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In Brine's letter, as read to the Phoenix, he said According to a press release sent out by the
several inmates, including himself, vowed to People’s Organization for Progress (POP), a
undertake a long strike: "We're going IRA on this long-active community group based in Newark,
4 The Abolishment Movement Newsletter October 2006
N.J., the prisoners are demanding an end to the 4) That area, unit, and cell searches be conducted
brutality they face day in and day out from the in a professional manner, with respect and due
guards as well as a halt to eliminating and/or regard for an inmate’s person, property, and
cutting back rehabilitative, educational, living space and for the property of and space
recreational and religious programs. The allotted to inmate.
prisoners requested that POP help present their
demands during any negotiations with 5) That there will be accountability for theft,
Department of Corrections officials. damage to property, or other misconduct during searches.
The hunger strike was motivated by lockdowns 6) That a person or persons independent of DOC
of the prison in May and December 2005 and in influence be allowed to inspect searched areas to
June, July and August 2006—the last one for a ensure that inmates’ rights are protected.
whole month. During the lockdowns, prisoners
were denied any legal access, laundry services, 7) That there be an evening and weekend
and yard or other opportunities for recreation. program and activity schedule, to include school,
vocational, legal access and recreation activities.
The prisoners have compared their conditions,
especially during these lockdowns, to Abu 8) That the previous daytime recreation schedule
Ghraib, the notorious prison where Iraqi be reinstated.
detainees were tortured and humiliated by the
U.S. military. 9) That all inmate groups be reopened or restored
to full functioning capacity, which includes
At the New Jersey prison, half-naked inmates opportunities to meet and to conduct group activities.
were forced to run the gauntlet of not only
intimidating guards but also barking dogs. The 10) That any inmate removed from an
inmates say their property was either damaged or assignment without good cause be reinstated,
destroyed during the lockdowns. with good cause defined as conduct by the
inmate being removed from the assignment that
The prisoners have presented 16 demands to violates prison rules or makes the inmate
prison authorities: unsuitable for the particular job assignment.
1) That a person or persons independent of 11) That there is an annual or other periodic cost-
Department of Corrections (DOC) influence of-living increase in wages for prison jobs and
aggressively investigate the circumstances program assignments.
leading to the prisonwide searches in 2006 and
2005 and the manner in which the searches were conducted.
12) That a reliable phone system be installed.
2) That corrective measures be taken based on 13) That the ban on retention and possession of
the results of the investigation called for in hardcover books be repealed.
[demand no.] 1, including discipline of any DOC
staff member responsible for introducing 14) That laundry services, recreation
contraband into the prison. opportunities, legal access and phone privileges
be made available during any and all lockdowns.
3) That discipline be imposed on anyone for
misconduct during the searches. 15) That a diverse body, to include prison
administrative officials and members of the legal
5 The Abolishment Movement Newsletter October 2006
profession and civil rights groups, with input There are also other protests
from inmates and relevant experts, be formed to
propose and implement programs and policy at going on
New Jersey State Prison and other prisons under There are inmates on Texas
the control of the DOC that encourages
rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
Death Row who have formed
DRIVE, and here is a brief
16) That amnesty be granted to all participants in introduction:
the hunger strike.
theabolishmentmovement.org
http://www.drivemovement.org/