torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition

7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition

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TortureinUnitedStatesPrisonsEvidence

of

Human

Rights

Violations

2nd

Edition

AmericanFriendsServiceCommittee

NewYorkMetropolitanRegion

HealingJusticeProgram

Editedby:

BonnieKerness

Coordinator,

Prison

Watch

EditorialAssistant:

BethBreslaw

Intern,PrisonWatch


2/64

Contents

Introduction3

Isolation....5

CommunicationsManagementUnits...20

HealthandMedicalServicesandConditions ...24

MentalIllness.......28

Use

of

Force

and

Devices

of

Torture ..33

ContrabandSurveillanceWatch..42

Racism..46

WomeninPrison......52

HowYouCanGetInvolved....57

Appendix....59

Glossary...63

SpecialthankstoKingDowning,onwhoseworkHowYouCanGetInvolved(pages

5758)isbased.

CoverartbyTodd(HyungRae)Tarselli

2011

American

Friends

Service

Committee

NewYorkMetropolitanRegionalOffice(NYMRO)

PrisonWatchProject

89MarketStreet,6thfloor

Newark,NJ07102

www.afsc.org

(973)6433192


3/64

TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page3

Introduction

Whenprisondoorsclosebehindmenandwomentheybecomeourprisoners.Ifwearetheirfamily

andfriends,wemayvisit,write,call,andadvocateontheirbehalf.Iftheyareanonymous,wewill

likelydismissthemwiththethought,theybrokethelawthatwastheirchoiceandnowthey

mustpay

the

penalty.

And

we

proceed

about

our

daily

lives

without

looking

over

the

prison

wall.

Itistimewedidjustthat;prisonsreflectthesocietiesthatcreatethem.

Internationaltreaties,conventions,anddeclarationsprovidebasicguidelinesforthetreatmentof

prisoners.TheseguidelinesareoftenignoredbytheU.S.criminaljusticesystem.Meanwhile,the

UnitedStatescontinuestocriticizeothercountriesforviolationsofprisonershumanrights.

TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(SecondEdition)providesprimaryevidenceofsuchhumanrights

violations.Itsgoalistocastlightonthetortureandabuseofprisoners.

Forover

three

decades,

the

American

Friends

Service

Committee

(AFSC)

has

spoken

out

on

behalf

of

prisoners.Since1975AFSChasoperatedaCriminalJusticePrograminNewark,NewJersey.During

thattimeAFSChasreceivedthousandsofcallsandlettersoftestimonyofanincreasinglydisturbing

naturefromprisonersandtheirfamiliesaboutconditionsinprison.Thelistofabusesislongand

horrifying:useofstungunsandrestraintdevices,rape,prisonchaingangs,inadequatemedicalcare,

isolation,notouchtorture(lightson24/7,deliberatelystartlingsounds,menacingdogs),useof

force,andotheregregiousviolationsofinternationalhumanrightsstandards,includingthe

ConventionAgainstTorture,ratifiedbytheUnitedStatesin1994.

TheconceptsofhumanrightslawmustbeupheldbytheUnitedStatespolice,court,andprison

justicesystems.Onewaytofosterthischangeisforprisoners,theirfamiliesandlovedones,and

prisonerrightsadvocatestoweavethelanguageofinternationalstandardsandtreatiesintotheir

argumentsforhumaneprisonconditionsandtreatmentofprisoners.

Tothatend,thisdocumentpresentsprisonerstestimoniesin fivesectionsIsolation,Healthand

MedicalServicesandConditions, UseofForceandDevicesofTorture,Racism,andWomenin

Prisonandintroduceseachsectionwitharelevantinternationalstandardasstipulatedin

internationalhumanrightsagreements.Forexample,Article1oftheUnitedNationsConvention

AgainstTortureprohibitsphysicalormentalpainandsuffering,inflictedtopunish,coerceor

discriminateforanyreason.Yetpracticessuchastheindefiniteuseofshacklesandother

mechanicalrestraints,theadministrationofdangerouschemicaltreatments,andthepracticeof

extendedisolationcontinueintheUnitedStates.

Thepractice

of

extended

isolation

in

particular

is

of

growing

concern

to

many

prison

activists,

both

insideandoutsidethewalls. ThereportsthatcometoAFSCaboutprisonerssubjectedtodevicesof

torturehavelargelybeenfromisolationcellsoftencalledmanagementcontrolunitsorspecial

managementunitsinwhichtherearefewwitnesses.OjoreLutaloisonesuchprisoner,andyou

canfindhisfullstoryintheAppendix.Therearethousandsofsimilarstoriesaswell,someofwhich

areincludedhere.


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Introduction Page4

Inthesepagesyouwillreadthewordsverbatimofprisonerswhoselivesareirrevocablychanged

bytheconditionsunderwhichtheyareheld.Thedetailsarehardtoread;someofthelanguageis

crudeandtheaccountsgraphic.Allarecompelling.

Readon.Tellusyourstory.And,aboveall,weurgeyoutousethelanguageofinternational

standardsandtreatiesinyourargumentforhumaneprisonconditionsandtreatmentofprisoners.

BonnieKernessandBethBreslaw

Acknowledgments

Thisdocumentwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthecourageofthosepeopleinprisonwho

weredeterminedthattheirwitnessandtestimoniesreachtheoutsideworld.Inmanycases,they

wereafraidofretaliation,andinmanycasestheywerebeyondfear.Weespeciallythankthosewho

wroteonbehalfofandaboutpeoplewhocouldnotwriteontheirown.

VeryspecialthankstoBethBreslaw,anextraordinaryinternstudentfromRutgersUniversity, New

Jersey,whodrewexcerptsfromthehundredsofletters,drawings,andphotographswereceived.She

categorizedthetestimoniestofitlogicallywithinthehumanrightsframework.Bethtookcareto

respondtoeachpersonwhowrote,whilestrugglingwithherownemotionsasherworkprogressed.

WewanttothankTerryKaye,whowalkedintotheofficeonedaywithherdevotionanddetermination

tohelp.ItiswithgratitudetoTerrythatthisdocumentflowswithwonderfulediting.Herguidance,

comments,andsuggestionsthroughouttheentireprocesswerefullofwisdom.Herwillingnesstoput

hoursofenergyintocreatingadocumentworthyofaccuracyandprideisappreciatedbyeveryonewho

hadtheprivilegeofworkingwithher.Beth,Terry,andIformedateamwhoworkedwithconsensusand

alovingsenseofpurposethatneverwaivered.

WewanttothankKingDowningforhisexcellentsectiononpracticalwaystohelp,ElizabethEnloe

forherconstantsupportoftheworkofPrisonWatch,and[tocome]________________________

BonnieKerness


5/64


Isolation

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or

Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

Article 1the term torture means any act by which severe pain or

suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a

person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person

information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third

person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or

intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason

based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is

inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or

acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official

capacity.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Article 7No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or

degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 101) All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with

humanity and with respect for the dignity of the human person.

3) The penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of prisoners

the essential of which shall be their reformation and social

rehabilitation.

Article 161) Each State Party shall undertake to prevent in any territory under

its jurisdiction other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment

or punishment which do not amount to torture as defined in article

1, when such acts are committed by or at the instigation of or with

the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person

acting in an official capacity. In particular, the obligations contained

in articles 10, 11, 12 and 13 shall apply with the substitution for

references to torture or references to other forms of cruel, inhuman

or degrading treatment or punishment.

2) The Provisions of this Convention are without prejudice to the

provisions of any other international instrument or national law

which prohibit cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

or which relate to extradition or expulsion


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Isolation Page6

.at9:30am,theygavemebackmyclothing!Thetelephoneisringingwithcallscominginfromother

prisonsecurityguardswantingtoknowLutalosstatus,ifIhadlostasenseofmyself,meaningifLutalo

wentcrazy.Igrowwearyofpacingthefloorandsittingatopofthesink,soIcover thedirtyfoam

mattresswithapapersheetandlaydownfullydressedanddozeoff.Iwakeuptothesoundof

splashingwater,toseewaterleakingfromtheceilingandrunningdownthewallandseepingunderthe

mattress.Icalltheguardwhocomestothecagedoor.Iaskifhecouldmovemetoanotherage.Now

thewaterisrunningunderneaththecagedoor.Twohourslatertheymovemeintocage#2whichdoesnthavethe24hourcamerawatch.Cage#2hasanotherdirtyfoammattresswithtwopaper

sheetsatopitandisjustascoldasCage#1.Istartpacingtogeneratesomebodyheat. Thestooland

thecageshelveswereremoved,thelightswitchhasasteelplateoveritandthewallsocketshavesteel

platesoverthem.Thecagelightstayson24hoursaday.Thefloor,toilet,andsinkarefilthy!

OjoreLutalo,TrentonStatePrisonnowNewJerseyStatePrison(10/14/05)

Myeyesarehurtingmorefromtheglareofthe24hourbrightwhitelights!Youcallthisa

democracy?Ifeelthecoldnessofthecageassaultingme.Ipace,Idoze,Icoverthedirtymattress

foammattressandlaydown.ThewayIamnowbeingtreatedisillegal. Thiscageiscondemned.

Youcallthisademocracy?!

OjoreLutalo,

Trenton

State

Prisonnow

New

Jersey

State

Prison

(10/17/05)

CollagebyOjoreLutalo


7/64


Anotherprogressionofcontrolunitsandtheuseofisolationarecalledsecuritythreatgroup

managementunits(STGMU).Thegovernmentdefineswhatasecuritythreatgroupis.According

toanationalsurveybytheDepartmentofJustice,theDepartmentsofCorrectionsofMinnesotaand

OregonnamedallAsiansasgangs,towhichMinnesotaaddedallNativeAmericans.NewJersey,

Oklahoma,andPennsylvaniaincludevariousIslamicgroupsasgangs.

In2004,anofficesecretedasmallvideocameraintothe NorthernStatePrison,NewJerseySTGMUunitandgaveittoinmateOmarBroadway,whofilmedabuseintheprisonoverfourmonths.That

footageresultedinascreeningattheTribecaFilmFestivalinNewYork.HomeBoxOfficepurchased

thedocumentaryandshoweditmultipletimesinthesummerof2010.Thefilmfeatures

commentarybyBonnieKerness,CoordinaterofPrisonWatch,AFSC.AFSChascopiesofrawfilm

footage (SneakPeak)giventothembyOmarBroadwaysmotheravailableforviewing.

Reportsofabuseanduseofphysical,chemical,andpsychologicalabusecameoutofSTGMUto

PrisonWatchduringtheentiretwelveyearsitremainedopen.TheNewJerseyDepartmentof

CorrectionsclosedtheunitinMay2010.

ReviewofAnOmarBroadwayFilm,whichdocumentsabusesintheSecurityThreatGroup

ManagementUnit

in

Northern

State

Prison,

Newark,

NJ.

The

film

was

released

to

the

public

in

2008,andpremieredonHBOinJuly2010.

Astheprisonersstandmotionlessnexttoeachotherandcoverthemselveswithplasticbagsto

protectthemselvesfromchemicalweapons,theriotsquadburstsin,sprayingtorrentsofMaceand

freelyswingingtheirbatons.Theinmatesoffernoresistance.Theylatersportblackeyesandbroken

jaws.Onedisappearsformonthsafterbeingdraggedbyhisshacklesdownthestairsandacrossthe

floor,bleedingandscreaming.Disturbingly,thesescenesarealsooftenfilmedbyInternalAffairs

agentsemployeesoftheprisoninchargeofproceduralenforcementwhocanbeseenpointing

theircamerastowardtheceilingastheblowsstartrainingdown.Theotherprisonerswhoare

lockedintheircellsalsochokeonthegas;nopreparationsaremadefortheirsafety.Whenthis

happenson

Thanksgiving,

the

styrofoam

encased

dinners

sit

undistributed

all

night

in

full

view

of

theinmates.TheyarestackedbehindtwocanistersofMace.

OpenSalon,Prison'sDirty(Open)Secret:AnOmarBroadwayFilm.July18,2010.

http://open.salon.com/blog/lawless_lawyer/2010/07/18/prisons_dirty_open_secret_an_omar_broa

dway_film

NewJerseyCorrectionsCommissionerGaryLanigansaidthestatewillclosea240bedunitat

NorthernStatePrisonthathousesthestateshighriskgangmembers.Lanigansaidinmatefileswill

bereviewedtodeterminewherebesttotransferthem.Hedoesntbelievemixingthemwithother

inmateswillcauseproblems.

NewJerseycloseshighriskgangunitatNorthernStatePrison.AssociatedPress.5/7/10

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/nj_closes_highrisk_gang_unit.html

IhavenothadANYphysicalhumancontactin2years,Ivenotbeenallowedtowashanyofmy

clothes,cleanmycell,cleanmyshower(IHAVEMYOWNBUILTINSHOWER),receiveahaircut,use

thephone,receivevisits,myoutgoingmailwasbeingopened,refusedlegalassistance,mymeals

arebeingtamperedwith,theyareservingmeWITHOUTglovesorhairnetson,sometimesfeeding

meHOURSAFTEReveryoneelsehasbeenservedandthisisdonebythesupervisorTheyleavemy

trayinhereallnightuntilthenextmorningwhenIamservedbreakfastandthisaccumulatesbugsI


8/64

Isolation Page8

amvideotapedleavingaswellascomingbackinmycellatalltimesandthisisdonebyaFEMALE

S.I.D.officermakingmebendoverandspreadmyselfaswellasshowmygenitals.

LesterA,EastJerseyStatePrisonLockbagR,RahwayNJ(11/29/08)

Ivebeeninthe(hole)forthreeyearsandnowsoparanoidthatIcantbearoundpeople.Icant

evensleepinacellwithsomeoneelseevenifIknewhimallmylife.Ivetriedeverytreatment,

medicationpossible,nohelpIamnowsoparanoidIcantevenbeontheyards.Imsoparanoidnowforbeingbymyselfforthreeyears,Iwonttakeacellie,wontrecwithsomeoneelseinmyrec

cage.Idonteventurnbackwardswhentheysaytocomeoutofthecellthatway.Eveninalockcell,

alockshower,alockreccage,ImstillparanoidsohowisitgoingtobeonthestreetswhenIam

aroundothers?Ivereallytriedtoworkonitbutnothingatallworkseventhemedications.SoallI

askis,isthisplacereallyneed[ed].

JeffH,FederalCorrectionalComplex,OakdaleSMU,OakdaleLA(3/18/10)

Eventuallytheisolationandcyclesofhighsandlowssimplybecamemynewnormin1997

Iagreedtodoublecellwithaprisoner,whounbeknownsttome,wasalreadysufferingfromthe

adversepsychologicaleffectsofsensorydeprivationbroughtonbytheextremeisolationdesignedto

breakdownthementalconditioningofthosewhoarehousedinthistypeofsettingmynewcell

partnerstatedmanytimestomyselfandopenlytoourneighborsthathefoundithardtobreatheHe

toldmethatifhesoughtpsychologicalhelpthatitwouldimpacthimnegativelywhenhewentbefore

theBoardofPrisonTermsduringhisparolehearingsandthatthepsychswouldthinkhewasjustfaking

DrawingbyTodd(HyungRae)Tarselli


9/64


ittogetoutoftheSHUsanyways.Twomonthslaterheviolentlyattackedmeinanattempttostrangle

mewithashortpieceofrope.Duringthisstruggleformylifehetoldmethathewouldratherdieon

deathrowthangocrazyintheSHUIhaveseeneverylevelofmadnessandeverylevelof

deterioratingmindinthisslowfreefallhereMyeyesighthasdeterioratedfromneverlookingpastthe

wallsofmycellandmyskinhaslongsincepassedbeingpaleandturnednowtosicklypalefromnever

seeingthesun.

BryanE,PelicanBayStatePrisonSecurityHousingUnit,CrescentCityCA(5/3/10)

inmateshavethechoiceofremaininginSHUunituntildeath,mentalillness,orbecomingaknown

informantwhohascauseddamagetootherinmates[SHUinmatesare]subjectto(1020+)yearsof

sensorydeprivationviaisolationandintentionallimitationofnormalhumancontactandsocial

interactionasmuchaspossible.deniedadequatemedicalcare(thisbecamemorepronounced

when[medicaladministrationbegan]tellingSHUinmates,ifyouwantbettercare,getoutofSHU

andnowSHUinmatesarechaineddowntothefloorofthecliniclikeanimals,iftheyneedtoseea

nurse/doctor)thepsychiatricstaffarecomplicittoo,claimingtherearenomentalhealthissues

precludingcontinuedSHUconfinement,withoutanypersonalinteractionwiththeseinmates!

Anonymouscollective,PelicanBayStatePrisonSHU,CrescentCityCA,sentbyRitaG

Itshardtoexplainthemultitudeoflittlefactorsthatinducestress,anxiety,frustration,and

depressionMybestattempttodescribeprolongedisolationinasupermaxprisonisthatitslike

Chinesewatertorture.Asingledropmaynotharmyoubutthemillionsoflittledropsofstress,

anxiety,uncertainty,depression,andsorrowbuildupuntilyoucanbegintofeelyourmind

breaking.IwishIcouldexplainitbetter.Maybethenpeoplecouldunderstandandwouldntallow

thishelltocontinue.

JoeD,TammsCorrectionalCenter,TammsIL(2009)

Theconditionswereveryinhumane...hot,noworkingventsatall...stuffyandhumid...myfirstcell

bugswerebitingmeallovermybody,whenIsaidsomethingaboutitthey(themedicalstaff)played

like

I

was

crazy

then

finally

after

constant

complaining

they

gave

me

Benadryl

then

moved

me

and

stilldidn'tcleanthecell.Theyhadalightonalldaythatfeltlikearotisserielamp.Itwashardto

sleepbecauseofthehothumidcellsandconstantbugsbitingmealldayandnight...wehadnocups

todrinkthebrowncoloredwaterthatcameoutofthesinksandtoilets.Therewasconstant

screamingyellingkickingandbanging(withobjectsondoorstomultiplythesoundonthedoors).

A.S.A.,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTownshipPA(8/20/09)source:

HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.21

MybloodpressureisupandIconstantlyhaveheadaches.IhavebugbitesallovermybodywhichI

wasgivenBenadrylforandneverseenadoctor,thenmovedfrommycelltoanothercellwiththe

sameresults.IfearformylifeandsanityeverydayIlive.Ioftenthinkandhavesuicidalthoughts

fromtheabuseIamsufferingfrombackhere[followupletter10/8/09]

Sufferingunder24hoursadaylightsoninthecells,aspitshieldfixedonthecelldoorwithout

violatingaspitpolicythatmakesthecellona80degreedayfeellike110inourcellscausethereis

noventilationinthecell,theventdoesntblowairoutortakeairin,theyrefusetoputthefanson

thetier,obstructandtamperwithourfood,showersandexerciseyard,haveushousedinclose

proximitywithmentalhealth[patients]whotheyagitateandhave...bangingondoors,metaldesk,

sinksandtoiletsandscreamingallnightfordaysatatimecausingsleepdeprivation.


10/64

Isolation Page10

EricR,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTownshipPA(7/16/09)source:


Thelightincellisblinding.Itremindsmeofoldwartorturetactics.Ithurtsyoureyesandgivesyou

migraines.Iveseenmedicalformigrainesandamduetoreceiveglassesfordamagetoretina.Only

noisesweheararethescreamsofmentalpatientsofwhichtherearemany...TheCOsareliabletodoanylevelofundignifyingactstoyouatanygiventime.It'sconstantworryandunease.Itmakes

onefeelsohelplessandvulnerableandyouneverknowwhattragedymayaffrontyoutoday.Atfirst

Islepttoomuch,nowIrarelysleep.Theloudscreamsandbangingandkickingondoorsmakeit

difficult.PlusImalwaysattentivetoCOkeysandthepossibilitythatthey'recomingforme.

LawyerL,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTownshipPA(undated)source:



11/64


ThenoisesIhearareconstantbangingfrominmatesnearandfarintheRHU.AndI'mtalkingabout

24/7.Someinmatesbangontables,bunks,doors,sinks,etc.anditseemslikeitneverceases.Other

thanthatIhearguardsyellingandcursingatpeople.OftenIhearthemuseracialslursandother

derogatorytermstowardsinmates.TheCOstellinmatestokillthemselvesandsometimeskick

doorsorclangkeystodisturboursleep.Also,Ihearinmatesconstantlyscreaming...Thankfully,I've

neverhadanimpulsetohurtmyself,oratleastaseriousoneIshouldsay.Thisplacedefinitely

makesyouthinkaboutitthough.Ifeelsorryforweakmindedormentallyunstableinmates,though,becauseIcanseehowtheywouldhavesuchimpulses.Infact,atleastoneinmatecommitted

suicidebyhanginghimselfinhiscellwhileI'vebeeninthisRHU(theCOsharassedhimintohanging

himself).Itwasafewweeksago,Idon'trecallthedate.Butthejailsweptthatincidentunderthe

rugandputanewinmateinthatcelltheverynextday...

IhavenoticedslightvisualhallucinationsinmyperipheralvisionandalsoifIfocusonanobjectfor

extendedtime.NowthatIthinkaboutit,myperceptionofrealitymaybeisntasgoodasIdliketo

thinkitis.Imustadmit,mythoughtsareoftenirrationalinrelationtorealityandoftenviolent.

Sometimesmyperceptionoftimeisoff.Isometimesgetparanoidandthinkmycellmateiswatching

meorpayingtoomuchattentiontomybusiness.Wegetabsolutelyzeroprivacy.Ioftenget

paranoidand

wonder

if

he

is

ahomosexual.

Sometimes

Ihave

urges

to

hurt

him,

but

Itry

to

control

myself.Itrytoremindmyselfthatitisnothisfaultweareforcedtobeinthissituation.

Thebangingnoisesandscreamingvoicesoftenseemunbearableaswell.Also,Isometimesgetvery

claustrophobicandfeellikeIamhavingapanicattack...Ithinkthatthewholeideaofsolitary

confinementisinsane.Werealreadyinprison.Thisisjustaformofinhumanepunishmentand

torture.IthinkthatmostoftheCOsthatworkinthisRHUinparticulararesickindividualsthatget

offontorturingus.Theadministrationisobviouslyindifferentandcouldcarelessaboutthelong

termaffectsthatthistypeofconfinementhasonusashumanbeings.Obviouslywearenothuman

beingstothem,wearemerelyanumber.Mostoftheinmatesinsolitaryconfinementneedmental

helpbutarenotreceivingit.

Anonymous,

SCI

Dallas

Restricted

Housing

Unit

(confinement),

Jackson

Twp

PA

(undated)

source:


...IwasnotallowedtocommunicatewithnooneoutsideofthisprisonandwhenItrytosendmy

familyalettertheywouldnotreceiveitandwhenIwasputonadministrativecustodyIwouldask

foraphonecallaweekwhenyoureallowedonephonecallaweekwhenyou'reinAC.WhenIask

theywoulddenyittalkingaboutIdontdeserveanythingbecauseImapieceofshit...Ihearalltype

ofnoises,peoplecrying,peoplescreamingandyellingalldayandnight.Myabilitytofocusisnotthe

sameanymore...

YesItrytohurtmyselfbecausetheofficerswillalwaystellmetokillmyself,callingmealltypeof

namesandencouragingmetodosobecausetheysaytheworldwouldbeabetterplacewithoutme

andit

came

to

apoint

where

Istarted

believing

them.

Icant

sleep

at

night

because

I'm

always

thinkingthattheofficersweregoingtocomeinmycellandattackme.I'malwayshavingdreams

wheneverIgetachancetosleep.Ivedreamsabouttheofficerstryingtokillsmeortryingtopoison

myfood.IwakeupshakingwhereIcantcontrolmynerve.IbehallucinatingthateverybodythatI

lookatalwayslaughatmeandImalwayshallucinatingthateveryofficersIseeiswearingashirt

thatsaidkillyourself.

WallyM,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(9/17/09)source:Human

RightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.27


12/64

Isolation Page12

Thesystematicgrindconsistofconstantilluminatelightinterruptingyoursleeppattern,being

deniedfoodtrays,showers,exerciseyard,andhumiliatingstripsearcheswheneveryouexityourcell

orgiven

aurine

test.

Additionally,

the

sensory

deprivation

exacerbates

the

problems

prisoners

already

haveandthemostrationalindividualsfinditextremelydifficulttoacceptthisabuseandwanton

inflictionofpain...fabricatedmisconductsandretaliationbyRHUsguardsforchallengingandbeing

defiantoftheirabuseofauthorityoftenresultinginplacementintheSpecialManagementUnit.This

controlunitisdesignedtodepriveprisonersandbreaktheirspiritandmind

PaulR,StateCorrectionalInstitution,HuntingdonPA(4/29/10)

thesestatebasedCMUunitssuchasbeinglockedupandconfinedtoawindowlessmonkey

cage22hoursaday,inwhichthere isnohumancontactwithotherprisoners,andno

environmentalstimulation

K.T.A.,PelicanBayStatePrison,CrescentCityCA

Myfoodtrayshavebeensprayedwithmaceorcleaningagents,tohavinghumanfecesandurine

putintothembyguardswhodelivertraystomybreakfast,lunch,anddinnerIhavewitnessedsane

menofcharacterbecomeselfmutilators,sufferparanoia,panicattacks,hostilefantasiesabout

revenge.OneprisonerwouldswallowpacksofAAbatteries,andstickapencilinhispenis.They

wouldcutonthemselvestogaincontactwithstaffnursesorjusttodrawattentiontothemselves.

Thesemenmadeslinginghumanfecesbodywastedailylikeitwasarecognizedsport.Somewould

eatitorrubitalloverthemselvesasifitwasbodylotion

DrawingbyTodd

(HyungRae)Tarselli


13/64


Prisoncratsuseaformofrestraint,abedcraftedtostrapmeninfourpointVelcrostraps.Both

handstothewristandbothfeettotheanklesandsecured.Prisonershavebeenkeptlikethisfor36

hoursatatime.Mosttimestheywouldremovealltheirclothes.TheSpecialConfinementUnitused

the[waterhoses]onthesemenalsoWhenprisonsbecomeovercrowded,prisoncratswilldo

forceddoublebunking.Overcrowdingissuespresentsanassortmentofproblemsmanyofwhich

resultsinviolencePrisoncratswillpurposelyhouseasexoffenderinacellwithprisonerswithsole

intentionsofhavinghimbeatenuporevenkilled.K.M.K.,SHUWabashValleyCorrectionalFacility,CarlisleIN(2010)

Insegregation,prisonerswerelockedincells23hoursaday.Alltheamenitiesofpopulationlife

describedabovewereabsent.Everysinglesegregationprisonerwassubjecttosolitaryconfinement.

Mentallyillprisoners,someofwhomhadattemptedsuicidemultipletimes,werehousedinthe

segregationunitwiththeothersegregationprisoners.Therewereprisonerswhothrewfoodand

feces,whorattledandpoundedtheirdoors,whoyelledfromcelltocellorscreamedincoherentlyat

allhours

Insegregation,theselightsglow24hoursaday.This,combinedwiththestandardsleepcyclewere

techniquesspecifically

used

as

methods

for

low

intensity

and

plausibly

deniable

torture

in

military

manualsIassistedineditingwhileintheU.S.Army.ThesetorturetechniqueswereemployedatToCI

Insegregation,thetraysusedforfooddeliverydidnotevenholdtheappropriatelysizedportions.

Segregationfoodservingswereoftenhalfthenormalsize.Asaconsequence,Ilostapproximately

30poundsin70days,weightthatIgainedbackaftermyreleasetopopulation

Insegregation,itispolicyforprisonerstobesubjecttofullvisualbodycavitysearchesandtobe

handcuffed,shackled,andbellychainedwheneverleavingthecell.Allmovementwasunderescort.

Istillhavescarsonmyanklesfrombeingshackledandforcedtowalkupstairs,throughextended

hallways,andbackdownstairs.Ihadopenwoundsonmyanklesthatwouldnothealforweeksata

time

WhenIarrivedinsegregationaprisonernamedAoccupiedthecellnexttoit,sharingtheventthe

smellofhumanfecesandfilthpermeate[d]mycellthroughthevent.Afterhistransfer,another

mentallyillprisonernamedOwasmovedfromhiscelldowntherangewithoutexplanationintothe

cellAhadvacated.Omadeseveralsuicideattemptsandwouldstayupfordaysatatime,rantingon

manictirades,poundinghisdoor,sometimesfloodingtherangewithdirtytoiletwaterthatspilled

undermycelldoorandlefthumanwasteonthefloorAprisonernamedFrieszattemptedsuicide.

Afterbeingplacedinthesuicidecell,heclimbedontohissinkanddoveheadfirsttothecement

floortryingtokillhimselfyetagain.Theconditionsinsegregationdrovepeopletosuicide.

SeanS,MansfieldCorrectionalFacility,MansfieldOH(5/17/10)


14/64

Isolation Page14

in1997,Idefectedfromthe[validatedprisongang]andrenouncedmygangassociationand

withdrewfromallgangactivity.YethereIsit13yearslater,stillinsegregation,althoughCDCRknows

thatIamadropoutIhavebeentryingtogetoutofmyvalidationformanyyearswithoutsuccess.Its

aslowandfrustratingprocesswithtwistsandturnsandroadblocks.Iam52yearsoldandcontinueto

sufferpunitiveisolationIwasfirstintroducedtoat35withinthewallsofCaliforniasSHUunits

Manyarethedaysthatwegowithoutashowerorwithoutyardorexercise.24hourperiodslocked

inacell,moreoftenthannotforconsecutivedays.Theadministrationwilluseanylittleexcusethey

cantokeepuslockedinourcells.Weloseshowers,yardandmedicalonaregularbasis.Ispentthe

better

part

of

2008

and

part

of

2009

in

a

cell

without

any

glass

in

a

2

foot

by

4

foot

window

frame.

I

hadtousetheblanketIwasissuedasacovering.IsleptwithallmyclothesonabaremattresssoI

couldhavetwosheetstocovermyselfwith.Ialsolivedwithhugecockroachesandmiceandhadto

securemyfooditemsbyhangingtheminatshirtfromtheceilingventtokeepbugsandrodents

out.Ivehadtodrinkwaterwithtoxiclevelsofarsenicandseleniumwellabovefederalstandards.If

thisisnottorture,Idontknowwhatis.

CollagebyOjoreLutalo


15/64


IhaveseenmanyfallvictimtoisolationandsensorydeprivationoftheSHUenvironment.The

indifferenceismindboggling.TheprevailingattitudebyCOsisthatweregarbageandsowhatif

youdontgettreatedhumanely,whocares?Iactuallyheardaguardsay,weusedtobeableto

beatthecrapoutofthem,buttheycriedtothecourts,sonowwegetintroubleifwetouchthem.

JoeA,CorcoranStatePrisonSHU,CorcoranCA(RealCostofPrisons5/4/10)

Ihavescarsonmyankles(asIknoweveryoneheredoestoo)fromwheresomeofficersliketo

sharpentheshacklestocutintotheprisoners(aprisonerdoesnotleavethecellwithoutcuffsand/or

shackles).These

same

types

of

guards

will

clamp

down

on

cuffs

to

cut

into

the

skin.

When

the

inmate

proteststheguardswillsometimesleavethemonforhours.Thatisafavoritepunishmentofthese

guardstoanyprisonerthatstandsupforhisselfworth.Leavethem/himincuffslethimstewinhis

ownfecesandurineforadayIveseenamanstumble(chainonshackles)andwasthrowntothe

floorandakneeonhisneck.Hescreamedthekneewenttohisfacebreakinghisfrontteeth

meanwhiletheotherofficeriskickinghiminhisballswellkneeinghisballswhileheheldthe

prisonerslegsopen.Theinmatechargedwithassault,theofficerisnowasergeant

DrawingbyTodd

(HyungRae)

Tarselli


16/64

Isolation Page16

RightnowasIwritethisamanhasabrokenmindandspirit.Hescreamsstopshutupshutup

fuckyou!Hesnotscreamingatus.Hescreamsbecausehesalittlepsychoticandtheguardsinthe

towerwillopenhisdooralittlecrackandthencloseit.Prisondoorsdontcloselikedoorsathome

theyslamshutBOOM.Andtheyturnonthespeakerandtaptaptapforhours.Theyllyell

intothespeaker,sayingverbalabusessometimes,sometimesjustyelling.

KevinO,ElyStatePrison,ElyNV(6/1/10)

Iwitnessedseveralincidentsofguardoninmateabuse.OnceIsawtwoguardspunchaninmatein

thefacewhiletheinmatewashandcuffedandshackledtoabench.Isawinmatesslammedfacefirst

ontotheconcrete,oftenfornothing.Theseincidentsciteonlytheovertphysicalabuse.Themental

abusewas,insomecases,worseEvennow,sixmonthsoutoftheholeIstillremainaffected.I

withdrawfromsocialinteraction/setting.Ifeelfrustratedfornoapparentreason.Possiblythemost

damagingaspectofsegregationisthesenseofpowerlessness.Youcanyell,scream,report

misconductandabusetoprisonofficialstonoavail.

BrianS,JeffersonCityCorrectionalCenter,JeffersonCityMO(6/10/10)

ThecontroltowerwasmannedbyoneCO.Eachshiftliterallyexperimentedondifferentways

(methods)to

torture

me.

Theyd

write

notes

and

call

in

my

responses

to

the

torturer.

They

were

constantlyontheirphonesandwalkietalkiescommunicatingaboutwhattheyweredoingThe

bottom(lowertower)COwouldringthecontroltowerandthecontroltowerCOwouldstartturning

knobsononeoftheconsoleboards(controlandmixingboards)andthiswouldturnupacertain

frequencythroughthesoundsystem.Thentheydblarethesoundintotheisolationcellsoloudit

hurtmyears.Hedthenaddprerecordedsoundsofaguillotinehackingofflimbsandseveralother

soundsatthesametime.Theydidthisfordays.Theydplaycertainrecordingsoverandoveragain

toelicitaresponseandthentakenotesIthurtsobadIbeggedthemtostop.Theydusesign

languagelikeputtingtheirhandstogetherinprayerformationandpointattheconcretefloorto

implyIhadtoprayandbegtothemonmyhandsandknees

Another

example

is

a

term

they

called

fired.

Theyd

use

some

kind

of

voltage

that

made

the

hairs

onmyarmsstandup.Itwasapainful,continuous,irritablefeeling.Whentheyturneditupthat

meansitwaswhattheycalledhotter(highervoltage).Theyalsohadatermcooloff.Thecellfloor

wouldgetcoldandtheatmospherewouldmakemeshakebutIcouldstillfeelsomevoltage

Sometimestheydhaveallintercomsplayingthroughtheloudspeakersatonetimeandthentheyd

addechoorhighpitchedfrequencysoundssimilartosoundstheyusewhentheycheckearsatthe

doctor.ThentheydblareitallintotheisolationcellandplayitoffandonfordaysOnedaythey

hadahighfrequencyechosoloudinthecellitfeltlikemyearsweregoingtoexplode.

EricH,ElDoradoCorrectionalFacility,ElDoradoKS(1/15/10)

offendersareforcedtogonumerousnightswithoutsleepduetoofficialsinvalidatedpracticeof

keepinglightson24hrsadayontherareoccasionthatcelllightsareturnedoffitisonlyfor45

minutesor

so.

Offenders

are

not

allowed

to

cover

lights

in

cells,

if

an

offender

does

he

faces

a

conductviolationandsubsequentdenialofhisbreakfastmeal.Thisnotonlyisphysicallytorturous

(whereasprolongedsleepdeprivationcausesheadaches,etc).Itisalsopsychologicallytorturous

(whereas)prolongedsleepdeprivationleadingtodementia,paranoia,irritabilityetcservesto

worsenmentalillness.Theseconditionsalsoinflictchronicinsomniawhichisdefinedas

sleeplessnesslastingformorethanamonth,orchronicintermittentinsomniainwhichperiods(days

orweeks)ofinsomniaalternatewithperiodsofgoodrest.Mentalhealthstafftendstothrowdrugs

attheproblem.However,althoughthesedrugswilltreatthesymptoms,mentalhealthstaffhavea


17/64


morepressingresponsibilityofaddressingtheunderlyingproblemwhichissleepdeprivation

causedbyconstantexposuretobrightstrobelightingwithincells.

AntwonW,SouthCentralCorrectionalCenter,LickingMO65542(6/7/10)

Manypeoplemaynotknowwhatitsliketobeisolatedforsolongthewaywevebeenhere,andI

wouldsaythatitslikebeinglockedinthetrunkofacarwithenoughweatherstrippingremovedso

thatyoucanbreathe,andwithenoughfoodandwaterstuffedineverydaysothatyoucanphysicallysurvive.Youresoongoingtorealizewhatitactuallymeanswhenitssaidthatwere

socialbeings.Youregoingtocravesocialinteractionandhumancontact.Soonyoullbehollering

outthecracksofthetrunktoseeifanyoneisoutthere,anyonewhoyoucanatleasttalktofor

evenabrieftime.GabeH,PelicanBayStatePrison,CrescentCityCA(6/7/10)

Ifthesensorydeprivationdoesnotsubdueapersonthentheyresorttophysicalattackswith

chemicalagentsoverthemosttrivialmerdetheycanthinkof.Strippingamannakedandputting

himinacellwithNOTHINGbecausehecausedadisruptionbynotifyingthecorrectionsofficersof

rottenandputridfoodbeingservedHereisalistofthingstheydotoprisoners:..Spraypepper

spray/chemicalmaceintocellsjusttoestablishwhosincontroletc.20Hoursadayofconstant

fluorescentlighting.

Dog

leashes

(restraint

tether)

used

on

top

of

handcuffs

to

leave

the

cell.

Every

time.Restrainttethers,shackles,bellychains,handcuffsandblackboxestoseeourfamiliesfor2

hoursofnocontactvisiting.Tormentingourvisitorswithseeingusinsuchastate.Chainedbeyond

anyrealsecurityconcernsTheyveblockedairflowfromunderthedoorswithsandbagscausinga

fluxofstaphinfectionalongwithavarietyofotherbacteria,fungi,andviruses.Thosesandbagsare

wetandputrid(sometimesImnotsureifImsmellingthefoodtraysortherottingsandbags.)

NateR,JeffersonCityCorrectionalCenter,JeffersonCity,MO(7/1/07)

TammsCorrectionalCenter

currentproceduresforsendingprisonerstotheTammsCorrectionalCenterinSouthernIllinois

andkeepingthemthereindefinitelyisinviolationofthe14thAmendmenttoU.S.Constitution,

which

guarantees

due

process

of

law.

The

judge

ordered

that

significant

changes

be

made

at

the

notoriousstatesupermaxJudgeMurphymadeclearthathisrulingisnarrowlydrawn,extendsno

furtherthannecessarytocorrecttheviolationofthe14thAmendmentdueprocessrightsofIDOC

[IllinoisDepartmentofCorrections]inmatesplacedatTamms,andistheleastintrusivemeans

necessarytocorrecttheviolationofthefederalrightsofsuchinmates.

JeanCasellaandJamesRidgeway,JudgeRulesProceduresatTammsSupermax

ViolateConstitutionSolitaryWatch,July212010

SinceIbeenatTammsJuly8,1998topresent,Ihavecut,biteandhungorattemptedtohang

myself.Ibeenonandoff17differentmedicationssinceIbeeninprison1994toMarch2009

whenIwasforceoffmedsbyDr.KforwritingagrievanceagainstherINEEDHELP!Someone

PLEASEHELPME!

RobertF,

Tamms

Correctional

Facility,

Tamms

IL

(6/8/09)

guardsfoundRobertF,33,deadonJune23inhiscellintheTammsSpecialTreatmentUnit,

ormentalward...

GeorgePawlaczykandBethHundsdorfer,BellevilleNewsDemocrat,TrappedinTamms:InIllinois

onlysupermaxfacility,inmatesareincells23hoursaday.August4,2009


18/64

Isolation Page18

TammswardenYJtoldheronthephonethatFoorwasnotreceivinganymedicationsatthe

timeofhisdeath

DustyRhodes,PrivateHell:MentallyIllTammsinmatediesinsolitaryconfinement.IllinoisTimes,

7/2/09.http://www.illinoistimes.com/Springfield/article6079privatehell.html

Inastatementinsupportofhisdecisioninadueprocessprisonerslawsuit,U.S.DistrictCourt

JudgeG.PatrickMurphywrote,Tamms[Supermax]imposesdramaticlimitationsonhuman

contact,so

much

so

as

to

inflict

lasting

psychological

damage

and

emotional

harm

on

inmates

confinedthereforlongperiodsPrisonofficialsandinmateswhodescribedcrushing

monotonyofspending23hoursperdayaloneinacell,devoidofhumancontactThejudges

findingsconcerningpsychologicalharmcontradictsprisonofficialsnumerousclaimsoverthe

yearssincethesupermaxopenedin1998,thatlongtermsolitaryconfinementdoesnotleadto

mentalbreakdown.

GeorgePawlaczykandBethHundsforfer,IsolationatTammsleadstomentalillness,judgerules.

BellevilleNewsDemocratJuly2,52010

DrawingbyTodd(HyungRae)Tarselli


19/64


Krystalreportsthatshewasphysicallyattackedbyotheryouthnearlyeverydaythatshewasin

thesystem.Shortlyafterarriving,Krystalfoundhershoesinthetrash,coveredinurineandspit.

Frequently,youthsattackedKrystalforrefusingtoperformsexacts.Otherqueeryouthinthefacility

hadsimilarexperiences.We'reallinthesamecategory,shesays.Andtherewasnowheretohide.

Itwasbasicallylikeabigdormonebigroomwhereeverybodysleeps,that'swhat'sgoingon,

Krystalsays.Sometimesyouwouldgetsenttolockdownforfightingback,butthere'snothingelse

youcando.Krystalreportedtheabusetostaff,buttheywouldjustwaittillthingshappened.Sometimesthestaffwouldtelltheotheryouthtostop.Sometimestheywouldn't.WhenKrystal

was13or14,thebullyingandviolencebecamesobadthatstaffplacedherinprotectivecustody,

wheresheremainedforamonth.

DanielRedman,Iwasscaredtosleep:LGBTyouthfaceviolencebehindbars.TheNation.June21,2010

Iamverythankfulthattherearepeoplelikeyouintheworldwhocare.Afriendofmineletmeborrow

andreadyourSurvivorsManual.Itbroughtsomanymemories.TearsfellfrommyeyesasIthought

backtothemanyyearsIwasforcedtospendinsolitaryconfinementintotalisolationandtheyears

spentincontrolunitsforcedtoendureunspeakableformsofabusebybothinmatesandprisonofficials.

IvebeenbeatenandrapedmoretimesthatIcaretoremember.Degradedanddehumanized.Passedon

fromone

man

to

another.

From

one

organization

to

the

next.

Im

still

treated

with

the

same

discriminationanddeliberateindifference.Iamatransgendered(maletofemale)inmatecurrently

incarceratedinacontrolunitwithinthefederalbureauofprisons.Iaminmymidthirtiesandhavebeen

incarceratedforalmost16yearsAnonymous

Ithasbeenconvincinglydocumentedonnumerousoccasionsthatsolitaryconfinementmaycause

seriouspsychologicalandsometimesphysiologicalilleffects.Researchsuggeststhatbetweenone

thirdandasmanyas90percentofprisonersexperienceadversesymptomsinsolitary

confinement.Alonglistofsymptomsrangingfrominsomniaandconfusiontohallucinationsand

psychosishasbeendocumented.Negativehealtheffectscanoccurafteronlyafewdaysin

solitaryconfinement,andthehealthrisksrisewitheachadditionaldayspentinsuchconditions.

Individualsmayreacttosolitaryconfinementdifferently.Still,asignificantnumberofindividualswill

experienceserioushealthproblemsregardlessofthespecificconditions,regardlessoftimeand

place,andregardlessofpreexistingpersonalfactors.Thecentralharmfulfeatureofsolitary

confinementisthatitreducesmeaningfulsocialcontacttoalevelofsocialandpsychological

stimulusthatmanywillexperienceasinsufficienttosustainhealthandwellbeing.Theuseofsolitary

confinementinremandprisonscarrieswithitanotherharmfuldimensionsincethedetrimental

effectswilloftencreateadefactosituationofpsychologicalpressurewhichcaninfluencethepretrial

detaineestopleadguilty.Whentheelementofpsychologicalpressureisusedonpurposeaspartof

isolationregimessuchpracticesbecomecoerciveandcanamounttotorture.

InternationalPsychologicalTraumaSymposium,December2007.Kingdom,Applicationnos.

24027/07,11949/08and36742/08,CouncilofEurope:EuropeanCourtofHumanRights,6July2010,

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c3718882.html

TerroristsuspectscannotbesenttolifeinjailinUS,EuropeanCourtrules

Thecourtsaidthesentenceswouldbreachtheprohibitiononinhumanordegradingtreatment

underArticleThreeoftheEuropeanConventionofHumanRightsThejudgeshavealsoruledthat

prolongeddetentioninsolitaryconfinementinaUSsupermaxprisoninFlorence,Coloradowould

breachArticleThree.

DuncanGardham,SecurityCorrespondent,www.telegraph.co.uk,July8,2010


20/64

CommunicationsManagementUnits Page20

Communications Management UnitsNote:TheFederalCorrectionalComplexinTerreHaute,INandtheUnitedStatesPenitentiaryin

Marion,ILcurrentlyhousethetwoCommunicationsManagementUnitsinthefederalsystem.

Thelatest

progression

of

control

units

are

called

security

threat

group

management

units.

This

is

particularlyegregiousbecauseitisthegovernmentwhichgetstodefinewhatasecuritythreat

groupis.AccordingtoanationalsurveydonebytheDepartmentofJustice,theDepartmentsof

CorrectionsofMinnesotaandOregonnamedallAsiansasgangs,whichMinnesotafurther

compoundsbyaddingallNativeAmericans.NewJersey,Oklahoma,andPennsylvaniagoontolist

variousIslamicgroupsasgangs.Becauseofmyownbackground,Iamverymindfulofwhois

consideredasecuritythreattothiscountryandhowtheyaretreated.Theprogressionoftheuse

ofisolationismostrecentlyknownasCommunicationsManagementUnitsinfederalprisonswhich

aredesignedtorestrictthecommunicationofimprisonedMuslimswiththeirfamilies,themedia,

andtheoutsideworld.ThistreatmentofprisonersisreplicatedinUSsecretprisonsthroughoutthe

worldwherealmostallofthosecapturedarepeopleofcolor.

BonnieKernessseminar,MuslimAllianceinNorthAmerica(7/17/10)

TheBureauestablishedtheCMUatFCCTerreHaute,IN,tohouseinmateswho,duetotheir

currentoffenseofconviction,offenseconduct,orotherverifiedinformation,requireincreased

monitoringofcommunicationswithpersonsinthecommunitytoensurethesafe,secureand

orderlyrunningofBureaufacilities,andtoprotectthepublic.TheCMUisanopenunitthat

operatesseparatelyfromthegeneralpopulationofthemaininstitution.Withacapacityof

housing90inmates,theCMUsoperationalproceduresreduceinmatesabilitytocircumvent

existing mailandtelephonemonitoringprocedures.Typesofinmateswhomaybehousedthere

includethose:

convictedof,orassociatedwith,internationalordomesticterrorism; convictedofsexoffenseswhorepeatedlyattempttocontacttheirvictims; whoattempttocoordinateillegalactivitieswhileincarceratedviaapproved

communicationmethods;

thosewhohavereceivedextensivedisciplinaryactionsduetotheircontinuedmisuse/abuseofapprovedcommunicationmethods.

StateoftheBureau2007:BureauofPrisonsStaff:EverydayHeroes,p.15.U.S.Departmentof

Justice,FederalBureauofPrisons.HarleyLappin,director.


21/64


AttheMarionCMU,72percentofthepopulationisMuslim,1,200percenthigherthanthenational

averageofMuslimprisonersinfederalprisonfacilities.TheTerreHauteCMUpopulationisapproximately

twothirdsMuslim,anoverrepresentationof1,000percent.

CenterforConstitutionalRights,CommunicationsManagementUnits:TheFederalPrisonSystems

ExperimentinSocialIsolation.

Collageby

OjoreLutalo


22/64

CommunicationsManagementUnits Page22

ThereisnojusticeandnorightsforsomeonelikemewhoisaforeignerandMuslim.Theysentmetothe

specialunitcalledGuantanamoBayonAmericanSoilforthefollowingreasons:

Tomanageourcommunication(phone,visits,mail)Becausewearesupposedlyterroristsandadangerto

thecommunity.Letmeexplainwhatthegovernmentclaimsandmakeitclearforyouthatitisnonsense,

anexcuseforthenewfascism,thenewruleofdiscrimination.

Therearepeopleherewhodonthaveanycontactwiththeoutside.Theyneverwriteorgetmail,theyhavenophonecallsandnovisits.Thiswastruewhentheywereinregularunitsforyearsbut

stilltheywerebroughthere.Whichcommunicationsarebeingmanaged?Manyothershaveavisit

onlyonceayear,phonecallsonceamonth,mailonceaweek.Howdifficultisthattomonitor?

Whilesecretlytheywiretapmillionsofpeopleandreadbillionsofpiecesofmailandemailinthis

country!Buttheycantmanagetofollowone15minutephonecallpermonthsotheymustput

thepersoninthisUnit

Allourvisits,evenwithfamily,mustbethroughglass.Stoppingmefromhuggingmybabyhas

nothingtodowithnationalsecurity!Again,ifitsreallyasecurityconcernletthemgiveusnon

contactvisitsforfriends.Butfamily,especiallychildrenunder10,havenothingtodowiththreats.

Evenif

the

people

here

were

adanger

(which

Idont

believe,

at

least

in

most

cases)

there

are

thousandsofcriminals,evenmurderers,inmediumsecurityprisonslikethis.Buttheyareall

allowedcontactvisitseveryday,not4hoursamonthandthroughtheglass.Thelawshouldbethe

sameandallshouldhavethesameprivileges.TheonlydifferenceisthatweareMuslims

Iwasherewhenaninmatedied.Istilldontknowwhybuttheysaiditwasaheartattack.Allwe

knewwashisfrienddidnotseehimatbreakfast,andaftereatingwenttocheckonhim,hefound

hisbody.Evenifitwasaheartattack,imaginewhathemusthavegonethroughallalone.Usuallyin

prisonstheyhaveanemergencybuttonyoucanpress.Nothere.Hecouldhavebeenstrugglingall

night.Maybeifsomeonehadknownhislifecouldhavebeensaved.Butwhocares...liketheysay,

prisonersarejustnumbers.Ifonedies,itsonelessnumber.

Anothernightatabout2:00amIheardsomeonebangingonthedoorofhiscellandyelling,CO!

CO!Otherinmatesstartedshouting,Whatsgoingon?Heyelledback,Itsnotmebutmy

neighborhesdiabeticandhecollapsed...heiscryingforhelp.Weallstartedshoutingforthe

guardstocheckonhim,andthedoctoryelledthattheyshouldgivehimsomehoneyorjuice.Itstill

tooktwohoursuntiltheemergencyteamarrivedwithanurse.Ifhiscellmatehadnotheardhimand

startedshoutinghewouldhavedied.Whyisthisalockeddownunitbuttherearenoemergency

buttonsinthecells?

YassinA.,CommunicationsManagementUnit:TerreHaute,TerreHauteIN(10/14/07)

http://www.albanyweblog.com/2007/10Oct/101407.html

DirectorLspecificallyredressedaconcernthatsurroundedactivitiesbyMuslimsprisonerswithin

thecustody

of

the

Federal

Bureau

of

Prisons.

Because

certain

Muslim

prisoners

dont

require

high

security,DirectorLinformedCongressthattheCMUswerespecificallycreatedfortheseindividuals

insteadofplacingthemintheSupermaxADX.[BOP2009BudgetHearingBeforeCongress].This

requestforadditionalfundswasfor9milliondollarsafterCongresshadalreadygivenMr.L17

milliondollarsfortheCounterterroristUnitinWestVirginia(CTU).


23/64


AgentlemanbythenameofMr.N,a71yearoldmanserving120years,alsoresidesintheCMU.

Mr.Ndoesnotshowerformonthsonend.LetterswrittentotheU.S.DepartmentofHealthand

HumanServicesarelostinthemail.Staff,thosespecificallyrunningtheCMUonsiteand

administrationstaff,i.e.,Mrs.H,herassociatewardensanddepartmentstaffheads,areallawareof

theodorofurineonMr.Nandhavemadenoattemptstohavehimtransferredtoaninstitution

wherehecouldbetakenbettercareof.

CenterforConstitutionalRights,CommentsSubmittedbyCurrentandFormerCMUPrisonersRoyal

GeneDomingoJones,Sr.,USPMarion.June2,2010

OnatourofCamp5,amaximumsecuritycampfordetaineesthemilitarydeemsnoncompliant,

thecommandingofficerrattledoffstatisticsaboutthebuilding.Itwasmodeledafteraprisonin

TerreHaute,Indiana.

JeremyW.Peters,TourofGuantanamoOffersaLook,butLittleElse.NewYorkTimes,August11,2010

Thosecomingoutdirectlytothestreetsfromyearsinisolationtalkaboutsleeplessness,paranoia,

feelingsofviolence,andaninabilitytorelatetoanyonewhohasnthadtheexperienceofprison

andisolation.Familyandfriendsreportthatthelovedonesbeingreturnedtothemafterfinishing

theirsentences

are

not

people

they

know

anymore.

The

people

who

have

endured

this

describe

yearsoflivinginanenvironmentsotoxictomentalfunctioningthattheyareunabletorelateto

theworldasweknowituponrelease.Onemandescribedcuttinghimselfjustsohecouldfeel

something.Ionceaskedamanwhyhethrewfecesonofficers,whatcouldpossiblycompelhimto

behavelikethat?Hesaiditwastheonlypowerhehadleft.

BonnieKerness,FromSlaverytothePrisonSystem:HumanRightsViolationsinAmerica.

MonmouthUniversity,February19,2009


24/64

HealthandMedicalServicesandConditions Page24

Health and Medical Services and Conditions

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 3Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Article 6Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be

protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading

Treatment or Punishment

Article 21) Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative,

judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any

territory under its jurisdiction.

2) No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state ofwar or a threat of war, international political instability or any

other public policy emergency, may be invoked as a justification

of torture.

3) An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not beinvoked as a justification of torture.

Article 164) Each State Party shall undertake to prevent in any territory under

its jurisdiction other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading

treatment or punishment which do not amount to torture as

defined in Article 1, when such acts are committed by or at the

instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public

official or other person acting in an official capacity.

Pleaseallowmetoexplaintheunhealthy,unsanitary,unsafeandnastycellsIvebeenplacedin

sinceIvebeenhere5/9/08Sgt.Bmovedmeinacellbuilding18DLower11thathadbloodonthe

floor,thewalls,themirror,thetoilet,thebedframeandthesinkfromtheguyinthecellbeforeme

hithisheadorsomethingandIwasforcedtocleanitupon4to12shiftbarehandedwithjust

torntowelsthatthe4to12officersgavemebecauseSgt.Bwouldntgivemeanythingtocleanthe

blood

up

with

on

his

shift

(8

to

4)

and

when

I

asked

him

[Sgt.

B]

for

some

gloves

and

cleaning

supplies,toldme,FnoIfiledagrievanceandtold,nongrievable

Ivebeentoldbyseveralofficers,thatswhyIeattheirspit,theirsemenandallkindsofstuff,Ifiled

grievancesonallofthethingstheyhavetoldmetheyaredoingtomyfoodandImtold,non

grievable.On6/27/09,7/11/09,and12/22/09Ibitdownonmetalinmyfoodinwhichmymouth

stillhurtsandbleedsfromwhenIfirstbitdownonmetalinmyfoodon6/27/09andalltheyare

tryingtodois[CMSmedicaldepartment]coverupandjustifymyinjuriestomylefthandandleft


25/64


footandcoverupandjustifywhymymouthisbleedingIfearformylife,safety,andhealthby

correctionalofficersandthedepartmentofcorrectionsiscontinuingtoallowthesameexact

officerstocontinueandcontinuetoassaultme,harassme,targetme,tamperwithmyfood,steal

mylegalwork,stealmygrievances,etc.andIvemadethedepartmentofcorrectionsknowexactly

whatsgoingonbutnothingisbeingdoneaboutitatall

GregR,SHUJamesT.VaughnCorrectionalCenter,SmyrnaDE

IamalungandbronchialtubecancerpatientandithasmetastasizedsubstantiallyDuetothe

cancer,radiation,andbotchedsurgery,Iaminconstantpain.IamonlifetimeM.S.Contin

[morphine]painmedicationwhichalsohelptremendouslyforthemultiplespinedisease

painPrisonstaffdeliberatelyrefusetoallowmetogotomypainmedicationappointmentsorthey

deliberatelyinterferebyholdingmeinmyhousingfor2hourswhichbothcauseunnecessarypain

andnarcoticswithdrawalsthatareevenworsethanthecancerpain

Anotherincidentwheremedicalstaffdeliberatelyrefusedtoprovidemypainmedicationwasduring

aheatwaveof101105degrees.ThisTexasprisonunitwithmanyelderly,andveryillinmates,has

noairconditioningthemedicalholdingcageisnotinthemedicaldepartmentlikeonalmostall

otherTexasprisonunits.Itisinthemainhallwayinfrontofmedical.everyonemustsitatalltimes.


26/64

HealthandMedicalServicesandConditions Page26

Duringthehottestsummermonthsthecagesbecomesofullwithstaphinfection,medication,and

treatmentsthatitisshouldertoshouldersitting.thecagesbecomesohot,thebodyheatbeingheldin

bycinderblockwallsandbodiesshouldertoshoulderthatwebecomesoakingwetwithperspiration.

OnonesuchoccasionIbecamedizzyandnauseousandIwenttothemedicaldoorandaskedtosit

insideafterexplainingmysymptoms.Theguardnotonlyrefusedbutrefusedtotellthemedical

staffsittinginthecageduringaheatwaveIbecamedizzyagainandfeltlikeIwasgoingtobesick

nauseaandmouthwatering.BecausethepillwindowwasstillgoingwithregularmedsIknewfromexperiencethatitwasgoingtobealongwhileuntiltheyweredone[cancermedsaregiveninthe

medicaldepartmentunderdirectobservation]soIwentbacktomyhousingtolayinfrontofmyfan.As

soonascountclearedIwentbacktothemedicaldept.,Iwasgoneabout1hourandassoonasIwalked

uptheR.N.,Ms.R,yelledthruthedoorYouarenotgettingyourmedication!Itwasarough,rough

night.Cancerpain,narcoticwithdrawal,andalltheheatstrokesymptoms.

MichaelS,TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice,RosharonTX(5/3/10)

July19,2007inmateDaleIdiedfromaraginginfectioncausedbyfecalmatterseepingintohis

abdomenthroughaperforatedulcer.TheofficialinvestigationfoundthatJailHealthService

caregiversoverlookedorignoredtheevidencethatIszleywasinseriousmedicaltroubletheday

beforehe

died.

Documents

show

Iszley

begged

to

be

sent

to

ahospital

and

writhed

in

pain

for

nearlytwodaysbeforehediedinthejailsinfirmary.

JohnS,SeattleWAKingCountyJail(5/4/10)

AprisonerbythenameofFredCdiedthispastweek,andyoushouldbeinformedthatthereis

littledoubtthathisdeathwascaused,atleastinpart,byhismaltreatmentatthehandsofyourB

podhousingstaffMr.Ccomplainedincessantlyofexperiencingchestpainsb/cofhispresumed

mentalhealthissues,staffmostlyrolledtheireyesandignoredMr.Csmedicalcomplaintsstaff

wouldmakefunofMr.CsmedicalcomplaintsThesmellandfilthassociatedwithMr.Cs

dramaticallydeclininghealthdidnotmovehousingstafftoseekmedicalhelpforhim,butinstead

causedfurtherangerandresentmentbystaff[C]wassubjectedtohazingandharassmentbyunit

officers

on

a

regular

basis

in

connection

with

his

inability

or

unwillingness

to

stand

to

take

showers.

Insteadofattemptingtoaccommodatehisneedsbyprovidingachairintheshower,orproviding

himaccesstoabathtubinthemedicalunit,housingstafftookitasachallengetotryandforceMr.

Ctoshower.ThiswasattemptedonmanyoccasionsbylockingMr.Cintheshowerandleavinghim

inthere,layingonthefilthyshowerfloor,forliterallyhoursatatimeIpersonallywitnessednight

OfficerHtakeagrievancefromMr.Csdoor,dropitonthefloor,andusehisshoetojamthe

grievancebackunderMr.Csdoor.

CharlieF,AdultDetentionComplex,SaltLakeCityUtah(5/24/10)

Ivebeenforcedtolivethreemeninacellhousewithacameraoverourlivingquarteroneofour

cellmatesisforcedtolayonthefloorduetohisageheshouldnthaveto.Butweareforcedtoshut

uporwewouldbepeppersprayedorshockedbytaseragain.Thephoneswontpermitustocall

outto

the

Marshalls

office

when

we

ever

get

the

telephone.

HowardH,CalcasieuParishCorrectionCenter,LakeCharlesLA70602(6/6/10)

Ihadanemotionalbreakdownandkickedthedoortomycell.IrealizedthatIhadbrokenmyleg

bykickingthedoorandcalledontheintercomforhelp,statingthatIhurtmyleg.Noone

responded.Icontinuedtolieonthefloorandcallforhelp.Afterabout20minutes,staff

respondedtheyreturnedaboutfifteenminuteslaterandtoldmetomoveawayfromthedoorso

theycouldseeme.IinformedthemthatIcouldnotmovebecausemylegwasbroken.They


27/64


respondedthatunlessIcrawledacrossthefloortheywouldnotcallforanurse.Iwasabletodrag

myselfatotalofaboutsixfeetawayfromthedoor,ittookoverahalfofanhourtodosoStaffand

thenurseleftagain.Thenursereturnedaboutfifteenminuteslaterwithtwelvesecuritystaff.Staff

enteredmyroom,thengrabbedmyarms,handcuffedme,androlledmeonmyback,heldmy

brokenlegdown,thenpulledupmypantleg,causingmeextremepain.Iwaslefttolieonthefloor

untilemergencytransportpeoplearrivedaboutthirtyminuteslaterIwasdiagnosedwithmultiple

fracturestomyrightlegIwasarbitrarilydeniedallmybreakswhileinisolationfromthetimeofmyinjuryuntilaftersurgery.SoIwaslockedinmycell24hoursaday.Mykneehasbeenpermanently

injured,andIlostfeelinginthedorsalsideofthelegandthreetoes

OnoraboutNovember13,2003,Icomplainedofintensepaintomylowerbackfromacystwhere

myskinswelledgreatly,andthenbrokeandbledasaresultofbeinginbedbecauseofmyleg

injuryWhenthenursearrived,shemerelyplacedagauzepadovermybleedingskinandleft.I

explainedthatitwasnecessarytolancethecystinordertodrainthefluidwhenIreceivedno

furthermedicalhelp,Ieventuallyfeltforcedtopuncturethecystanddrainitmyself,becausethe

painandpressureweresogreat.TheMSOPrefusedtoprovidemewithadoctorforthiscondition

untiltheendofDecember2003.Thedoctoratthehospitalrecommendedsurgery.Thefacilityfailed

toarrange

surgery

until

February

24,

2004

when

agolf

ball

sized

cyst

was

finally

removed.

ArthurS,MinnesotaSexOffenderProgram,MooseLakeMN(6/8/10)

InthetenyearssincemyinitialstayatPassaicCountyJail,inmateshave,andarecontinuallybeing

forcedtoliveinabsolutesqualor;whichexposesthemtoavarietyofparasiticinfectionslikescabies,

lice,ringwormandcrabs,aswellasskindiseaseslikeMRSAandimpetigo.Thisfilthcontributesto

theobviousinfestationproblem.

MichaelB,PassaicCountyJail,PassaicNJ(9/14/09)

Icamedownwithsomethingcalledcellulitis.Cellulitisisabacterialinfectionoftheskinwhichif

leftuntreatedmaycausesepticemia,apotentiallyfatalcondition.NowIwassickwithcellulitisinmy

foot.

And

for

three

weeks

the

condition

had

got

so

bad

the

prison

call

911.

And

I

was

taken

to

St.

FrancishospitalwhereIstayedfor7dayswithonedayintheICU.

KofiB,NewJerseyStatePrison,TrentonNJ(7/16/10)

Onabout2006,atBexarCountyJailinSanAntonio,IpickupHepatitisC,alongwithStaphinfection

thatcausedmetohaveabloodpoisoning,inwhichcausedacyst,thatgrowonmyneck,andhadto

haveanoperationonmynecknowIhaveascaronmyneckfrommyeartothebottomofmyneck,

intheareaof10to11incheslongIdidnthaveanythingwrongwithmewhenIgotintothecounty

jail,nowinprisonIcantgetnotreatment,untilmylivergoesout,thenitstoolate

DavidP,TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice,StilesUnit,BeaumontTX(6/2/08)

Inasystemwhere95%ofpeopleinprisonreturntoourcommunities,theimpactofcrueltyand

poormedical

practices

isnt

just

amatter

of

human

decency.

They

involve,

among

other

things,

seriouspublichealthconcernswithbothimmediateandlongtermimplications.Publichealth

issuesincludingHepatitisC,Tuberculosis,HIV,mentalillnessandsymptomsrelatedtopost

traumaticstressdisorder.Manyleaveprisonswithoutanyofthemedication,whichformedthe

bedrockoftheirtreatment,therebyriskingdiffusionofthesediseases.

BonnieKerness,FromSlaverytothePrisonSystem:HumanRightsViolationsinAmerica.

MonmouthUniversityHumanRelationsAdvisoryCommittee,February192009


28/64

MentalIllness Page28

Mental Illnesspeoplewhohavementalillnesswillgetsprayedwithmacefirst,thentheyllshootgasthreetimes

inthecellbeforetheyruninfourtofivesuitedupmentoputtheinmateinthegroundand

handcuffandshackle.Usuallywhenthishappenstoanybodywhogetsauseofforcetheyare

strippednaked,

all

property

including

mattress

is

thrown

out

and

you

dont

get

fed

next

meal

for

the

facttheyhavetodopaperwork

RubenZ,EstelleHighSecurityUnit,HuntsvilleTX(3/17/10)

Ivehadseriousmentalillnesssincechildhood,bipolardisorderandbehavioralproblems,

intermittentexplosivedisorderandIvegotintellectualfunctioningdisorder!Aswellaschronic

seizures,grandmalseizuresmymentalillnesswent100%untreatedformyfirstcoupleyearsin

prison!WhichcausedmetobeputintoconfinementIvebeeninstripcellswithnothingbuta

steelbunkinthemiddleofwinterandnoheatinthecellhouseandhadtheofficersspraywaterin

mycellandonmyself,andIwouldstaylikethatforupto1012daysattimes!Withthewholecell

havingathinlayeroffrost!...Icutmyselfsobadtheguardsgotsickuponseeingmywounds!Iwas

injectedwithlotsofpsychmeds,placedin5pointrestraintsforverylongtimesIwasso

paranoidmymental

help

was

asuper

mega

dose

of

psych

meds

and

abox

car

segregation

cell!

BobbyB,TammsCorrectionalCenter,TammsIL(5/7/10)

OnMarch5,2010,anadjustmentshearingwasheldandKwasconvictedinabsentia.FredNs[the

hearingofficer]recordofthehearingallegesthatKwaivedhisrighttobepresentatthehearing,to

havearepresentative,ortocallwitnesses.Kwasfoundguiltyofusingthreateninglanguageand

disrespect.Kwassentencedto340dayssegregation,thelossofvisitsfor150days,andthelossof

1,000goodconductdays.Inimposingtheunusuallyharshandcruelsentence,Nobviouslygaveno

considerationtoKsmentalhistoryorcondition,andtheresnoreasonforaninferencethatNeven

caredwhetherKwasmentallycapableofknowinglyandintelligentlywaivinghisrightsInmateK

hasahistoryofmentalillnessOntheafternoonofMarch5th,whentheconsequencesofthe

adjustmenthearing

were

cautiously

explained

to

K,

he

presumably

cut

himself

and

was

subsequentlymovedtothesuicidewatchareaoftheinstitution

OnFebruary2,2010,Iwashousedinasegregationcellnexttoamentallyillinmatehearouseda

greatdealofcommotionbecausehewascoatinghimselfwithhumanfeces,spreadingthesame

aroundthecellandonthecelldoorwindowfromwhichhewaslickingthewaste.Securitystaff

reactedtothiscryforhelpbyinitiallythreatening,tonoavail,todeprivethepatientofhisfood

ration.Withinafewdaysthepoorsoulwasrotatedoutoftheareaandawayfromotherinmates

awareofthepatientsneglectedcondition

AgainonFebruary19th,2010,amentallychallengedinmatenamedMomidWwasexitingthe

housing

unit

#5

adjustments

hearing

room,

from

which

he

seemed

to

have

been

somewhat

propelled.InmateWwascuffedfrombehind,andjustasheclearedthedoorframehewasstrucka

viciousblowtothebackoftheheadbyacorrectionalofficertohisrear.TheblowknockedWtothe

floorwherehewasthenkickedandpummeledbytwoofficersbeforehewaspainfullyliftedand

drugoutofsightbythehandcuffsthatsecuredhisarmsbehindhisback

NormP,WesternCorrectionalInst.,Cumberlan,MD3/9/10(written),5/18/10(received)


29/64


Thisguyhas40yearsinPrisonandithastakenagreatpsychologicaltollonhismind.Hehas

illusions,paranoid+verypsychoticTheyoungofficersliketotaunthim,andprovokearesponseto

givehimaticket.

S.D.P.,UpstateCorrectionalFacility,MaloneNY(5/20/10)

takenfromalettertoallwhowilllisten,takewhatIhavetosayseriouslyandopentheirmindto

acceptthetruthIhaveheardvoices(andstilldo)andseenthingsthatotherpeopledontsee(andstilldo)andanytimeItrytoseekhelp,Iameitherlaughedatandcalledaliar,orevenworse,

punishedbybeingplacedinafreezingcoldcellwithnoclothesitiswelldocumentedthathehas

hadmentalhealthproblemshestateshishistoryofselfmutilationpsychologistsconclusions

state:Mr.Pobviouslyhadsomeseriousmentalhealthproblemsevenbeforehebeganbeing

housedinisolation;hehasbeenhousedinisolationalmosttheentiretenyearsthathehasbeen

incarcerated.Mr.Pbelievesthatthesensorydeprivationhashadmuchtodowithhisactingout

throughcustodialassaultshebeginstodevelopsuspiciousandparanoidfeelingsrelieve[s]the

stressbyselfmutilationandactingouthegivesthisaccountofthetreatmenthedidreceiveinthe

SpecialOffendersUnit:Iwasplacedintherestraintbedduetoaselfharmattempt.Whileinthe

restraintbedIwasassaultedbyanofficercametotherestraintbed,toconductacertcheckon

therestraintsC/O

Shaw

open

hand

smacked

me,

extremely

hard

with

excess

force,

two

times

in

therightsideofmyface

FromprisoneradvocateonbehalfofKyleP,WashingtonStateDOC(5/30/10)

eventhoughtheuseofchemicalagents/ad[ministrative]seg[regation]onmentallyill

unconstitutional,thepracticescontinueIwasangrybecauseIwasnotgivenasuicideblanket,it

waswinterandlackofheatisusedtomodifybehavior.Iwaspeppersprayedwithoutpriormental

healthconsultationandevaluation.

StevenD,WesternNewMexicoCorrectionalFacility,GrantsNM(6/8/10)


30/64


Collageby

OjoreLutalo


31/64


ThefollowingfourtestimoniesareregardingthesuicideofMatthewBullock,whosufferedfrom

mentalillness,hadattemptedsuicidesixtimes,andhadbeensentencedtoserveinasecure

mentalhealthfacility:

OfficerB,C,McC,P,RandMencouragedprisonerMatthewBullocktokillhimself,calledhim

childmolester,kickedonhisdoor,anddeprivehimofprotectionagainstsuicidaltendencies.

SpecificallyIrecallon8/26/09and8/27/09OfficerMcCwasbraggingthatitwashim(McC)that

madeBullockcommitsuicideandthathewouldliketoseeotherinmateskillthemselves.On

8/27/09correctionalofficerMcCstatedthatheisgoingtomakethebabyraper'[namewithheld]'

killhimselftoo.ThedaysfollowinguptothedatethatprisonerMatthewBullockcommittedsuicide

Mr.Bullockwascomplainingaboutbeingunabletobreatheinhotcellwiththebrightlightshiningin

hisface24hoursaday.PrisonerBullockwasinacameracellandtoldtheofficersthathewouldkill

himself.TheRHUofficersmovedinmateBullocktoacellwithoutcameraandprovidedhimthe

meanstokillhimself.NoofficersmadeanyroundstocheckonBullockonthe210shift.Therefore

Mr.Bullockbeingunderthepressureofsolitaryconfinementandbeingtreatedlessthanadog

committedsuicide.

CarringtonK,

SCI

Dallas

Restricted

Housing

Unit

(confinement),

Jackson

Twp

PA

(9/17/09)

source:


...They...toldMatthewBullockthattheydon'ttakehissuicidethreatsseriouslyandthatifhe

wantedorneededahelpinghandtoassisthissuicidetask/threat...theofficershereatDallas

definitelycausedthisinmatetokillhimselfbyagitatedhiminvariouswaysandbytotallyignoring

hishealthproblems/conditions.

IsaacS,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(8/24/09)source:Human


AmannamedMatthewBullockdiedinKA48cellofDallasRHU.OfficerBworkedalongwith

officerM.

Officer

B

was

an

instigator.

He

was

making

comments

of

how

well

all

get

your

day

and

werejustsavingtaxdollars,itsadepression.Wheninmatesscreamedmandyinggethimhelp.

TheyloungedaroundmakingcommentsofobscenenaturetowhichIcantrepeatindetail.Noone

knewhisfamilytotellthemtherealstoryandbeabletoofferthemaffidavitsandtestimonysothey

cangetjustice.Surelytheyweregivenatrumpedupversionoftheirlovedonesdeath.MayGod

Blesshissoul!

LawyerL,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(undated)source:


SinceIgottothisprisonIvebeenintheRHUmoretimethanthegeneralpopulation.Ineed

someonetohelpmebecauseIshouldhavebeenMattBullock,IhungmyselfNov.1508andall

thesepeopledidwaslockmeinaroomnakedfor18daysandtake[away]everymedicationthat

hadhelped

me.

Iwouldnt

have

hung

myself

ifthey

wouldve

listened

to

me.

If

they

wouldnt

have

continuallymessedwithallmymedications.

JohnP,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(11/5/09)source:Human



32/64


Aconsiderablenumberofprisonersfell,afterevenashortconfinement,intoasemifatuous

condition,fromwhichitwasnexttoimpossibletoarousethem,andothersbecameviolentlyinsane;

othersstill,committedsuicide

VictorD,OklahomaStatePrison,McAlester,OK(9/28/09)

IamremindedofmentallyillFrankHinNewJersey,whowasforcedintoanisolationunit.The

guardstauntedandteasedthisman,madehimdanceashebeggedthemforcigarettes,waterorfoodwhiletheylaughed.FrankHkilledhimself.

AstoldbyBonnieKerness,explainingreportsreceived(11/09)

InNewJerseyIvereceivedreportsoftheuseofsomethingcalledthechickensuit,wherethe

mentallyillareforcedtowearclearplasticsuitsduringtheirstayintheSpecialNeedsunitina

countyfacility.Inessencetheyspendtheirdaysnaked.

AnonymouslytoldtoBonnieKerness(2009)

thetrendtowarddeinstitutionalizationofthementallyillinthe1970swasitsownsocial

movementdesignedtotakepeopleoutofthedreadfulconditionsinmentalasylumsandplace

themin

community

treatment

centers.

The

money

to

realize

the

second

half

of

the

vision

never

materialized,however,andmanyofthementallyillwereleftonthestreetsandsubsequently

arrested.Asaresult,jailsandprisonshavebecometheprimarysitesformanypeopletoreceive

mentalhealthservices

Webelievethatweshouldstoptreatingmentalillnessascriminalbehavior,andusehealthcare

responsesratherthanpoliceresponsestobehaviorthatresultsfrommentalillness.Ifthereisa

returntogreateruseofmentalhospitals,theseshouldbeavailabletopatientsandtheirfamilies

onavoluntarybasis.Insteadofcontinuinginvestmentinmoreprisonstohousementallyill

personsinfacilitiesnotequippedtotreatthem,weshouldinvestmoreinsecurebuttreatment

orientedhospitalsfortheviolentmentallyill,andincommunitymentalhealthservicestotreat

nonviolent

mentally

ill

persons

as

outpatients.

LauraMagnaniandHarmonL.Wray,BeyondPrisons:ANewInterfaithParadigmforOurFailed

PrisonSystem.Page30,126;AmericanFriendsServiceCommittee,2006.


33/64


Use of Force and Devices of Torture

International Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman

or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Article 41) Each State Party shall ensure that all acts of torture are offenses

under its criminal law. The same shall apply to an attempt to

commit torture and to an act by any person which constitutes

complicity or participation in torture.

Article 101) Each State party shall ensure that education and information

regarding the prohibition against torture are fully included in the

training of law enforcement personnel, civil or military, medical

personnel, public officials and other persons who may be

involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of any

individual subjected to any form of arrest, detention, or

imprisonment.

2) Each State Party shall include this prohibition in the rules orinstructions issued in regard to the duties and functions of any

such person.

Article 11Each State Party shall keep under systematic review interrogation

rules, instructions, methods and practices as well as arrangements

for the custody and treatment of persons subjected to any form ofarrest, detention or imprisonment in any territory under its

jurisdiction, with a view to preventing any cases of torture.

Article 13Each State Party shall ensure that any individual who alleges he has

been subjected to torture in any territory under its jurisdiction has

the right to complain to, and to have his case promptly and

impartially examined by, its competent authorities. Steps shall be

taken to ensure that the complainant and witnesses are protected

against ill-treatment or intimidation as a consequence of his

complaint or any evidence given.

OnJune19,2004[correctionalofficer]SorderedthatIbeplacedinfourpointrestraintsafterIset

thewatersprinkleroffinmycell...SforcedmetoremaininrestraintsuntilJune22,2004without

evertalkingtoorobservingme.Whilealreadyrestrained,defendantSthenorderedthatIbe

involuntarilyinjectedwithantipsychoticdrugs(unknowntomeatthetime)atthesuggestionof

nonmedicalLTSU[longtermsegregationunit]staff.Prisonguardsphysicallyheldmedownwhilea

femalenurseforciblypulleddownmyunderwearandinjectedmeinthebuttockswithaneedle.


34/64

UseofForceandDevicesofTorture Page34

IwasinjectedwithHaldolatdefendantS'sdirection,withfullknowledgethatthisdrugisknown

tocauserestlessnessandmusclespasmsinpatients.Duetomebeingrestrainedandunableto

stretch,defendantdidthisastorture.Whileintheserestraints,Iurinatedanddefecatedonmyself

severaltimesandwasmadetoliveinitforseveraldays...WhenIasked...Saavedrawhyhewas

denyingmeplacementinatreatmentunitandsinglingmeout,hestatedthatIshouldn't'complain

somuch'andthatI'm'nothingbutalabrat.'

AndreJ,SCIFayette,LaBellePA(11/09)

TheC.O.MichaelJholdtheblackmetalbox,theonethatgoeswiththehandcuffsandthechain

aroundthewaist.HeholdwiththelefthandandpassedtherestofrestrictionstoOfficerM.Having

donethat,theC.O.Jdidasifhewasleavingthecell,butsuddenlyheturnedaroundandbalancing

allhisweight,heextendedhisrightfistandhitme.Rightbelowofthelefteyeinflamingmylefteye,

knockingmedowninmybackinthebunk,andjumpedontopofmeandbeganstrikingmewith

bothofhisfists,ontheface,neck,torsoarea,andinthechest.TheC.O.M.Jhitmeseveraltimes

withtheblackmetalbox.Theblackmetalboxslippedoutofhislefthandbuthewasontopofme.

Andcontinuebeatingmelikeabeast.TheC.O.MwasstandingatthedoorjustwatchingtheC.O.

MichaelJbeatingme.

SergioF,

Florida

State

Prison,

Raiford,

FL

(3/19/10)

ifsomeonedontknowwhatthey[correctionalofficers]thinkweshoulddothentheygasus,

shootuswithbombs,shootuswithapaintgunthathasrubberballsinit.Thentookastripcellput

inblackbox.Chainsandlegironsuntilwedecidetodoastheysayorthewardencomesandsaysto

takeyouout,soyougottopraythatatourcomessoyoullbeoutbeforeallthat.

Jeff H,FederalCorrectionalComplex,OakdaleSMU, OakdaleLA(undated)


35/64


SomeyearsbackIwasatagatheringwheresomeonebroughtablackboxattachedtohandcuffs

andaskedmetowearitfor45minutes.Theboxwassoheavythatthepainwasimmediate.Iwas

unabletothinkofanythingforthose45minutesexceptpain.Peoplehavedescribedwearingitfor

hoursandinatleastoneprison,thepersonhastowearitduringhisentirewindowvisit.

BonnieKernesspresentationtotheNationalReligiousCampaignagainstTorture(11/09)

InJune2004Iwasbeatenandchainedtoametalbedwithnofoodandwaterfor3daysChrisG,SaguaroCorrectionalCenter,EloyAZ(4/29/10)

NoTouchTortureUniversityofWisconsinprofessorAlfredMcCoy[authorofAQuestionofTorture,CIAInterrogation,

fromtheColdWartotheWaronTerror]writes, interrogatorshadfoundthatmerephysicalpain,

nomatterhowextreme,oftenproducedheightenedresistance.

TheCIAspsychologicalparadigmfornotouchtorturefusedtwonewmethods,sensory

disorientationandselfinflictedpain,whosecombination,intheory,wouldcausevictimstofeel

responsiblefortheirownsufferingandthuscapitulatemorereadilytotheirtorturers.Refined

throughyears

of

practice,

sensory

disorientation

relies

on

amix

of

sensory

overload

and

sensory

deprivationviabanalprocedures,isolationthenintenseinterrogation,heatandcold,lightanddark,

noiseandsilence,forasystematicattackonallhumanstimuli.Thefusionofthesetwotechniques,

sensorydisorientationandselfinflictedpain,createsasynergyofphysicalandpsychologicaltrauma

whosesumisahammerblowtotheexistentialplatformsofpersonalidentity.(McCoyoutline,45)

In2004,theRedCrossreported:Theconstructionofsuchasystem....cannotbeconsideredother

thananintentionalsystemofcruel,unusualanddegradingtreatmentandaformoftorture.

(McCoyoutline,9)

FromInContraventionofConventionalWisdomby CherylWelsh,January2008

TheauthoritieshereatLewisberg,beingcarriedoutbystaffinregardstoecessive(sic)useofforce

andthedischargeofchemicalagents(gas)isandhasbeenanongoingproblemsinceIarrivedin

6/2010.IhavetobeverycautiouswhatIwriteinthisletterbecausethemailisoftentamperedor

soIhavewitnessed.Thisisachemicalagentgohappy(gas)prison.Whensomeoneisgassed,weall

havetoendureit.Whenpeoplefight,staffdoesaverypoorjoboftryingtopreventit.Theywould

ratheryoufightsotheycangasyouorshootyouwithsprayballpepperballgunorgrenadeyouand

burstyoureardrums.Twoweeksaagomyselfandmycellmatetriedtoavoidgettinginafightby

tellingstffthatwearentgettingalongbeforewegotintoafight.Theunitmanagertoldthatthathe

willnotmoveeitherofus.

P.D.,LewisbergPenitentiary,November15,2010


36/64

UseofForceandDevicesofTorture Page36

CNNBlogAugust24,2010OfficialsataLosAngelesCountyjailplantotestoutaninvisibleheadbeamweaponoriginally

developedbythemilitaryasawaytosubduebrawlinginmatesbymakingthemfeelintolerable

heat.

Thetechnology,calledanAssaultInterventionDevice,isanonlethalweapondevelopedby

RaytheonCompany.Itoriginallywasscaleddownforuseatthejail.

Thedeviceemitsafocusedbeamofwaveenergythattravelsatthespeedoflightandproducesan

intolerableheatingsensationthatcausestargetedindividualstoflee.

Deputieshavetestedthedevice,whichiscontrolledbyajailofficerusingajoystick.

Webelievethattechnologycanhelpsolveproblemsfacingthecorrectionscommunity,including

addressingissuesofinmateviolence,SheriffLeeBacasaidduringanewsconference.Thedevice

willallowustoquicklyintervenewithouthavingtoentertheareaandwithoutincapacitatingor

injuringeither

combatant.

Officialssaytheyhopethedevicecanhelpquellinmateassaultsandreduceprisonviolence.Its

usewillbemonitoredbytheU.S.DepartmentofJusticesNationalInstituteofJusticeand

PennsylvaniaStateUniversity.

Fromhttp://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/24/lajailtestsintolerableheatbeamonbrawling

inmates/

ImwritingonbehalfofthevictimFbecausehedoesntknowhowtoreadorwriteFrequested

forhiscelltobesanitized,Sgt.DreplywasthatithadalreadybeendonewhichisaliebecauseIwas

standingatmydoorandtheyhadjustmovedanotheroffenderout.Theyrefusedtocleanthecell

out,all

inmate

Fdid

was

kneel

down

on

his

knees,

and

laid

down

on

the

ground.

This

happened

right

underneathoneofthecamerasonthiswing.Sgt.DandOfficerRgottothegroundoneoneach

side,andfornoreasonwhatsoeverSgtDstrikedtherightsideofinmateFsfacefivetimeswitha

closedfist,whenFisherturnedhisfacetotheothersideofficerRalsostrikedhimwithaclosedfist

fivetimes,heturnedhisfacetoSgt.Dstrikedhimfivetimes,thenofficerRpickedFsheadoffthe

groundandsmasheditintothegroundfacefirstthreetimesafterthatother(illegible)arrivedand

toldSgt.Dtostepaway.

InmateFhadhishandcuffedbehindhisback,neveratanytimedidhespit,kick,orbecomeverbally

orphysicallyaggressiveatanytime.Thereisnowayhecouldhavehurtanybodywhilebeing

handcuffedandalsoescortedbytwoofficers. Hewastakentothehospital.IusuallytellmyselfI

dontstickmynoseinanythingthatdoesntconcernmebutdamnwhatIseendonetothis

innocentindividual

was

fucked

up

to

the

point

where

Iwrote

astep

one

grievance

and

which

I

immediatelyreceivedaresponsebacksayingmystatementwouldbeincludedintheuseof

forceandthefollowingdaytheybroughtbackinmateFback.Hehadabrokennose,bruisesand

knotsonbothsidesofhisface,andthedoctorfromthehospitaladvisedhimhehadoneortwo

brokenbonesandfracturesinhisface.Theyweresupposedtodoafollowupbuttheguardshere

refusetotakehimtomedicalretaliatingagainsthimfornoapparentreason.


37/64


Otherthingsmultipleofficersdoisrefusetofeedinmatesiftheyfindoutacertaininmatefileda

complaintsteponegrievanceagainstthem,theythrowoutoutgoingmail,orwhichisreallyfucked

upgiveaoffenderanotherpersonsmailonpurpose,peoplewhocantspeakEnglisharemostly

victimsofthisbullshitdenythemmedicalorjackingthemfortheirfood...Thepeopleherewithrank

areoutofcontrolmypointisyeahwereinprisonforbreakingthelaw,butwerestillhuman

beingsanddeservetoberespectedasoneespeciallyifwedontdoanythingwrong.

RubenZ.,EstelleHighSecurityUnit,HuntsvilleTX (3/17/10)

itsnotjusttheconditionsoftheprisonorlackofprogramsandpropermedicalattention.Its

alsothewaywearetreatedbytheguardsandstaff.Wehavetowalkthroughagantletofguards

whoarewearinghelmetsandswingingandbangingtheirnightsticksinathreateningmanneraswe

gotoandfromchow,oranymovement.Theytalktouslikeweweredogs,cursingatus,threatening

us,itsinsane!Prisonersarebeingbeaten!Whentheypullyouoverforapatdown,theymanhandle

you,slappingyoursides,grabbingyourlegandgivingitaquickyank,andwhatnotdoingtheirbest

togetustosaysomething.

RalphK.,NewJerseyStatePrison,TrentonNJ(9/11/08)

Havingheard

that

guards

at

SVOP

in

Sussex

County

spray

and

beat

inmates

for

sport,

Iarranged

tobesenttothesanctionpodatSVOPinGeorgetownOnMay9,Isawtwoguardsapproachan

inmatefrombehind,ashewaswalkingawayfromthem,sprayhimwithpepperspray,hithim,and

slamhimintothesteeldoor.Thisattackwasunprovokedandunjustified,andalltootypical!...On

May11,aCpl.MandaLt.CattackedmeWhileIwashandcuffed,silent,andseatedinachair,they

sprayedmewithpepperspray,pickedmeupsnatchedmeoutofthechairthrewmetothe

asphalt,kickedmeintheheadanddeliberatelyinjuredmyarmtheythenthreatenedtorepeatthis

behavioreveryhour.

KennethA.,VictorB1DCC,SmyrnaDE(11/7/07)

IwasthrownfromthewheelchairorratheritwassnatchedoutfromundermeIwastackledto

thegroundandheldfacedowncompletelyhelpless.Ididnotresistinanyway;thisallhappenedso

very

fastanother

CO

who

was

pressing

my

face

in

the

ground

took

me

by

my

hair

and

slammed

me

facedowninthegroundseveraltimesveryhardtillmymouthwasfilledwithdirtandbleedingand

myfacewaskickedveryhardbyaCOD.

FredW,RedOnionStatePrison,PoundVA(11/3/07)

OnJanuary29and31,2010,andFebruary1,2010,atElyStatePrison,sixteeninmateswere

involvedincellextractionsoveranonemergencysituationwherestaffonlywishedtoassert

authority.Tenweresubjectedtobrutalphysicalabuseatthehandsofstaffwherenomediationwas

usedtoachieveapeacefulresol