Help

by Stephen Wilson In February 2021, I was in solitary confinement, awaiting transfer, from SCI Fayette. Shortly before my transfer, I discovered that two guards, Rankin and Cavalleri, had trashed all of the books and paperwork that had been in my property, including ten years of journaling. I complained to the lieutenant, who investigated and …

On “Freedom Reads”

by Stephen Wilson I recently saw an advertisement/announcement about Reginald Dwayne Betts's Freedom Reads Project. I am truly disappointed. They state: "Recognizing the hunger for more books in prison and the community-building potential of libraries, we are collaborating with the leaders of the Departments of Corrections to bring Freedom Libraries I to multiple prison in …

2021, from Stevie

It has been quite a year. I am penning this message from my third prison in three years. And this, by far, has been the most oppressive. But throughout this trial, I have been able to depend upon the love and solidarity of so many. It is our connections that have sustained and empowered me. …

A 9971 Reading List

AND NOTES ON WHAT TYPES OF TEXTS ARE USEFUL INSIDE Kevin Yuen Kit Lo, from Just Seeds One of the most frequent requests 9971 receives is for book recommendations. So for this issue's column we decided to prepare a list of books we strongly suggest every abolitionist library contains. Before doing so, we would like …

Shakedowns, PTSD, and Accountability

by Safear What's the worst part about prison? That's like asking, "what's the worst part about hell?" It's all fucking bad. I can't ever get comfortable in here. A formerly incarcerated comrade once told me that the worst part of prison was the shakedowns. A shakedown is a cell search. And it's true, they are …

Revolutionary Video Visits

by Safear I haven't seen my mother in 5 years. She lives almost 6 hours away from the prison I'm held captive in. Since COVID, the PA DOC has offered video calls for family and friends of prisoners. Outside folks can video call directly from their phone or laptop. But my mom refuses to set …

Déjà vu

"If we really want to create a broad-based movement, a mass movement, we have to step up our relationship skills."

A Photo In Prison

by Safear In the era of social media, outdated technology is still a prisoners link to the world. Sometimes that means using a payphone in incremental limits. Other times it means posting a stamp on an envelope then waiting weeks to receive a response. Prisoners exist in the world pre-internet. Likewise, friends of prisoners quickly …

The Currency of Credibility

by Pierre Pinson and Safear Don't mistake elected and appointed officials as the only politicians. Politicians don't always dress in suits or roll in motorcades. Some dress in flannels and chant the latest revolutionary slogans. Unfortunately, there are many of them lurking in revolutionary movements. It's possible there may be a politician in your abolitionist …

The Interview

by komrade underground Versafire-- Words expire… Never! Would you die for the cause, or kill for the better? Defy all the laws, to keep a nation together? Fight for equal rights, So we can day see forever?! Or, would you bow to the man, When the waters get rough?  Forget ‘bout the plan, When the …