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| Wisconsin prisoner workers threaten strike |
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| Staff | |
| Tuesday, 12 June 2007 | |
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Part 2: The lockdown at Green Bay Correctional The warden’s response to a complaint filed by prisoners at Green Bay Correctional in Wisconsin was the longest lockdown in the prison’s history. The complaint, published in last week’s Bay View, threatened a strike over intolerable slave wages and working conditions. Here, the prisoners are appealing to local TV stations to tell their side of the story. On May 2, the warden from Green Bay Correctional appeared on television and tendered a very nefarious speech about the inmates. Because it would be both ethical and moral, the inmates here respectfully request for your station to report both sides to the story so that the public can and will know the entire truth behind the institution’s lockdown. On Feb. 9, the correction officials came across an inmate complaint (published in the June 6 Bay View, http://www.sfbayview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=21), which simply asks for more job opportunities, better institution pay, to be treated with some respect and the like. There were no threats made to staff, other inmates or any other persons. Because the institution officials wish to continue the inhumane treatment and low job pay and to keep the inmates locked in their cells for as long as possible with little or no movement, a story was fabricated stating that the threat was not in writing but they (the institution officials) heard about the threat. This will not do. The state and federal courts have ruled over and over again that institution officials cannot take adverse actions toward inmates without some evidence. In the case here, the prison officials do not have one iota of evidence. Even more audacious, the warden then suspended the administrative rule pursuant to an administrative code which may only be enacted during a disturbance or riot. There was never such a disturbance or riot at Green Bay Correctional during the year of 2006 or 2007. These facts may be confirmed through an open records request made with the institution. During the lockdown, inmates were cuffed, taken out of their cells and strip searched, and their property was searched as well. It was claimed by the warden that several makeshift weapons were found during the search. We believe this claim to be baseless and, again, an open records request will reveal the truth. In the month of March, inmates were allowed to attend recreation, to use the telephone and take showers; however, inmates were not allowed to take a change of clothing or a washcloth to recreation. Also, inmates were forced to eat in the dining hall but before they left the cell hall they were pat searched and had to remove shoes and socks before going to eat. After putting the shoes and socks back on their feet they were not allowed to wash their hands before eating. The inmates are not animals. Most recently, a large number of inmates were fired from jobs and kicked out of school because they have what is called a “G” on their face card. The “G” stands for gang member. However, inmates are given no due process procedures to prevent the “G” from going on their face card and the inmates have no due process procedures to have the “G” removed. Yet the “G” is still used against inmates in adverse decision making through their entire time of confinement, and this is a violation of due process. Furthermore, it is a very large number of African American, Mexican American and Porto Rican Americans who have the “G” placed on their face cards. Therefore, it is quite ostensible who the individuals were that were fired and kicked out of school. The majority of the inmates here at Green Bay Correctional are not causing trouble and do not pose any risk whatsoever. Again, an open records request will reveal the actual number of inmate assaults on staff members. On May 2, Warden Pollard appeared on Channel 26, NEC, and tendered a sad attempt at pathos, claiming that the Wisconsin Department of Corrections needed more money for more locks, more doors and more officers. However, what the public does not know is that at any given time there are six to seven officers standing around doing nothing. It is the inmates who do the work that allows the institution to function regularly. The inmates here at Green Bay Correctional are not seeking sympathy from anyone. However, because the media allowed Warden Pollard to appear before the public and attempt to trick taxpayers into believing they need more money, at the inmates expense, it is only ethical and moral to give the inmates a chance to respond. The inmates are not being treated fairly, and in some cases the inmates’ constitutional rights are being violated. It is only right that the public knows the truth. The inmates do not wish to kick up any more dust; however, we do wish to be treated like human beings – Americans – because we are someone’s son, grandson, brother and father. We understand that it is never easy being in prison; likewise, the warden has to understand that the prison officials are not coming into a coffee shop to work. There are going to be some problems, but all inmates should not have to suffer for the action of very few. To allow the inmates’ side of the story to go untold would do nothing more than throw a javelin into the heart of the American justice system, but it would allow the Wisconsin Department of Corrections officials to mislead the state’s taxpayers as a whole. Suffice it to note, there are many inmates willing to give their stories of being treated unjustly. Thank you for your attention to this matter. The inmates look forward to seeing the true story on the news soon. Cordially, Inmates of Green Bay Correctional For more information, contact Peggy Swan of Forum For Understanding Prisons at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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