by Anita Wills

On Sunday, Sept. 26, my son’s girlfriend, myself and my grandsons went on a 350-mile trip. We were going to see my son, Kerry Baxter Sr., who is incarcerated at High Desert State Prison in Lassen County. We live in the Bay Area, and in order to get there, we would have to go through Reno, Nevada, and then back into California. I wonder why they did not use some of the millions of dollars in taxpayer money to build a road that did not pass through Reno.

As we rolled into Susanville, I looked to my right and saw the facility. It is the biggest industry in the town, and contains water towers and its own utilities. In fact, it is described in the brochures as being a self-contained community. This is not a community of Americans who can come and go as they please, but a community of society’s castoffs.

It is interesting to note that in our civilized society, instead of spending millions to deter crime, prisoners are locked away. It reminds me of South Africa during apartheid, when those who were a bother, including Nelson Mandela, were put away. They put a band-aid on a problem that requires major surgery.

When we went into the reception office, the guard told us that my son was in PC (protective custody) and we needed to make an appointment. I could not believe that they were going to deny us a visit. I had made several calls to the facility prior to our visit, and no one said anything about making an appointment. Nor had they said anything about my son being in protective custody.

In fact, I spoke to the assistant warden, a Mr. Peterson, and he did not say anything about Kerry being in protective custody. After looking at her appointment book, the guard did give us an appointment, for 1 p.m. We left and returned around 12 p.m. and went to register.

It was then that they told my son’s girlfriend she could not wear the outfit she had on. She had a beige outfit on, with two denim patches. They said she would have to change because of the denim patches. Nothing in any of the material I read stated that you could not wear denim patches. Foreseeing this problem we brought changes of outfits and she changed. There was little we could do, since I felt that these people wanted us to lose it so that they could deny us a visit.

By the time we saw my son, it was after 1:30 p.m. We had arrived in Susanville around 10:30 a.m. Amazingly, they have all kinds of industries in town that are dependent on visitors to the prison to survive. The town itself is built around the prison, and the only minority I saw was a Middle Easterner, who owned the local Kentucky Fried Chicken. There are rows and rows of trailer parks, some with double-wides. There are nondescript houses built on the roads leading into town and up to the prison.

We finally arrived in the visiting area, and the inmates were all in blue. We could not have a contact visit with my son and waited for them to bring him in behind a plexiglas window. When he came in, the first thing I noticed was that his pants were too big. He had a rope around his waist holding up the pants he wore.

When he went in, Kerry was standing about 6 feet tall and weighing close to 200 pounds. He looks like he weighs about 140 pounds, meaning he has lost about 60 pounds. His veins are popping out of his arms and wrists. His girlfriend asked him why he had lost weight and he just said that he was okay.

Although he had lost weight, he looked healthy, and his eyes were clear. He looks like Jamie Fox, and is 36 years old. He told me that the conditions there are intolerable and that they moved him from Cell Block B to this Cell Block C without giving him a reason.

In Cell Block C, the Blacks and whites are locked down 24 hours and have been for two years. In Cell Block B, the Blacks and Asians are locked down and have been for eight months. Isn’t that a gravy job for the guards? All they have to do is come in and sit down for eight hours. No dealings with the inmates at all, since they are on lockdown.

He said that they were not allowed to have toiletries or supplies there. He said that there is a lot of psychological abuse from the guards. On one occasion, the guards put a Black and a white person in the shower together, knowing they would fight.

The Black person was stabbed, and the guards again put Blacks and whites on lockdown. Although Blacks and whites have been on lockdown, the whites have killed two Blacks. That means that the guards are targeting Blacks, not surprising given their level of education and the types of people the CDC is hiring.

A couple of months ago, my son went on a hunger strike and was taken to the medical unit. I do not know how long he was on the hunger strike before they forcefed him. I notice that Kerry had a problem talking, and his jaw looks like it is dislocated.

However, he assured me he is fine and said not to worry about him. I believe he is on a hunger strike, protesting the psychological abuse they are receiving at High Desert State Prison.

It appears that any Black prisoner in High Desert is going to be on lockdown 24/7. That is how the predominantly white prison guards deal with them. There are at least some whites, some Asians and some Hispanics who are not on lockdown.

I do not blame my son for going on a hunger strike. God knows what those people are putting in the food that the inmates are eating. My question is who is preparing and feeding the food to the prisoners on lockdown? Is it Asians, Hispanics or whites?

The fact is that my son, who is from the Bay Area, has a case that is on appeal. In my opinion, he has not had a fair trial, and the way things are going, he may not live to see another day in court.

That would be a wonderful thing for those who prosecuted him, but not too great for the state of California. The state is intentionally allowing prisoners to die and paying their families millions of dollars.

Is there any wonder they are broke? Instead of cleaning up the mess called CDC (California Department of Corrections), they are in partnership with them to commit crimes against humanity.

I do not want anything to happen to my son, but I do understand why he is on a hunger strike. I would do the same thing if someone was trying to dehumanize me. No act that was committed justifies the state to act in the manner it is acting.

In “Sounder,” an African American father is taken from his family for stealing a chicken. He is sent to a prison farm, miles away, and moved several times before the family finds him. His children are left fatherless, and his wife is left without a husband. When he is injured in an explosion at a mine, he is sent home.

That movie was set in the South sometime in the 1940s, but it appears we are still there. The state of California is building prison camps in which prisoners are allowed to be abused and murdered.

Are we headed to an Auschwitz type of situation here in sunny California? Are we going to live out the Manifest Destiny of South Africa? Who are the prisons being built for since crime is going down?

Although California professes to be broke, it can find the billions of dollars necessary to incarcerate its citizens. We need to take a hard look at what is going on with the Three Strike law and who is profiting from this prison industrial complex.

Anita L. Wills is the author of “Notes and Documents of Free Persons of Color,” available at: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Blackwell’s, http://isbn.nu/1411603338. Email her at alani2@yahoo.com.

http://www.sfbayview.com/092904/hungerstrike092904.shtml

Well I hate to tell Anita this but my son has been on 24/7 lockdown for over 12 years and he is white. They can and do put people of all races on lockdown and worse. Barbara

There are just as many co's of many colors as there are inmates and all groups can be abused.

quote..I do not blame my son for going on a hunger strike. God knows what those people are putting in the food that the inmates are eating. My question is who is preparing and feeding the food to the prisoners on lockdown? Is it Asians, Hispanics or whites? )

"Food preparation doesn't discriminate" Anita!!!

There are several things wrong in that article but I don't have the time right now to go through them one at a time.

Well Anita's article is very informative and I did enjoy reading it. I appreciated her taking the time to sit down and write this article, and make public what is going on there at High Desert. It is a real eye opener to families that do not have a loved one doing time. For some reading an article like this they cannot begin to believe all the things that go on in prison that are sometimes not brought out and made public until a while after the incident has occurred(sp) I am glad that more and more people are speaking out about the abuses that go on in prisons. More families need to bring these attroscites to light.
Barbara yes from time to time other races are on lockdown. Now I cannot speak for other prisons in California but I can personally speak to and about the lock downs at High Desert. Now the majority of the time when there is a lockdown the African American population is disaproportionally put lockdown. You know it would be real dang interesting to get the breakdown of the numbers of each race there at High Desert. Does any know where i can get this information from??

I don't like the implication that the Asians,Hispanics,and Whites would be putting something in the food. And I'm sure Blacks wouldn't like being accused of the same.As a matter of fact that seemed to be a very racist article.

I don't know about the numbers at High Desert but the SHU in PB I think I was told that the blacks were the smallest number. I will see what I can find on the other prisons. Barbara

Sgt it will be interesting to see how you pick this article apart. I will await your response to Anita's article.

Valerie, in proportion to the African American inmate population at High Desert there are not as many African American guards per inmate as in the Caucasian population, or in other races. I hope that I made that clear so that you will understand what I am attempting to say.
And on the food -- come on let's be real about the food. In the food chain their are different grades of food, i.e. quality. Well the prisons get the lowest grade on meats. Talk to any inmate and I don't think you will find the majority of them agreeing that the food is any thing to write home about. How often do any of you hear the inmates discussing the quality , quantity, variety of meals or taste of the food in a positive light?

What does that have to do with her statement about the other races preparing the food, I said nothing about the quility.

It reminds me of South Africa during apartheid, when those who were a bother, including Nelson Mandela, were put away...Level 4 insittutions are for serious crimes and or those who have earned higher security within the system. I would like to see this persons crime and compare him to Nelson Mandela and see how the writer came up with him as a comparison. Similar in beliefs or what they fought for? The reasons they were incarcerated. Not likely.

Denim is not allowed...simple...follow the rules.

Amazingly, they have all kinds of industries in town that are dependent on visitors to the prison to survive....the only industry I know of that relies on visitors is tourism.

When he came in, the first thing I noticed was that his pants were too big. He had a rope around his waist holding up the pants he wore...Be thankful the rules are not strictly followed concerning pant sizes as the majority of inmates would not be allowed to visit. They choose pants that are many sizes too big. I have to question an Ad Seg inmate wearing blues and any inmate having a rope.

On one occasion, the guards put a Black and a white person in the shower together, knowing they would fight...I cannot imagine inmates of different races in the same shower. They would not enter it in the first place.

Although Blacks and whites have been on lockdown, the whites have killed two Blacks. That means that the guards are targeting Blacks, not surprising given their level of education and the types of people the CDC is hiring....If this happened it should be reported. Why hasn't it been in the news?

It appears that any Black prisoner in High Desert is going to be on lockdown 24/7. That is how the predominantly white prison guards deal with them. There are at least some whites, some Asians and some Hispanics who are not on lockdown...CO's do not determine who is placed on lockdown. The writer stated that whites and blacks were on lockdown on the same yards.

Look the article was written on this mother's observation and the treatment she received when she went to visit her son at High Desert. Now I do not consider this article to be racist in the least. So you see we are obviously looking at the same article from two totaly different view points. You do not have to like the article that Anita wrote. This is her own personal opinion and experience. And as you know opinion's come a dime a dozen. If you don't like the implications you say the article refers to then you have choice to read the article, make your comments and move on to the next thread. Or you have the choice to sick around read other's points of view and comment back on it.
Just the like daily newspaper, the news reported on television or the radio, I am sure you do not agree with each and every story that is reported on and/or the slant that it takes. That is one of the reasons there are many different forms of news being transmitted daily.
We will never totally agree on every thing -- heck that is what makes life so interesting and different all at the same time. We all being many view points to the table of life -- and this is just my 2 cents!!

The article is written from her point of view and what she believes. But she is talking about things like they are fact when she has no direct knowledge of what actually happened. She makes many assumptions.




When we went into the reception office, the guard told us that my son was in PC (protective custody) and we needed to make an appointment. I could not believe that they were going to deny us a visit. I had made several calls to the facility prior to our visit, and no one said anything about making an appointment. Nor had they said anything about my son being in protective custody.

In fact, I spoke to the assistant warden, a Mr. Peterson, and he did not say anything about Kerry being in protective custody. After looking at her appointment book, the guard did give us an appointment, for 1 p.m. We left and returned around 12 p.m. and went to register.

Inmates are placed in Protective Custody for their own protection. 9 times out of 10 it is the inmate that requests it. The fact that she got an appointment to see him the same day says to me that the Staff did what they could to help her out.


It was then that they told my son’s girlfriend she could not wear the outfit she had on. She had a beige outfit on, with two denim patches. They said she would have to change because of the denim patches. Nothing in any of the material I read stated that you could not wear denim patches. Foreseeing this problem we brought changes of outfits and she changed. There was little we could do, since I felt that these people wanted us to lose it so that they could deny us a visit.

Denim isn't allowed. If the staff simply wanted to deny them a visit, they would have told them there was no appointments available. It is an assumption that the staff is out to get her that simply isn't true.

We finally arrived in the visiting area, and the inmates were all in blue. We could not have a contact visit with my son and waited for them to bring him in behind a plexiglas window. When he came in, the first thing I noticed was that his pants were too big. He had a rope around his waist holding up the pants he wore.


First, inmates aren't allowed rope of any kind. What she probably saw was a sheet torn into strips that some inmates will use. Second, we keep clothes on hand that have to fit all inmates. So naturally we keep the larger sizes. A little person can fit into big clothes but a big person can't fit into small clothes. This is pretty common and is fixed when they correct sizes are available.


In Cell Block C, the Blacks and whites are locked down 24 hours and have been for two years. In Cell Block B, the Blacks and Asians are locked down and have been for eight months. Isn’t that a gravy job for the guards? All they have to do is come in and sit down for eight hours. No dealings with the inmates at all, since they are on lockdown.

On level 4 yards lockdowns happen more than other prisons. Once again it is the catch 22. Do we let them out knowing they are going to fight and be accused of setting up Gladiator Fights or do we keep them locked down? Also, a C/Os job is still plenty busy during a Lockdown. Cell Searches still have to be done. Chow still has to be fed and that becomes a lot harder when you have to make the trays and walk them to each individual cell.


He said that they were not allowed to have toiletries or supplies there. He said that there is a lot of psychological abuse from the guards. On one occasion, the guards put a Black and a white person in the shower together, knowing they would fight.

Supplies are passed out once a week. Inmates in Ad/Seg get less than mainline inmates but they still get their bar of soap, toilet paper, and tooth powder, etc. As for the staged fight, if it happened it was reported and there will be people looking into it.


The Black person was stabbed, and the guards again put Blacks and whites on lockdown. Although Blacks and whites have been on lockdown, the whites have killed two Blacks. That means that the guards are targeting Blacks, not surprising given their level of education and the types of people the CDC is hiring.

That jump in logic gets me. Because the white inmates have killed black inmates the guards are out to get the blacks? Hmmm.

A couple of months ago, my son went on a hunger strike and was taken to the medical unit. I do not know how long he was on the hunger strike before they forcefed him. I notice that Kerry had a problem talking, and his jaw looks like it is dislocated.

After 3 days of a Hunger Strike the inmate is checked on daily. They monitor his vitals and weigh him. If it gets to the place where his life is in danger he is taken to an outside hospital where he is given an I.V. The is the ONLY Force Feeding that takes place. She also makes the assumption that the C/Os dislocated his jaw while force feeding him which is completely false.


It appears that any Black prisoner in High Desert is going to be on lockdown 24/7. That is how the predominantly white prison guards deal with them. There are at least some whites, some Asians and some Hispanics who are not on lockdown.
Inmates are locked down depending on what the problem is. If the blacks are the problem, they get locked down until we can figure out what is going on. I have seen every race take it's turn at being the problem.

I do not blame my son for going on a hunger strike. God knows what those people are putting in the food that the inmates are eating. My question is who is preparing and feeding the food to the prisoners on lockdown? Is it Asians, Hispanics or whites?
Food is made by inmates overseen by staff. However, it is made and served in big containers. So the same food that the black inmates would be eating is also the food that the REST of the inmate population is eating. If a given race is on lockdown staff is supposed to make the trays for them. Where I work, the containers are taken to the housing units and the C/Os set up a steam line and make the trays in the dayrooms where the inmates can watch them.

The article is written from her point of view and what she believes. But she is talking about things like they are fact when she has no direct knowledge of what actually happened. She makes many assumptions.





Inmates are placed in Protective Custody for their own protection. 9 times out of 10 it is the inmate that requests it. The fact that she got an appointment to see him the same day says to me that the Staff did what they could to help her out.



Denim isn't allowed. If the staff simply wanted to deny them a visit, they would have told them there was no appointments available. It is an assumption that the staff is out to get her that simply isn't true.



First, inmates aren't allowed rope of any kind. What she probably saw was a sheet torn into strips that some inmates will use. Second, we keep clothes on hand that have to fit all inmates. So naturally we keep the larger sizes. A little person can fit into big clothes but a big person can't fit into small clothes. This is pretty common and is fixed when they correct sizes are available.



On level 4 yards lockdowns happen more than other prisons. Once again it is the catch 22. Do we let them out knowing they are going to fight and be accused of setting up Gladiator Fights or do we keep them locked down? Also, a C/Os job is still plenty busy during a Lockdown. Cell Searches still have to be done. Chow still has to be fed and that becomes a lot harder when you have to make the trays and walk them to each individual cell.



Supplies are passed out once a week. Inmates in Ad/Seg get less than mainline inmates but they still get their bar of soap, toilet paper, and tooth powder, etc. As for the staged fight, if it happened it was reported and there will be people looking into it.



That jump in logic gets me. Because the white inmates have killed black inmates the guards are out to get the blacks? Hmmm.


After 3 days of a Hunger Strike the inmate is checked on daily. They monitor his vitals and weigh him. If it gets to the place where his life is in danger he is taken to an outside hospital where he is given an I.V. The is the ONLY Force Feeding that takes place. She also makes the assumption that the C/Os dislocated his jaw while force feeding him which is completely false.



Inmates are locked down depending on what the problem is. If the blacks are the problem, they get locked down until we can figure out what is going on. I have seen every race take it's turn at being the problem.


Food is made by inmates overseen by staff. However, it is made and served in big containers. So the same food that the black inmates would be eating is also the food that the REST of the inmate population is eating. If a given race is on lockdown staff is supposed to make the trays for them. Where I work, the containers are taken to the housing units and the C/Os set up a steam line and make the trays in the dayrooms where the inmates can watch them.
Awesome response Sgt.. :thumbsup:

Those are exactly the same points that I found in the article.

Yes, many assumptions. Maybe even lies. Unless Ad Seg inmates at High Desert wear blues. No doubt in my mind this article was written with the intent to outrage people. Its too easy to find out if inmates have actually been killed for this to be believed. Lies and assumptions will never change anything and I can't help but believe that this type of article actually hurts the real issues that need to be dealt with.

Phil, I have a question for you. Where did you find this article?? Was it in the daily newspaper and if so which one??

You say there are many guards of color, Yes in other prisons. Not in High Desert. The guards are one race and one race only. WHITE.



There are just as many co's of many colors as there are inmates and all groups can be abused.

quote..I do not blame my son for going on a hunger strike. God knows what those people are putting in the food that the inmates are eating. My question is who is preparing and feeding the food to the prisoners on lockdown? Is it Asians, Hispanics or whites? )

"Food preparation doesn't discriminate" Anita!!!

well Valerie High Desert State Prison is a very racist place. Untill you yourself have experience there then there really is no explaining on how bad it really is.



I don't like the implication that the Asians,Hispanics,and Whites would be putting something in the food. And I'm sure Blacks wouldn't like being accused of the same.As a matter of fact that seemed to be a very racist article.

I would think that if the prison has nothing but white staff you need to write letters to the Board of Prisons, and every other governmental agency in the state. If you can give us an email address on all of them we will each write letters to them about this. Barbara

Inmates are locked down depending on what the problem is. If the blacks are the problem, they get locked down until we can figure out what is going on. I have seen every race take it's turn at being the problem.


Well then why in gods name have the blacks on C yard been locked down for 17 months?


also

First, inmates aren't allowed rope of any kind.

Thats bull because i have seen ROPE myself used as my mans belt.

Untill you have heard these same stories from your loved ones mouth then sit and type they are assumptions.



Yes, many assumptions. Maybe even lies. Unless Ad Seg inmates at High Desert wear blues. No doubt in my mind this article was written with the intent to outrage people. Its too easy to find out if inmates have actually been killed for this to be believed. Lies and assumptions will never change anything and I can't help but believe that this type of article actually hurts the real issues that need to be dealt with.

Inmates don't get rope. If he has rope, he smuggled it from a voc class. More likely what you saw was Sheet Strips. They take the strips and braid them so it can look like rope.

All the staff is NOT white at High Desert. I know staff up there and to say they are all one race, any race, is simply not true.

As for the yard being locked down for 17 months. As I said, what would you have us do? Let them out knowing they are going to fight? I am sure the media would have a field day with that one.

Assumptions and lies, now ain't that like the pot calling the kettle black. Anita Wills wrote the article to make others aware of her plight and what she feels her son is and has been experiencing. If you are so in disagreement with her -- they hey write an article in rebuttle to hers. You know to a certain extent we do have choices and so-called rights. Anytime you disagree with some one you always have a option or choice to do something about it. If you feel the article is racist, based on lies and assumptions that is your own opinion. None of us were in this mother's head when she sat down and composed this article, therefore you are wrong to say that her opinions were expressed as fact. Heck that is your own interpretation of what she wrote.
I in my opinion I don't feel as though Anita wrote the article to outrage anyone. That is how you perceived it. You know opinions are like behinds we all got one. But at the same time that does not necessarily make it right.
Anita exercised her right as a mother and a citizen to write this article -- if you do not like it oh well -- what else is new.
I really don't expect you to, why?? Well this is written from a African American woman's view. I think she was hurting when she saw the condition her son was in. Now tell the truth and shame the devil. IF you went to the prison to visit your loved and he was in a similar condition -- would you not go public with the evidence, write letters, and make phone calls?? Or would you just sit on your hands and do nothing??
Anita did what she felt was the thing to do. Could it be you folks are so up in arms because she choose to write the article in her own way and say what she wanted?
Are we all entitled to our own opinions? It is not as though she came into your home and forced her opinions on you. She wrote a news article that was published in the papers. I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes. I would be less than a mother or wife if I did not.

The article was one woman's opinion. I posted mine, as did others. None of them are more important than any other. We have just as much right to post ours as she had to write hers.

No one said you did not have the right to express your opinion. Who said you did not -- where is that written?? Where are you coming from with this?? Isn't that what this forum is about people expressing their opinions and others commenting on them or giving them support in their times or moments of need??

No fair, you edited.

Phil, I have a question for you. Where did you find this article?? Was it in the daily newspaper and if so which one??

There's the link to this article at the bottom of my post.

Phil

If you are referring to me I only corrected a couple of words that I misspelled, nothing more!!

You say there are many guards of color, Yes in other prisons. Not in High Desert. The guards are one race and one race only. WHITE.

I find that highly unusual and will look into it.At this time I feel your info is incorrect.

Assumptions and lies, now ain't that like the pot calling the kettle black. Anita Wills wrote the article to make others aware of her plight and what she feels her son is and has been experiencing. If you are so in disagreement with her -- they hey write an article in rebuttle to hers. You know to a certain extent we do have choices and so-called rights. Anytime you disagree with some one you always have a option or choice to do something about it. If you feel the article is racist, based on lies and assumptions that is your own opinion. None of us were in this mother's head when she sat down and composed this article, therefore you are wrong to say that her opinions were expressed as fact. Heck that is your own interpretation of what she wrote.
I in my opinion I don't feel as though Anita wrote the article to outrage anyone. That is how you perceived it. You know opinions are like behinds we all got one. But at the same time that does not necessarily make it right.
Anita exercised her right as a mother and a citizen to write this article -- if you do not like it oh well -- what else is new.
I really don't expect you to, why?? Well this is written from a African American woman's view. I think she was hurting when she saw the condition her son was in. Now tell the truth and shame the devil. IF you went to the prison to visit your loved and he was in a similar condition -- would you not go public with the evidence, write letters, and make phone calls?? Or would you just sit on your hands and do nothing??
Anita did what she felt was the thing to do. Could it be you folks are so up in arms because she choose to write the article in her own way and say what she wanted?
Are we all entitled to our own opinions? It is not as though she came into your home and forced her opinions on you. She wrote a news article that was published in the papers. I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes. I would be less than a mother or wife if I did not.
Yes, WE are entitled to our own opinions and thats exactly what people are giving here and will continue to do unless this thread gets out of hand and is closed. If your upset by what is being said here then perhaps you should move on to another thread. It is still my opinion that the article is racist.

It is not as though she came into your home and forced her opinions on you.


This is the statement that I was referring to when I made my statement. The quote above I take to mean "If you don't like it, don't read it". If that was not your intent, then I apologize. But that is the way I read your post.

Disregard the above post about the edit. I had 2 threads mixed up.

Having read the article again I have to say that there isn't a lot of information to go on. Even to focus on the hunger strike issue its impossible to determine what the issue is. Is he actually on a hunger strike? Is he in Ad Seg because of a fight? Was his jaw dislocated in a fight and he is unable to eat? She mentions a lot of different topics but doesnt expand on any of it or provide numbers to show even a majority of the CO's at that prison are white, much less every CO is white. I would like to hear the whole story on her son and what is happening but I can't from this article.

Also, as far as lockdowns are concerned, if given a choice a CO will work a yard on normal program over a yard on lockdown.

Just curious GC, why would COs rather not work a yard on lockdown? It seems like it would be quieter, easier...

No one seems to be addresssing the issue of the hunger strike itself, except for the poster above who pointed out that it might indeed be an assumption since he has an injured jaw and could be having difficulty eating. However, it appears he HAS gone on such a strike in the past, and I find that the highest degree of foolishness. I thought it was stupid for Caeaer Chavez to do it, for Ghandi to do it, and how many remember the case of Bobby Sands, who was imprisoned in England for weapons possession and insisted on being re-classified (along with his cohorts) as a political prisoner. Possession of firearms is a crime in England and Margaret Thatcher was having none of it. His strike was "successful"- he got a lot of publicity and, oh yes, he died. No charges were changed, and his cohorts quietly began eating again. Why, if you are an outspoken thorn in the side of who you perceive to be your oppressor, would you kill yourself? Then you're gone and the enemy is greatly relieved and never has to deal with you again. I suppose in the case of someone like Ghandi who has such a large groundswell of support, there was concern about his death causing a general revolt, but in most cases the other side is just plain delighted. In the case of a prisoner, if he dies it will result in one paragraph in the newspaper and even more enforced lockdown for the rest of the prisoners who are miserable enough already, so who suffers? I think Anita needs to tell her son to think about it and eat something.

Just curious GC, why would COs rather not work a yard on lockdown? It seems like it would be quieter, easier...
No, it isn't quieter. The units are always louder on lockdowns (more inmates are in the units without any yard or program other than neccessary). Inmates are always more agitated. The work load is doubled, because you have to escort inmates everywhere they need to go, and they are usually in restraints. GP unit lockdowns suck for the inmates and the staff, to say the least. I would rather be out on the yard in the rain, then to run a GP unit on lockdown.

No one seems to be addresssing the issue of the hunger strike itself, except for the poster above who pointed out that it might indeed be an assumption since he has an injured jaw and could be having difficulty eating. However, it appears he HAS gone on such a strike in the past, and I find that the highest degree of foolishness. I thought it was stupid for Caeaer Chavez to do it, for Ghandi to do it, and how many remember the case of Bobby Sands, who was imprisoned in England for weapons possession and insisted on being re-classified (along with his cohorts) as a political prisoner. Possession of firearms is a crime in England and Margaret Thatcher was having none of it. His strike was "successful"- he got a lot of publicity and, oh yes, he died. No charges were changed, and his cohorts quietly began eating again. Why, if you are an outspoken thorn in the side of who you perceive to be your oppressor, would you kill yourself? Then you're gone and the enemy is greatly relieved and never has to deal with you again. I suppose in the case of someone like Ghandi who has such a large groundswell of support, there was concern about his death causing a general revolt, but in most cases the other side is just plain delighted. In the case of a prisoner, if he dies it will result in one paragraph in the newspaper and even more enforced lockdown for the rest of the prisoners who are miserable enough already, so who suffers? I think Anita needs to tell her son to think about it and eat something.I have to agree with sick of prisons, this thread is about a man on a mission to stop eating. Instead it
has turned into a battle of the wills. "If you don't like what is said, post your
reply and move onto another thread." No one in this forum should be challenging anyone. The issue is at hand, that this woman's son is straving
himself. Suzi

Untill you have heard these same stories from your loved ones mouth then sit and type they are assumptions.

I'd like to jump in and say a few things. I quoted you Chris'Poohie but this is directed towards everyone. My thoughts on this are not "for" anyone, nor "against" anyone. I'm an ex-inmate myself as most of you know so I've seen it from the inside, but I am also a pretty logical person and I like to base my decisions, opinions and actions based as much upon facts as possible.

And the fact here is the ONLY way anyone is really going to know the truth about something is if you have been there yourself. People spin the hell out of stories. It is a fact (I have seen many times) that when some people are pissed and upset about something they don't always tell the truth about it. They spin, embellish and lie for any number of reasons. To get someone in trouble (payback), get provisions made for them, or any number of things. Often times there are underlying factors that you cannot see and the person with the grievance doesn't want you to know.

My point is just because someone posts something or reports something to a paper doesn't make it the truth. In this case I don't have the slightest idea if some or all of this lady's story is fact or fiction... I'm not looking to find out either.. I just want to make everyone aware that just because someone says something doesn't make it so.

An example of this is when Joe-Inmate writes his pen-pal (etc) about how bad the conditions are and that he is starving... I've seen this happen many times over when Joe-Inmate is living pretty damn good. Why does he do it? Well, for the money on the books of course or maybe sympathy or to get a visit when he might not have one; or when he has plenty and wants to line up more.

I feel for the lady's situation either way but everyone should investigate issue for themselves if they care about them. This goes for more than a news report posted on PTO... This goes for politics, etc.. etc.. Don't be a blind! If you care... Check it out...

A recent example of this type of thing was the CBS / Dan Rather "scandal" where they received fake documents relating to a fitness report (or something) and ran with it without really looking into its validity. They (especially Rather) doesn't like Bush and I am sure this document put a big smile on their faces. The alleged author of the fake document is reported to "hate" Bush so there is his motive to manufacture something like this.. In the end, a lot of people got hurt because someone delivered a bogus document to hurt Bush... They got caught but that isn't always the case..

I used that as an example because there are always reasons for something and we cannot always see what they are...

Just one more example is the legislation to get rid of the Three Strikes law. I went to a site recently that is dedicated to keeping the Three Strike law in place and features a lot of violent repeat offenders. It states that they will be back on the street if Three Strikes is repealed. What it didn't mention was the exemptions that would keep most violent offenders in prison.

How many people do you think will vote against getting rid of the Three Strikes just because they read that site and didn't investigate it deeper just because they read about it?
Lets consider for a second that there were none of these provisions in the attempt to get rid of 3-Strikes.. What side then would definitely not mention the numbers of violent offenders getting back on the streets..

It's about using information and misinformation for a purpose. All "sides" and types of people do it..

Ok, I was a bit long winded on this but since PTO first came online I have seen quite a few posts that got everyone riled up that I later found out were rittled with half-truths and lies for the very purpose of getting people behind the person with the message.

You owe it to yourselves to find out what you are standing up for so you can make informed decisions that are right for you and your loved ones. The only way you are exempt from information BS is if you make yourself exempt from it and find out the facts whenever possible.

David

T got out of High Desert in June. He was in a dorm. He told me that they take turns staying up with 4 hour shifts at night so they aren't stabbed during their sleep. He is black. There are two prisons in Susanville! T showed me to stab marks from the time he was there. He told me that the CO's are very racist and would taunt him and try to get him to lose his temper. When I tried to intervene last year to be able to get him to parole to Mn, the staff there gave him crap about it. I wanted to be included in his parole planning. I am a social worker, and it makes sense to me to include families in the planning, knowing that they are much more likely to stay out of prison if they have family support. they told him to tell me to back off. When he paroled this summer, ( he went back in after two months last summer) I called his PO numerous times to see if he could at least have a pass here. He would not answer my phone calls, but then suddenly he told T he had a 30 day pass. He is being forced to parole in lassen county, and there is very little work he can do there, and his co defendants are there. He wanted to return to college in another county, and was not allowed to leave susanville.

I myslef have seen ROPE. and he has never been in a voc class to smuggle it out of. how can you be in a voc class when out of the past 6 years he has been on lockdown 80% of the time.

In the 6 years I have been visiting HDSP, I myself have never ever seen any guard other then WHITE. Not one in 6 years.


Inmates don't get rope. If he has rope, he smuggled it from a voc class. More likely what you saw was Sheet Strips. They take the strips and braid them so it can look like rope.

All the staff is NOT white at High Desert. I know staff up there and to say they are all one race, any race, is simply not true.

As for the yard being locked down for 17 months. As I said, what would you have us do? Let them out knowing they are going to fight? I am sure the media would have a field day with that one.

In 6 years of me visiting there. I never not even once have seen a guard of another race. While talking to Sassy last night she said she has seen about 3 African American Guards, but as for me, I HAVE NEVER , let me repeat NEVER seen anyother race then White working at HDSP.



I find that highly unusual and will look into it.At this time I feel your info is incorrect.

SGT A.,
Out of curiousity, do you know if there is any way for the public to obtain staffing information such as race for an institution? I guess if you were to use the FOIA you might, but I wonder if the DOC even compiles that info..

Thanks

I have not read through this entire thread but I can say from experience when my guy was at High Desert that the place is a veritable hell hole and I pray he never has to go back to that place again. And he is a white and was not treated any better than what Anita describes in her article That was back in 1997 and 1998. Things have not changed I see. He is now at Pelican Bay, a place with an abominable reputation but I and my guy would take it a million times over rather than the hell hole.

I previously posted that High Desert is the worst. Basically that is what I said and believe. However, when I visited up there I will state that the visiting staff bent over backwards to help people get their visits even when they came unapproved. They impressed me so much I had to write them a letter commending their efforts, professionalism and courtesy. That is the only good thing I have to say about High Desert. Again that was back in 1997 so who knows how visiting staff is now.






Inmates are placed in Protective Custody for their own protection. 9 times out of 10 it is the inmate that requests it. The fact that she got an appointment to see him the same day says to me that the Staff did what they could to help her out.

Fed-X had a really good post up there. There are 2 sides to every story and the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

And I don't even know if CDC keeps track of staff ethnicity. If they do I don't know how to get a hold of it.

I also want to mention that I know for a fact that there are non-whites working at High Desert because I have friends that are Hispanic and Black that have transfered up there. When you deal with visiting staff you are dealing with a relatively small portion of the staff. A lot of staff, myself included, spend their entire careers without working in visiting.

At my prison visiting staff is approximately 20-30 C/Os. We have almost 1000 C/Os working at the prison. Not a very large portion.

But as I have said before, we must all judge things by our own experiences.


Lastly, Rope is contraband in a Prison Setting. I am not saying he doesn't have any, I am saying he isn't supposed to and could get in trouble for having it in his possession.