nighthawk_75253
04-28-2002, 09:19 PM
UNCENSORED FROM TEXAS DEATH ROW
by Paul Colella
March 14-20, 2002
<http://www.deathrow.at/polunsky/news/polunsky.jpg>
March 14
3:54 pm ? Things have been laid back and quiet for a few days. Everyone's been chilling but then here they come messing with Rick again. Every day this week he has been shook down (cell search). Today he says no, he is tired of them messing with him, so he is going to go hard.
Today I had some office supplies come in, including 100 Manila file folders. I had asked the mail room supervisor before if I could have them sent in. Mrs. Penny Long. She said yes, but not the expanding accordion storage folders. So I have my mom order some for me and now they say I cannot have them.
4:10 pm ? Captain Bacon just came to talk to Rick. He wasn't trying to to hear it. He says there is a list they must go by and that is that. So I guess it means they are going to suit up a team.
5:46 pm ? Sgt. Dickerson just came with 2 officers suited up. Officers Brock and Horton sprayed Rick 10 second burst. Officer Calvin on camera.
5:56 pm ? Another 7 second burst. Here comes the rest of the team. Officers Davidson, Kyle and Pierce, not "the" Pierce, another one who is new. They just left. I'm waiting on Rick to let one of us know what happened now. Details in a bit.
First about the gas. 17 seconds total. Total should be 9 at the most. I did see that as he was brought out of his cell, he was very red and had a cut on the back of his head. They had to wait for the nurse. Nurse King who wouldn't do anything for him anyway but regardless they had to wait on her. Rick refused decontamination. From our understanding they are not allowed to put us under our bunks like they did with Soulja and T. So still instead of just taking the handcuffs off through the food slot they used a sheet to tie his legs up before they took the handcuffs off. Then backed out of the cell. Rick said they didn't punch or anything. They didn't do him bad. It looks as though they are now doing it like they are suppose to: the least amount of force as necessary. We all think it's only because of the attention focused on Polunsky right now. So we shall see.
March 16
Yesterday was a quiet day. I had a visit with my mom who told me all about the protest the last couple weeks. She said there were more people this time. So I apologize, cause i couldn't see as many, I guess. We have a limited view up to the driveway. Thank all of you.
Well it looks like I'm back to week 1, day 1. I got to go to recreation today because I was week 3 which gets limited recreation. I went outside (we cant have inside recreation) with T. We talked a player around the world (a basketball game you can play individually). Told him I was staying out of protest. The Johnnie sacks and the fact that they are feeding us lunchmeat sandwiches and peanut butter sandwiches EVERY meal with raisins or prunes. 3 times, 4 day. We stay on the toilet because of that. Also the fact that no changes are being made to improve things. So they come to get me and I refuse. So they take T in and here comes Lt. Price. Most of the rank and guards know and understand what we're doing, yet they can't understand our actions or why we have to get gassed or run in on. So as always I had to explain our reasoning. We aren't being violent, we aren't trying to stab officers or hurt anyone (the occasional lashing out does happen though). We are simply trying to draw attention to our situation and get things changed. So I talk to Price for a few minutes. Then here comes Sgt. Griffin and he wants to try and make it look like I am jeopardizing visits with my family or something. As everyone knows my family supports this cause 100% and fully understand that sacrifices must be made. So he leaves and I got my jumpsuit buttoned up, bandana on and wet my cell towel. I'm ready, here they come. Big Chavis lead man. This dude is huge 6.5, 6.6, 200 lbs ? Officer Michaels, Lapaglia, White and Rameriz with Officer Moye on camera, Sgt. Poole running the team. Sgt. Poole says "Inmate Colella submit to strip search and hand restraints or chemical agents will be used." 2 orders like that. After the second one I expected gas instead the door opened and here comes a locomotive. Seeing Big Chavis coming at me was no matter but as he hit me with full force of the shield I just crumpled to the ground so I wouldn't get smashed. No unprofessional conduct. They cuffed me, shackled me and I told them I wasn't walking so they carried me to my cell, laid me on the floor and started to take the restraints off. I told them I was coming up if they did. They took them off and started to back up. I started coming up, they put me back down. I told Sgt. Poole all he had to do was take them off through the food slot. So he had them pick me up, so the nurse could look me over. Then took the cuffs off through the food slot. End of use of force. That's how a use of force should be conducted. They know our reasoning and know by now that we're not trying to hurt anyone. There's really no reason for all the gas, punches and kicks. Yet if we see known brutality minded officers and the team we will fight back. I'm sure the next couple of weeks will tell the tale we shall see. The struggle goes on.
Also yesterday they tried to tell my mother she couldn't see me till the following Monday.
This is word for word week 3:
Visitation will be reinstated.
It doesn't say this day or that day but week 3. all it was, was a play to make her think they LET her visit but didn't have to, so she would come and tell me. Bullshit games. It's what keeps this place so screwed up.
March 17
5:30 pm ? Chi Town has a spoon. He refuses to give back. they messed up and gave him a tray so he gave the tray back but kept the spoon. It's all over the Johnny sacks. They been feeding us lunchmeat, peanut butter, prunes/raisins. Try eating prunes/raisins 3 times a day, lunchmeat, peanut butter EVERY DAY.
Can you say, Pooh Pooh whew.
The team is here. Sgt. Griggs # 1 man followed by officers Florney, Lamb, Rains and Wilson. Lt. Bolton is supervising. Sgt. Thompson running the team, Officer Clark (??) on camera. 2 orders, 2 sprays (12 sec. total). They just ran in on him. Sgt. Griggs come down the stairs, his knuckles on his right hand bleeding. Get details in a few minutes. Haven't gotten all the details yet but when your gassed in your cell your supposed to get clean linen. They used one of his clean sheets to lay him on and one to tie his legs, contaminating both clean sheets. His floor is orange with gas, so now his sheets are also. They did not properly decontaminate his cell, he refused a shower. As I've previously stated showering right away only intensifies the burning. Seems Officer Flornoy likes to twist arms. He dislocated Rick's and tonight he tried to dislocate Chi Towns. Okay here's the down and dirty. No punches, one of the officers put his hand in the gas on the floor and rubbed it on his face and in his eyes. He said the gas seemed extra strong and when they got him down he couldn't breath. He told them he couldn't breath and Lt. Bolton told them to get him out of the cell. Before they ran in Lt. Bolton and Sgt. Griggs were hitting on the cell door, trying to intimidate Chi but that don't do anything. They did not decontaminate his cell. Sgt. Thompson told Chi To wash his own sheets, being a real smart ass.
Chi Town says he has white blisters on his hand where the gas got on it. It's burning very badly. Also they sprayed him through his food slot box and it has not been decontaminated.
8:00 pm ? I got a spoon too, told the officer. He said he'd go tell the rank. I'm ready. It's all about the food. I've shit 6 times today. That's just outrageous.
8:53 ? Sgt. Griggs came to give Chi Town his disciplinary case. I stopped him and showed him the spoon. He said they'll take care of it tomorrow. Okay, oh well, I tried. (frown). I'm going to protest about it in the morning. They have to change this diet. It's definitely not 800 calories. 2 peanut butter sandwiches and 8 prunes for supper tonight. 800 calories?? No way!! So let's draw some attention to it.
March 18
4:30 am ? They have again left me hanging high and dry. I refused to return my milk carton and cereal bowl and spoon but they don't want to come get them. I couldn't even get a Lt. down here to hear my complaints. Oh well, today is shower day. I will be heard. They cannot just ignore my complaints.
I've heard several people saying why are these guys doing this, why do they take it to these extremes and I heard one old timer officer reply, "because it's the only way anyone will listen to them." He summed it up with that one sentence. It's a shame. Now, it's a damn shame that he is right. We shouldn't have to go to extremes every time we have a complaint but lets analyse this current issue.
Me, Rick, DW, ChiTown, SoulJA and T have all talked to the ranking supervisors about these meals. Some of them have taken the time to go to the kitchen and get it right, but only for that one meal. The next meal here comes the lunchmeat, peanut butter and raisins or prunes. We haven't had a breakfast meal since Feb. 8. No eggs, pancakes, sausage, rolls. All of which we would get on a regular lockdown when everyone is locked down. So why don't we get it now, on regular lockdown ? The meals are all different, so why not now ? I'll tell you why. They're trying to use the food to make us submit. Shit, shit, shit 4-6 times a day. My butt is raw from shitting so much. Raisins and prunes are hell on a mans system. The peanut butter and lunchmeat turn a churn inside. Damn that, I'm sick of it and so is every one else. Something has to give. The bad thing is this is another issue on top of the rest. None of the other issues have even been resolved yet. Goes to show they are not interested in making this place run smooth. Oh well, the struggle will go on then!
11:50 pm. Shower time 7:35 am. I went and got my shower and when they put me back in my cell I jacked the cuffs. They had a dog leash on them but I used the sharp edge on the box to sever it. I'll get charged for the cuffs and leash this time. It's left over money from everyone's generosity so I figured I would use it for the struggle. SMILE !! Check this out. Lt. Price comes to talk to me. I tell him about the food, he leaves. I've got 1 hand cuffed, the other loose. So I'm talking to the wing officers about all of the issues. Every officer agrees. Things would be better all around if the changes we all are asking for would be made. Here comes the team. Big Chavis, Big Brown (the one who busted Rick's face up), Officers Smith, Lapaglia and Beard, Officer Smith (female) on camera. Sgt. Ludwig running the team. And who do I spy in the background ? None other than WARDEN ZELLER AND WARDEN CHANCE AND LT. ROACH.
You gotta realize this team is huge. Chavis, Brown, Smith, Beard, Lapaglia = about 1350 lbs. This is a big team. Then I see the wardens and Roach in the background. I'm not stupid. I lock the cuffs on the door. Now here comes Chance and Zeller. I try to talk to Zeller and he looks at me and turns his back, walks away. If looks could kill, I'd be dead for real. There was so much contempt in his eyes. So now they have to call maintenance. I listen in on Chance telling Roach and Zeller how they need double layered leather straps. Maintenance is here in 10 minutes. Now Chance wants them to use the torch to cut me loose. No I say, that won't work because you burned me last time and I'll put my hand over the cuffs to stop you. He says you'll just get burned then. This goes back and forth and I finally yell to the welder (an inmate) that if he comes close to my door, I'm shitting him down. So they put the shield over the cracks in the door and here comes the welder. I just look at him and ask him if he is going to be a part of that. He looks at the door and tells them he can't get to the cuffs the way they want. I silently thank the dude because I really didn't want to get burned. So they grind off the screen and cut the cuffs with the bolt cutters. They think I'm going to buck (not comply) but like I said I'm not stupid. Warden Chance says now pull him out and shake him down. He said I had contraband in my cell, so I strip out and they got in my cell. They go through everything. Warden Chance was even in there, searching .
This is what they took: my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, pencil sharpener, 2 property bags, my fishing line, my drinking cup, my pillow, 2 bags of coffee and my watch. Coffee, toothpaste, deodorant are the only things considered contraband. Most times toothpaste and deodorant are overlooked.
So they are shaking my cell down and I hear someone say they need to cover the electrical outlet in my cell. So they put me in the shower. About an hour later I got back to my cell, it's trashed. All my pictures and envelopes which I had packed in paper sacks are dumped in my shelf. They threw the bags away (frown). There is steel chips from the grinder and black suet from the welder all over the place. Finally about 1:00 pm I get everything sorted out, put everything away except for my legal papers.
I have a stack of legal papers, about 3 ft high. All loose papers, which are mixed up. It will take days to sort them out. We're not given any way to organize.
I'm still tripping on the look Zeller gave me. Wow! At one point I had said something about Chance retaliating on me. He stepped up real snide and said he'll get his justice when they execute me. I told him I'd report that. He said he would tell anyone himself so I offered to send someone to interview him and put his money where his mouth is. He said "Oh no, I won't do that." I told him to shut his fxxxxxg mouth then and get the hell away from my door because he couldn't impress me with his false bravado. He might impress the grey suits but not me. He turned and walked away. He was actually going to force them to burn me with that torch. The maintenance supervisor looked like he wanted to run. He didn't want to do it but I think he needs his job, so he started giving me instructions on how to avoid getting burnt, which I told him he was an idiot. I'd get burnt regardless because he was fixing to heat the metal that my arm was attached to. How could I avoid getting burned ? Idiots. Luckily the inmate welder saved the day even though I did threaten him. He realized the situation though.
3:34 pm ? I laid down to take a nap and got woke up. "Colella your on the shake down list." Fxxk that! I been shook down 2 times already. I'm not coming out. So we'll see what happens. (frown).
3:46 pm ? The officer just came and told me they are not going to mess with me since they got me on 1st shift. I'm glad because I'm tired. SoulJA is on the list too. They haven't told him nothing so there may be something happen anyway. More later.
8:41 pm ? That's it for the day. They left us alone. I was able to talk to 1 of the officers on the team from this morning. He said the wardens didn't give any specific instructions on "do what you have to do". I think he was telling me the truth but he isn't one I'd expect intentional injury from anyway. I don't think Warden Chance and Zeller came just for the hell of it. I'm only speculating and I definitely don't want to accuse someone unjustly. But it sure is funny. They showed up along with a big ass team and then that look from ZELLER. He wouldn't even acknowledge my trying to talk to him. That's the problem now. They won't communicate with us or anyone on our behalf. Zeller is rumored to go from unit to unit stirring shit. The officers hate him too because he is quote: "A real asshole". Apparently he feels secure in doing what he does to continue doing it. That's one thing that really blows my mind. If a warden screws up it's rare he will lose his job. It's the same with ranking supervisors also. The administration in Huntsville just shuffles them around. That's why these people do what they do. They know they can get away with it and that's sad. And there isn't nothing we can do because we're not organized. We can make a difference on things like this if we come together and get some organisation going. That's if for tonight. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
March 19
Nothing going on so I'll put an end to this week.
BUT THAN ?.
March 20
Today has been a very hard day for me. Again my eye is black and blue, my wrists are bruised and cut up from the cuffs, my fingers of my right hand feel broke and my big toe is bruised from being bent back till I felt it snap and SCREAMED out in pain. Let me start at the beginning. At about 7 am 7:30 am they went to get Chi Town for shower. They had a new double strap and video camera. Once they had him in the shower they went into his cell and started shaking it down. After about 25 minutes Chi Town starts yelling about get him out of the shower or suit up. So they kept messing around and Chi Town finally says the hell with it. I'm not coming out. So Sgt. Ludwig leaves and here comes Warden Massey, Captain Bacon, Major Lester and Lt. Price.
Warden Massey talks to Chi for a few minutes. Captain Bacon and Major Lester leave. I stop Major Lester and tell him about the food, namely all the damn raisins/prunes, lunchmeat and peanut butter. As always he says he will look into it. Same old shit. Then Warden Massey comes down the stairs. Rick stops him and talks to him. He tells Rick this and that and walks away. I stop him and ask him why do we have to keep going to extremes in order to take care of a small problem. He says "We're working on it but what we need to do is get you guys on Level I." So I go into the whole level abuse thing which he is part of. Tell him about being put on Level III for no reason. He says well, I'll look into it and I tell him it's a bit late for that now. I ask him why no one will communicate with us or you all out there. He says he will call us out individually this week or Monday, Tuesday of next week. So anyway he leaves as the team starts coming. Officers Smith, Michaels, Beard, Blancet and Burks, Officer Jordan on camera, Sgt. Ludwig running things. They get up to the shower and Ludwig orders Chi to submit to restraints. Okay, he says turns around and gets cuffed. Led back to his cell. Now they're mad as they come and ask me if I want to shower. Yes I do. While they were showering/shaking down Chi Town I put my legal papers out where they could inspect them without mixing them up or tearing them up.
I get strip searched and led to the shower by the team. I tell Sgt. Ludwig my legal work is all laid out in order, don't mess it up. So I shower a long shower, get done and wait. About 20 minutes go by. I yell for them to come on, it don't take that long with 7 people shaking down. I see them coming, turn around to get cuffed, walk to my cell and see my legal work and pictures scattered. I say fuck that now, you'll have to use force to get me in my cell. That was a mistake.
I was picked up and ran into my cell, SLAMMED into the bunk, ½ on and ½ off, picked back up BY THE HANDCUFFS and let go to fall face first into the floor. All the time officers shouting "quit resisting, quit resisting." I yell out I'm in fxxking handcuffs, how the hell am I resisting. About this time I feel my toe being grabbed, bent back, not broken but might as well be from the pain involved. I scream. Then I hear "Ow, let go of my hand" Officer Cleveland who is not even on the team yells and I feel my right hand being crushed and bent back. The whole time I'm just saying they're not able to do anything. I've got 6 officers on me. I'm handcuffed and helpless. So they take my sheet and wrap my feet up. Take the handcuffs off and start to back up. Now I'm free. I slip my feet out of the sheet, spring up and try to grab an officers leg, look up just in time to see Officer Beard come full force from standing and punch me in the face. If I hadn't turned and practically deflected the punch, so they lean on me and get me back down and I feel a knee connect to my ribs and a punch to the back of the head. My resistance level steadily draining but I'm really mad because of the punches especially from Beard. I'm cursing and screaming. They again tie my feet up and start to back out. I slip my feet out again and slide out the door like a baseball player. Again they grab me and run me back in. Sgt. Ludwig told them to jam me under the bed (which we know from the past is not acceptable) so I now have a knee in my back holding me down. I'm drained now but again as they back out of the cell I try, my body not responding. I'm too slow so I rage and roar, scream, curse and holler at Beard. He said he would get me one day. He did. I told him I would get him one day. I will.
Under my eye is swelling and cut. My forehead is cut in 2 places, my fingers, wrists and toes are black and blue, my body is in pain. Here comes the nurse. She sees the cuts and swelling under my eye. I tell her about my fingers, so she leaves and so does the team and rank. About 15 minutes later comes Lt. Price and asks me if I want to walk down to the infirmary. Yes, so I get handcuffed, turn around, they open the door, I get shackled, walk to the infirmary on 12 bldg, get cleaned up. They have taken four x-rays. I walked back to my cell. My legal work, photos and other property is now totally trashed. It will take me days to get it reorganized.
Then they go to Ricks cell. The same way but they don't tear his house up. They were in there for awhile but didn't destroy his cell or even take his legal papers out. He is still injured from the last run in - his ankle. He has been waiting for over a week for x-rays, so he gets on back in his cell and that's that.
It's wet and dreary outside, but as in here your hearts are in it and I was overjoyed when I saw all of you out there today. As I reflect on it a tear rolls down my face because we're tired. This shit is not easy at all but we cannot give up. We cannot stop. If we do, it would mean all of our blood, sweat and tears was for nothing. Our body's may be broken, but our hearts and spirits soar. More so when we see our support live and in the flesh in the cold dreary rain. All of you strengthen our resolve and hopes. Thank you. I'm tired now and I must rest.
10:21 pm ? My body is sore but I'm okay. Seems today's activities were an eye opener. At supper time a sgt. and a video camera had to be present to feed us. Our Johnny sacks had 2 chicken patty, sandwiches, 1 peanut butter sandwich and raisins, a good meal but for the raisins. I slept for a couple hours and woke up a little bit refreshed.
I hope and pray next weeks protest will draw at least 100 people since it is the last one planned recruit (smile). We saw you walk down to Zeller's house. I bet that just thrilled him! I know it did us. That bright orange rain coat was definitely an eye catcher. All of you need one (smile). Stay strong my friends. It's your strength and solidarity that feeds ours. Keep us in your prayers.
In struggle and solidarity
Paul Colella
# 999045
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas 77351
USA
Email: paul@deathrow.at
<http://www.deathrow.at/polunsky/news/paul.jpg>
Paul Colella # 999045
by Paul Colella
March 14-20, 2002
<http://www.deathrow.at/polunsky/news/polunsky.jpg>
March 14
3:54 pm ? Things have been laid back and quiet for a few days. Everyone's been chilling but then here they come messing with Rick again. Every day this week he has been shook down (cell search). Today he says no, he is tired of them messing with him, so he is going to go hard.
Today I had some office supplies come in, including 100 Manila file folders. I had asked the mail room supervisor before if I could have them sent in. Mrs. Penny Long. She said yes, but not the expanding accordion storage folders. So I have my mom order some for me and now they say I cannot have them.
4:10 pm ? Captain Bacon just came to talk to Rick. He wasn't trying to to hear it. He says there is a list they must go by and that is that. So I guess it means they are going to suit up a team.
5:46 pm ? Sgt. Dickerson just came with 2 officers suited up. Officers Brock and Horton sprayed Rick 10 second burst. Officer Calvin on camera.
5:56 pm ? Another 7 second burst. Here comes the rest of the team. Officers Davidson, Kyle and Pierce, not "the" Pierce, another one who is new. They just left. I'm waiting on Rick to let one of us know what happened now. Details in a bit.
First about the gas. 17 seconds total. Total should be 9 at the most. I did see that as he was brought out of his cell, he was very red and had a cut on the back of his head. They had to wait for the nurse. Nurse King who wouldn't do anything for him anyway but regardless they had to wait on her. Rick refused decontamination. From our understanding they are not allowed to put us under our bunks like they did with Soulja and T. So still instead of just taking the handcuffs off through the food slot they used a sheet to tie his legs up before they took the handcuffs off. Then backed out of the cell. Rick said they didn't punch or anything. They didn't do him bad. It looks as though they are now doing it like they are suppose to: the least amount of force as necessary. We all think it's only because of the attention focused on Polunsky right now. So we shall see.
March 16
Yesterday was a quiet day. I had a visit with my mom who told me all about the protest the last couple weeks. She said there were more people this time. So I apologize, cause i couldn't see as many, I guess. We have a limited view up to the driveway. Thank all of you.
Well it looks like I'm back to week 1, day 1. I got to go to recreation today because I was week 3 which gets limited recreation. I went outside (we cant have inside recreation) with T. We talked a player around the world (a basketball game you can play individually). Told him I was staying out of protest. The Johnnie sacks and the fact that they are feeding us lunchmeat sandwiches and peanut butter sandwiches EVERY meal with raisins or prunes. 3 times, 4 day. We stay on the toilet because of that. Also the fact that no changes are being made to improve things. So they come to get me and I refuse. So they take T in and here comes Lt. Price. Most of the rank and guards know and understand what we're doing, yet they can't understand our actions or why we have to get gassed or run in on. So as always I had to explain our reasoning. We aren't being violent, we aren't trying to stab officers or hurt anyone (the occasional lashing out does happen though). We are simply trying to draw attention to our situation and get things changed. So I talk to Price for a few minutes. Then here comes Sgt. Griffin and he wants to try and make it look like I am jeopardizing visits with my family or something. As everyone knows my family supports this cause 100% and fully understand that sacrifices must be made. So he leaves and I got my jumpsuit buttoned up, bandana on and wet my cell towel. I'm ready, here they come. Big Chavis lead man. This dude is huge 6.5, 6.6, 200 lbs ? Officer Michaels, Lapaglia, White and Rameriz with Officer Moye on camera, Sgt. Poole running the team. Sgt. Poole says "Inmate Colella submit to strip search and hand restraints or chemical agents will be used." 2 orders like that. After the second one I expected gas instead the door opened and here comes a locomotive. Seeing Big Chavis coming at me was no matter but as he hit me with full force of the shield I just crumpled to the ground so I wouldn't get smashed. No unprofessional conduct. They cuffed me, shackled me and I told them I wasn't walking so they carried me to my cell, laid me on the floor and started to take the restraints off. I told them I was coming up if they did. They took them off and started to back up. I started coming up, they put me back down. I told Sgt. Poole all he had to do was take them off through the food slot. So he had them pick me up, so the nurse could look me over. Then took the cuffs off through the food slot. End of use of force. That's how a use of force should be conducted. They know our reasoning and know by now that we're not trying to hurt anyone. There's really no reason for all the gas, punches and kicks. Yet if we see known brutality minded officers and the team we will fight back. I'm sure the next couple of weeks will tell the tale we shall see. The struggle goes on.
Also yesterday they tried to tell my mother she couldn't see me till the following Monday.
This is word for word week 3:
Visitation will be reinstated.
It doesn't say this day or that day but week 3. all it was, was a play to make her think they LET her visit but didn't have to, so she would come and tell me. Bullshit games. It's what keeps this place so screwed up.
March 17
5:30 pm ? Chi Town has a spoon. He refuses to give back. they messed up and gave him a tray so he gave the tray back but kept the spoon. It's all over the Johnny sacks. They been feeding us lunchmeat, peanut butter, prunes/raisins. Try eating prunes/raisins 3 times a day, lunchmeat, peanut butter EVERY DAY.
Can you say, Pooh Pooh whew.
The team is here. Sgt. Griggs # 1 man followed by officers Florney, Lamb, Rains and Wilson. Lt. Bolton is supervising. Sgt. Thompson running the team, Officer Clark (??) on camera. 2 orders, 2 sprays (12 sec. total). They just ran in on him. Sgt. Griggs come down the stairs, his knuckles on his right hand bleeding. Get details in a few minutes. Haven't gotten all the details yet but when your gassed in your cell your supposed to get clean linen. They used one of his clean sheets to lay him on and one to tie his legs, contaminating both clean sheets. His floor is orange with gas, so now his sheets are also. They did not properly decontaminate his cell, he refused a shower. As I've previously stated showering right away only intensifies the burning. Seems Officer Flornoy likes to twist arms. He dislocated Rick's and tonight he tried to dislocate Chi Towns. Okay here's the down and dirty. No punches, one of the officers put his hand in the gas on the floor and rubbed it on his face and in his eyes. He said the gas seemed extra strong and when they got him down he couldn't breath. He told them he couldn't breath and Lt. Bolton told them to get him out of the cell. Before they ran in Lt. Bolton and Sgt. Griggs were hitting on the cell door, trying to intimidate Chi but that don't do anything. They did not decontaminate his cell. Sgt. Thompson told Chi To wash his own sheets, being a real smart ass.
Chi Town says he has white blisters on his hand where the gas got on it. It's burning very badly. Also they sprayed him through his food slot box and it has not been decontaminated.
8:00 pm ? I got a spoon too, told the officer. He said he'd go tell the rank. I'm ready. It's all about the food. I've shit 6 times today. That's just outrageous.
8:53 ? Sgt. Griggs came to give Chi Town his disciplinary case. I stopped him and showed him the spoon. He said they'll take care of it tomorrow. Okay, oh well, I tried. (frown). I'm going to protest about it in the morning. They have to change this diet. It's definitely not 800 calories. 2 peanut butter sandwiches and 8 prunes for supper tonight. 800 calories?? No way!! So let's draw some attention to it.
March 18
4:30 am ? They have again left me hanging high and dry. I refused to return my milk carton and cereal bowl and spoon but they don't want to come get them. I couldn't even get a Lt. down here to hear my complaints. Oh well, today is shower day. I will be heard. They cannot just ignore my complaints.
I've heard several people saying why are these guys doing this, why do they take it to these extremes and I heard one old timer officer reply, "because it's the only way anyone will listen to them." He summed it up with that one sentence. It's a shame. Now, it's a damn shame that he is right. We shouldn't have to go to extremes every time we have a complaint but lets analyse this current issue.
Me, Rick, DW, ChiTown, SoulJA and T have all talked to the ranking supervisors about these meals. Some of them have taken the time to go to the kitchen and get it right, but only for that one meal. The next meal here comes the lunchmeat, peanut butter and raisins or prunes. We haven't had a breakfast meal since Feb. 8. No eggs, pancakes, sausage, rolls. All of which we would get on a regular lockdown when everyone is locked down. So why don't we get it now, on regular lockdown ? The meals are all different, so why not now ? I'll tell you why. They're trying to use the food to make us submit. Shit, shit, shit 4-6 times a day. My butt is raw from shitting so much. Raisins and prunes are hell on a mans system. The peanut butter and lunchmeat turn a churn inside. Damn that, I'm sick of it and so is every one else. Something has to give. The bad thing is this is another issue on top of the rest. None of the other issues have even been resolved yet. Goes to show they are not interested in making this place run smooth. Oh well, the struggle will go on then!
11:50 pm. Shower time 7:35 am. I went and got my shower and when they put me back in my cell I jacked the cuffs. They had a dog leash on them but I used the sharp edge on the box to sever it. I'll get charged for the cuffs and leash this time. It's left over money from everyone's generosity so I figured I would use it for the struggle. SMILE !! Check this out. Lt. Price comes to talk to me. I tell him about the food, he leaves. I've got 1 hand cuffed, the other loose. So I'm talking to the wing officers about all of the issues. Every officer agrees. Things would be better all around if the changes we all are asking for would be made. Here comes the team. Big Chavis, Big Brown (the one who busted Rick's face up), Officers Smith, Lapaglia and Beard, Officer Smith (female) on camera. Sgt. Ludwig running the team. And who do I spy in the background ? None other than WARDEN ZELLER AND WARDEN CHANCE AND LT. ROACH.
You gotta realize this team is huge. Chavis, Brown, Smith, Beard, Lapaglia = about 1350 lbs. This is a big team. Then I see the wardens and Roach in the background. I'm not stupid. I lock the cuffs on the door. Now here comes Chance and Zeller. I try to talk to Zeller and he looks at me and turns his back, walks away. If looks could kill, I'd be dead for real. There was so much contempt in his eyes. So now they have to call maintenance. I listen in on Chance telling Roach and Zeller how they need double layered leather straps. Maintenance is here in 10 minutes. Now Chance wants them to use the torch to cut me loose. No I say, that won't work because you burned me last time and I'll put my hand over the cuffs to stop you. He says you'll just get burned then. This goes back and forth and I finally yell to the welder (an inmate) that if he comes close to my door, I'm shitting him down. So they put the shield over the cracks in the door and here comes the welder. I just look at him and ask him if he is going to be a part of that. He looks at the door and tells them he can't get to the cuffs the way they want. I silently thank the dude because I really didn't want to get burned. So they grind off the screen and cut the cuffs with the bolt cutters. They think I'm going to buck (not comply) but like I said I'm not stupid. Warden Chance says now pull him out and shake him down. He said I had contraband in my cell, so I strip out and they got in my cell. They go through everything. Warden Chance was even in there, searching .
This is what they took: my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, pencil sharpener, 2 property bags, my fishing line, my drinking cup, my pillow, 2 bags of coffee and my watch. Coffee, toothpaste, deodorant are the only things considered contraband. Most times toothpaste and deodorant are overlooked.
So they are shaking my cell down and I hear someone say they need to cover the electrical outlet in my cell. So they put me in the shower. About an hour later I got back to my cell, it's trashed. All my pictures and envelopes which I had packed in paper sacks are dumped in my shelf. They threw the bags away (frown). There is steel chips from the grinder and black suet from the welder all over the place. Finally about 1:00 pm I get everything sorted out, put everything away except for my legal papers.
I have a stack of legal papers, about 3 ft high. All loose papers, which are mixed up. It will take days to sort them out. We're not given any way to organize.
I'm still tripping on the look Zeller gave me. Wow! At one point I had said something about Chance retaliating on me. He stepped up real snide and said he'll get his justice when they execute me. I told him I'd report that. He said he would tell anyone himself so I offered to send someone to interview him and put his money where his mouth is. He said "Oh no, I won't do that." I told him to shut his fxxxxxg mouth then and get the hell away from my door because he couldn't impress me with his false bravado. He might impress the grey suits but not me. He turned and walked away. He was actually going to force them to burn me with that torch. The maintenance supervisor looked like he wanted to run. He didn't want to do it but I think he needs his job, so he started giving me instructions on how to avoid getting burnt, which I told him he was an idiot. I'd get burnt regardless because he was fixing to heat the metal that my arm was attached to. How could I avoid getting burned ? Idiots. Luckily the inmate welder saved the day even though I did threaten him. He realized the situation though.
3:34 pm ? I laid down to take a nap and got woke up. "Colella your on the shake down list." Fxxk that! I been shook down 2 times already. I'm not coming out. So we'll see what happens. (frown).
3:46 pm ? The officer just came and told me they are not going to mess with me since they got me on 1st shift. I'm glad because I'm tired. SoulJA is on the list too. They haven't told him nothing so there may be something happen anyway. More later.
8:41 pm ? That's it for the day. They left us alone. I was able to talk to 1 of the officers on the team from this morning. He said the wardens didn't give any specific instructions on "do what you have to do". I think he was telling me the truth but he isn't one I'd expect intentional injury from anyway. I don't think Warden Chance and Zeller came just for the hell of it. I'm only speculating and I definitely don't want to accuse someone unjustly. But it sure is funny. They showed up along with a big ass team and then that look from ZELLER. He wouldn't even acknowledge my trying to talk to him. That's the problem now. They won't communicate with us or anyone on our behalf. Zeller is rumored to go from unit to unit stirring shit. The officers hate him too because he is quote: "A real asshole". Apparently he feels secure in doing what he does to continue doing it. That's one thing that really blows my mind. If a warden screws up it's rare he will lose his job. It's the same with ranking supervisors also. The administration in Huntsville just shuffles them around. That's why these people do what they do. They know they can get away with it and that's sad. And there isn't nothing we can do because we're not organized. We can make a difference on things like this if we come together and get some organisation going. That's if for tonight. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
March 19
Nothing going on so I'll put an end to this week.
BUT THAN ?.
March 20
Today has been a very hard day for me. Again my eye is black and blue, my wrists are bruised and cut up from the cuffs, my fingers of my right hand feel broke and my big toe is bruised from being bent back till I felt it snap and SCREAMED out in pain. Let me start at the beginning. At about 7 am 7:30 am they went to get Chi Town for shower. They had a new double strap and video camera. Once they had him in the shower they went into his cell and started shaking it down. After about 25 minutes Chi Town starts yelling about get him out of the shower or suit up. So they kept messing around and Chi Town finally says the hell with it. I'm not coming out. So Sgt. Ludwig leaves and here comes Warden Massey, Captain Bacon, Major Lester and Lt. Price.
Warden Massey talks to Chi for a few minutes. Captain Bacon and Major Lester leave. I stop Major Lester and tell him about the food, namely all the damn raisins/prunes, lunchmeat and peanut butter. As always he says he will look into it. Same old shit. Then Warden Massey comes down the stairs. Rick stops him and talks to him. He tells Rick this and that and walks away. I stop him and ask him why do we have to keep going to extremes in order to take care of a small problem. He says "We're working on it but what we need to do is get you guys on Level I." So I go into the whole level abuse thing which he is part of. Tell him about being put on Level III for no reason. He says well, I'll look into it and I tell him it's a bit late for that now. I ask him why no one will communicate with us or you all out there. He says he will call us out individually this week or Monday, Tuesday of next week. So anyway he leaves as the team starts coming. Officers Smith, Michaels, Beard, Blancet and Burks, Officer Jordan on camera, Sgt. Ludwig running things. They get up to the shower and Ludwig orders Chi to submit to restraints. Okay, he says turns around and gets cuffed. Led back to his cell. Now they're mad as they come and ask me if I want to shower. Yes I do. While they were showering/shaking down Chi Town I put my legal papers out where they could inspect them without mixing them up or tearing them up.
I get strip searched and led to the shower by the team. I tell Sgt. Ludwig my legal work is all laid out in order, don't mess it up. So I shower a long shower, get done and wait. About 20 minutes go by. I yell for them to come on, it don't take that long with 7 people shaking down. I see them coming, turn around to get cuffed, walk to my cell and see my legal work and pictures scattered. I say fuck that now, you'll have to use force to get me in my cell. That was a mistake.
I was picked up and ran into my cell, SLAMMED into the bunk, ½ on and ½ off, picked back up BY THE HANDCUFFS and let go to fall face first into the floor. All the time officers shouting "quit resisting, quit resisting." I yell out I'm in fxxking handcuffs, how the hell am I resisting. About this time I feel my toe being grabbed, bent back, not broken but might as well be from the pain involved. I scream. Then I hear "Ow, let go of my hand" Officer Cleveland who is not even on the team yells and I feel my right hand being crushed and bent back. The whole time I'm just saying they're not able to do anything. I've got 6 officers on me. I'm handcuffed and helpless. So they take my sheet and wrap my feet up. Take the handcuffs off and start to back up. Now I'm free. I slip my feet out of the sheet, spring up and try to grab an officers leg, look up just in time to see Officer Beard come full force from standing and punch me in the face. If I hadn't turned and practically deflected the punch, so they lean on me and get me back down and I feel a knee connect to my ribs and a punch to the back of the head. My resistance level steadily draining but I'm really mad because of the punches especially from Beard. I'm cursing and screaming. They again tie my feet up and start to back out. I slip my feet out again and slide out the door like a baseball player. Again they grab me and run me back in. Sgt. Ludwig told them to jam me under the bed (which we know from the past is not acceptable) so I now have a knee in my back holding me down. I'm drained now but again as they back out of the cell I try, my body not responding. I'm too slow so I rage and roar, scream, curse and holler at Beard. He said he would get me one day. He did. I told him I would get him one day. I will.
Under my eye is swelling and cut. My forehead is cut in 2 places, my fingers, wrists and toes are black and blue, my body is in pain. Here comes the nurse. She sees the cuts and swelling under my eye. I tell her about my fingers, so she leaves and so does the team and rank. About 15 minutes later comes Lt. Price and asks me if I want to walk down to the infirmary. Yes, so I get handcuffed, turn around, they open the door, I get shackled, walk to the infirmary on 12 bldg, get cleaned up. They have taken four x-rays. I walked back to my cell. My legal work, photos and other property is now totally trashed. It will take me days to get it reorganized.
Then they go to Ricks cell. The same way but they don't tear his house up. They were in there for awhile but didn't destroy his cell or even take his legal papers out. He is still injured from the last run in - his ankle. He has been waiting for over a week for x-rays, so he gets on back in his cell and that's that.
It's wet and dreary outside, but as in here your hearts are in it and I was overjoyed when I saw all of you out there today. As I reflect on it a tear rolls down my face because we're tired. This shit is not easy at all but we cannot give up. We cannot stop. If we do, it would mean all of our blood, sweat and tears was for nothing. Our body's may be broken, but our hearts and spirits soar. More so when we see our support live and in the flesh in the cold dreary rain. All of you strengthen our resolve and hopes. Thank you. I'm tired now and I must rest.
10:21 pm ? My body is sore but I'm okay. Seems today's activities were an eye opener. At supper time a sgt. and a video camera had to be present to feed us. Our Johnny sacks had 2 chicken patty, sandwiches, 1 peanut butter sandwich and raisins, a good meal but for the raisins. I slept for a couple hours and woke up a little bit refreshed.
I hope and pray next weeks protest will draw at least 100 people since it is the last one planned recruit (smile). We saw you walk down to Zeller's house. I bet that just thrilled him! I know it did us. That bright orange rain coat was definitely an eye catcher. All of you need one (smile). Stay strong my friends. It's your strength and solidarity that feeds ours. Keep us in your prayers.
In struggle and solidarity
Paul Colella
# 999045
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas 77351
USA
Email: paul@deathrow.at
<http://www.deathrow.at/polunsky/news/paul.jpg>
Paul Colella # 999045