Demands from Stevie

Currently our demands center on two things: 1. Releasing prisoners, especially those with compromised immune systems and the elderly (over 50). Also, we hold that all pretrial detainees who have been entered into bail should be released. They are being held due to poverty. Lastly, those with clemency and parole petitions should have their decisions …

Solidarity with Striking Prisoners!

Right now, prisoners on Rikers Island and in Essex County, NJ jail are hunger striking for basic protection from and preventive measures against contracting COVID19. They should not have to go on hunger strike for these things to occur, but as usual, jail administrators refuse to prioritize prisoners' health and well being. I fully support …

Reflections on Audre Lorde and Difference

So much is going on with this COVID19, but I wanted to get a comment to you about Sister, Outsider. There are excerpts I want to highlight because they speak to the situation inside. Audre Lorde said: "As women, we have been taught either to ignore our differences, or to view them as causes for …

COVID19 AND THE PA DOC

From: Wilson, Stephen Date Received: 03/12/2020 06:22 PM Subject: COVID19 AND THE PA DOC For the past two days, the PA DOC has finally thinking about the coronavirus and how to protect prisoners from it. Only over the past two days! Announcements have been played over the prison television station reminding prisoners to wash our …

Security Does Not Mean Safety: #1

As an incarcerated penal abolitionist, I’m often asked by other prisoners: what do we do about murderers and rapists? When this happens, I acknowledge the fears that people convicted of these crimes might harm others, but I ask the questioner what their real concern is. Invariably and resoundingly, it’s safety—for themselves and their loved ones. …

Terrifying Assault on our Comrade at SCI-Smithfield ~ PHONE ZAP NEEDED

Yesterday at 12pm, Andre Logan, PA DOC # LM3820, was assaulted by two officers outside of the chow hall at SCI-Smithfield. The officers used excessive force on Andre because his shirttail was untucked. Andre suffered a fractured nose after having his face slammed into a glass window and then slammed to the concrete ground in …

Inhabiting a Paradox

Prison, paradoxically, is a place of emotional rawness and emotional repudiation. Each day, we are rubbed raw by the reality of our condition: exiled, alienated, subjugated and unremembered. But we are dissuaded from expressing any emotion other than rage/anger. Our sadness, our fear, even our desire is manifested as anger. To exhibit anything else is …