November 28, 2012

Got Change for a Call? Or $25?

It's about stealing from the poor again; telephone companies are charging so much for inmate phone calls that even the FCC is noticing. No, really. And the New Yourk Times is reporting the outrage. I suppose a $17 phone call that lasts under 15 minutes depletes a commissary account pretty fast. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/opinion/a-needless-charge-for-prison-families.html?_r=0
November 25, 2012

Moral Responsibilites

As a society, we have a moral obligation to safeguard the members of our society by maintaining a system that separates the worst among us so that other citizens are not injured; we also have a moral obligation not to injure those separated, not to reduce them to non-humans. How we balance these obligations defines us as a society, as a nation. When international human rights groups point to our prison system as 'barbaric,' we need to examine our laws, our oversight of the system. And we have to act on what we learn.
November 20, 2012

Majority of jail prisoners awaiting trial; wait coerces pleas

The Pretrial Justice Institute has just released new statistics on the people we are keeping in our tax-funded jails; 61% are sitting there, waiting for a day in court. And while they sit, they grow tired and discouraged. So they are more likely to accept guilty pleas and spent unnecessary time in our jails and tax-funded prisons. See the original report at
November 18, 2012

Pinal County Jail makes list of 10 worst immigrant detention centers

Detained immigrants have even fewer rights then U.S. inmates in jails and prisons. Detension centers are supposed to non-punitive administrative holding centers for individuals undergoing immigration proceedings. The reality, though, is harsher than that. Much harsher. Detention Watch Netwrk just released a report citing 10 facilites with "sexual assault, substandard medical care, lack of due process and abysmal living conditions." Not surprisingly, Arizona's Pinal County jail is one of the 10. http://www.examiner.com/article/pinal-county-jail-makes-list-of-10-worst-immigrant-detention-centers
November 16, 2012

Funding Books for Prison Libraries

The campaign to fund the graphic novel Prison Grievances into prison libraries is almost over. We've collected over $7000 and will be able to send books into more than 1500 prisons. If you can help in these last two days, go for it! And many thanks to all who have already given or sent positive wishes. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/240532
November 16, 2012

Inmate With a Handicap? Lotsa Luck!

California has yet another problem, this one a lawsuit filed by Berkeley's Disability Rights Advocates, on behalf of inmates in the Santa Rita units. What if you require a wheelchair, but the bathroom stalls are too narrow for one? What if you need help standing, but showers have to grab bars? Apparently, you urinate on yourself at times, and hope a sympathetic guard will help you shower. http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Santa-Rita-Jail-faces-bias-suit-4042551.php
November 14, 2012

Cease fire plus hunger strike in Calif prison

Although inmates at one California prison broke their fast and began eating on Wednesday, another prison solitary population decided to continue fasting. Across California, Wednesday began prisoners' attempts to stop racial violence within The Walls. About 300 prisoners at California Correct
November 14, 2012

Gangs Rule Idaho Private Prison?

You know you're in trouble when the inmates file in court to get protection from the prison gangs. Seems the gangs run the prison. But CCA hasn't noticed, according to an article in CBS Top Stories. http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_3107.shtml
November 11, 2012

Contributions to graphic novel top $6000

As you know, I'm collecting money to send copies of my graphic novel into prison libraries, It's the toughest work I've ever done (raising funds), but it's for a great cause. I'm sure you've given, so thank you! If you haven't or know someone who might, here's the link again: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/240532
Buy now