WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26 2016

LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM News 7A

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etymology. I just got into
words and I could spend
Red Ribbon Week days upon days studying
This year, the Ledger-Enquirer focuses on the story of one word, and groups of it.
Columbus native Eugene Thomas. ... I could study that one
word in different languag-
A Sunday: How Eugene Thomas went from curious child es.
to drug dealer. Thomas also spent many
days reading the Koran,
A Monday: A closer look at mandatory drug sentencing and books about history,
laws. the Pan-African move-
A Tuesday: A closer look at gangs and gang activity. ment, and the prison in-
dustrial complex. One
A Today: What Eugene Thomas learned in prison. author who inspired him
was George Jackson, a
A Thursday: How Eugene Thomas is coping as an ex-con. former Black Panther who
A Friday:A look at what has changed and what remains wrote several books while
the same. incarcerated.
...................................................................................................................
I started reading his
words, and I was like,
Man, this guy is powerful,
because I read about how
FROM PAGE 1A he started organizing black
prisoners, he said. The
Mary Ratcliff, editor of
the newspaper, said her
favorite photo of Thomas is
of him sitting on a bunk
leading a prison study
group.
As I got to know him,
what impressed me most
was his organizing ability,
she said. He was just so
good at bringing the guys
together, getting their
spirits up, getting them in a
frame of mind to learn, and
then having something to
teach them.
Ratcliff recalls Thomas
circumventing the prison
outside-communication
system by using a cell
phone. At one point, prison
officials tried to take his
cell phone away. He chal-
lenged them on the issue,
then he did.
YOUNGER PRISONERS
Thomas said when he
entered the Georgia prison
system, most of the prison-
ers were men in their 30s
and 40s. Some of the older
guys took him under their
wings, teaching him how to
box, stay in shape, and
discipline himself.
But as the years went by,
the prison population got
younger and younger.
More and more black
males ages 18, 19 and 20
were entering the prison
system for serious crimes.
The younger population
changed the dynamics of
prison, disturbing the peace
for older inmates.
Everybody gets down to
he had time to reflect on
his life.
Its the peace of mind
thats of utmost importance
in prison, he said, be-
cause everybody likes to
think whether youre
thinking about things that
have taken place in the
past, whether youre remi-
niscing, or dwelling on
mistakes youve made, or
youre just looking forward.
People like to go into them-
selves and think.
HEADED BACK HOME
Thomass prison sen-
tence began to wind down
at Autry State Prison. He
said the deputy warden of
security, Jerry Jefferson, is
from Columbus, and he
helped arrange his transi-

FREE whole world began opening

up to me, and I started
getting more political.
and he won.
Ive always been just
crazy about Eugene, she
a routine in prison, he
said. Lets say that at 1
oclock a guy normally
tion back into the commu-
nity.
In 2013, he and two
the correctional facility, so prisoners. He was over- He began writing letters said. He always stood out wakes up. Thats his rou- other inmates wanted to be
officers placed him in a come by emotion as he to family and friends about to me as someone who tine. But now you have closer to home, so they
non-violent dorm for his beheld hundreds of thou- criminal justice issues. That could stay positive, regard- these young guys in there. asked Jefferson for trans-
protection. sands of black men stand- soon became a passion and less. The first thing that They aint got no routine. fers to Rutledge State Pri-
At that time, young ing in solidarity. It made he started writing articles seemed to go through his They dont go to sleep at a son in Columbus.
people coming to prison, it him yearn for freedom. for the San Francisco Bay mind whenever there was certain time. They go to One day Thomas learned
wasnt like it is now, he I wanted to smell flow- View, a black newspaper an obstacle was, How am I sleep whenever. ...When that the two other inmates
said. It was rare. So you ers. I wanted to touch trees. covering prison issues. going to overcome this? I lights are out, theyre over had been transferred. He
couldnt put (a young guy) I wanted to walk on grass. I Thomas wrote about know I can. He was so sure there rapping.
in the F Building, E Build- just wanted to be free... he poor conditions at various that he was going to be able He always cherished
ing, down there, because a said. prisons and how he felt to overcome anything, and those quiet moments when SEE ALIVE, 9A
young guy dont know, and I wanted to go on pic- prisoners were being treat-
he might say something out nics, go to movies. I wanted ed. One article, published #
of his head, and hes just to hang out with my mom. on Feb. 19, 2011, was titled,
trying to be macho, and he I wanted to be there, Still no news of 37 missing P U B L I X M Y S T E RY C O U P O N
gets killed. he said of the Million Man Georgia prison strikers.
Thomas immediately March. Thats what kept In another story, he
began looking for people me alive: wanting to be wrote about three young
from Columbus that he free. brothers who were being
could trust. He found three Thomas stayed a year at held for murder and rob- See What 1 Gets!
homeboys that he knew Telfair before being trans- bery of an older white Bring this coupon to Publix on October 26, 2016, and find out what
personally and a few others ferred to Macon State Pri- prisoner.
acquainted with some of son, where he spent almost They havent indicted one penny gets you! Good with your purchase of $10 or more.
his relatives. They taught eight years, he said. neither one of them, Limit one coupon per household per day. Excluding all alcohol,
him everything he needed Throughout his 21 years in havent fingerprinted either tobacco, lottery items, money services, postage stamps, gift cards,
to know about the dorm prison, he continued to of them, arent giving them and prescriptions. Customer is responsible for all applicable taxes.
and the people who lived challenge the system, their proper segregation Reproduction or transfer of this coupon is strictly prohibited.
there. which led to many trans- hearing just holding
Each cell had two in- fers. them in lockup. ... Theyve Effective October 26, 2016 at participating stores in Ga., Ala., and Tenn.
mates, and Thomas asked a While at Jimmy Autry been in the hole now five
lot of questions about his State Prison in Pelham, months. I call them the
new cellmate. Ga., he complained about Reidsville 3. LU# 11465
... He might be some- the conditions in the isola-
body that starts something, tion units, where he was
or he might be a person placed on occasion. He
that dont get along with asked his mother to contact
guys from Columbus, he State Sen. Ed Harbison to
explained. You let your address what he consid-
homeboys tell you about it. ered deplorable conditions.
And if need be, your home- When I started learning
boys will even walk you up how to do legal work, that
to your dorm, coming from really put me in trouble,
lunch or dinner or break- he said. Because now I
fast, or coming from the could file lawsuits against
yard or the gym. Theyll the state.
walk you up there so every- While in prison, Thomas
body can see who your said, he sued the state
homeboys are. seven times. He also re- by Roundtree & Yorke
Its not like that really fused to participate in the
anymore because of the prison labor program, a Ultimate Comfort Chino
gang thing, he said. With mandatory requirement,
gangs, people are from all because he didnt want to
over. It could be two guys
from Columbus, but one is
work for no pay. He just
accepted the consequences,
Our most advanced
a Crip and one is a Blood. which included isolation performance chino ever!
So they dont really look and commissary restric-
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buddy. SEEKING KNOWLEDGE
Thomas said he still Thomas remembered Non-iron finish
needed a way to protect reading the autobiography
himself when he they of Malcolm X as a seventh- Stain Resistant
werent around. So he grader. In it, Malcolm X
purchased a homemade described being locked up Classic and Straight Fit have both
knife from an inmate, and in prison on a burglary Pleated or Flat front styles
stashed it away in a door charge. Instead of wasting
jamb so correction officers his time, he read the entire Ultimate stretch waist
wouldnt find it. dictionary for a better com- comfort waistband
Thomas said he went on mand of the English lan-
the offensive several times guage. Stretch technology for all day
to fight off men who tried When Thomas went to comfort and movement
to make sexual advances at the Muscogee County Jail
various prisons. In one for the fatal shooting, he
instance, he busted a guys
head open with a lock, and
was placed in isolation for
picked up a dictionary and
started reading. By the time
he landed in prison, it was
$45 each
21 days.
He was locked in a single
an obsession.
My thing was the origin
or 2 for $78
cell with no windows, he of the words, Thomas Big & Tall sizes $55 each or 2 for $89
said. The only items al- said. I love what they call Big & Tall pleated or flat-front Ultimate
lowed in the space were Comfort Chino in khaki, dark navy, slate
underwear, two T-shirts, brown and black.
toothpaste, soap, deodor-
ant, and a copy of the Ko-
ran.
Social Security Your size GUARANTEED
Its breath-taking, espe-
cially in the hot months,
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he said. You feel like you
cant breathe. ...You get to Call Ed Tante
panicking. I started having Disability Claimants WAIST 28 30 32 33 34 35 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
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anxiety issues. Attorney
INSEAM

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THE MILLION MAN NO FEE 34

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MARCH UNLESS YOU GET Indicates Big & Tall sizes

The year Thomas went
to prison, Nation of Islam
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March, calling for black
men across America to
become better family and FREE CONSULTATION
community leaders, which Selection varies by style and store.
resonated with Thomas
706-324-6465 Call 1-800-345-5273 to find a Dillards store near you.
and other inmates. Powell & Tante
On Oct. 16, 1995, Tho- Attorneys at Law
mas watched the march in 619 Broadway
a common area at Telfair Were Local, We
Prison, with about 30 other Know your Doctors!