PRISONERS UNITED IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY JAILS WIN 5 CORE DEMANDS & SACRIFICE 3 DAYS OF CUSTODY MEALS FOR THE HUNGRY

This is vile and this sheriff is the true criminal…I am honestly at a loss for words, all the information is below and on the original posts page, which I strongly encourage you to read and share….
This is vital and should be on international news… But if you watch “Fox News” or “CNN” chances are you won’t see this… They are for-profit media, controlled by greed, money and the government… Please check the below link for the full information…and please, share….

Silicon Valley De-Bug thanks Prisoners United on every floor in the Main Jail and housing units M-5 and M-8 in Elmwood D.O.C. for courageously sacrificing all their custody meals to be donated to the homeless and hungry at Emmanuel House Salvation Army.

We also appreciate all efforts made between jail administrators, community organizations and the jail population to come to an agreement to meet the 5 core demands to end meaningless classification reviews, indefinite solitary confinement, group punishment, cruel and unusual punishment during out of cell time, and rigid visitation policies.

FACTS THAT REFUTE SHERIFF SMITH’S COMMENT:

• Over 70% of the Santa Clara County jail population is pretrial – meaning they have not been convicted of a crime.
• Being in jail does not automatically mean someone is a gang member, according to the JFA Institute Jail Classification System Evaluation audit prepared by James Austin in 2016, there is only 21 verified prison gang members in Santa Clara County.
• Prisoners United of Silicon Valley is the collective voice of the entire Santa Clara County jail population including all classification/security levels, color tops, racial groups (Black, White, Asian, Latino, Pacific Islander etc.) and creeds and is not lead by one man alone.
• Salvation Army is a tremendous community resource for those in need, including programs for those who have been convicted of a crime.

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FURTHER DETAILS/CLARIFICATIONS:

Santa Clara County jail administrators came to an agreement to meet the 5 core demands to end meaningless classification reviews, indefinite solitary confinement, group punishment, cruel and unusual punishment during out of cell time, and rigid visitation policies. However, the administration stated it will take 3 weeks for the new classification system to kick in.

According to the agreement, the classification system will have face-to-face hearings, opportunity for prisoners to call witnesses to speak in their defense, the use of things such as education and rehabilitation certificates to have influence on their hearings, and the opportunity to contest anything.

The administration also agreed to suspend all in-custody inputs until the new system is in place. ⁱ

Prisoners in the jails should also be able to see what is in their file.

Captains Grumbos and Taylor finalized agreements with some of the prisoners inside.

The challenge of only having 35 classification officers is still a question. 

10/26/17 MEDIA UPDATE

Due to the understanding that there was an agreement made to avoid a hunger strike, Prisoner United in the 6C sureno unit, who were just recently rehoused to unsanitary cells in 6A in the Main Jail, ordered from commissary this past Sunday/Monday.

Due to Sheriff Smith’s comment, Prisoners United reverted their efforts to refusing all custody meals to see to it that their food is in fact donated to the homeless and hungry at Salvation Army who serve gang impacted, those recovering from drug and alcohol recovery and formally incarcerated.

Just last night when Prisoners United in 6A (formally 6C) received their commissary orders, prisoners protested and courageously left food items from their order, with some of their orders as large as $100, outside their cells to ensure that their commissary food is donated to the homeless and hungry at Emmanuel House Salvation Army, and prevent food waste.

Prisoners United in sureno units 6A Main Jail and M4B in Elmwood will continue to go on strike until they can sit down with jail administrators to guarantee inclusion that their Protective Custody status will be removed from their classification file in the new classification system set to be active in the next following weeks.

i “…another form of conduct that is reported by staff on inmates [are] called the Custody Input Reports or CIRs. These are used to record both positive and negative conduct behavior. Unfortunately, the CIRs are not part of the Custody Bureau’s database and cannot be analyzed for the entire jail population. However, as shown later in the report, these data were manually collected for the pilot test on the inmates who had been in custody for at least 60 days.” from Aug 2016 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff Custody Bureau Jail Classification System Evaluation

Custody Inputs are basically an additional punitive tool that that does not fall under a rule violation/infraction or charge. The prisoner is given no notification, so the prisoner never knows what Custody Inputs are being put in their file. The administration agreed to give notice of every Custody Input in 3 weeks and to currently suspend all custody inputs so that it will not hold someone back from down-classing. Custody Inputs can also be used in the courts and follows you in prison. There should be no custody input. If its not an infraction or charge, then it should not be used as a tool of punitive action.

PRESS: JOSE (408) 661-2604 jose@siliconvalleydebug.org FAMILIES: BENEE (408) 529-5971 benee@siliconvalleydebug.org 10/25/17 Though a hunger strike in Santa Clara County jails could have been avoided after jail administrators agreed to meet the core demands during the week of October 16, 2017 — Prisoners United on every floor of the Main Jail and M-5 and M-8 lockdown […]

via PRISONERS UNITED IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY JAILS WIN 5 CORE DEMANDS & SACRIFICE 3 DAYS OF CUSTODY MEALS FOR THE HUNGRY — Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity

Mutulu Shakur, You Are Welcome HERE!

Dr. Mutulu Shakur is not only someone I admire as a respected revolutionary, only wanting what is rightfully owed, but as time went by and I continued to volunteer, he became a dear friend…and blessing me with a link to Tupac Shakur, his step son and the man Tupac looked to as a mentor. He is the most brilliant, kind-hearted, generous and loving soul you’ll ever meet… He took me in as a volunteer on big projects when I was young because he knew I needed a father figure; a role model. I am beyond thankful for the blessing of knowing him.

However, because he is an intelligent and well-educated (meaning, in truth) Black man the government in America doesn’t want him free. Why would they? I hope anyone reading this knows who Dr. Mutulu Shakur is, if not, please take time to learn.

Since I’ve known him, over a decade now, and far before that, the parole board has been screwing him and other political prisoners around- denying them parolee for no reason, keeping them incarcerated for no crimes committed while the violent KKK not only walk our streets, but are members of our government in America.

Please watch this short clip of a documentary; check out his website and spread the word…. This is the least we can do for a man who fought for nothing but equality, peace and love only to be damned by those who are afraid of his brilliance and strength; his role as a strong, Black male. He may become a role model, after all, and the government do not want that.

If you think I am a one prone to conspiracies, think again. I have official documentation to prove all I say and am in the middle of working on that among other.

Tupac, Dr. Mutulu Shakur… New Vidp1

Rap music is more than bumping a beat and … well wait, Tupac said it best, didn’t he?

“Words noted in my description->

– i need to post a pic of the poem- didn’t know it wouldn’t show gr* My main video series has to do with Black leaders, being Tupac Shakur and his mentor/step father Dr. Mutulu Shakur both saved my life from an early …. death, like too many of my friends, family….. it’s modern day slavery, it’s just got a disguise and a new name- yeah i got light skin, i haven’t been a victim of racism and i am sorry for that because that’s not FAIR, i should not be treated differently and you best believe i go off on anyone who i notice doing it, whether alone or not. but this is more than race – this is about the American government’s plot since after “slavery ended” then “jim crow” “black codes” ETC ETC ETC ended……… it has NOT ended. my new videos have to do with the gov involvement (OFFICIAL PAPERS- don’t believe me? sign up 2 the channel or do your work- without bias).
This vid’s important to me because pac saved me i listened to him all my life but , when i started hearing his words…… like, HEARING what he saying… i did put down my crip shit. i was days away, CUZZ, east NEW YORK, i know how it is  . . .. it’s not impressive – i am not proud….. IM HOPING SOMEONE WILL HEAR THIS TONIGHT AND HEAR**** FOR THE FIRST TIME…. if not, call me stupid, but if there’s a chance it’ll help; i’ll do whatever i feel i should. *IF YOU WANT THE VIDEOS ON GOV DOCS, CURRENT INFO, ETC ON MURDERED BLACK LEADERS INCLUDING TUPAC WITH GOV RELEASED EVIDENCE AND …. OTHER, I’LL BE PUTTING IT UP IN A BIT.. VIDS MAY GO A BIT SLOW, BUT IM GONNA TRY TO DO IT AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK, OR MORE. STAY WITH ME, AND AS DR MUTULU SHAKUR ALWAYS SAY, STIFF RESISTANCE !!!!
[[I GOT A MSG, NO, LOL, THAT’S NOT ALL I HAVE IN MY ‘SHAKUR COLLECTION’ AS SOME RACIST ASS SAID LOL JUS HAD GIVE U A SHOUT OUT AN SAY NAH.  I SAID I WASNT BRAGGING AND WTF I AM NOT. WHO WOULDA THOUGHT AT 14 I’D BE TYPING UP MUTULU SHAKUR’S BOOK!!!!AND LATER BEING ADDED TO HIS PHONE LIST!!!!! ….. MY POINT IS!!!! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE BUT GIVE LIFE A CHANCE; EVEN IF IT’S SCREWED U IN ALL WAYS …. I UNDERSTAND THAT…. MINUS PERSONAL RACISM AGAINST ME, I AM SORRY TO SAY FOR THAT’S WRONG AND EVIL, BUT I UNDERSTAND IN THE BEING SCREWED EVERY WAY OTHER, BIT. HIT ME UP ANYTIME. RESPECT.
THINK OF WHAT HE SAID… GO LISTEN…. save yourself…. YOU CAN BE ANYTHING.”

SeaWorld – What About the Animals?

I know this is a page for social justice, racism, sexism and any other form of socio-political issues. While I work a lot and try to expose truth regarding Pit Bulls and saving them…I have to add Orcas, or “Killer Whales” as well. Please take time to learn about these beautiful animals, and the abuse they are suffering at SeaWorld as well as other *animal* theme parks worldwide.

Learn about what Orcas aka “Killer Whales” should live like, and why SeaWorld and every single Seaquarium is a cruel violation against an intelligent, precious animal. Please watch and share.

Click here for pre-written tweets / facts.
“What you see here, there is an orca shows all the signs of psychotic neurotic, expressing his frustration, anger and despair, wild swinging and slammed his head on the platform catchment area.”

Former SeaWorld workers as well as Orca researchers speak out on the tragic captivity these animals face.

The Prison Industry- New Policy Changes on Rikers Island…Conclusion

While I am glad for inmates at Rikers Island as at least some attention was given to them by changing the text in their policies regarding treatment of prisoners by officers, I can’t help but also be angry. First, violence and torture (yes I said torture and I mean it; research it) is tragic and sadly the reality in all prisons; private, federal and state alike. I am just starting on a new project, a larger project regarding the prison industry. However, brutality in prison is a common, racist theme…just as police brutality is. Sickening.

Call me a pessimist, but my faith and trust in the government / prison industry actually enforcing these “new, change in  policies” does not inspire hope in me. Text is easy to type up; it’s easy to teach and it’s just as easy for these guards/officers to pretend to follow. Will they actually follow procedures? These new rules…do they actually matter to them? My outlook is grim and it is a, more likely than not, no.

Even if those at Rikers change for awhile it will only be due to the limited attention of this issue. That is the bigger, overall problem. At Rikers, and all other prisons in America. The majority of prisoners are not in for violence, in fact under 5% are in for murder (overall). Over 55% are in for drugs, non-violent convictions. Even so, these officers should be more humane and
professional towards other living beings.

Normally, I don’t use movies to express my point but the few lines from New Jack City (video below) should make everyone think about the state of racism in America; on money in America and on who the REAL problem is and why we need more

attention on the prison system…and the government period. It may be a movie, but these lines are truth that applies to the real world, the real America. Check the facts if you disagree.

The reason I am going beyond prisoner abuse is because it all trickles down from the top; the money; the government. They do not care what the guards do as long as that money is coming in.

The fact that so many are there for something that is only a crime or as severe of a crime as America’s made it is because of money (which I’ll prove in the project I’m working on). Prisoners are not supposed to be subjected to abuse and death from the ‘authority within’ because they are a prisoner and/or have done something illegal (or not). But what are the standards that America’s prison industry holds? Money and filling up cells but in the reverse order. How those people are treated do not matter to them, that is beyond clear. Now let’s ask the question… What should matter?

What SHOULD matter is being an abuser of any form should not be a bonus on a resume, but for prison guards it (and cops) it seems to be a major plus. While I would LOVE to think this is going to spark a change, all I see is false hope. We need a new system, this one is not working. When have they ever fostered change for the better for those who truly need it?

Even in the below article the loop holes for more officers to abuse inmates shines through. Basically they are saying, unless a reason is given and you feel endanger, no more abusing the prisoners! That sounds like an improvement. But just as cops “mistake” wallets, shoes, Pokemon cards (previous case I worked on; Black child of the age 12, murdered by police), and so forth for weapons, I am sure these officers and guards can and will be just as creative as our wonderful law enforcement; thus letting the abuse continue.

I wish I could have written a more positive article; I apologize. But the truth hurts and that’s all I have.

Below is the article, with the original link.

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Following the settlement of a federal lawsuit that alleged a culture of violence among correction officers on Rikers Island, the Department of Correction will unveil a new use of force policy to its employees tomorrow, prohibiting certain maneuvers and encouraging officers to avoid force when possible.

“The revised policy provides our dedicated, hardworking officers with additional guidance and tools for when they are confronted with a situation in which force may be necessary, and we expect that it will support appropriate use of force and our objective to resolve situations without physical force whenever possible,” Commissioner Joseph Ponte said in a statement provided to the Observer.

“The goal of the policy, as always, is safety for staff and inmates, and we thank our officers for their support of the comprehensive reforms under way at the Department.”

The policy is the result of the settlement of the lawsuit Nunez v. City of New York, originally filed on behalf of several inmates by the Legal Aid Society and eventually joined by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. The settlement called for the department to revise its policies within 60 days of the settlement being approved and laid out many specific requirements that are found in the new policy, which will be circulated to department staff tomorrow. The settlement also required a federal monitor to oversee Rikers, and the monitor, Steve Martin, to sign off on the use of force policy.

The new policy emphasizes the need to respond to situations without physical force whenever necessary. It restricts painfully escorting or restraining inmates without reason, and striking inmates in the groin, neck, kidneys or spinal column. It also prohibits “high-impact” force: blows to the previously mentioned areas as well as the head or face, kicking an inmate, and the use of choke holds, carotid restraint holds or neck restraints.

But there’s an exception to those prohibitions—if the staff member feels he or she, or another person, is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury and lesser means won’t work, the staff can use any means necessary to control the situation.

The new policy also addresses certain aspects of what happens after a use of force—officers involved in a use of force cannot escort the inmate away from the scene nor can they view video footage of the incident before making their first report about it. Inmates will also be able to dictate their statements in addition to writing them. And the new directive emphasizes not provoking inmates through things like profanity or slurs, public humiliation, or instigating inmate-on-inmate violence.

Senior staff has already been briefed on the policy, which will go out department-wide tomorrow and goes into effect November 20. All staff will receive an 8-hour training in the policy within the next year, which meets the requirement set out in Nunez, and staff will get an annual 4-hour refresher course.

The department said the policy was drafted with input from stakeholders, including union officials, but that’s not how Norman Seabrook, the outspoken president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, framed it.

“We take serious issue with the implementation of policies and procedures that involve the members of COBA when we have not been consulted or involved in any of the discussions around these guidelines,” Mr. Seabrook said in a statement.

A source close to the union said COBA was considering its legal options regarding the policy. In a letter, dated November 4, to the judge who approved the Nunez settlement, Mr. Seabrook says the settlement has the “potential” to improve Rikers Island for inmates and officers—but that it is not slated to be implemented in a “rational fashion.” He argued to the judge that training should occur before policies go into effect, which is not what will happen with the use of force policy. He wrote that the settlement requires officers to get clear and adequate direction on when to use force.

“Officers will not receive that direction when unanticipated incidents arise,” Mr. Seabrook wrote. “Training will provide guidance for such circumstances.”

Legal Aid attorneys who negotiated the settlement, also known as a consent decree, said they had not seen the new use of force policy—but had been extensively involved in negotiating the detailed description in the settlement of how the use of force policy should be revised.

To continue reading, click here.