Apr-May 97

News from the Gulags

BOOK REVIEW
Prisons: A Social Crime and Failure, by Emma Goldman

In 1917, in a book of essays, Emma Goldman included her masterpiece on the inhumanity and failure of the prison system. She begins with a parable from Dostoyevsky, written on the wall of his cell where he was incarcerated for being a "dissident." Dostoyevsky asks a priest why he continually confronts his congregation with the possibility of spending the next life in hell. People are living in hell on this earth right now, proclaims Dostoyevsky. He then proceeds to lead the priest on a tour of poverty, which the priest can hardly bear. They continue on to a prison. Men are chained and lying listlessly in filth. "Take me away from this hell," cries the priest. Says Emma, "Human beings are still sent to hell, where they are outraged, degraded, tortured so that society may be 'protected' from the phantom of its own making." In 1917 the government was spending $6 billion annually on the prison system, a colossal expense for the "armies of human beings caged up like wild beasts." If they spent $6 billion in 1917, the figure must be in the trillions by now. Emma speaks of the increasing "prison investigations" at that time. A lack of them at this time can be viewed as a national malaise or fear, but critics are on the rise anyway.

Emma Goldman, forever the realist and humanitarian, once said that "Compared to religion, patriotism and the law, thieving is honorable!" What, she asks, is the basis of punishment-the notion (myth or fantasy) "that free will exists and man can choose good or evil?" She answered her critics with studies that disproved that theory, but which continue to be the policy of the government. Emma considered the government to be "a cruel and brutal tormentor of human life." Her descriptions of the camps are timeless. Human beings "hidden in solitary-dependant entirely on the mercy of keepers," a process of dehumanization worse than revenge." She said that "There is not a single prison in the U.S. in which men are not tortured (to be made good!) by the black jack, club, straight jacket, starvation, and solitary." Nothing has changed. "In these conditions the will is broken, the soul degraded, the spirit subdued by the deadly monotony and routine of prison life."

Why, asks Emma, are the prisons a social failure? She classifies crimes into four categories-political, passional, insane, and occasional. She adds that "political criminals of one era would be martyrs in another." There is a movement afoot to deny these hells a right to exist. We can, in Emma's words, no longer accept "as ordained by divine right or by the majesty of law" an outrageous degradation and torture of our fellow human beings." There has to be a citizen review board which can visit prisons unannounced and see for themselves what goes on there. The prison says it must preserve its security. Who is watching out for the security of prisoners?

Forlorn: 1. 'dejected,' 2. 'hopeless,' 3. 'wretched,' 4. 'abandoned, 5. 'deserted'. Now decimated as a people, we prisoners cannot help but feel forlorn. Our existence places us under a constant fusillade of insults, assaults, character assassination, abuse, torture, and racism in a desolate cold cell. So why are we so misunderstood when we strike out against the system responsible for our pain, suffering, frustration, bitterness, loneliness and tears? Unless you have forgotten or care not to remember, we are human beings! We are no different than you. We bleed when we are cut, cry when we are hurt. We have feelings just like you do. Why can't anyone understand that when we are brutalized and deprived of basic human rights, when we are separated from our families, friends, loved ones and communities, and when we are forced to watch our friends die unneccessarily because they are Black prisoners and poor and because they are labeled "prisoners"-that these injustices hurt us? -Derris Gibson, 167275 MSU, Delaware CC, Smyrna, DE 19977

The Puerto Rican community sponsored 4 short films on 15 political prisoners. More wasted, tortured lives! One of them was about a son born to Dolcia Pagan, the political prisoner, whom she had to give up when he was about 16 months old. The film that left me crying was about Oscar Rivera-Lopez. It showed him in the Florence ADX, and the film included a cell extraction. A prisoner was screaming while five armed thugs (guards) were beating him.

More of the same here in Texas prisons, policy changes occur almost daily WITHOUT NOTICE! The result is more disciplinary violations for "rules" we didn't know existed. Most cases are now graded "Major." A major case is an automatic parole set-off. The prison guards are now more powerful than the parole board. Each individual unit is a quasi-judicial, quasi-legislative junta. Mandatory release is under attack in Austin. Prisoners will have no incentive to accrue good time if it's made worthless. Something's got to give!

This dump in Florida has poorly lit, poorly venti-lated cells where you spend 24 hours a day for years. Cold in winter, sweltering in summer. No TV or radio, no educational, religious or vocational programs available. You simply vegetate with nothing to do in a state of institutionally induced numb lethargy. This type of confinement operates to degenerate and debilitate prisoners and has long been recognized as destructive to any job skills or work habits a prisoner might have. It breeds violence, distorts self-image, and is psychologically harmful. After a few years of such unrelenting idleness, you're in a rage and that's exactly what their objective is. We'll get out, kill or rob, and come back. What's going on here is a crime against society that society perpetrates upon itself through indifference and neglect."

Presenting Kendall Spenser-Hero of the Week-who writes that the Stiles Unit, home of some intensive beating of prisoners by a sick staff, has been put on the carpet. The Internal Affairs Division of the TDJ (another pseudo attempt to legitimatize an illegal system) called Kendall out to ask about the beating of Robert Magoon by staff. The next day the conversation between the inspector and Kendall was repeated verbatim by the guards (says a lot about witness protection-another sham).The investigator tried to talk Kendall out of being a witness, saying that guards/officers/flunkies would start harassing him once they found out. Kendall replied that he was "tired of the pigs harassing him and that he had an ancient African Secret to have them leave him alone." Kendall is another James Baldwin!

He writes, "We need supporters. Anyone who is willing to help us organize and expose the dirty deeds of these double-dealing, lowlife prison officials please write to me." Anyone outside Texas who wants to join 'Unity Behind Bars,' please write to: Kendall Spencer 484356, Stiles Unit Rt. 4 , Box 1500, Beaumont, TX 77705.

Holes in the Dike


I phoned a foreign consul on behalf of a captive who was written up for not speaking En-glish. The captive speaks very little English and is only comfortable in his own language. The Fuhrer at the camp decided that the captive could speak English and "will rot in the hole until he speaks English." I explained the situation to the consul. He said he would definitely intervene on behalf of the captive. He added. "I intend to resign from this job and return to my own country. I do not wish to remain in this sick place where prisons are becoming the main industry."

On numerous occasions guards have left the employment of the prison system. The most recent one I heard about occurred several months ago in Florida when 6 guards left at one time. Several years ago, in Florida, a captive found a worm in his food. He would not pass his tray through the food slot until they replaced it with another. A replacement tray was ordered. Before it came, a racist captain got wind of what was happening. He bellowed; "Inmates are in no position to demand shit." With that, he stormed on the wing with his hit (goon) squad. They ordered the captive to turn around, cuff up, (which he did) and put shackles on his feet. They took him outside the wing and brought him back two hours later, looking like Joe Frazier after the "thriller in Manila." (And we, the public, are permitting this brutality and unaccountable sadism to continue).

Two new "officers," one in his early twenties and the other a middle aged European, refused a "direct order" to use unnecessary force on an inmate who was already in handcuffs and leg shackles. They refused to join this "satanic initiation," a spilling of blood, and, stopped the other goons from killing the captive. After the incident, the two men were escorted from the prison. Why don't more guards refuse "direct orders" to commit brutality and sadism? Received an interesting letter from Michael Bosset, N.Y., concerning farmers who have become guards since the "welfare cuts"!

This too I know-and wise it were
If each could know the same-
That every prison that men build
Is built with bricks and shame,
And bound with bars lest Christ should see
How men their brothers maim.

With bars they blur the gracious moon,
And blind the goodly sun;
And they do well to hide their Hell
for in it things are done
that Son of God nor Son of Man
Ever should look upon!

The vilest deeds like poison weeds
Bloom well in prison air:
It is only what is good in Man
that wastes and withers there:
Pale Anguish keeps the heavy gate
And the warder is Despair.

-Oscar Wilde, "The Ballad of Reading Goal"

CLASS ACTION LAWUITS

From FloriDa, prisoners are challenging the fact that their legal rights are being denied, which exposes previous decisions by the courts as shams. Hooks vs. Singletary supposedly encompassed all claims involving Florida prisoners' access to the courts, including law library services. Yet, the class action suit complains about the confiscation of legal documents, the prohibition of assigned inmate legal aides and jailhouse lawyers from mutually exchanging legal documents. (This prison scheme is on very shaky ground if prisons are refusing to allow prisoners to exchange legal information and labeling that material 'contraband'.) The defendants regularly and routinely search the cells of the plaintiffs, looking for legal work to destroy as "contraband" and issuing threats of disciplinary action against those assisting other captives with legal work. Men are locked in cells for years at a time and have no physical access to the law library.

The defendants do not deny that they utilize 33.3.006 to prohibit the plaintiffs (and other captives) from mutually exchanging legal documents, or that they confiscate legal documents. The rigid enforcement and interpretation of 33-3.006 (1) (b) F.A.C. denies the plaintiffs' meaningful access to the courts. They attempt to justify their actions on security grounds, which constitutes a new policy according to section 20.315 (1) (c) of the Florida statutes: "the purpose of the Department of Corrections is (c) to provide an environment for. . . the development of a system of due process and internal legality in institutions."

The plaintiffs site various cases (including Whitehorn vs. Harrelson, which state that "inmates may assist other inmates in the preparation of legal documents and that all inmates have a right to unhindered access to the courts.") There are captives in the Kamps who have as little as a 4th grade education who are reliant on prison legal aides and jail-house lawyers. A history of legislation shows that prisons are not to interfere with inmate's legal preparations-1969- Johnson v. Avery -393- U.S. 483 89 S. ct.- from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The defendants have tried every way to dodge these legitimate charges, for which the plaintiffs have received no relief or attention to their legitimate claims since 1993. (What is the purpose of the court-except to legitimize the prisons which are illegitimate?)
. . . .

Khalfani Salim (S/N Anthony Hogan, et al), are plaintiffs, against the governor of Indiana, Corrections Chief, Warden at Wabash Valley Corrections Facility, etc., Carlisle, Indiana. This lawsuit against the genocidal conditions at the Wabash Valley Corrections Facility (SHU) is completely justified.

Every facet of life necessary for a modicum of survival has been denied in the SHU-lack of windows (no fresh air), medical care, mental health, access to the courts and exercise. In the winter, the captives in the SHU share a common coat! From one sweaty body to the next, they walk in freezing weather to the "coat." Every time a prisoner leaves his assigned cell, he is placed in one of three possible restraints. Each category includes a "lead strap" (dog leash). The SHU cells are 8' high, 7' wide, and 12' deep. In this space is a concrete slab for a mattress, a stainless steel toilet/sink- no windows, no natural light, no fresh air. The plumbing is a health hazard-sewage is flushed from one cell into the next! There are not sufficient chemicals available to clean the urine and feces found everywhere, even on the food trays. Prisoners have gone berserk from this confinement. Racism is a major plaintiff complaint. Disproportionately non-white captives and mostly white staff.

The abominable conditions at the WVCF must be stopped. The racism, lack of medical care, putrid conditions must be brought to light. The SHU is operated in violation of federal law and the U.S. Constitution. The SHU is not supposed to be used for punitive segregation, but the whole SHU is a political powder keg. Imagine the public outcry if it were exposed that the SHU, a multi-million dollar facility has to be evacuated, and that the state has no legitimate use for it, and that millions more will now have to be spent to put in windows, etc. to make the unit habitable under federal standards. The ACLU of Indiana has suddenly, after 2 years, contacted Khalfani/Anthony on the medical issue, but this is about racism, dehumanization, exploitation, and abuse that have to be addressed as a whole. What kind of "ubermensch"can endure this?

The plaintiffs are demanding financial reparations and immediate changes in human rights abuses that exist. But that lawsuit is against the very idea of these torturous conditions. The plaintiffs-24 captives-are speaking on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated. Please contact Anthony Hogan, 875553, P.O. Box 111, Carlisle, IN 47838.

What is a police state? A state where the police feel free to invade your privacy anytime. What is a prison economy? An economy that revolves around profits from prisons. It involves judges, guards, lawyers, corporations, politicians, and victims. It is reinforced by keeping the poor down and the rich up. The prison-industrial complex is illegitimate.

Suggested Reading


Fight for Lifers P.O. Box 7691 Philadelphia, PA 19101, a small, but excellent publication. If you are serving a life sentence you may want to send them your thoughts. Whoever can contribute inside or outside, please do and get rewarded with a vital publication. Free to prisoners

Newsline, 50 W. 17th Street, 8th floor, N.Y., NY, 10011.
Free to prisoners. A magazine offering valuable information on AIDS. The Sept. '95 issue was concerned with AIDS in prison.

Blackout Books, 50 Avenue B, N.Y., NY 10009.
Books to prisoners which the libraries don't supply; especially interested in reaching women and prisoners in juvenile facilities.

Women's Prison Book Project, c/o Arise Resource Center and Bookstore, 2441 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN. 55405.
Free reading material to women inside on health, art, history, law, and feminism.

National Network for Women in Prison 714 W. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105.
Free, Ex-prisoners advocating for their sisters inside.

Gay and Lesbian Prisoner Project, Bromfield Street Educational Foundation, 29 Stanhope St. Boston, MA 02116,Free to prisoners, Gay Community news and penpals.

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