In an attempt to see if Bryan had been sent back to Pelican Bay, I determined that he is still at Corcoran. I spoke with his counselor, the CDCR employee who has been assigned to handle his paperwork, programs and other items. He takes the time to tell Bryan when I call, which always comes as a surprise to Bryan. That tells me so much about what life is like in the SHU, that something so simple would be so noteworthy.
Throughout my conversation with his Corcoran counselor today it was very clear to me that he had no idea how exceptionally wonderful Bryan felt about going to yard outside, in the sun. When I told him that for 16 years Bryan has been going alone to a cement area smaller than a shipping container, he seemed surprised. This man also thought it was very strange when I inquired if Bryan was getting mail. When I explained that mail was withheld at PB during the hunger strike, he again expressed surprise and asked," Why would they do that?" When I suggested the reason might be retaliation for going on hunger striking again, it was almost as if he couldn't believe it. I think what happens at Pelican Bay SHU is outside the awareness of many, many, CDCR employees statewide. I can hardly fault them, none of us knew.
I must say that although the situation at Pelican Bay SHU is most desperate, so bleak as to have hundreds, even thousands choose to hunger strike to the death, that there are persons involved here and there who have a bit of compassion. These CDCR employees somehow see past the IGI (Institutional Gang Investigator) propaganda which paints Bryan and men like him as animals, deserving of the most despised treatment.
I just now am remembering that Bryan's Pelican Bay counselor did him the same kindness back in July. Just after Bryan returned from his hospital stay to Crescent City on 7-26, she made a special effort to go and tell him that I had called and informed him that I would visit him the upcoming Saturday. What ever the reason, I am grateful for it. Bryan even more so. Perhaps it because we rallied to reveal the conditions of the SHU that CDCR employees are also seeing the situation for what it is.
Since May, I have had the opportunity to visit with CDCR employees, usually related to their official capacity. But when I was staying in Crescent City this summer, more that once did someone to talk to me about the situation in an informal capacity...like the man who approached me in a Crescent City restaurant to say he was a CO on the Pelican Bay main line (regular part of the prison). He said that he and many COs at Pelican Bay don't like what goes on in the SHU and were supportive of the hunger strike. When I asked him how he knew who I was....he said, "I read your blog, many of us do." How about that!?!
The first blog related event that Bryan shared with me was from July. On Day 13 of the first hunger strike he was at medical for some test or another and a CDCR employee asked him, "Are you Bryan?". Bryan was stunned! Bryan is his middle name, no one knows him by that name at CDCR except friends. At our very next visit he told me about it and stated,"Julie, that had your fingerprints all over it." We had a good laugh about the effectiveness of maintaining a blog.
So to all the CDCR employees who read this blog, I thank you for the small kindnesses you do for the prisoners as you go about your duties. It means more to the men and their families than you will every know.
Showing posts with label Administrative Segregation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Administrative Segregation. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
A letter from Bryan - written 10/13 thru 10/16
The hunger strike ended on Thursday, 10/13. I just got a letter from Bryan today written 10/13 thru 10/16 and mailed Monday. Delivered in 4 days!
He has this message for everyone:
Please let it be known out there how deeply appreciative everyone is. Without all the pressure y'all put on Sacramento and the overwhelming way in which everyone very publicly rejected CDCr's propaganda of "worst of the worst" and demanded that we were/are much more than the crimes we've been convicted of or prison gang labels, this never would've been achieved.
I think that's even fundamentally changed the way even many of us in here see ourselves now. We've all collectively shattered 30-35 years of CDCr status quo in 3 months. We should be proud of that. Not necessarily with the material gains (though it/they definitely make SHU life better) but proud of truly exposing the inherently wrong and unjust policies of how gang validation is implemented, maintained and ultimately abused by way of keeping men forever housed in solitary confinement.
Other things Bryan shared in the letter:
He lost 35 lbs and was 145 lbs at the lowest.
He is doing well, he said one man he knew of was actually hospitalized "due to his labs being so out of whack." (blood tests)
As of the 16th, they are all medically released so he said they will take the bus back to PB together. He expects to be at PB this week, by the time I got this letter.
From the sounds of his letter, PB SHU guys think the ASU (administrative segregation unit) at Corcoran was like a vacation (relatively). One must remember that Bryan has been in solitary confinement for 16 years, only leaving the windowless cement cell to go to a slightly larger cement room with a cover over it to "exercise". Always alone, never experiencing the grass, birds, or the sun directly. 16 years!
He has this message for everyone:
Please let it be known out there how deeply appreciative everyone is. Without all the pressure y'all put on Sacramento and the overwhelming way in which everyone very publicly rejected CDCr's propaganda of "worst of the worst" and demanded that we were/are much more than the crimes we've been convicted of or prison gang labels, this never would've been achieved.
I think that's even fundamentally changed the way even many of us in here see ourselves now. We've all collectively shattered 30-35 years of CDCr status quo in 3 months. We should be proud of that. Not necessarily with the material gains (though it/they definitely make SHU life better) but proud of truly exposing the inherently wrong and unjust policies of how gang validation is implemented, maintained and ultimately abused by way of keeping men forever housed in solitary confinement.
Other things Bryan shared in the letter:
He lost 35 lbs and was 145 lbs at the lowest.
He is doing well, he said one man he knew of was actually hospitalized "due to his labs being so out of whack." (blood tests)
As of the 16th, they are all medically released so he said they will take the bus back to PB together. He expects to be at PB this week, by the time I got this letter.
From the sounds of his letter, PB SHU guys think the ASU (administrative segregation unit) at Corcoran was like a vacation (relatively). One must remember that Bryan has been in solitary confinement for 16 years, only leaving the windowless cement cell to go to a slightly larger cement room with a cover over it to "exercise". Always alone, never experiencing the grass, birds, or the sun directly. 16 years!
While at Corcoran ASU for medical supervision and treatment, Bryan and the men from the Pelican Bay SHU had a chance to experience things they haven't for decades. For instance, rather than a cement space to exercise, they went to "yard" in wire cages similar to dog kennels. They each had their own cage (with a toilet in it!) and each cage was separated by 2-3 feet so they could SEE each other.. to quote Bryan...
"Going out there was pure BLISS, Julie. Three straight hours of sun in 85 to 90 degree clear Central Valley farm land weather. My buddy was out there a few cages down and I don't think we stopped smiling one time. I have no doubt that as we stood there in our boxers soaking up the sun chatting about how fantastic it was and how cool it would be to do our time here, that ALL of our neighbors in the other cages think we're zip damn nuts."
Geesh, you think he was writing from Acapulco. I guess it's all relative.
He said he wished he could stay at Corcoran... "They run this ASU with a lot of professionalism and don't seem to carry that weird disdainful attitude that seems ever present at PBSP. Everyone just seems like they're simply doing their job... minus that "you're an animal" edge.
Anyway, that's the Bryan report!
He said he wished he could stay at Corcoran... "They run this ASU with a lot of professionalism and don't seem to carry that weird disdainful attitude that seems ever present at PBSP. Everyone just seems like they're simply doing their job... minus that "you're an animal" edge.
Anyway, that's the Bryan report!
Julie
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Mail Call - I got a letter from Bryan !
I sent mail to Bryan the other day....
Saturday 10-15-11
Dear Bryan,
My dear friend! I hope this letter finds you on the mend and feeling proud and happy about all that has been accomplished. I am still walking around in a daze of wonder. I knew that you were not at PB on Wednesday, even before you arrived at Corcoran – I have my ways! Early Thursday morning, I tracked you down at ASU-1 and called Mr. Gonzales, but he was in committee with the other counselors. I was told to try again in late afternoon so I met a friend for coffee. (yum, coffee...won't it be nice to get your coffee back?)
Anyway, the funniest thing happened when I learned the strike was over. I was contacted almost immediately after the mediators signed the memo and I had to dash home to get the phone number for ASU-1. When Mr. Gonzales answered (he was very nice), after brief introductions and an explanation that I was calling about you, I said, “Have you heard the news?” Pause. “What news?” Pause. “That the hunger strike is over?” Long pause. I continued, “I was going to ask several questions, but they have all changed with this new development”. He said, “Why don't you go ahead and ask your questions?” I began going down the list, Is Bryan there? (yes), How is he doing? (fine), etc.
Suddenly, he gets very excited and says, “someone just handed me a memo”, and he just started reading it out loud to me. It appeared to be the memo that they got telling them that the HS was over with instructions to give the hunger strikers the attached papers, 1. the memo signed by the mediators and 2. a document about how to resume eating safely after a hunger strike. Bryan, I think he learned that the HS ended at that moment, while we were on the phone together. I could hear surprise, relief and even happiness in his voice.
After that sunk in, I resumed asking my questions – ”Can Bryan get mail, paper/stamps, visits?” Yes! Yes! Yes! I ended by asking if he would let you know I called. Yes! How about that !?!?!
Today, I got an email from Debbie with their phone number; I immediately called her and she put Pops on the phone. Bryan, I liked him and I think he liked me...we talked for 10-15 minutes about everything that has happened. He is soooo happy that you are OK and looks forward to coming to see you. He just had a checkup and other than being told to lose some weight, he is fine. He is going to fill out the visit form so everything is in place when the opportunity to visit you presents itself. I'm not even sure if you will be sent back to PB or stay at Corcoran. So he's just going to get the paperwork going. How about that !?!?!
Your devoted friend,
~Julie
***
When I checked my PO Box, there was a letter from Bryan written on 10-8-11, postmarked in Crescent City, CA 10-12-11, received in Settle, WA on 10-17-11. It took 9 Days. About average.
Mail into prison moves slowly. After I write a letter and post it via US Postal Service, it arrives in the prison mail room to be searched for contraband and other innocent items that are not allowed. After the mail room is finished, SHU prisoners have an additional step...mail goes to the Institutional Gang Investigators who look for secret codes and other things related to gang issues. Then it is delivered to Bryan. When he writes to me, that process is reversed... Bryan, IGI, mail room, USPS then to me.
Postcards don't need to be searched for contraband and get delivered much faster.
Most discouragingly, anytime they want to retaliate against prisoners, individually or collectively, they will hold the mail and not let it through. For instance, during this second hunger strike (Sept 26-Oct 13), they completely cut all mail that was sent to hunger strikers. In Bryan's latest letter he says there has been no mail delivered to them since Sept 23.
Conversely, I have gotten three letters from Bryan since the hunger strike began...(written on 9/27-received on 10/7) (written on 10/1-received on 10/11) (written on 10/8-received on 10-17)
Here is a scan of the mail room restrictions from Pelican Bay. I have never had anything rejected or removed by the mail room.
IGI has only stopped one of my letters. When this happened, Bryan got a notice that a piece of mail was stopped. I also received a notice that my mail was stopped "pending Investigation" (see the form below) I never heard anything else, so the investigators must have not found anything. Bryan could have just requested it be mailed back to me at his own expense (see the DISPOSITION section) but we didn't think of that...he preferred to have a hearing to find out why they were investigating information in the letter.
He filed a 602 (grievance) and got a hearing about the letter. At that hearing (about a month later?) IGI told him that I was "discussing an inmate in Washington State" I probably was telling Bryan a story about Greg, who is in a WA prison. I rarely refer to Greg for this very reason, and only in the most general terms...I can't even remember what I wrote. Note the IGI #1 handwritten on the top...my 1st rejection...
***
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Where's Bryan??? He has been moved, *** UPDATE 10-13-11 - Corcoran Prison
Knowing other family members who have loved ones in prison is a blessing. To keep connections strong, after I check emails, I usually followup with phone calls to coalition members and then family members. Of course, many of the most informed and productive coalition members are family members.
Today, when I was on one of these calls, I was able to determine that one of the representatives who was in ASU (Administrative Segregation) with Bryan has been moved....or I should say "on the move". Confirmed with PBSP Public Information Officer Lt. Chris Acosta by the prisoner's wife, this man was on his way to a location/facility for "high level care". The thought immediately hit me, "Is Bryan being moved?"
To determine the location of any inmate in CDCR, I go to the "Inmate Locator Page" and enter the person's CDCR number or last name. Then the information pops up like so....I have done an example with the name "Carpenter"
The inmate locator said Bryan was still at Pelican Bay.
Being familiar with the system means there are many legitimate ways to get information. For instance, after talking to a second family member who has someone in ASU being moved, I tried to call Acosta to find out about Bryan. I couldn't get through to Acosta and the inmate locator said Bryan was still at Pelican Bay. So I called visiting to try to set up a visit with Bryan this weekend, as is my right as an approved visitor. I was told that because he was a hunger striker, all visits would be denied until he began eating. When I inquired whether the denial of visits was due to not eating or being in ASU, this CO looked that up and determined that "he is no longer housed there" -- clarifying that he was no longer at Pelican Bay at all. When I told her that the inmate locator showed him at PB, she said the website takes a while to catch up.
OK, so I'm doing the math...three of the prisoners moved from the SHU to ASU are now on the move again. About this point (day 15) in the July HS, CDCR moved the most physically compromised to Corcoran prison, where there is an accredited hospital. They said it was because some of the older/sicker hunger strikers were failing, and they decided to move those who had lost 30 lbs or more. Last time, Bryan lost 29 lbs, so he didn't go.
Here's how I think this is playing out, and this is speculation on my part, but it is the "put two and two together" reasoning that serves me so well....
Pelican Bay only has an infirmary, and feeding by nasal tube to the stomach is a procedure that can't be done there....but it can be done at the hospital section in Corcoran. I believe that CDCR plans to throw out the explicit instructions of the men NOT to receive artificial nutrition (known as force feeding when it is done against your will) and/or get a court order allowing them to override the Advance Directives the men signed refusing said measure. There are several layers of CDCR policy that all contradict each other and legal injunctions can be obtained, but the bottom line --- we are coming to the situation that was averted last hunger strike.....men, including Bryan, are going "to the tube".
I cannot stress enough how terrified Bryan is of force feeding, even more than death. In visit, he told me that the legal right to invade his body under the ruse of "force feeding" allows the opportunity for incredible torture. Personally, I have two friends who had a tube put down their nose for medical purposes and even with the most gentle approach, it was horrible and painful...imagine if a mean-spirited, "let's break this prison hunger strike" application of this technique were used! Under prison force feeding protocol, they "get the tube", are fed, unhooked, then chained to a restraining chair so they won't vomit. After a period of time, they are thrown back in their cells... only to be fed again every three days. That's a lot of cramming tubes into their already fragile bodies.
It is lose/lose... torture by the feeding tube, or death from starvation. Wouldn't it be better for CDCR to just address the reasonable demands of the men? To follow through on the promises made which led to the suspension of the hunger strike in July?
This is how Bryan told me things would evolve. He said, "we have to 'get to the tube' against our will or die before it will disturb politicians and the general pubic enough to support us"
This next development it isn't good, but it is how it must be before CDCR will budge from their "no negotiations" position.
Today, when I was on one of these calls, I was able to determine that one of the representatives who was in ASU (Administrative Segregation) with Bryan has been moved....or I should say "on the move". Confirmed with PBSP Public Information Officer Lt. Chris Acosta by the prisoner's wife, this man was on his way to a location/facility for "high level care". The thought immediately hit me, "Is Bryan being moved?"
To determine the location of any inmate in CDCR, I go to the "Inmate Locator Page" and enter the person's CDCR number or last name. Then the information pops up like so....I have done an example with the name "Carpenter"
| Name | CDCR # | Age | Admission Date | Current Location | Map Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARPENTER, ALBERT VAUGHN | AC5074 | 52 | 03/12/2010 | San Quentin | Directions |
| CARPENTER, ANTONIO DANTE | AH4539 | 25 | 05/25/2011 | San Quentin | Directions |
| CARPENTER, BARRY WAYNE | F08840 | 30 | 01/10/2006 | Deuel | Directions |
| CARPENTER, CHAD MICHAEL | F13094 | 33 | 01/23/2006 | Chino | Directions |
| CARPENTER, CHAD THOMAS | G33910 | 23 | 09/26/2008 | Tehachapi | Directions |
| CARPENTER, CHARLES LOREN | V08580 | 41 | 10/02/2003 | Ironwood | Directions |
| CARPENTER, CHARLETTE DENISE | X19911 | 26 | 08/10/2006 | Valley State Prison | Directions |
| CARPENTER, COREY LANCE | E92898 | 39 | 04/16/1991 | Salinas Valley | Directions |
| CARPENTER, CURT CARY | H76137 | 44 | 05/07/1993 | Susanville | Directions |
The inmate locator said Bryan was still at Pelican Bay.
Being familiar with the system means there are many legitimate ways to get information. For instance, after talking to a second family member who has someone in ASU being moved, I tried to call Acosta to find out about Bryan. I couldn't get through to Acosta and the inmate locator said Bryan was still at Pelican Bay. So I called visiting to try to set up a visit with Bryan this weekend, as is my right as an approved visitor. I was told that because he was a hunger striker, all visits would be denied until he began eating. When I inquired whether the denial of visits was due to not eating or being in ASU, this CO looked that up and determined that "he is no longer housed there" -- clarifying that he was no longer at Pelican Bay at all. When I told her that the inmate locator showed him at PB, she said the website takes a while to catch up.
OK, so I'm doing the math...three of the prisoners moved from the SHU to ASU are now on the move again. About this point (day 15) in the July HS, CDCR moved the most physically compromised to Corcoran prison, where there is an accredited hospital. They said it was because some of the older/sicker hunger strikers were failing, and they decided to move those who had lost 30 lbs or more. Last time, Bryan lost 29 lbs, so he didn't go.
Here's how I think this is playing out, and this is speculation on my part, but it is the "put two and two together" reasoning that serves me so well....
Pelican Bay only has an infirmary, and feeding by nasal tube to the stomach is a procedure that can't be done there....but it can be done at the hospital section in Corcoran. I believe that CDCR plans to throw out the explicit instructions of the men NOT to receive artificial nutrition (known as force feeding when it is done against your will) and/or get a court order allowing them to override the Advance Directives the men signed refusing said measure. There are several layers of CDCR policy that all contradict each other and legal injunctions can be obtained, but the bottom line --- we are coming to the situation that was averted last hunger strike.....men, including Bryan, are going "to the tube".
I cannot stress enough how terrified Bryan is of force feeding, even more than death. In visit, he told me that the legal right to invade his body under the ruse of "force feeding" allows the opportunity for incredible torture. Personally, I have two friends who had a tube put down their nose for medical purposes and even with the most gentle approach, it was horrible and painful...imagine if a mean-spirited, "let's break this prison hunger strike" application of this technique were used! Under prison force feeding protocol, they "get the tube", are fed, unhooked, then chained to a restraining chair so they won't vomit. After a period of time, they are thrown back in their cells... only to be fed again every three days. That's a lot of cramming tubes into their already fragile bodies.
It is lose/lose... torture by the feeding tube, or death from starvation. Wouldn't it be better for CDCR to just address the reasonable demands of the men? To follow through on the promises made which led to the suspension of the hunger strike in July?
This is how Bryan told me things would evolve. He said, "we have to 'get to the tube' against our will or die before it will disturb politicians and the general pubic enough to support us"
This next development it isn't good, but it is how it must be before CDCR will budge from their "no negotiations" position.
A letter from Bryan - written Oct. 1 from AdSeg
Yesterday, I got a letter from Bryan written on October 1, which was day 6 of the hunger strike. I will type it out here so it is easy to read...he writes so small. I put an scanned image below.
Sat 10-1-11
Julie,
First of all I send you my utmost love & respect. Obviously I have no idea if you will even receive this and will be shocked if you actually do. Thursday they came to my cell around 10:00 am and told me I had an interview concerning the hunger strike. Instead, I was led out into the hallway along with 4 other prisoners from my block and escorted out of SHU over to ASU. I was then placed into an empty cell with 2 blankets, 2 sheets, some filthy worn out ASU laundry and a fish kit (tooth powder/brush, cleanser, forms, 3 pieces of blank paper & 3 blank envelopes.) Half of which is/was missing. They brought over all 11 representatives, 2 of their cellies and me.
This is blatant retaliation for our participation in a peaceful, constitutionally protected, protest. We have now been here for 3 days completely isolated in these empty cells. We have received no paperwork, have not gone to committee in the required 72 hour time limit, and it's clear that all of the COs here were ordered to keep us in the dark, as they "know nothing". We are now on day 6 of this protest and have not been weighed or seen any medical staff. Several men are without their glasses and one man was never issued his 12:00 o'clock medication yesterday. So here we sit in these strip cells, isolated and punished for our demand for humane conditions. We expected NOTHING LESS from CDCR and its policy makers.
Julie, you know my heart and you've seen my will, this was a grave mistake. These attempts to further brutalize my mind and isolate my body have only set my resolve in stone.
Please contact my family and let them know I am alright despite the circumstances. I will not be broken. Also please try to ASAP me some paper, 5 envelopes & stamps. I have nothing here apart from one more blank envelope and a trust withdrawal slip to cover the postage. I would really appreciate it. As for my health, I am holding up fine. My body is tired but it's early. Love you my friend, please try not to worry too much.
Love always,
Bryan
(Misspoke, I was seen on day 3 by a doc, weighed 178, but none of the rest of the guys have seen anyone.)
Note: he wrote his letter on the back of a page from the ASU orientation handbook. The vertical gray streaks in his scanned letter are the words showing through.
Sat 10-1-11
Julie,
First of all I send you my utmost love & respect. Obviously I have no idea if you will even receive this and will be shocked if you actually do. Thursday they came to my cell around 10:00 am and told me I had an interview concerning the hunger strike. Instead, I was led out into the hallway along with 4 other prisoners from my block and escorted out of SHU over to ASU. I was then placed into an empty cell with 2 blankets, 2 sheets, some filthy worn out ASU laundry and a fish kit (tooth powder/brush, cleanser, forms, 3 pieces of blank paper & 3 blank envelopes.) Half of which is/was missing. They brought over all 11 representatives, 2 of their cellies and me.
This is blatant retaliation for our participation in a peaceful, constitutionally protected, protest. We have now been here for 3 days completely isolated in these empty cells. We have received no paperwork, have not gone to committee in the required 72 hour time limit, and it's clear that all of the COs here were ordered to keep us in the dark, as they "know nothing". We are now on day 6 of this protest and have not been weighed or seen any medical staff. Several men are without their glasses and one man was never issued his 12:00 o'clock medication yesterday. So here we sit in these strip cells, isolated and punished for our demand for humane conditions. We expected NOTHING LESS from CDCR and its policy makers.
Julie, you know my heart and you've seen my will, this was a grave mistake. These attempts to further brutalize my mind and isolate my body have only set my resolve in stone.
Please contact my family and let them know I am alright despite the circumstances. I will not be broken. Also please try to ASAP me some paper, 5 envelopes & stamps. I have nothing here apart from one more blank envelope and a trust withdrawal slip to cover the postage. I would really appreciate it. As for my health, I am holding up fine. My body is tired but it's early. Love you my friend, please try not to worry too much.
Love always,
Bryan
(Misspoke, I was seen on day 3 by a doc, weighed 178, but none of the rest of the guys have seen anyone.)
Note: he wrote his letter on the back of a page from the ASU orientation handbook. The vertical gray streaks in his scanned letter are the words showing through.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Update on Bryan...he's strong!
I spoke with the person who was able to interview Bryan and she said he is looking very strong physically (considering). Some of the men are so deteriorated physically that they will literally lay their heads on the table after 5 minutes of talking and say, "I need to take a break". Not our Bryan!
He is strong in his body and in his heart. He has a "fire in the belly" for justice and is totally committed to the moral correctness of this peaceful protest. She said he was in good spirits and appreciated all the love we sent his way. He sends his love to all of us.
As for the conditions in AdSeg, they are as have been reported. He has a jumpsuit, a mattress and a blanket. The air conditioning makes it freezing cold. Oh, they also have the watch caps (knit beanie type hat) that were given to them as a concession after the last hunger strike. I don't know if he has one, he threw his away when they gave it to him in July.
He has received no mail since the hunger strike began. Their property has been packed up from their SHU cells and put into the property room (storage). Legally, their legal paperwork is to be available to them, but there are reports that that is not happening, so it sounds like legal mail is not getting through, either. Or if it comes through, it is speculated that it is being examined first, which is illegal but par for the course at Pelican Bay.
They are told that all they need to do is eat and they can go back their SHU cells, get their mail and resume visits. So the battle lines are still drawn between CDCR and the hunger strikers. No negotiations, and CDCR is coming at them hard, legally and illegally, in any way to break them. Bryan is up for the continuation of this action until things move in the right direction. Period.
Here is a link to an article from Oct.7 in the New York Times, the mainstream media is starting to pick up their coverage of the hunger strike.
I have spoken with his mom and close friends and we are all much relieved to learn that Bryan is OK. It is very draining to fear for him and all of the others who are suffering so much at this time, but I try to remember that I need to stay strong as well. Fear only saps energy and if Bryan can stay strong, so can I.
He is strong in his body and in his heart. He has a "fire in the belly" for justice and is totally committed to the moral correctness of this peaceful protest. She said he was in good spirits and appreciated all the love we sent his way. He sends his love to all of us.
As for the conditions in AdSeg, they are as have been reported. He has a jumpsuit, a mattress and a blanket. The air conditioning makes it freezing cold. Oh, they also have the watch caps (knit beanie type hat) that were given to them as a concession after the last hunger strike. I don't know if he has one, he threw his away when they gave it to him in July.
He has received no mail since the hunger strike began. Their property has been packed up from their SHU cells and put into the property room (storage). Legally, their legal paperwork is to be available to them, but there are reports that that is not happening, so it sounds like legal mail is not getting through, either. Or if it comes through, it is speculated that it is being examined first, which is illegal but par for the course at Pelican Bay.
They are told that all they need to do is eat and they can go back their SHU cells, get their mail and resume visits. So the battle lines are still drawn between CDCR and the hunger strikers. No negotiations, and CDCR is coming at them hard, legally and illegally, in any way to break them. Bryan is up for the continuation of this action until things move in the right direction. Period.
Here is a link to an article from Oct.7 in the New York Times, the mainstream media is starting to pick up their coverage of the hunger strike.
I have spoken with his mom and close friends and we are all much relieved to learn that Bryan is OK. It is very draining to fear for him and all of the others who are suffering so much at this time, but I try to remember that I need to stay strong as well. Fear only saps energy and if Bryan can stay strong, so can I.
Bryan sends his love...
I had a day-long commitment which kept me away from the phone, I just checked my voice mail:
1. Dr. Sayre, chief medical officer for PBSP, called in response to my request for Bryan's weight. As of today, Bryan's weight is 153, down 22 lbs from his regular weight of 175.
2. I also had a voice mail from the legal person who interviewed Bryan today. She said he appreciates the messages of support and that he sends his love. She also said, "he looks great" and "he looks like he is really hanging in there". Her message said we could talk tomorrow as she is recovering from the all night drive to Crescent City and a full round of interviews today. A well deserved rest !!!!
That's all I have for tonight, I know I will sleep much better than last night. My very first question will be about their mail. But that is just extra credit, what I/we all really wanted to know is that he is OK, and for now he is... :-)
I will update this post tomorrow when I have more detailed information.
1. Dr. Sayre, chief medical officer for PBSP, called in response to my request for Bryan's weight. As of today, Bryan's weight is 153, down 22 lbs from his regular weight of 175.
2. I also had a voice mail from the legal person who interviewed Bryan today. She said he appreciates the messages of support and that he sends his love. She also said, "he looks great" and "he looks like he is really hanging in there". Her message said we could talk tomorrow as she is recovering from the all night drive to Crescent City and a full round of interviews today. A well deserved rest !!!!
That's all I have for tonight, I know I will sleep much better than last night. My very first question will be about their mail. But that is just extra credit, what I/we all really wanted to know is that he is OK, and for now he is... :-)
I will update this post tomorrow when I have more detailed information.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Ad Seg...Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows
Before I begin posting about Bryan's situation, which appears to have gone from very, very bad to even worse, I want to share this story about remaining in the present moment and avoiding stress and worry.
Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows
There was once a farmer who owned a horse and had a son.
One day, his horse ran away. The neighbors came to express their concern: "Oh, that's too bad. How are you going to work the fields now?" The farmer replied: "Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows?"
In a few days, his horse came back and brought another horse with her. Now, the neighbors were glad: "Oh, how lucky! Now you can do twice as much work as before!" The farmer replied: "Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows?"
The next day, the farmer's son fell off the new horse and broke his leg. The neighbors were concerned again: "Now that he is incapacitated, he can't help you around, that's too bad." The farmer replied: "Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows?"
Soon, the news came that a war broke out, and all the young men were required to join the army. The villagers were sad because they knew that many of the young men will not come back. The farmer's son could not be drafted because of his broken leg. His neighbors were envious: "How lucky! You get to keep your only son." The farmer replied: "Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows?"
*****
To repeat, Bryan's situation appears to have gone from very, very bad to even worse. But I can promise you that he is still drawing breath. I have word that he is one of 15 men who have been moved from their SHU cells to AdSeg (Administrative Segregation.) It is a hole even deeper than the SHU...no property, or any items other than t-shirts, boxers and a thin blanket. Currently, the temperature in Crescent City is 45 degrees and there are reports that CDCR is running the air conditioners full blast.
Since the hunger strike resumed on Sept. 26, all visits for hunger strikers have been denied, but for those in AdSeg, there are rumors that the mail is cut completely... conversely, there is also some word that they get three envelopes and a few sheets of paper. Not that that does them any good, at this point in the last hunger strike, Bryan was too weak to even write.
Here is the good news. Tomorrow, legal representatives from the Bay Area have interviews scheduled with several prisoners. Bryan is on the list to be interviewed!! One of the lawyers who knows that Bryan is my friend, called and said he was on the list. I then called the person doing the interviews and she said she would request to interview Bryan and report back to me on his condition, which I will post here late tomorrow (no earlier than 10 pm). So, things look bad, but at least we will know what is going on.
Now I will get into some information about the hunger strike and share with you a conversation that Bryan and I had before the July HS started. If you are faint of heart, be forewarned, this is a very hard position he is taking:
Bryan was convinced that it would be a small number of strikers from the Short Corridor willing to go to the death, who would be key to the success of their peaceful protest. There was some discussion/disagreement among the collective about taking this to a mass HS level as shrinking numbers might be perceived as CDCR breaking the strike. As a group, although there was discussion, they did agree with the concept that large numbers could go as long as possible out of solidarity. With an estimate that 12,000 men were not eating last week and the numbers going down, it is important to remember that is was the original intent... to keep it small but intense.
At this point, the men know that the next step is for several of them to "get to the tube" or be force feed. This horrible procedure is painful in the best of circumstance, but with retaliatory intentions, force feeding will give CDCR the ability to inflict tremendous pain and suffering. Bryan knows this and it is his greatest fear, even greater than the fear of death. As his emergency and medical contact, Bryan designated me on his Advance Directive (DNR) to carry out his wishes when he is in a diminished capacity and can no longer speak for himself. When the CDCR calls me to ask for permission to force feed him or provide medical care, I will say no. Bryan's mother, sister and other family members have all been informed by Bryan of this fact and understand what must be done and why. It is a hard thing to do and perhaps Bryan wanted to spare his mother. I am sharing this now so you won't be shocked or angry when the time comes.
Bryan also told me that in order for enough people to become aware of the tortuous situation in the SHU, it may take several deaths to get the mainstream media to cover the story adequately. Bryan knows this and expects to be one of the first to fall. He was sent to the hospital in town for 5 days of life-saving treatment after the last hunger strike and almost died. He doesn't write of "if" but "when". I pray he is wrong.
This site is about the truth of what is happening to Bryan and what he is choosing to do. He is willing to lay down his life on the hopes that someday he can get out of the Shu and that no one else ever has to live is such torturous conditions. I have intentionally left out many brutal truths about what he expects in these coming days, because I do not want to speculate or cause any unnecessary concerns about things that may not happen. But be prepared, if the CDCR does not make some progress towards meeting the reasonable demands of the prisoners this will get very, very ugly. I am hoping for the best, but given the hard line CDCR is taking, we must prepare for the worst.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)