TEXAS PRISONERS FACE RETALIATION FOR
2016 STRIKE
AUSTIN, TX
– On Sunday, Jan 22nd 2017 at 4pm, immediately following the 44th
Roe v Wade rally, Prison Abolition
Prisoner Support (PAPS) will hold a press conference at the Texas Capitol to
address the injustices faced by inmates – men and women, in Texas and
nationally – who participated in the 2016 inmate strikes.
Texas prisoners went on strike in April 2016 to demand adequate
medical treatment, an end to the $100 medical co-payment and for all prisoners
to get hepatitis c treatment; better living conditions, such as no more toxic
water, mold, and an end to long-term solitary confinement; “good time” work
credit to be automatically counted when a prisoner has a parole board hearing; those who file a habeas corpus brief to be
appointed a qualified attorney; and that the Legislature form and appoint a
committee with true oversight powers over the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice. When the strike went national on September 9th, 2016,
prison officials were ready. They put all units that were likely to strike on
pre-emptive lockdown in order to ensure Texas prisoners did not participate in
the nationwide protest, billed as the largest prison strike in US history.
Two notable
Texas prisoners were retaliated against for their ideological role in the 2016
strikes. Keith “Malik” Washington was one of the first to call for strikes. On
September 9th, 2016 he and fellow incarcerated workers were not able
to work stop due to threats from correctional officers. Even though no strike
action occurred, Washington –deeply committed to non-violence -was charged with
inciting to riot, placed in administrative segregation (solitary confinement)
and moved to Eastham Unit, notorious for toxic water.
Kevin
“Rashid” Johnson, who has written many articles about the prisoner strike,
including for the San Francisco Bay View,
and has consistently been a whistle blower regarding wrongful deaths in Texas
prisons, was tear-gassed in his cell on Dec 21st 2016 and was left
without his property – including his blood pressure medication - for at least
three days. Although the warden claims
this was due to Johnson refusing to return hand restraints, questions remain:
why would Johnson have wanted to be handcuffed in solitary confinement? It
seems far more likely that Johnson was gassed in retaliation for his organizing
and his political writings.
Johnson
received disciplinary action when his letter was posted to a website by a
supporter. The April 2016 TDCJ Offender
Orientation handbook states, “Offenders
are prohibited from maintaining active social media accounts for the purposes
of soliciting, updating, or engaging others, through a third party or
otherwise” – however, this letter was posted to a website and not to social media.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
CURRENT & FORMER PRISONERS, SUPPORTERS
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