Newsletter of theFedUp!
Monthly news on the struggle for change within Virginia’s prisons
July 12th 2005 ********Issue 4
Hey People!!
How’s it going? Welcome to the monthly FedUp! Newsletter! Wow the response has been
overwhelming! We are getting bigger and bigger. Thank you all so much for writing,
participating and sending stamps!! For all the family members and loved ones of people
in prison please notice the section entitled News For and From People on the Outside.
If anyone wants to be removed from the mailing list please contact us. Several people
enquired about a name you could write to instead of the organization name for different reasons,
the main one being the fear that the guards will throw out your letters.
You can write to etta, hi, by the way, I’m the editor up here in Pittsburgh or
Erika Zauzig in VA Beach.
It may seem like the most trivial aspect of this whole campaign but I was really excited to
see what name you all would pick for the newsletter. (Simple pleasures, eh?)
It was a close race with the votes as follows: Nemesis: 4, Catalyst: 3, FedUpFlash:1 and
just plain FedUP! had 9! So FedUp! it is! (Many people didn’t say one way or the other)
Please notice the new contacts for Roanoke! It would be especially advantageous if people
who have family members living in any of these areas to encourage your loved ones to reach
out to the FedUp! contact in their area.
Please send all documentation of abuse physical and psychological to the FedUp!-Pittsburgh
or VA Beach address. When submitting an article for the newsletter please try to keep it at
2 pages or less if you can and make sure to send submissions to the FedUP! Pittsburgh address.
(It has already gotten to the where we are not able to print everything we get so try keepin’
your points short if you can, that way more people’s voices can be heard)
Things besides articles that would be cool for the newsletter are poetry, artwork,
and any resources you know of that may be beneficial to other prisoners.
Many of you wrote and said that we should ask folks for money/stamps to help out
with the cost of the newsletter. People said that many people can afford it and also added
they would be willing to help out for folks who couldn’t. (Can y’all feel the love?)
We prefer that you send stamps instead of money, as we don’t have a bank account yet.
$3 bucks worth of stamps every 6 months? How’s that sound? Remember if you can’t afford it,
you will not be taken off the list. And if by chance you are not in financial straights and
can give more than $3bucks, we won’t send it back. J If your families or outside people would
like to help support FedUp! you can ask them to send donations of stamps to Pittsburgh address.
PLEASE SEND ALL STAMPS TO THE FEDUP!-PITTSBURGH ADDRESS. Also, on the stamp tip, Lonnie ”Ghost”
Gholson #186066 writes “If you do get an attorney it would be cheaper for us to mail straight to
them as we are allowed “3.75” each week for free legal mail.” Ok Ghost! Good idea. We’ll let
y’all know when we find someone. One more piece of logistical information deals with the use
of names. Almost everybody, was into the idea of using names so from now on
IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO HAVE YOUR NAME WITHHELD PLEASE REMIND US EVERYTIME YOU WRITE,
otherwise we will print your name. Also, some of you reported on other folks without
mentioning whether we had permission to print their names. We will always withhold names
if you are reporting on someone else unless we have permission.
Mad Love Peops!
FedUp!
(Oh shizzy..just finished and totally forgot about the class action suit. People interested should make
sure they are filing grievances and appealing. More next issue…)
News for People on the Outside
Hi! If this is the first time you are hearing from us, Welcome! Your information was passed
along to us from someone on the inside. Again, if you wish to be removed from the mailing list
please let us know. So, the biggest news is we are planning to have a FedUp! meeting on
Saturday August 6th. We thought Hampton would be a good central place that people from different
parts could get to without too much trouble. We do not have a meeting place secured yet. Does
anyone have any leads for a good place to meet? We were thinking the library, but any
suggestions would be appreciated. Please call etta at 412-802-8575 or call Erika if you are
interested in coming or have ideas of where to meet. We will let you know as soon as we find
a place. We are looking for family members and loved ones of folks on the inside to get involved
and be a part of FedUp! There is much that needs to be done and because our people are locked up
we cannot be overlooked when we raise our voices. We need to start visiting the Governor regularly!!
Erika and Etta are going to try to set up a meeting with the governor on Friday August 5, to
let him know of the abuses and present him with the over 100 pages of grievances and
documentations of abuse we have been receiving. We would love to have you come along
if the meeting does get set up. Call us if you are interested!! We also are looking for
people who can be contacts in certain cities. We can decide the roll of the contact person
at the meeting but one of the main roles the contact person may serve is keeping in touch
with other family members and friends in your area, and hosting meetings to bring people
together. There is also a public meeting of some sort of legislature that is happening sometime
in August. FedUp! needs to represent there and present these people who have some power with
the documentation. Also, if you all have any extra money, we could use stamps to send out our
monthly newsletter. Don’t feel bad if you can’t, time is more valuable then money.
Thanks in Advance if you can. Also, enclosed is a copy of the updated brochure. If you have
the means you could copy it and distribute the brochures in your area. Also, Miss K is supposed
to set us up with a website off of her site. If anyone is website savvy or has computer skills
we need you!!
In other
news
from the outside, we did
send out a letter and documentation to the American Correctional Association, VA
ACLU and also Prison Legal News. This month we are going to send a similar
packet to the Human Rights Watch Organization. Hopefully, we can get it together
to do outreach to more lawyers that might be able to help. Oh! A kind donor is
buying us a printer! This will really help with the officey type work that goes
on here. The printer will be shared by several other projects based in
Pittsburgh working on Prison issues. But that’s real nice huh? Also, we are
going to really try to start getting press about this. If anyone on the inside
or outside has connections with any sort of media – radio, tv, independent news,
prison journals etc. Let’s get the word out. This reminds me, it would be good
if we could decide on a mission statement so that when any of us are talking
about FedUp! we can make sure we are best representing the foundation of FedUp.
Preliminary Mission Statement -> FedUp! is a newly formed alliance of prisoners,
family members, friends, loved ones and concerned citizens that oppose the abuse
and torture taking place in Virginia’s Prisons. We aim to come together and
expose and challenge these continuing abuses. FedUp! is currently focused on Red
Onion State Prison, Wallens Ridge and Keen Mountain. Ok. So please give
feedback on this statement. We will review all the responses and try to put
something more collective together.
Just found out about
an organization called
Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons
The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's prisons is a national effort to
clarify the nature and extent of violence, sexual abuse, degradation, and other
serious safety failures and abuses in prisons and jails throughout the United
States, as well as the consequences for prisoners, corrections officers, and the
public at large. The Commission has offices in New York City and Washington,
D.C. General inquiries should be directed to the Washington, D.C. office. 601
Thirteenth Street, N.W. Suite 1150 South
Washington, D.C. 20005 T 202.637.6355 F 202.639.6066
info@prisioncommission.org .
FedUp! has emailed them accounts of abuses and told them about the mission of
FedUp! Before we get into the reports and announcements, here is
Comrade Sonny
introducing the Let’s Get Free Movement:
“What we are trying to accomplish with the Let’s Get Free Movement is to fundamentally educate the people (both inside and
outside) about these oppressors and fascists immoral intentions of keeping us in bondage physically as well as psychologically.
Us political prisoners within this barren land must expose the wickedness that goes on inside the valley of dry bones and
formulate an identical illustration from our minds eye to the people in societies minds eye. The physical beatings, the
psychological torture being forced upon us and last but not least the starvation – they use food as a privilege and not as an
essential ingredient for physical and mental motivation. As we know food brings energy strength as well as motivation and
without the proper amount we will be drained of all positive energy. You do not have to be locked up to be in prison – so
our mission is to make the people take the blind fold off and realize we are not scum, nobodies and waste of human life. We
must work on the hearts and minds of others- and how do we do this? By bringing actual facts. “Let’s Get Free”
--J. “Sonny” Langdon #288910 Founder and President of Let’s Get Free
Editors Note – Hey Sonny, Thanks for your piece entitled
“Arrested Development-Prisoners of War” Didn’t have time to transcribe it for this newsletter.
We will try to get it in the next one OK?
The Red Onion Report
Prisoners continue to suffer abuse and are beaten up while in handcuffs and shackles. Nepotism,
the Ombudsman department is definitely operating in a gross collaborated effort along side of
the warden and major to hinder and obstruct inmate’s ability to have our complaints and
grievances processed, NOT ENOUGH FOOD!!, 4 inmates sent a petition demanding Muslim’s be
offered the food according to their religion, Legal Mail opened, Guards threatening to set up
a fellow on bogus narcotics and weapons charges so he will not be eligible for release in a
couple months, Guards continually threatening people who file grievances. Fellow pepper sprayed
while in 5 point restraints, guards encouraging folks suffering from mental illness to kill
themselves, guards making threats over intercom, folks are being charged for “loosing” legal
documents in some cases the debt has accrued to $2000, violent physical unprovoked beat downs,
food tampering, withholding food trays, showers, rec, threats of bodily harm for writing
complaints, homosexual threats, - all this by guards and staff, more detailed reports of
unwarranted abuse! SO BAD!! Ruptured ear drum, eyes poked, over the years repeatedly beat
horribly. On June 21st, a man had his wrist broken. He likes to sit a piece of paper on top of
the window which for some reason irritates the guards. So the guards threaten to beat him if he
doesn’t take it down. One guard stated several times to the other “break his goddamn arm”.
The guards lie for the video camera. Kevin “Rashid” Johnson talks over the guard telling lies
explaining what he heard. Rashid tends to do this whenever the guards bring out the video camera
– loudly articulate his side of the story. If you all aren’t already doing this, it seems like
a good tactic. Also, I couldn’t tell if these two instances were the same event. There was a
report of a broken arm, guards ripping up grievance, fellow inmates showed great solidarity –
warden said “It was an accident. But really it’s the inmates fault cuz he should be more careful
reaching for food.” Guard said, “You don’t stop filing grievances we’ll break your other arm”
Guards also wouldn’t let fellow call his family. Fellow inmate offered to call for him.
(Editors note - It’s inspiring the way you guys are supporting each other.)
Ghost reported a suicide about a month ago, the fella left a note blaming the mistreatment
and abuse that occurs at ROSP. Ghost also heard that a seizure patient was killed by a. The
medical department denying proper care; b. Correctional Officers beating him right before he
died.
HUNGER STRIKE at ROSP - 10 people out of a 22 man pod at ROSP began a
Hunger Strike on 6-24-05 to protest the food, denial of medical treatment, being held in
Segregation perpetually and arbitrarily. It seems people started on different days and
everybody has filed their emergency grievances. One fellow is protesting how he is being
denied treatment for his H.I.V. etc. He is also protesting how he has gone 90 days charge
free and these people don’t want to let him go from segregation. Another is protesting his
windows and door being covered for 90 days due to a false indecent exposure case. One of the
hunger strikers Lonnie “Ghost” Gholson #186066 writes “ The police use all types of vises to
derail any resistance from prisoners. They even use prisoners against each other. They LOVE
when we are at each other. A lot of the black cats were at this real white soldier. We don’t
need asinine beefs amongst each other!”
From the belly of the red onion beast
“I was sitting back yesterday comparing this shit to my ancestor’s chattel slavery –
it’s damn near a perfect comparison, the way they’ve used a poor white armed population to
indiscriminately brutalize and terrorize us after they’ve systematically demonized us so that
non have any scruples against treating us as less then humyns.”
--Kevin “Rashid” Johnson #185492 (R also submitted article..hope to get it in next time.)
“I feel more attention should be focused on programs, rehabilitation and proper
training for officers and weeding out the corruption, there is plenty of (corruption) on every
level” – name withheld
“There is one thing that has been bothering me since I was exiled to Virginia.
I have been in prison for 26 years. I have been in 16 different prison systems. Never have
I seen the cops charge prisoners for extra food. I know some of my fellow prisoners probably
won’t appreciate me for telling you this, because this does actually benefit them. I don’t deal
with the cops but, I don’t think it’s right for these cops to charge a prisoner his recreation
time and a shower for an extra tray of food. I think the prison administration is in on this
since so many prisoners never go out to rec or shower because of these trades. Prisoners here
at ROSP are half starved and we are not allowed to buy food from the store so the only extra you
get is for trading your rec or shower. You can also get nearly anything you want for trading
your rec and shower such as a cell change, to go out to rec with someone specific etc. They did
the same thing at WRSP and I didn’t like it there either. I’ve never participated in any of
these types of deals. I personally think its wrong for these cops to take advantage of prisoners
in this manner.”
--Jesse Trujillo #306397
-Editors note – Hey Jesse, got your request for those law papers. Thing is I don’t know how to
go about finding that info. Jesse requested the precise citation on the Supreme Court decision
in Wilkinson V. Austin. Can anyone take the time to share with FedUp! how to quickly access this
information? Is it on the internet? We are small and don’t have tons of time to do research.
So the more information you can give us on how to find the info you are looking for would be
greatly appreciated.
“This is where I have resistance as my leading foot hoping question that convicts apply
personal accountability when an individual has become a willful participant of the very unruly
system he files complaint of and adhere too. Many brothers may be quick to write a letter
listing all sorts of transgression inflicted by administrative staff or officers which may have
some validity towards, but still he/they remains not equally willing to ask themselves,
“Where did I play a role in this or that happening or if I played a role in preventing it from
happening?” It’s a need for us convicts to accept accountability for our own inflictions upon
one another which has in turn given cause for the Virginia doc to impose their rules in
governance. As well they “take away” give not mentality currently in place through out
Virginia’s prisons. Us men need to give an honest look into our individual selves and
address any short comings dysfunctional behaviors attitude and conlike mentality towards
each other, that we surround ourselves in and equally turn the cheek towards when we need to
be accepting accountability and bringing forth valid complaints. I am whole heartedly down to
ride however, I must, but when countless efforts go ignored by my very brothers and fellow
convicts as with every step taken forward the majority of us are continuing to be that ball
chain- it gets frustrating and unoriginal. This leaves myself and many others only to bear
the recycling result of convicts greatest fear in deterrent - EACH OTHER. Stand accountable
men and let’s push forward matching the truth respect and love driven by the efforts of FedUp!
and all those alike.”-- Arthuro Manns
“I was placed into seg. From PH-phase 2 and was served a (121) Charge “LYING ON STAFF,
FALSE STATEMENTS” because I told the honest truth to Internal Affair’s summary report
absolutely did NOT mention nor stated that I lied, it simply state that the investigation was
(Unfounded)! This is reprisal!”
--Qamar Khaliq Basir Sami aka K. Regester #288132
Editors note - Qamar – we will try to get the info about your baby bro as soon as
we are able and call the lawyer whose info you sent. Please keep in mind we can’t do anything
ASAP, due to work and other obligations. We are doing what we can. I know you have a great sense
of urgency and the Muslim meals are really important to you. Keep in mind our focus at this
point to stop the abuse, beatings, denial of any food etc. This is priority at this time. Until
we build up a bigger outside network we don’t have much time to deviate from the focus. This
said. We will still try to contact the lawyer for you. Also- there is a possibility that this
can be addressed in the class action suit. We will know more once we find a lawyer.
“Racism, abuse, depravity, all the issues while they exist, they are not the foundation
upon which so many violations occur. Nepotism is a severe problem which allows and encourages
abuse of prisoners. At ROSP there are too many relative working in concert to ever have
professionalism… Allow me to illustrate. The grievance-coordinator here is R. Mullins. There are no
fewer than 20 Mullins’ employed here They work in the medical department, treatment department.
There are countless C.O.’s, LT’s, SGT’s, etc. That is just one family. You find Flemings, Rasnichs,
Boyds, McCoys, Taylors etc.. These names are repeated in the same manner as the Mullin’s. To compound
matters there is relations through marriage of the various families. If one were to look at the employee
roster it would look like a family reunion list. For example, C.O. McCoy refuses to feed me, I can’t complain
to the Building Sergeant who is his brother I can’t go to the BLDG LT. because that is his brother also.
The whole chain of command is McCoys. On cannot and will not get redress… Grievances just get thrown away.
Nepotism is the favor that is being done in that there is a conspiracy to cover up any wrong doing based on
family ties.”
-–Herman Liverman #261634
“The Correctional officers constantly laugh and joke about abusing prisoners.
Prisoners are handcuffed and shackled when leaving the cell and the CO’s will say things like,
“We outta beat your ass” or “Don’t you just like our southern hospitality.”
They also walk around in a manner defaming blacks. For example, they will turn their hats
to the back, hold their penises while strutting and speaking Ebonics. They do this to poke
fun at blacks. CO’s will and have denied prisoners showers, rec and food. The C.O.’s get away
with this by simply telling their superior that the prisoner refused the shower or Recreation
time. The food is served by the trays being placed in a metal box which is attached to the
door and a small slot must be opened by the CO for the prisoner to reach in the box to retrieve
his food. The CO’[s will place the food in the box and place it on the door but won’t dropt
the slot so the prisoner can retrieve his food and they’ll make statements like “oh your fasting
” or “you don’t want your tray” All this is done to put a façade on the cameras which are in
every pod. From the cameras vantage point it appears that the officers are doing their jobs.
When prisoners file complaints the complaints are either never returned or swept under the rug.
The prisoners who file complaints about abuse are usually punished in the form of bogus charges
being written on the prisoner or denial of food or of breaking and tampering with the prisoner
electronics in or to confiscate them. Our food is served cold when it should be hot. Hot food
is supposed to be served at at temperature of 140 degrees or higher according to federal and
state food guidelines. Hot foods that fall below 140 degrees is considered a danger zone. These
are temperatures where bacteria grows and if eaten the food may cause food borne illness. I am
certified cook so I speak from experience. Prisoners are fed just enough to keep from starving. The average
prisoners will lose about 20-50 lbs. Loosing weight in this way isn’t healthy physically or mentally. The CO’s
tease prisoners about the food with statements such as “maggots wouldn’t eat this shit” or they’ll say things
like “guess what I had for dinner?” Things to make the prisoner desire more food and frustrated with the environment.
The CO’s also harass prisoners with statements that have sexual and racial overtones. For example, Prisoners are
stripped searched before leaving cell and the CO might state to his co-worker “Damn he’s got a big black dick” or
something of that nature. Basically, the administration uses all of the above as fear tactics to keep prisoners
from speaking out. But ones who keep silent are just as guilty as the ones that perpetrate the above abuses.”
-- Troy Alexander
“…Then you got people who got a good education and know legal work, yet when somebody
request their help they find out all the information then sell it to the officer for
sex magazines. Only a few prisoners here do anything, it’s sad.”
Charles “Q-Dog” France.
Editors note: Hi q-dog- a lot of prisoners have been writing with the sentiment that
only a few prisoners there do anything. And that fact in itself disproves the idea. What I mean
is that while it’s true that a lot of prisoners aren’t doing anything, a lot of you are and
you’re dedicated. It’s through your example that will help motivate others.
Wallens Ridge Report
THE BOYCOTT OF THE COMMISSARY IS ON! August 8th!
Let the Boycott begin in ALL institutions. Before we get into the nitty gritty, there were a
couple different groups giving us instructions on how to go about the boycott.
One group proposed the boycott go for only one week, thinking that would be all that people
would be willing to do. This was proposed for the week beginning August 8th, 2005. The other
group was proposing that the boycott go on until results were achieved and suggested the start
date for August 1st. We are going to put these two ideas together and hope you all will be ok
with it. We are proposing the boycott start August 8th and go on for as long as possible and if
nothing else at least boycott for a week. Shoot