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Nevada Prisoners’ Newsletter happen, our pleas were ignored, our

#3 (2010) grievances denied and prisoners were


unnecessarily assaulted. So in
“Knowledge is power” desperation after every other remedy
had been futilely sought, all we had left
NPN is made by volunteers for prisoners was violence and frustration. I was
in NV prisons so that they are more wrong to call it a victory though. There´s
informed about prisons, about new ideas no victory here.
and initiatives, articles by prisoners
published in other media, and it gives a I´m sure people on the outs who read
few handy addresses and reading ideas. my report were shocked at my cold and
heartless attempt at describing the
details of the incident. And probably took
The contents are taken from weblogs umbrage. I can understand how people
and other media outlets. We cooperate out there could feel that way.
with Nevada Prison Watch and the Fortunately, they didn´t live in a world of
Prison Reform Community Center predation, despair, violence, corruption,
(PRCC, which will be renamed into oppression and madness. They don´t
Prison Watch Community Center or know about the effects of long-term
PWCC from May 1st). isolation and confinement, or about
sensory deprivation and the effects that
If you want to receive this Newsletter psychological warfare has on our minds
and have some stamps left, please help in this warped environment. They don´t
us send this out to you by sending us a understand the wicked nature of prison
few stamps! Thank you. and punishment and what it can do to a
person. And they don´t want to believe
Website: what this place has been known to do to
Nevadaprisonwatch.blogspot.com these guards, how it has the capabilities
of turning the guards into spiteful and
Solidarity and Struggle: more on the uncaring animals. How they become
E.S.P. Jan. 31st Riot vindictive and petty, mean and
From: Coyote-Calling.blogspot.com aggressive, fearful and disrespectful.
They didn´t see how after each cell
Yes, it was a battle. My first report on extraction the guards would gather in
this riot gave people an ugly look into the unit hallway, high-fiving each other
the violence and bloodshed. I´ve as they would physically display how
reported it the way it happened, but they punched, stomped or beat the
nothing is to be glorified or celebrated inmate into submission.
here. It felt good to be a part of struggle
and change, to see solidarity in action. So, no offence to anyone, but if you
You don´t see unity and struggle in haven´t lived in this foul-ass world of
these Nevada prisons, not in these darkness and deterioration, then it´s not
days. Only under the most extreme fair to judge it by your standards. Your
situations will you catch a glimpse of it. It standards don´t apply here in this
should not have ever gotten this far, or concrete and steel jungle. We play by
taken to such extremes, our grievances jungle rules in here, the guards and
should´ve been looked into and taken prisoners alike, and it´s called “the
seriously, and officers should have survival of the fittest.” We maintain an
never provoked or assaulted any of the “us against them”-mentality sometimes.
prisoners on unit 4. But that didn´t I´m not glorifying it, I´m not praising it,
I´m just trying to shed light on it, so
people can be aware of the cruel and I´ll be the first to say that violence isn´t
unloving nature of life in a graveyard. always the best option. Usually it´s the
last resort, or the result of desperation
For years, myself and others have been and what usually happens under the
trying to bring positive changes to this most extreme conditions. All our
prison, we´ve been trying to get people attempts to grieve, kite, or complain
on the outs involved, attempting to bring about our injustices through the proper
a solid level of outside support to channels have been futile, and left us
Nevada prisoners. I´ve also been feeling hopelessly outraged. If you take
actively educating, politicizing and a look at the history of all the American
organizing other prisoners, in Nevada, riots and uprisings – in prisons and on
Texas, Ohio and other states. I´ve been the streets – like the L.A. riots, the Watts
passing out literature, supplying the riot, Lucasville, Attica, New Mexico, and
prison with books and educational the Cubans in the federal prisons, and
materials, teaching prisoners to read, even the recent one in Oakland, where
teaching them to write, showing them an Oakland police officer, Johannes
how to be resourceful and self-sufficient. Mesehrle, fatally shot a civilian, Oscar
I´ve been doing all I can to raise Grant, in the back, while he lay face
consciousness and I´ve been trying to down on the ground with his hands
turn every tier that I land on into a cuffed behind him. You will see that
learning center, and doing everything I these riots have either happened in
can to help prisoners. Whites, Blacks, areas where people were living under
Natives and Latinos. I´ve reached out to extreme conditions. While sick and tired
them all in real ways, striving to make of the injustices and police brutality, or in
real efforts at change, elevation and places and conditions where people
empowerment. Myself and other were frustrated and desperate, and in
prisoners in here have been known to these situations it seemed that riots and
organize study groups, having study uprisings were the only available course
sessions, engaging each other, quizzing of action they had to express their
each other, and testing each other hopelessness and outrage.
intellectually, utilizing this time on
lockdown as an opportunity to grow, Here in unit 4, at Ely State Prison, many
learn and cultivate ourselves while living tensions were increasingly building up.
under such extreme conditions. A lot of retaliation against prisoners by
the guards and many other injustices
Other prisoners in here have been doing created a potentially hostile situation.
similar things. Like for example, a This riot did not happen solely because
prisoner here at E.S.P. just recently our appliances were unjustly taken from
organized a stamp drive on his tier to us. Some of these guards in here were
donate to the victims of the Haiti deliberately refusing to feed certain
earthquake, and he even donated $40 of prisoners in retaliation of grievances
his own money to the people of Haiti. So they wrote and because the guards
there are indeed many positive and realized that these particular inmates
productive things that do go on in this were shunned by the rest of the convicts
hellhole as well. It´s not all negative and for internal reasons: these guards were
violent. Unfortunately though, anything also going out of their way to provoke
good that we try to get going in here, we and instigate prisoners, rudely jumping
have to do it ourselves. We don´t expect into our conversations with disrespectful
any help or support from the guards or remarks, “losing” or throwing away
prison administration. phone kites, passing our mail out to the
wrong cells, (some of these cells which

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housed sex offenders and will drive all the way back home for
“undesirables”), refusing to answer our nothing! We need all the love and
kites, not taking over grievances support we can get from our own people
seriously. In some cases, guards have on the outs, these are very important
even assaulted and injured certain social ties to have and to stay connected
inmates while in cuffs, because of to our families, and with the outside
grievances they wrote, and again, world. They´ve even went as far as
because these guards realized that illegally denying our right to receive
these prisoners were shunned by the books sent in from the outside, even
rest of the convicts for being informants, dictionaries! And there´s so much more,
or sex offenders, “undesirables,” etc. everything just added up.
Our appliances were unjustly taken for
violations that occurred before the new Every time we´ve tried to address the
rule change was in effect, or for minor or issues through the proper channels,
general violations, and even prisoners they would retaliate on us, and even
who were found “not guilty” had their fabricate things to justify what they were
appliances confiscated as well. Leaving doing, and they would completely ignore
us in our cells with basically nothing, us. Weeks would go by before they´d
while surrounding us by mentally ill supply the unit with kites and law library
prisoners and informants and protective request forms, or first level grievances.
custody inmates, who deliberately go Neither these guards nor the
out of their way to terrorize us through administration wanted to do anything to
the means of noise, verbal abuse and even try to fix these problems, and they
psychological warfare. We were were basically letting us know that they
deprived of the opportunity to buy food, were gonna do whatever they wanted,
coffee and other necessary supplies off regardless, making our situation see,
of the canteen, while being left with no desperate.
choice but to eat the foul-smelling / foul-
tasting “mystery meat” and rotten Then, it all jumped off when they came
vegetables that we are served for lunch to take away a prisoner´s appliances for
every day, just to keep ourselves from a write up he received. The prisoner
starving in here. refused to cuff-up because he wanted to
speak with the lieutenant to try to
They´ve put unnecessary limits and resolve this issue. The Lt. showed up
restrictions on our phone calls, and on with a squad of officers dressed in riot
our visits, allowing us only one non- gear and helmets. The prisoner tried to
contact visit a month, with family only, comply and wanted to cuff-up, but this is
causing a painful strain on our relations someone the guards have been wanting
and communications with our family, to get their hands on for a while, none of
friends and loved ones. This prison is the other prisoners really spoke to this
located out in the middle of nowhere as guy, so I guess the guards had assumed
it is, 4 hours away from the nearest big he was shunned by the rest of the
city, what´s the point of having our convicts, so they figured they had no
people drive all the way up here and reason to fear retaliation. They cracked
back (you know how much gas costs his door open in spite of his attempt and
these days?) just to talk to your loved willingness to comply, and ran in on him,
one through a plexi-glass window for he put his hands up in the air, refusing
half a day? There´s only like 7 rooms to resist or fight back and they tore his
that facilitate these non-contact visits, so ass up! They beat him so bad that they
if 10 people get visits in one day, the ended up dragging him to the infirmary
remaining 3 are burnt, and their families as he was leaking blood everywhere.

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something else, and when they see that
Many of us were already exasperated none of us are coming together to try to
about the hopelessness of our situation stop them from taking away our
and all the foul treatment we´ve been privileges and necessities, they´ll take
receiving and we used this drastic more. It´s the game of “take-away.”
situation as an opportunity to exert Subtraction is their favorite math
desperate measures. Two minutes of subject. They don´t know how to add,
talking amongst ourselves led to two divide, or multiply, except for when
days of rioting. It´s all we had left. We they´re adding more rules and more
felt the need to stand up for ourselves restrictions, dividing us so that we can
and for our rights to be treated fairly, be conquered, or multiplying the number
with dignity and respect. We were of beds, other than that, it´s all a game
frustrated and needed to get these of take-away.
frustrations out, and we didn´t see any
other available option. Everybody has been hearing about Ely
Whites and several Latinos kicked it off State Prison in the news, and websites
on the first day, flooding, burning, have sprung up because of all the things
capturing foul slots, popping sprinkler that have been going on here in this
heads, forcing them to come in our cells graveyard. All of the many injustices and
and extract us, so we could fight them. everything else that has been going on
And we fought hard, and they were even here clearly displays how deplorable the
more brutal towards us! Until, allegedly situation is here at E.S.P. The ACLU´s
an officer on the extraction team got class action lawsuit because of the
stabbed. They didn´t want to fight no atrocious lack of medical care, the
more after that. The Blacks agreed to declaration of Lorraine Memory, the
riot on the second day, but by then, we Noel Report, the situation with Ikemba,
all felt that we got our point across, the the situation with Kevin Lisle, not to
guards showed defeat, so we called it mention the numerous accounts of all
off. This could have went on for days, or the staff working here being arrested
even weeks, but we felt that this was and charged with various crimes, also
enough for now, every guard on the the federal indictment and trial of the
extraction team received injuries, and Aryan Warriors, who the government
one was even stabbed from what I hear, has labelled “domestic terrorists”! The
every prisoner involved was brutally mysterious death of Timothy Redman,
beat by the officers, which led to the Lt and other deathrow inmates before him.
and another officer getting fired! The suicides, the indeterminate
lockdown of the entire prison (except for
So we figured enough had been done one unit), the forcing of cellmates upon
already, no need to go on. us, the riots and work stoppages, and
not to mention that in the span of one
Year after year it´s been take, take, year over 75 officers have either quit
take. The administration is always taking working here, transferred to other
something away from us, without giving prisons, or were arrested, or fired… 75
anything in return: no programs, no real Officers in a year, now if that doesn´t
educational or vocational opportunities, speak volumes on how deplorable the
no incentive, nothing. They take a little situation here at E.S.P. is, then I don´t
here, take a little there, slowly but surely know what does. There has been many
stripping us of everything. They know deaths in this graveyard, and other
better to take it all at once, so instead things, Ely State Prison has
they´ll take one thing now, and then, a continuously been in the news.
few months later they´ll take away

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There are 8 units in this prison and all They would rather see us stuck on
but one of them are locked down and stupid, anti-social, with gangbang
have been locked down for over 6 years, mentalities, going against each other all
with no solutions or remedies in sight, the time, than to see us utilizing this time
no programs and no incentives to do as an opportunity to build social bonds
good. This prison has been under with our families and friends, and as an
federal investigation, and under serious opportunity to cultivate, uplift and
public scrutiny, budget cuts have educate ourselves. Rather than see us
stripped us of everything from food to grow and get better, everything they do
education, exposing how much they is to bring us down and break us down,
don´t care about our health, or our they want to break our spirit, decimate
rehabilitation and re-entry back into our wills and keep us ignorant. That is
society. Anytime you cut into our what these rules are for, that´s what
education, you are cutting into our these restrictions are for, and that´s
rehabilitation, limiting our chances to what these cells are for.
make a successful return back into
society. These people are heartless, It appears that these new administrative
they don´t care about us. They´re here regulations (A.R. 733) are designed for
to punish us, warehouse us, condemn those exact purposes as well! This new
us, and that´s it. A.R. affects prisoners who are serving
time in disciplinary segregation, taking
Not only that, but it has apparently been everything away in a guise to create an
the agenda and the desire of the prison “incentive to do good.” But they fail to
administration and the system, to keep realize that when they confine all of the
us stagnant and stuck on stupid so that prisoners with records of serious
we can surely deteriorate while living in disciplinary problems in one area and
these degenerate conditions. They know then take everything away, with years
that “knowledge is power” and that “truth and years of disciplinary segregation
is revolutionary” and so they deliberately (D.S.) time to serve, all they´re doing is
try to make it as difficult as they can for creating a situation where we have
us to get books and literature sent in, nothing to lose. This entire prison is
trying to use this new A.R. (regulation) locked down except for one unit, so the
to justify the denial of books, which is measures they have taken are
illegal and violates our first amendment impracticable and make no sense. Why
rights, and not to mention all the other implement such measures without a
obstacles and restrictions and limits level system or steps program that
they´re always putting on us when it allows us to advance through the means
comes to receiving books and reading of good behavior, or get out of
materials, even making it against the lockdown? Some of these prisoners
rules to share a book with another have been suffering this already for
prisoner. years, with no end in sight, These
measures taken by the NV Dept. of
It seems like they would rather see us Corrections (NDOC) are senseless and
pacified and complacent, locked down in unreasonable, and (as this recent riot
general population, reading pop culture displays) thee only thing these rules are
magazines and horror novels, or good for is creating anger and frustration
watching the “idiot box” all day, than to that has led to prisoners and officers
see us reading a book on history, getting hurt and fired! It doesn´t make
economics, or politics, or learning the sense.
law so that we can figure out productive
ways to get off of permanent lockdown.

5
We need people “on the outs” to get through the means of good behavior,
involved in these struggles, to help us and to get out of lockdown.
make changes and modifications that
will be effective and beneficial to all. We A.R. 733 needs to be modified and a
need people to call and write letters to level system needs to be put in place, all
the head of the NDOC, and to the mentally ill inmates need to be housed
governor of Nevada and ask them to separately, on a unit where they can
make modifications to A.R. 733. Be sure receive the treatment they need. These
to remind him of the January 31st riot (10) things are all we ask for.
and of the officer who got stabbed (c.o.
Stubbs) so that they can understand the Please call and send letters to the
seriousness of this situation. Director of the NDOC at this address:
Howard Skolnik, Nevada Department of
Here´s what we need the people to push Corrections, P.O. Box 7011, Carson
for: City, Nevada 89702

1) Allow us to purchase these items And please call and send letters to the
from the canteen: Vitamins, coffee Governor at this address:
soups, peanut-butter, laundry supplies, Governor Jim Gibbons, State Capitol
batteries for our electronic shavers, 101 N. Carson Street, Carson City, NV
beanies, thermals and shoes. 89701
2) Allow us one thirty (30) minute call a
week, as the policy says. I´m proud to see so many prisoners of
3) Allow us our first amendment right: different races and / or different factions
receive books sent in from the outside coming together and standing up for the
while serving time in disciplinary injustices being done to us in here. I´m
segregation. proud to be a part of something that
4) Allow us to have a dip bar over our strives to bring real changes for the
rec yards, for recreational purposes and people in here. It feels food to be
exercise. involved and to get caught up in the
5) Allow us a “contact” visit once a spirit of revolt. Violence isn´t always the
month for family or friends. best option and I hope that we can come
6) We would like for all mentally ill and together like this more often, without
psycho-tropically medicated inmates to having to take it to the extreme.
be housed separately, preferably on a
unit where they can receive the Solidarity and Struggle,
treatment they need. Coyote
7) No appliance loss for minor/general
rule infractions, no loss of appliances for ##
prisoners found “not guilty”; and only 60
days total for major violations, before all AFSC Seeks Stories of Isolation and
are returned. Torture in U.S. Prisons
8) Allow us to buy Mexico/Canada April 4, 2010
stamps so we can write our families and From: SolitaryWatch
friends there. by Jean Casella and James Ridgeway
9) Allow us to be approved to purchase
appliances and c.d.´s after 90 days In 2001, the Prison Watch Project of the
without any rule violations. American Friends Service Committee
10) Provide a level system or steps published Torture in U.S. Prisons:
program to allow prisoners to advance Evidence of U.S. Human Rights
Violations, a unique collection of first-

6
hand testimonies from prisoners. (A pdf Las Vegas, NV- The director of the
copyof is available here.) Now, Prison Nevada prison system is under
Project coordinator Bonnie Kerness has investigation by Metro.
put out a call for submissions for a new
edition. An employee at High Desert State
Prison filed a report at the end of
AFSC, through its STOPMAX February, claiming Howard Skolnik got
Campaign, has resolutely identified angry during a meeting with about 30
prolonged solitary confinement as a medical staffers and threatened to shoot
form of torture and a violation of human them with a shotgun and sniper rifle.
rights, so material from current or former
prisoners who have experienced solitary A prison spokeswoman tell us Skolnik
will be most welcome. The doesn't own either type of weapon.
announcement is reproduced in full She also says he can't comment
below–please help spread the word. because of the investigation, but adds
he's not concerned about the outcome.
The American Friends Service No charges have been filed in the case.
Committee Prison Watch Project is
planning to update the Fall 2001 ##
“Torture in US Prisons – Evidence of US
Human Rights Violations.” We are Blood For Credits: Good Time and
seeking testimonies from men, women Good Work in Nevada
and children relating to the use of By Jeremy Allen Crozier
extended isolation and devices of torture
(use of force, chemical and physical It is recommended that each township in
restraints, other living conditions, forced the United States of America maintains
double celling in isolation, etc.). We will a minimum of a three (3) day blood
also be accepting drawings and photos. reserve in its community blood bank for
everyday use by our Nation’s medical
Our deadline is June 15th. We will only professionals, for blood transfusions,
be able to acknowledge by form letter. medical emergencies, surgeries, and
Unless otherwise authorized the other related medical needs. According
publication will use first name, last initial to the United Blood Services website
and facility only. Please send to (www.unitedbloodservices.org) it is
Bonnie Kerness, estimated that sixty (60) percent of the
AFSC, 89 Market St., 6th floor, population will need donated blood, or
Newark, NJ 07102 blood components sometime during
their life times. It is further noted by the
Please make this message available to United States Government, independent
people concerned with the prison study groups, foundations, and non-
system and send it to friends and loved profit organizations such as the United
ones in prison. Without your input, this Blood Services for example, that a three
publication would not be possible. Our (3) day blood reserve in a township’s
gratitude. blood bank still would not be enough to
Sincerely, AFSC Prison Watch Project meet the community’s demands, and
needs during times of large scale
## emergencies such as natural disasters,
plagues, or the unprecedented growing
Director of Nevada prison system concern of virus, and diseases such as
under investigation hepatitis, and HIV.
(KTNV.com)

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Unfortunately, the fact is, that cities and Yet, many states in the Union have
townships across America, and those of found a willing, and ready supply of
the Great State of Nevada on average, blood donors in the Nation’s prisons.
only are able to maintain one-half of a Inmates have proven time, and time
day’s worth of donated blood, and blood again, that they will meet their
components inside of their community’s communities’ blood supply needs in full.
blood bank. Thus, causing wide-spread In return for their willing blood donations,
shortages in the availability of the life and blood components, which save
saving donated blood in our Nation’s lives, the inmate blood donors are
hospitals, and with our emergency care offered minimal incentives of eighteen
providers, and it has regretfully, and (18) days credit per a blood donation
painstakingly forced many health care every eight (8) weeks, which is the time
providers, and doctors to choose needed for an individual to fully recover
between patients who will receive the between blood donations.
much needed, and life sustaining
donated blood, and those patients who There is no cost whatsoever to the
will not receive it. Even despite the State’s tax payers, nor to the
surreal fact, that many of the critically-ill Department of Corrections for blood
patients who do not receive a blood donations as all the cost of the donation
transfusion, could have lived, and procedures are passed onto the patients
enjoyed a productive, and successful who receive the donated blood, and
prolonged life, had it not been for the their insurance companies. Furthermore,
severe shortages of donated blood in victim’s rights groups, and state tax
our communities across America. payers have stated that they prefer this
method of “Good time credits” and cost
No one single source can account for control compared to the current “Good
the shortage of blood in our Nation’s time credit” system, which allows
blood reserves in America than that of a inmates to receive days off of their
severe lack of “willing blood donors.” sentence for no other reason than sitting
Blood donation is a simple procedure, in prison, and the states increasing
which takes approximately five (5) budget crisis. Most noted in recent years
minutes, or less, and only produces a was the Nevada Legislature’s doubling
“pinch-like” discomfort in the donor’s of the “Good time credits” in the year of
arm that lasts not more than a fraction of 2007, for category “C” and under
a second. Organizations and community felonies. This was the Nevada
leaders have gone to great lengths to Legislature’s bandaid solution to their
promote, and entice potential donors to state’s depleting budget, which angered
blood-A-thon type campaigns for what victims of crime, and victim’s rights
has amounted to half a day’s worth of groups everywhere. As Ashley O’Neal
blood reserve in our community blood stated, who was also a victim of a brutal
banks on average. Incentives of money, crime, “Why should inmates receive
prizes, market place discounts, ‘Good time credits’ for sitting in prison,
employer paid days off from work, and and committing crimes? They should be
even all expense paid vacations to required to give back to the victims, and
lavish luxury resorts have failed to communities they took from during the
produce enough blood donors to meet commissions of their crimes before they
even the minimum recommended receive any time off of their sentences.”
requirements for our everyday medical
needs. The blood taken from inmates
undergoes strict scrutiny and screening
at a blood center laboratory, and is then

8
typed, labeled, stored at the proper for our community leaders during the
temperature, and distributed to area 2010 election season.
hospitals to help save patients’ lives. In
states such as Wisconsin for example, Author’s Note:
inmate blood donors have met what has
been called a community crisis, through The State of Nevada, and its elected
their willing donations of blood. In return, leaders, creates laws and policies for
these inmate blood donors serve their their departments of corrections to solve
communities, and obtain a sense of problematic issues, which other states
community pride, and a sense of have experienced, and successfully
satisfaction for meeting a nation wide solved years ago. Most intriguing is that
medical crisis. “In Nevada, 96.7% of all these same elected leaders have no
inmates will be returning to townships, knowledge, nor invested interest, nor
communities, and neighborhoods, and experience in the problematic issues,
we must begin to ask ourselves if we as which they set out to solve. Even their
citizens in Nevada, want former inmates half hearted attempts visiting the state’s
to return from our state’s prisons with a prisons are spent tucked, and hidden
community connection, or who we as away by prison administration officials,
Nevada citizens, have completely and their movements are controlled as
isolated, cut-off, and otherwise to not allow them to realize the vast
excommunicated from our society for deficiencies inside our state prisons.
years,” stated Joe O’Neal. Some even search for the nearest exit,
such as Hardesty of the ACAJ Steering
The State of Nevada currently has no Committee, instead of finding proper
such programs for reconnecting inmates long term solutions.
to their communities whatsoever, even
despite common sense solutions as the The question should be of simple nature
“Blood for Credits” inmate blood for Nevada Legislatures: Isn’t it time to
donation program presented in this demand that we look towards and adopt
article, which is estimated to save the other state’s laws, policies, regulations
Nevada tax payers 420 million dollars and practices that have met and
over the next ten (10) years when achieved the highest standards of
compared to our hard bed prison cost scrutiny such as the Blood for Credits
per an inmate over the same time period program? Why do they need to continue
according to the Organization Nevada to waste tax dollars, and valuable time
Accountability. A blood donation creating bandaid solutions, which often
program in our state’s prison system turn out causing more damage, tax
remains an issue for the Nevada dollars, and everyone’s time in the end?
Legislature, yet they continue to argue, Who ever told the Nevada politicians
and weigh the benefits of the cost of that they have a monopoly on good
cutting measures limiting our Nevada ideas?
citizens’ rights to government spent tax
dollars, and none of the body of Nevada If you wish to comment on this article,
legislatures have taken up the “Blood for contact:
Credits” recommendations. A program Author: Jeremy Allen Crozier
that would not only serve our Nevada #77906 / ESP
communities, but decrease our state’s
budget, and prison problems, while Or contact the following if you find this
increasing stable community programs, plan a good and realistic one:
and awareness. Perhaps it is time for
Nevada citizens to weigh in our opinions Senator Steven Horsford

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3450 W. Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 100 spreading the filth about with water
North Las Vegas, NV 89032-8223 alone is what counts for cleaning here.

Assemblyman William Horne Even when the inmate “trustee” mops


2251 North Rampart Boulevard, #357 the floors outside our cells, it smells like
Las Vegas, NV 89128-7640 he´s painting the concrete with death, or
some sort of bionic mould so powerful
Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea that it breaks into your cell and hits your
(Eureka, Pershing, White Pine Counties, head until it begins to ache.
and portions of Churchill, Humboldt,
Lander, Lyon, and Washoe Counties, Showers
No. 35) We get a shower every 3 days. And
PO Box 97, Eureka, NV 89316-0097 again this is another adventure in filth.
As the showers are so filthy, everyone
## knows not to touch the walls, that are
covered with a slimy film and mould.
Adventures in food, filth, molesting Even the space on the cage door where
doctors and heat, at High Desert we set our towels is only kept clean by
State Prison the previous towel to be put there. Tiny
March 11, 2010 gnats (flies associated with filthy places
You asked me to tell you what it´s like or rotting fruit) and other bugs attracted
here. Nothing has changed from the last to the filth swarm about. It is truly
time I was here, except to get worse. disgusting.

Food Yard time


There is no such thing as a hot meal If we are lucky, we get outside 2-3 times
here. None of the established laws or a week for an hour. There are 8 crudely
rules governing the preparation, etc. are built cages in a row outside the units. No
observed, leaving much of the food running water, no toilets or anything.
inedible, unless one is starving and has And no way back inside once you go
no choice. Forced to eat the ice cold out. So you must gauge whether or not
rubber like artificial eggs, the ice cold you´ll be okay without using a toilet for
pieces of meat covered in grease, and an hour. And one would think as men
the other bullshit, which is probably only this would be made a little easier due to
one notch above the slap fed to pigs. some of our natural equipment / ability
to relieve ourselves in public without
Hygiene very much embarrassment. At least for
The filth is unbelievable. Since I´ve been urination. But this is not allowed, for
here, I´ve had to live with a mysterious various reasons, some more obvious
stench that is ever present in this cell. than others. It may sound a little
Here again none of the laws / rules are humorous, but in the summer with
observed. No cleaning supplies are temperatures regularly topping 100
regularly passed out. When one degrees and more, you must decide
demands something to clean his cell, between dehydration and being able to
and he finds a c.o. willing to give it, he is hold it. And there is no telling when the
given an old filth covered toilet brush, guards will leave us out there to bake for
and a sponge that is so filthy it smells of several hours…
death and one would not touch it on a
dare. The coldest part is you get this Medical care?
with no sort of cleaning powder, no soap I told you about my visit with the doctor,
or cleaning liquid. So I assume how it was as if he tried to molest me.

10
Which seems to have become a will not stand up, most are but children.
common thing. If not for some genuine I´ve never seen so many kids in prison. I
perversion, then to humiliate and am surrounded by them. They all are
embarrass the inmates so that they will hungry for the truth.
not call for medical care. Just the word Marritte (High Desert State Prison,
of these things gets around and what Nevada)
previous aversions to calling for medical
care are now added to tenfold. I do not ##
know this doctor´s name. But both
guards present, c.o. Robinson and c.o. Convicts – Corrections Officers –
Portillo, noticed how this doctor tried to Understanding?
press himself against me, and even tried By Ikemba
to grab my crotch to “check my ear”…
And when I averted these attacks, my Several weeks ago I had a brief but
exam was ended. I can´t say whether genuine and eye-opening conversation
this “doctor” has discriminated against with an employee here who approached
me for averting these attacks and in fact me after observing a minor dispute
calling attention to them. I was able to between me and a corrections officer
do so without much drama. I have not whom I felt was intentionally creating
filed any official reports or anything. But drama in the unit. My initial response
recounting this occurence to the other was to express my objection in a
inmates, they all knew exactly which somewhat rude manner. But, I let the
doctor I was talking about. So it´s moment pass and later called the officer
definitely a common thing for this to my door where I was able to smooth
behavior. things out respectfully and peacefully.
I’ve always tried to defuse any disputes
And referring back to the conditions, I’ve had this way and I encourage other
things have actually gotten worse. The convicts to use the same tactic.
toilets only flush once (briefly) every 20
minutes now. To which I say: But, as we are expected to accept an
conservation is good. But I personally inferior or subhuman position in the
believe health and sanitation take hierarchy of guard and convict, this
precedence. Because the flush is so show of humanity is often rejected.
weak, often not all of the contents are Fortunately this time my effort was
removed. And when trying to clean appreciated. I had no clue I was being
one´s cell, this is also another observed so I was surprised when this
complication. Also, we are now only other individual took time to explain
allowed one (1) roll of toilet tissue per things from a CO’s perspective; how
week. Regardless of any accidents or many of them see the same shit we see.
running out. And the guards will tell you: The sadist CO’s who enjoy harassing
“Use your hands.” They can´t give what people. The insanity and psychosis
they are not given. So as you can manifested behind these doors; locked
imagine, soap and toilet paper are big down 24/7. The incompetence of the
money makers in the privately run prison administration lead by E.K. McDaniel,
canteen. Which is a whole lot of other which institutes policies that only serves
issues. to create confusion and conflict. And the
officers are powerless; any who speak
Bottom line: this place is a dungeon, just out against policy do so at their own
as bad as ESP. Each with its own peril. Many have either quit or have
unique brand of bullshit, violations, been fired for not falling in line.
dehumanizations, etc. Except here most

11
Most CO’s are good people who have life and the lives of thousands of young
families and bills and who struggle men who come through this prison then
themselves with the same questions of your beliefs and your morals…If only
how to hold on to their sanity and these tortured souls who come to work
humanity working in this madhouse of here each day dreading what they may
human suffering. Having to deal with be asked to do or what they might be
mentally disturbed prisoners constantly witness to, who see these men losing
creating disturbances; many of them their minds, suffering in these cells from
driven crazy by these lockdown painful, life-threatening illnesses, denied
conditions and filled with anger and hate proper medical care; the people who
from being harassed or because they see these sadist CO’s that enjoy
have nothing to live for. On top of that, brutalizing defenseless prisoners in
CO’s must accept the embarrassment of handcuffs and shackles. If only you
being humiliated and berated by their would speak out, give testimony to what
superior officers whenever anything you have seen; the intimidation you
goes wrong. So it’s not easy for them have endured from the top down. If you
either and it is not fair for all CO’s to be would speak out then we could get a
lumped together and blamed for the new warden and change this shit for the
flaws in our system. better.

I personally can attest to some of these What will it take for you to see that not
things as I’ve seen them. I remember to only is your silence a sin but that it only
this day, back in 1996 the one CO who I makes things worse? Watching these
have met in all my years that I truly men suffer and die who could be saved;
admired and respected; his name was each with children or other loved ones
Jinx. I’d just been beaten by five guards who mourn their loss. Trust when I tell
while handcuffed and shackled and left you that that is not a burden you want to
naked and bloody in an empty cell with a carry. I love every day with the guilt of
concussion and a fractured spine. This wrongs I have done. Things I didn’t do
was in retaliation for successfully but could have stopped. More nights
defending myself in a separate incident than not I can’t sleep because of the
several weeks prior when two CO’s nightmares. If you feel somehow that the
attacked me for my part in organizing a fact we are convicts absolves you of
peaceful protest against the conditions. your moral responsibility as human
All of my property had been placed in a being to speak out for the humanity of
storeroom where an inmate informant all, then that is something you must live
working for a senior CO’s was sent to with. And just as the perverse logic of
destroy all of my property. Officer Jinx your boss’s call for us all to be punished
was present and witnessed this and for the actions of a few then you too
after refusing to lie about it; which in turn bear the burden of your sadist co-
forced the officer responsible to pay for workers lest you remain silent.
all of my property. Officer Jinx was fired.
You should know that you don’t have to
So yes, I know for a fact there are some tremble in fear of being fired for
good people who work in these prisons. speaking out. There is a movement
But I will not apologize for failing to building, as more and more of these
separate them from the sadists. Men are abuses are exposed. Not against the
dying here, both mentally and physically. convicts, but against all Nevadans and
There is real human suffering here. So, I you, too. Some of these sadists and
say to the good people working here: If hopefully this crooked warden are going
your paycheck is worth more than my to be prosecuted and sitting in cells of

12
their own. And if by some chance E.K. February 2010
escapes the current investigations
taking places, he is going to end up Any of you who might want to speak out,
getting this place shut down anyway and help expose the corruption at ESP,
while those who did not speak out (you can remain anonymous), just
against the corruption they knew about contact:
still end up suffering. Speak out now and NPW.
know that there are many people willing
to stand by you, including lawyers who ##
will fight for you. And if it is true that
there are more good of you than bad Nevada prisoners being pushed to
then you will bond together and it will be the edge
only the corrupt among you who are by Marrio Moreland, April 13, 2010
held responsible… SF Bay View
I am a convicted person serving time for
All that said, CO’s also need to speak voluntary manslaughter in the state of
out on how working in a prison affects Nevada. Although this letter may not
you, personally. There is a reason that digest well with some, these will be true
prisons are the #1 breeding ground for statements and facts about how we as
hatred in our country. The way we human beings are being subjected to
address crime in general is backwards. abuse and retaliation for exercising the
You cannot cure an illness with more little rights we do have inside these walls
illness. Were there to be a study on and gates that is separating us from
affects of long term employment in society. This is only one of many letters
prisons, alcohol and drug abuse, sent out by inmates who are
domestic abuse, emotional and incarcerated in Nevada’s Department of
psychological issues like depression, Correctional Centers, pleading for help
eating disorders, etc., I guarantee that and justice!
we would find these things are rampant
among prison guards – which shows just We believe that we inmates are being
how perverse and unnatural our use of used for political gain due to the
prisons is. If merely working in a prison economy and budget cuts. We are
does this to you, try to imagine what it is starting to believe we are being pushed
doing to those incarcerated here. to the edge so that the Nevada prison
system can justify their request for more
I am not against the individual guard, funds. In less than 60 days there has
per se. I am against the corrupt system been two unjustified assaults on two
that the guard represents in his different inmates by correctional officers
employment. And if it is the guards’ here at Northern Nevada Correctional
hope that we will just shut up and take it Center (NNCC). The two inmates’
as a consequence of our conviction – names are Marrio Moreland (#79800)
whatever abuse, dehumanization or and Anthony Lewis (#96337).
violation of our human and civil rights,
well then he can keep right on hoping. On Jan. 7, 2010, an assault occurred on
As these are things men must stand on inmate Marrio Moreland. He along with
‘til death. his cellie was removed from their cell by
five correctional officers for an uncertain
I am a human being and I will surrender reason soon after breakfast. Inmate
that to no one… Moreland was verbally abused by a
correctional officer and then viciously
Ikemba S. Mutulu (written at ESP) slammed to the ground by the same

13
correctional officer acting on a direct birds flying around inside. The birds are
order given by his lieutenant. Later, dropping their manure on the serving
following said assault, Moreland was table, flying over the food while it’s being
then sexually discriminated against. prepared, landing on the carts while the
food is on the carts. The sanitation is
On Feb. 26, 2010, an assault with poor, the showers are not sanitized,
battery occurred on an inmate named inmates are now being subjected to a
Anthony Lewis. He is in fact a person disease called Mersa – it’s a well known
who has several disorders: 1) cracked disease that’s caused by poor
C-2 spinal cord, 2) paralyzed on the sanitation. These acts are inhumane to
right side, 3) he has colones, 4) he a human being of the United States of
drags his right foot and 5) he depends America.
on a wheelchair for mobility. Mr. Lewis
and his cellie were returning from the The statements I’ve made describe only
shower when the officer literally pushed a few barbarous actions that occur
this gentleman from his wheelchair, behind these gates. It’s said that each
pinned him to the floor and viciously person of the United States of America
banged his head on the concrete floor should be “emancipated.” The
several times for no explainable reason. Emancipation Proclamation was issued
by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1,
At the time of both these two assaults 1863. Nevertheless, the great saying
the inmates were in restraints. These “liberty and justice for all” – whatever
two assaults are two of many that has happened to that? Does it even apply to
occurred here at Northern Nevada the Nevada Department of Corrections?
Correctional Center (NNCC). I have no
other choice but to reach out this way I am housed in a segregated unit that
because other attempts to find has birds flying around inside. The birds
assistance have been spoiled. are dropping their manure on the
serving table, flying over the food while
Because of what’s called “abuse of it’s being prepared, landing on the carts
authority,” the administration has a while the food is on the carts.
grievance complaint system in place that
the inmate population no longer trusts. I would like to add there’s a deaf inmate
This administration has given who has seizures living in a medically
correctional officers the authority to inadequate cell by himself. He has
either approve or deny inmates’ rights, seizures and was saved only because of
also the right to act as their own chain of an inmate passing by and that was by
command, by trying to do away with the the grace of God.
inmate grievance procedure and punish
us for following and exercising our As I close, I pray that this letter will get
rights. to the attention of many, making them
aware of the trauma that the inmates
This action is causing correctional here at Northern Nevada Correctional
officers to become very aggressive Center are experiencing. The
toward inmates. They are not obeying administration will probably retaliate
their own rules and regulations day by against me, but what else can they do to
day yet have no fear of consequences me? They have stripped me of my
from the administration. dignity, so there’s nothing else to
abandon me of. This is an issue that
As this letter is being addressed, I am needed a voice and I am that voice.
housed in a segregated unit that has

14
My name is Marrio Moreland, 79800, and quickly from the horizon to reward
P.O. Box 7000, Carson City, NV 89702. the times even though human rights
I’m just seeking help and justice! were still supposed to be a stout army. It
## wasn’t and so was summarily trampled
without remorse as the new breed of
2010/03/31 prison “ideas” with its pioneers of
From the Bowels of Nevada - Til Now punishment cast their webs to “crack
down”. That is what happened and
Article submitted by John Neff, Ely State torturous, malicious shadows darkened
Prison what prison is…To appease a world that
On: Nevada Prison Watch.blogspot.com does not understand.

In a place once considered rehabilitative Slowly, men were broken as prison


and efficient in recognizing that the most collapsed on them completely to
humane way is usually the hands-off suffocate them under the weight of
approach where the adage, “Don’t fix authority and the light that often
what is not broken” can be said, a lot provided a glimpse of opportunity was
has changed and corroded over the doused with oppression. The cycle
years. There was a time when this place continues now to sop the will to be
was a relatively quiet little known crease rehabilitated or to change “patterns” long
in the system with only the mundane learned.
murmurs of prison life. Nothing really
unusual; just the atmosphere of Prisoners are trapped in their mistakes
incarceration. It was a state of business where “no tolerance” means lockdown
that ran itself where society knew all the time without a system to reward
nothing and prisoners didn’t have to good behavior or provide any incentive
seek redress outside the walls. When to try. Nevada has made people want to
prisoners could settle grievances, they fight them however they can but there
did not have to lean on a crooked, over- are no resolutions anymore.
taxed system. Discipline then was more
fair and with better justification. A case No one cares as the system doles out
built on resistance rarely had a reason more punishment or cuts more from the
to be born and once quelled, the budget to bury prisoners in infamy. In
discontent would fade with a resolution. the end, no one has learned any lessons
There was a place for everyone once or saved a dime and the anger festers
and a balance in the harsh realities of into hatred that often can only be given
what incarceration achieved. relief through violence.

Hope had been a companion when It is a shame what men are forced to
society’s worst always had an become because of their environment;
opportunity to live peacefully and even what they must do to survive the
when life was bad, it was at least multitude of situations in a place that is
manageable. Tomorrow brought a new always out to get them.
day with short memories from the
nightmare of yesterday. Survival was Prisoners are trained to be animals with
easy or as hard as one wished to make all the gimmicks of their confinement
it. It roamed at an acceptable pace and often treated with the cruelty of
catering to both captors and captives as being rabid instead of with a bit of civility
their roles dictated. The lines were clean so it cannot be a surprise to find that a
and rarely blurred. And yet, an lot of prisoners embrace the savage
unprecedented storm moved steadily sides of their nature to become animals

15
when humanity has abandoned them. It erupting here. It is this environment’s
is not fair that a system now breeds fault that men cannot find peace
hatred instead of a positive existence. It anymore and it is unforgiving about the
forces men to become disgusted or fed- price it exacts. Its culpability is often
up with enduring everything when the excused by being in the middle of
ugliest realities keep getting shoved nowhere; out of sight and out of
down their throats. mind…and yet, here, the lives of men
always stand perched at the edge of an
The thought of making people better or abyss.
giving them a reason to smile is beyond
this new warehouse of horrors. There is a story here to be told that
began on the day of January 31st, 2010
The times of preparing or learning to be that should be a glaring blemish to the
a part of society and being a good face of Ely State Prison and has only
person outside of prison are gone. It has been partially told and discredited by the
reneged on its promise of justice. It’s all accounts of the system, but it happened.
about money now and prison has thrown
away the tools to rehabilitation and One this day, even under lockdown
replaced them with thoughts of circumstances, men banded together to
retribution and anger without an outlet. fight the oppression and expose it for
what it is. These men bled for conditions
Everything has been ripped away so imposed on them; for the wrongs
prisoners are left with themselves to slapping them in the face daily and for
make do; it is mostly bad then because the right to be treated humanely. The
even complacency can’t solve the end result: Nothing changed, two
problems or extinguish the seeds of officers were fired of the dozen or so
hatred left to mature. It becomes a life- that were involved and any investigation
long grudge against all authority and into the wrongs at Ely were stymied as it
fellow man. swept its actions under a rug.

It is a sad life now that society has Only prisoners, physically injured, are
allowed the system to subject human left to tell of that day as it truly
beings to. happened.

Eyes should focus on Ely, Nevada A ranked officer on probationary


where the endless desert swallows the employment and his entourage had the
souls of men every day and the system swagger of uncaring, modern day
shrouds its prison from the minds of gunslingers without a thought of
society. Here is a hell there to be seen, consequences or that laws actually
though. It is a miserable, desolate place, governed them. They dared anyone to
devoid of any compassion with only challenge their authority over and over.
thoughts of punishment through any It had actually been an action begun
forum – food, personal, safety, comforts, way before the day in question so this
human rights, lockdown, sanity and any wasn’t the first time. Yet no investigation
other way it can think of to make took place until fourteen prisoners
imprisonment harder than it needs to be. decided it was time to make a stand.
They had just witnessed another inmate
Enemies are constantly pitted against beaten bloody during a cell extraction
enemies as animosity is the atmosphere where no resistance was offered and his
this prison likes to create so that a blood smeared in a swath across the
maelstrom is always on the verge of plexiglass window of the sally-port. At

16
that moment, a line was crossed and a prisoner and leave acceptable excuses
cause had been born without a face. in its wake. It must STOP!
Voices can be heard and actions can be
No other way existed for prisoners to taken but it starts outside these walls
keep a measure of dignity except force with any who care enough to see an
the actions of the free-roaming cavaliers upside down system set right again
of injustice to target them. It was past through reform. One day a prisoner’s life
time; a day of reckoning was set. may depend on a helping hand that may
not be there leaving blood on another’s
In a twist of fate, after just eight brutal, hands, so reach out…
bloody extractions that included a
stabbed officer and a verbal threat Contact the Powers That Be, contact the
suggesting that blood would flow all NDOC and try to affect change. Don’t let
night, the stamina of prison staff was them continue to wiggle off of the
expelled. They wanted no more hook…
problems and decided to use chemical ##
agents to finish their extractions.
Opposition had changed their mind, It Realigning the Purpose
should be known that no emergency Sent in by John Neff
situation actually existed to require
physical extractions when inmates were Words are not to be used lightly
locked securely in their cells. because they are too powerful to be
guidance for personal agendas
The arrogance of Ely State Prison imparting the wrong message for
forced the actions of January 31st, change. Something should be said
2010. At the end, eight prisoners about this. A wall is being built with more
bloodied; some hospitalized. Many were obstacles being stacked in our way by
left in bare cells without necessities and those already imprisoned who fling dead
bleeding from their wounds while little or labels around like reasons to
no medical attention was offered. No accommodate their circumstances. This
true resolution was received and the is an injustice to the true cause at stake
actions of Ely State Prison have not here: Resistance and solidarity must
ceased while prisoners wear the scars arise to face the real wrongs being
of resistence. done; not the insignificant ones.

Nothing has changed here; no quarter The words racism and/or discrimination
was given or spared. The days become are used too freely when they rarely
a grind and a test against the will to stay apply. Too many in prison like to use
strong or remain sane. The courts and these terms to describe their specific
system in Nevada are taxed beyond circumstances in here and it takes away
capabilities so they refuse to do more from the relevant facts in this matter.
than sit on technicalities and talk nice to There is a bigger reality here and issues
the public. Even now, their lies stink of that concern us all. In prison, we are
corruption. ALL oppressed. We are ALL
discriminated against. It is the nature of
Prison is a game in Nevada that is our confinement. Minorities aren’t
ignored and no one cares to look minorities in here and yet the people use
beyond the dilapidated veneers of it as a slap right in the face to the rest of
control. It is oppression. A torturous us suffering the same plights.
cycle that will return to destroy another

17
The real enemy must be identified and
they wear the uniforms of our captors. Quotes
It’s not fair to constantly march behind a
banner saturated in an ancestry no ...it is my opinion that the medical care
longer known when the reason we don’t provided at Ely State Prison amounts to
have equality is because we are the grossest possible medical
incarcerated; simple as that. malpractice, and the most shocking and
callous disregard for human life and
The same ghosts from the past do not human suffering, that I have ever
haunt us. It is a sham to send out half- encountered in my thirty-five years of
truths or to be selfish in what the goal practice.
here is supposed to be; prison reform
and shedding light on the foulness of Dr. William Noel
these prisons. --
In a complaint to the federal Equal
In here, there is no black, white or brown Employment Opportunity Commission,
as far as society is concerned. In their Memory alleged that two diabetic
eyes, we are all criminals who deserve prisoners were denied insulin because
nothing except the crumbs from the MacArthur "wanted to hasten the
soles of their shoes. That is what must demise of these two inmates in order to
be changed and where the true fight save money or cause them more pain
lies. Not in continuing theories of racism and suffering."
when this applies to every man or
woman in prison. Our efforts need to LA Times, Dec. 2007
focus on everything for everyone; not to --
point fingers at things to be used as a "All but two of 12 inmates executed in
baseless excuse. the state in the last 30 years have been
volunteers. No other state in the country
We are all suffering the same in our has had close to that percentage of
circumstances. As defined, racism volunteers, records show."
means a belief that a race is superior to
others. Well, that does not fit the model LA Times, Dec. 2007
for reform because it is authority and --
society who believe they are superior to “Have not prisons - which kill all will and
each one of us. Their actions – or force of character in man, which enclose
inactions – prove it. This is within their walls more vices than are
OPPRESSION. met with on any other spot of the globe -
always been universities of crime?”
There seems to be a need to correct the
aim of being heard and to remember the Peter Kropotkin
reasons for it. This cause must not live --
inside a bubble. This fight is not meant The thing worse than rebellion is the
to include some while excluding others. thing that causes rebellion
The individualism expressed in this
unique environment with its Frederick Douglas
idiosyncrasies based in racial identity is --
irrelevant to the nature of reform. That is In a world of universal deceit, telling the
not the issues outside these walls. truth is a revolutionary act.
04/16/10 George Orwell
##

18
---
In this moment, it may seem more
difficult than ever to envision a state that
supports humanity rather than
eviscerates the possibility of freedom
and health for so many of its people. Yet
it is precisely now, when prisons crowd
the physical and psychic landscape, that
imagining abolition is most critical.

Kim Gilmore

##

Settlement in the works on Nevada


prison suit
Associated Press, via Review Journal
April 21, 2010

The state of Nevada and American Civil


Liberties Union are trying to finalize an
agreement to settle a class action
lawsuit over medical care for inmates at
the maximum security prison in Ely.
An agenda released Wednesday shows
the state Board of Examiners will be
asked next week to approve $325,000 in
fees for the ACLU in the 2008 case thas
was certified as a class action by a
federal judge last year.
[cut due to copyrights]

19

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