[Pnews] Call-In Day Monday April 28th In Support of Menard Hunger Strikers

[Prisoner News]

  Call-In Day Monday April 28th In Support of Menard Hunger Strikers
  <http://antistatestl.noblogs.org/post/2014/04/23/2443/>

By Anti-State STL 
<http://antistatestl.noblogs.org/post/author/antistatestl/> on 2014/04/23
*http://antistatestl.noblogs.org/post/2014/04/23/2443/*

On this upcoming Monday, April 28^th we are asking and encouraging 
people to participate in a Call-In Day in support of the prisoners in 
the High Security Unit at Menard Correctional Center in Illinois who are 
facing retaliation for engaging in a hunger strike in January. Prisoners 
there have been beaten by guards and metal boxes have been placed over 
their windows---preventing future engagement with noise demonstrations 
outside the prison, but also preventing sunlight from coming into their 
cells and increasing the sensory deprivation they experience in solitary 
confinement.

We hope that any pressure on the administration can draw attention to 
the inhumane treatment prisoners are forced to endure and help prisoners 
get their demands met.

We are trying to focus our calls between 10am and noon on Monday, April 
28^th : But calling at other times is also useful.

Warden Kim Butler  (New as of April 2014 and the first woman warden at 
Menard--a 20-year veteran of the Illinois Dept of Corrections).
618-826-5071 ext. 2225

Illinois Department of Corrections
Director Lisa Weitekamp
217-558-2200 x. 4166

CONTEXT FOR THE CALL-IN DAY

In January 15^th , 2014, prisoners at Menard went on a hunger strike due 
to their placement and retention in severe isolation, under inhumane 
living conditions, without notice, reasons or hearing. The strike ended 
about a month later.

On Saturday, April 12^th , maintenance workers drilled big metal boxes 
on the outside of the windows in the High Security Unit (HSU). Prisoners 
in the HSU can no longer see out the windows and barely any sunlight 
comes in. Prisoners were told by the guards, "How do you like your view 
now?" Prisoners think it is in retaliation for their hollering out to 
the protestors that marched outside the facility during the hunger strike.

On the same day, the Special Response Team was called into the HSU to do 
a cell shakedown and in the process beat and mistreated several 
prisoners, including Joseph Tillman #R40962, whose head was repeatedly 
slammed against a block wall.

SOME POINTS TO STRESS ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU CALL-IN:

   1. Appalled at the recent installation of metal boxes covering
      prisoners windows in the High Security Unit. Remove the metal
      boxes on the windows immediately!
   2. The conditions at Menard are deplorable and inhumane.
   3. Let prisoners know why and for how long they are being held in
      isolation.
   4. An immediate end to retaliation against hunger striking prisoners.
   5. Ask for an update about the condition of Joseph Tillman #R40962
      who was beaten during the cell shakedown on April 12^th .

Here is the original list of demands. According to prisoners, conditions 
in the High Security Unit include:

    * severe isolation without any mental health evaluation or treatment;
    * uncleanliness, rodent infestation and lack of any cleaning
      supplies to clean cells -- no disinfectants, no toilet brushes;
    * no written policies requiring the daily sweeping and mopping of
      the wings;
    * lack of heat in the cells and only one small, thin blanket;
    * showers are moldy and often cold;
    * no hot water in the cells to wash up or clean eating utensils;
    * unauthorized deviation from the statewide menu, low calorie intake
      has prisoners losing weight;
    * not issued individual coats, have to share smelly coats with
      numerous men;
    * access to their legal materials limited to approximately once a
      month, delays in receiving legal mail;
    * no educational opportunities even though non-disciplinary
      prisoners should have the same access to education as the general
      population.

Please call!

Please tell your friends!

-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
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