t being beaten,
tortured, starved, or otherwise physically abused).
Prisoners will come together to fight for these minor issues, as we see
with this court victory for religious expression with haircuts in Texas.
It is our job as revolutionaries to take these small battles and use
them as educational opportunities to show others how these issues fit
into the broader system of imperialism where prisons are used as a tool
of social control.
My roommate is serving a life sentence. A few years ago he became
eligible for parole but each year he is denied with an admonition to
“obtain your GED before your next parole hearing.”
He has been in prison 20+ years so why hasn’t he obtained his GED? Is he
ignorant? Lazy? Stubborn? No, each year he submits a request to attend
school and each year his request is denied because “classes are reserved
for inmates with five years or less remaining on their sentences.”
Persyns with life sentences will always have more than five years
remaining.
The parole board Chairpersyn and the Education Director refuse to
compromise. Each states emphatically, “I am in charge and this is my
policy.”
The imperialist/capitalist mindset views power as a goal in and of
itself because imperialism is built upon domination, subjugation, and
starvation of “those other people.”
Socialism/communism views power as a means to a worthy goal. The view is
toward the community or collective, and power is used to help each
persyn find his or her place of function or service within the
collective. A communist who sees a worker on the roadside with a flat
tire will stop and show the worker how to change the tire. The
imperialist will stop and flatten the other three tires, then punish the
worker for being late to work by docking the pay.
In American life we see many selfish abuses of power. For example,
almost 100% of persyns released from prison are at the lower end of the
American socio-economic scale. Yet their criminal convictions will make
them ineligible for low income housing. And if they have a conviction
for a “sex offense,” they are pretty much prohibited from living
anywhere except landfills and moon craters.
Criminal convictions in American “society” restrict employment to
generally the most menial and lowest paying jobs. Yet imperialist judges
demand fines, court costs, and restitution payments begin immediately.
Usually there are additional monthly fees for parole and for
court-ordered treatment programs. Plus, the former prisoner’s drivers
license is suspended or revoked until these payments are made,
effectively hindering the mode of transportation to seek or maintain
employment.
Deification of the individual ego and crushing the down-trodden are
lauded achievements in imperialist nations. The only treatment for these
symptoms is decapitation and removal of the minds that develop and
implement politics designed to keep the impoverished in poverty.
MIM(Prisons) adds: This writer provides some excellent examples
of how the criminal injustice system (CIJ) works to keep the lumpen
class down. And as this article notes, the CIJ is an integral part of
the imperialist system, serving an effective role of social control. The
author outlines the ultimate solution to this problem: overthrowing
imperialism and implementing a socialist dictatorship of the
proletariat. But in the short term we can also fight these repressive
policies through independent institutions of the oppressed that build
the anti-imperialist movement. Two of these that are directly relevant
here are our educational study groups and
literature
for prisoners, and our
Re-lease
on Life program. Both work within the current legal system, the
first to provide educational materials and classes to prisoners
motivated to study, and the second to help prisoners stay out and
politically active once they are released. Write to us to get involved
in building these programs.
It seems that change in our society is only brought about by those of
our populace who are considered to be radicals, so this piece is written
for those radicals who are compassionate enough to care and who will
take the necessary efforts to make a lasting difference for those of us
who are held and tortured in Security Housing Units (SHUs), which are
specifically dedicated for those prisoners who are supposed to be under
the care of an institution’s mental health system. These american gulags
are also known as “Psychiatric Services Units” (PSUs).
These specially dedicated SHUs are rarely, if ever, visited by outside
prisoner rights organizations, to my knowledge; and the prisoners housed
therein are simply forgotten. These prisoners have no representatives
and no means to voice their concerns and so the atrocities accumulate
unchecked.
Aggressive and sadistic prison guards have been known to pepper spray an
individual until they cannot breathe due to the accumulation of
micronized capsicum (pepper essence) absorbed into their lungs after the
guard empties onto the individual several canisters of the corrosive
irritant chemical weapon. This is not third party hearsay, I know of it
personally, for it has happened to me. Of course nothing is done about
it when you have the foxes guarding the henhouse.
Think a prisoner can obtain justice through the prison’s
administrative
grievance systems? You had better think about it again, no way. And
the courts, including the federal courts, will not entertain themselves
of the issues of complaint where the completion of the administrative
appeals process has been denied by a corrupt prison administration; it
has been made law, a statutory prerequisite otherwise known in
litigation circles as a “procedural bar.” It creates gross injustice and
perpetrates unchecked human abuse which is tolerated by our society, it
is a blatant indication of how cruel and vicious we have become as a
people.
Even more sinister is the presence of food pantries created within each
of the blocks of SHU/PSU units, which are independent from the main
kitchens where mainstream prisoners receive their meals. These food
pantries are not under the control of licensed food service employees
and are in fact totally controlled by the guards assigned to that block.
Those prisoners who are targeted by the “system” quite often find
themselves physically sickened by the meals they are served, meals which
stink with rotten foodstuffs. Milk cartons are served bloated with
full-blown contamination.
The milk is a favored vehicle to get an inmate victim to ingest a
“knock-out” drug and get raped while he is unconscious. This is a fact;
it has happened to me twice. Also milk is utilized in these modernized
dungeons as a tool to get unsuspecting targeted prisoner victims to
consume psychotropic substances which has the effect of a “truth serum”
and is used as an aid in covert interrogation of all prisoners suspected
by debriefer informants and snitches. And, for the same purpose targeted
prisoners are placed in cells with low pressure or dysfunctional
ventilation systems which are used to force irritant gasses, pepper
spray or other toxic obnoxious chemical weapons through to be inhaled by
the occupant of that particular cell. In addition to the above abuses,
the usual torture routine includes the air cooling system on full blast
in mid-winter, and the heating system turned full up in mid-summer.
MIM(Prisons) adds: We appreciate the risk that our comrades take
to get reports of such horrible abuses to Under Lock & Key.
Information like this is important to get out because, as this writer
points out, very few people are looking at these prisons or monitoring
the treatment there. But Under Lock & Key is more than a
tool of exposure, it is a rallying point for activists and leaders to
bring together others and work out strategies and tactics in our fight
against the criminal injustice system. We should read reports like this
one and be outraged. And then we should turn that outrage into action,
working to educate others and build support for our fight to put an end
to this system of injustice.
I want to give you some updates on some new developments around here. In
the last couple of months here in the PBSP SHU we are now being given
more privileges. We are now allowed 3 hour visits and the items/property
that we may buy and possess was expanded so that we can now have 40
pictures, up from the previous allowed 15 pictures, we can have a bowl
and cup, slippers/houseshoes, jalapeños, hot sauce, 2 pairs of sweats
and thermals and two appliances, and others have already received a CD
player/tape player for the radio. So it just goes to show that there was
no reason to deny us such things in the first place.
Also, on 11 February 2014 Assembly Member Tom Ammiano introduced
Assembly Bill No. 1652, which if passed and signed into law would limit
the time validated inmates would spend in the SHU solely based on
validation status to 36 months. It would also allow validated prisoners
to earn and receive good time credits again. Write to: Legislative Bill
Room, State Capitol, Room B22, Sacramento, CA 95814, and request a copy
of the bill, or have someone on the outside go to
www.leginfo.ca.gov.
Lastly, a new favorable validation case came out last year: In RE
Cabrera, 216 CAL. APP. 4th 1522 C CAL. APP. 5th Dist. 2013. There’s
some good news but let’s not get comfortable as we have a long way to go
to abolish solitary confinement. Getting Assembly Bill No. 1652 passed
would be a big step in the right direction, so get involved in any way
you can and spread the word.
MIM(Prisons) adds: We’ve said before that you can’t reform
torture. California Assembly Bill No. 1652 would certainly improve
individuals’ lives by shortening the length of torture they face. But
the state will still be terrorizing prisoners with the threat of 3 years
in isolation for talking to people the state doesn’t like or sporting a
tattoo they find offensive or being a member of an organization they are
opposed to.
The In RE Cabrera on Habeas Corpus case may make it a little
harder for the CDCR to torture people for just a tattoo as it requires
that one piece of evidence used to label a prisoner a Security Threat
Group member must prove a two-way relationship between the prisoner and
the group. Still, the process of “validation” using secret evidence
remains in place making it hard for SHU prisoners to even know if this
case applies to them.
As this comrade says, we still have a long way to go to abolish solitary
confinement. But the progress in terms of organizing and building an
opposition to this blatant torture and social control shows that the
oppressed will not put up with this forever. Once a symbol of the
state’s strength over the oppressed, the torture kkkamps across the
United $tates are becoming a point of weakness that exposes its
oppressive nature while rallying resistance to its repression.