Category: prisoners’ rights

actions, organizing, prisoners' rights

Dirty Darrington Phone Zap

PHONE ZAP! Darrington Unit is currently on an extended( 2 month long) lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There are currently 7 confirmed positive cases and approximately 300 incarcerated people on “medical restriction” (lockdown) or “medical isolation”(solitary confinement) at the unit. Darrington Unit is not doing enough for prisoners’ safety amidst Covid-19.  They are not even providing hand sanitizer or other basic sanitation supplies.  Darrington … Continue reading Dirty Darrington Phone Zap

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news, prisoners, prisoners' rights

TDCJ Uses Drug War Propaganda to Crack Down on Prisoner Support

 TDCJ has changed mail regulations beginning 3/1/20. Under the premise of ending trafficking of drugs and phones into Texas prisons, TDCJ has launched “Inspect to Protect”(link), which means huge limitations on what can now be mailed to Texas prisoners. This change also essentially ends the ability of well-meaning individuals and prisoner support groups to send commissary to prisoners in need by limiting this ability to … Continue reading TDCJ Uses Drug War Propaganda to Crack Down on Prisoner Support

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death penalty, DYK, prisoners' rights

DYK (#10)Texas Death Row and Indefinite Solitary Confinement

What wasn’t included in the text of their death sentences are the cruel conditions and punishments inflicted on prisoners and their families due to TDCJ’s policies for Death Row. Not only are these men automatically held in indefinite solitary confinement, many for over a decade now, but they are also denied television, educational classes, religious services, jobs, and regular phone access that many prisoners take for granted. Continue reading DYK (#10)Texas Death Row and Indefinite Solitary Confinement

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actions, executions, prison slavery, prisoners, prisoners' rights, statements

World Day Against the Death Penalty: Continue the Strikers’ Work & Demand Changes in TDCJ

On October 18th, 2018 the Board of Criminal Justice, which oversees Texas prisons, will meet in Austin. Whether you are a family member, an abolitionist, a formerly incarcerated person, or an advocate for reform, it is clear we must let the Board know we will not stand by quietly as the horrific situation inside of TDCJ continues. Many of us may not be able to … Continue reading World Day Against the Death Penalty: Continue the Strikers’ Work & Demand Changes in TDCJ

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actions, death penalty, events, executions, organizing, prisoners, prisoners' rights

World Day Against the Death Penalty: Saving Kwame Rockwell and Discussing Conditions in TDCJ(Updated)

(Update)Juan Segundo (#999520) was set to be executed on Wednesday October 10th. His execution has been stayed due to issues of low IQ that the courts will decide on at a later time. Kwame Rockwell, (#999570) who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia after his arrest, is set to be executed on October 24th, 2018. His lawyers are currently seeking a stay of execution due to his … Continue reading World Day Against the Death Penalty: Saving Kwame Rockwell and Discussing Conditions in TDCJ(Updated)

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actions, news, organizing, prison slavery, prisoners, prisoners' rights

Supporting Striking Prisoners and Human Rights for All

Today, August 21st, groups of prisoners nation-wide plan to go on coordinated strikes against prison slavery, inhumane conditions, denial of rights, denial of rehabilitation programs, and unfair sentencing. Read their demands below, or view original and more information at http://sawarimi.org/national-prison-strike “1. Immediate improvements to the conditions of prisons and prison policies that recognize the humanity of imprisoned men and women. 2. An immediate end to … Continue reading Supporting Striking Prisoners and Human Rights for All

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executions, news, organizing, prison slavery, prisoners, prisoners' rights, statements

Creativity and Abolitionist Organizing

Former Death Row prisoner Kenneth Foster Jr. wrote us about some topics that are on his mind when it comes to prisons, the death penalty, and organizing. We agree that the people we are up against can be very creative in their thinking about ways to harm and oppress others, and the same amount of creativity is needed to oppose them!   He wrote: “The … Continue reading Creativity and Abolitionist Organizing

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immigrant detention, LGBTQ, policing, prisoners, prisoners' rights

No Pride in Prisons or Detention Facilities

In honor of pride month, we would like to offer some educational links on why prisons and detention are incompatible with liberation for LGBTQ and gender non-conforming (GNC) people. The criminalization of queer and GNC people has a long history in the Americas beginning with colonization. In many states it was illegal to engage in ‘homosexual’ activities or present as trans or GNC until a … Continue reading No Pride in Prisons or Detention Facilities

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