16-02-2010, 20:32 geschreven door Sunshine  

On December 13 the medication I was taking to prevent my knee from swelling up, Meloxicam, ran out. Before running out I sent in a request informing a Dr. Zond to renew this medication, this was in November on the 16th & 28th. The first one ignored, I was forced to write another one: "Dr. Zond, again I'm writing to inform you that the Meloxicam order has run out. The amount given wasn't enough, I sent you an I/60 informing you of this matter, explaining that the pain I was experiencing with my knees caused me to take 1 tablet twice a day & that the tablets would not last for 30 days. Without the medication my knees swell up, I'm in constant pain, I'm requesting the tablets to be increased to 15mg, that the order be refilled before 12/13/09 as of today 11/28/09 I'm out. Would appreciate you for addressing this matter. Thank you."
Here's the reply: "Meloxicam is current until 12/13/09, you may also take Tylenal from pod boss to polentiate the pain."
As of today I still haven't seen this Dr. Zond nor has my request sent to the medical department been acknowledged. Yes! as I sit here typing I'm in pain, stress I'm made to endure. It affects my attitude, how I think & feel - this is translated onto the pages of my letters, it's this part of the struggle that is difficult to grasp for those on the outside staring in...
On Christmas Day nothing seemed special - not to me. I see it as just another day, I don't expect anything from my family. I don't feel a part of any family. I feel dead. I don't expect anything from the people living in Houston claiming to be my family, to letter to wish me "Happy Birthday", "Merry Christmas" or just to say "Hi, how are you doing?".
Each day a part of me dies & at times life just doesn't feel worth fighting for. If only you knew the madness of this hell I'm living in...

13-01-2010, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

Two prisoners escaped from prison in the past weeks in Texas. Every time something like this happens, security gets tighter on death row, which is seen as the worst of the worst,
Anything & everything is used as an excuse to justify their scrutiny over inmates' mail. Hate is the real reason, so this problem isn't going to go away.
It's Christmas time, a time when family members get together & enjoy one another's company & remember the birth of the baby Jesus. It's not something my family do - so I don't expect anything to change just because I'm on death row. So I'm not in the Christmas spirit. I wish I was...
Prison officials are deliberately going out of their way to create problems. They're going into everyone's cages searching through them when rec is run. One round is run from 7 to 9, then everyone is placed back into their cages to feed lunch, which takes 3 hours. The officials are being forced to do it this way, now because of this prisoners are placed into the dayroom to rec at 10:30 at night, placed into the shower at 11:30-12:00 at night. All of this is disrupting prisoners' lives. These people are going door to door searching for any little problem they see wrong inside a prisoner's cage. If he has a photo on the wall or his light covered, he's written a case. The light is too bright! And a family photo on the wall isn't a major problem, yet this is what is trying to be enforced. Why? Surely for some political ambition by one of these ranking officials - this is what these acts are all about...

23-12-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

My lawyer says a brain scan is necessary. Yet, he should be pushing the prosecutor to address my Habeas Corpus Writ. This writ is to release from unlawful imprisonment. The office of the writ is not to determine a person's guilt or innocence - only issue which is restrained of his liberty by due process. The writ only permits a prisoner to challenge a state conviction on constitutional grounds that is related to the jurisdiction of the state court.
If I have the same constitutional errors in my case, errors that have already been overturned in other inmates' cases & these inmates were given new trials - this brain scan information can only be used during the punishment stage. Any information discovered by this brain scan cannot be used during a new trial - unless it's for the punishment stage only.
My lawyer is only focusing on overturning my case during the punishment stage only. He wants to use this brain scan to present it to the court & say something is wrong with my brain & that my first lawyer should have discovered this doing my trial. This means if I get a new trial this information can be used during the punishment stage & nothing else so his intention is very clear - he isn't trying to help me!
I do not enjoy having to sit here without an attorney, who isn't working with me keeping me updated with what's going on with my case. Someone who isn't concerned with protecting my rights, who refuses to answer my letters, who isn't involved in my life whatsoever. This doesn't make me happy...

30-11-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

On September 28, 2009 this pod I'm living on was searched. No one knew. Guards came in a little after 6 a.m. We were allowed to leave all property inside these cages, a whole row of prisoners were placed inside different showers while the guards went through the property. While inside the shower many showered. The guards were trying to finish as quickly as possible. Nothing was removed from my cage, it took a while to organize everything back where I had it. I was pleased that it ws over & I could focus my attention on other matters.
On the 29th oatmeal was placed inside everyone's breakfast bags. Once prisoners started kicking on their cage doors hollaing & demanding to spaek with some rank! The guards didn't know what to do. They couldn't believe only dry oatmeal & coffee cake was inside everyone's bags. The guards were told that brown sugar was placed inside the oatmeal, all we had to do was add water. There wasn't any sugar inside the oatmeal - they lied.
Anyway, officials opened the unit October 1. We're off lockdown. For how long? Your guess is as good as mine...
This is the madness going on inside my life.

15-10-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

The word is that video cameras are being set up to watch over the guards. Why? It's due to an inmate who used a cell phone to threaten a senator some time ago. Now this inmate has talked the prison minister into taking his mail out to his people without it going through the mailroom to be checked first. The inmate exposed this minister by having these letters mailed to the senator threatening him inside these letters. Can you believe this? Letters were also placed onto the internet farther exposing this minister, this got him fired.
This is what precipitated video cameras being placed throughout the building where daeth row is being housed. Of course, the guards don't like this. This inmate has disrupted the comfort zone of everyone living & working inside this building, this act has filled many with disdain against this inmate, who's being housed on a section by himself for his protection.
With cameras on the runs, inside the control pickets, in the halls, this will cause the guards to be more professional all the time since they're being watched. I was told, if a guard is caught passing something for a prisoner they'll be fired, just like the minister was. A few guards have said once cameras are put in, they'll find another job.
Many believe that this inmate's informing on the corruption going on behind these walls to make some kind of deal to get his mom & sister out of prison. Both were charged with a crime for paying for his cell phone minutes.
Now prison officials are reading through our mail more thoroughly. Why are they focusing on our mail when it was the minister who took the inmate's letters out?

I'm still trying to develop my projects while trying to write my second book. I want to have copies of my book made up, but haven't been able to save enough money to do this due to how these people are running commissary. The book could produce some kind of funds but isn't being given an opportunity.
I'm so sick of being made to suffer, unable to fight back! Things will only get worse here & this will affect me.
Polunsky Unit is now on lock down, as of September 17...

24-09-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

Let me tell you something about my typewriter.
Prison administration officials do business with outside companies. These companies bid against each other to win a contract from TDCJ. TDCJ officials always go for the cheapest. Most of these typewriters aren't sold in the free world. Also, there is no repair department once a typewriter, radio, coffee pot or fan breaks down. If the prisoner is unable to fix it, he has to buy a new one.
Most of everything sold out of commissary comes with some kind of defect. Commissary personnel are telling inmates that after 3o days if one of the typewriters breaks, they don't have to replace it. In reality, it's 60 days but most inmates arren't aware of this, trusting what commissary personnel say is the truth. So when one of these typewriters breaks down, the prisoner believes he can't get his money so he gets a new one or goes without. A lot of prisoners with outside support do a lot of writing, it's convenient for a prisoner to use a typewriter.

20-09-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

This place demands so much of me. I'm emotionally affected, distracted, frustrated & angry. Being robbed of my life, denied my rights, no longer able to care for myself because this right has been taken away. All of this makes me feel totally powerless & deeply lonely.
No one can ever be taught to endure this kind of life. I haven't anyone to reach out to, to comfort me inside this cage. I'm made to deal with these disturbing issues as best as I'm able to. This keeps me frustrated.
Recently I received a form denying me one of the two books somebody had ordered for me. Reason? Claiming the book contained explicit images. I appealed this denial because they use the rules just to deny us prisoners. 19 days later, they returned with a different form denying the same book for a different reason! The new form I was given is only used when someone has sent me something from their home. This publication is denied 'due to being altered'. So they're now saying someone personally sent me the book and they're saying the book is altered! Someone inside the mailroom department took a marker & marked out the images that were supposed to be reviewed. The book couldn't be reviewed for sexually explicit images by a department that's on another unit, so they sent the book back. The people on this unit are claiming someone at the book store altered the book. This is to protect whoever did it.
It's clear these people are going out of their way to cause stress & confusion in my life. This explains why my mail is manipulated & denied any chance these people get. I'm still waiting to see if they are going to allow me to have the book. But I'm going to write them up for damaging my book!
I believe these people are trying to provoke me into assaulting a guard, committing a crime that will allow the prosecutor to charge me on a crime that will keep me in prison for the rest of my life. I don't expect anything from these people because I know they only see me as an animal.
This is one of the reasons why I want an attorney who'll protect me from these people's abuse...

16-09-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

Disturbed is how I begin this blog.
Failure is just an act of not achieving a goal, it seems this is all I'm doing! My cards, T-shirts, book, newsletters, blog & those I've attempted to establish correspondence with...all this has ended in failure.
I can't hire an attorney with money donated to hire a lawyer & this is sad.
This makes me feel like a little kid who fails trying to learn how to ride his bicycle, by falling & hurting his knee. Limping into the house mad, swearing never to attempt to ride his bicycle again. Soaking in emotional despair of failure, discouragement & anger consumes the child's mind. To help overcome, parents become the voice of encouragement, with words providing motivation helping this child remove his fear of hurting himself again. By believing he'll have success the next time he attempts to ride his bicycle. A child always fells safe & confident knowing his mom has a strong grip upon his bicycle rolling down the street laughing, big smile on his face enjoying riding his bicycle consumed by joy never realizing his mom has let go...
To allow a child to feel safe, his mind possessed with the confidence that he can do it, the voice of encouragement has always come from parents.

Did you know I'm getting one or two letters a month? It's not just not having any involvement here in Texas, prison officials have destroyed most of my friendships assuring that I don't receive words of encouragement. Now you understand why I pour my energy into my projects, desperately trying to do what I can to help myself. I know there isn't anyone here in texas I'm able to depend on. The projects are designed to create help, just as this blog is supposed to. Yet, I don't see any positive result!

I'm battling too many emotions just dealing with this life I'm living. It's so discouraging thinking about all these years of attempting to develop an audience to support InCaged, yet I haven't developed anything. If only I had dependable people involved in my life...But all I'm receiving from living inside this environment is discouragement, a psychological abuse.
This only adds to failure; with failure comes an emotional assault as well, low self-esteem. The joy that grows from success doesn't exist from failure & this is only one of my problems, but this problem should explain why enthusiastic energy doesn't jump off the pages in some of my letters.

With issues like this where do I turn?

I'm not a guy who needs much but it's truly aggravating only having enough money to go to commissary one time. Prison officials have been manipulating how commissary is run. We are supposed to go every 14 days, yet we don't. We're only being allowed to go every 21 days. This means we're only going twice a month. Not only are we being denied the opportunity to buy stamps, most of the time commissary doesn't have everything I order. I end up running out to do this.

The point is: these people know how to control & manipulate the lives of prisoners, intentionally or not, this is what's being done. These things keep me frustrated because I'm asked to deal with so many situations without the needed help. Each time I take a step, like buying this typewriter, I'm pushed back 3. Typewriter breaking, having to pay someone to fix it & the emotional stress from having to deal with all of this.

I'm made to fight so much & I wonder why I haven't lost my mind. I am supposed to be insane, being forced to deal with so much adversity. I haven't had time to think about writing a letter to an attorney. Besides, I don't have any post stamps so the letter couldn't be mailed even if it was written. I started working on my book, but for the past few days I haven't been able to focus on it.

I'm learning that I shouldn't depend on one person because life comes with many disappointments...

28-08-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

My life is filled with confusion & frustration.
My head is packed with demands, obligations & problems. Once one has been liberated, another takes its place. There's the regular stress created by professional antagonizers who have destroyed friendships & communication.

I wrote a grievance, sent it to the state bar attempting to remove my lawyer from my case. These efforts won't produce success. The state bar isn't going to go against a state court. I desperately need to hire someone to remove this attorney from my case. I find myself dreaming I'll meet an attorney on the internet interested in getting involved by taking over my case...

If only I had donors, benefactors, active involvement, this would give me resources of assistance.

This unit went on lockdown on July 7. This was only another distraction. I couldn't go to commissary. I didn't have nothing! No stamps, nor any food inside my cage to eat whenever I got hungry. The brown bags that the food was passed out in smelled, the bread had moles on it. I never felt right having to eat what was being passed out.
All I could think about was I used all my money to buy one of these sorry ass typewriters. I felt that I should have kept my money & bought commissary when I wrote & informed the commissary personnel about the problem that I was having. To my surprise I was given another typewriter!  The woman told me that if it was up to her, she wouldn't give these typewriters away because they're not worth the money inmates are paying to get them. I asked her could I get that in writing, she asked me was I going to give her a job?

I understand, there are guards here who don't like what's going on but this job pays their bills.
On July 15, the guards arrived on the pod to shake everyone down. They looked like a lot of buzzards going through the property. They showed no regards for inmates' property, it was like a game to them. I stood at my cage door watching guards going through the property. It upset me to watch. They put us inmates into the shower taking the property to the dayroom searching through it. I didn't have any problem, I'm pleased about this but I'm still disturbed about how things are going here...

I'm pleased to be able to inform you that my knees are a lot better! The medication I'm taking helps, but it's causing a small pain in my chest, this concerns me. I'm not sure what the pain is, it comes & goes. Not going to worry about it because I have to deal with enough stress already.

This unit came off lockdown on July 17. I'm waiting to go to commissary to buy some stamps. We should go this week, they came around picking up commissary cards because radios came in. Now I have a radio. After going so long without one, I don't listen to it that much.

29-07-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

30-06-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

I have finally got a typewriter. It's the same kind as the one I had before, only I'm able to see clear through it. I'm guessing prison officials think/feel this will help them with security.
Surely this will help me. I feel, I'll be able to move a little faster & be a little clear with what I'm expressing, without making so many mistakes.
I still don't have a radio. They still don't have any inside unit commissary. But even if they had some, I couldn't buy one, no funds!
This typewriter cost $99.85, it took aal the money I had. Also postage stamps went up.
Unit officials are abusing their authority. These people are just lazy! They don't want to follow the rules, nor do what they're supposed to do. Yet get into the face of a prisoner & try to enforce a rule. This shit is crazy!
A lot of things are being abused behind these walls. No matter how bad the situation is, nothing is being done about it. Some prisoners are so ignorant - they just don't care. Or they're so stupid! Just do not know what to do. In my opinion it's a little bit of both. These inmates will search for reasons to fight with one another rather than acknowledge the abuse of authority going on. This is the sad part. This thing with how commissary is being run. We - prisoners - are supposed to be allowed to go to commissary every 14 days. This allows us to buy postage stamps. We're only allowed to buy 30 stamps each time. However, in May, we were allowed to go on the 14th, the next time was June 5th.
Do you see the problems? 30 stamps will not last. A whole lot of other things won't either.
This isn't the only problem. I just had to jack the food slut to get the floor sweeped & mopped. For 2 and a half months, 4 showers were used to shower 79 prisoners! The shower stank so bad, I started cleaning myself inside this cage. Grievances don't do any good. I filed them just to have a record to support what I share with the people. I have to battle with these people just to receive medical treatment, which I'm still in need of! This medication I'm being given for pain is destroying me from the inside. It doesn't stop the pain, but the pain would be a lot worse if I didn't take it. Each day & night, I suffer, enduring the pain. Knowing it is not going to leave me, because I'm not receiving the necessary treatment.

11-06-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

28-05-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

They keep finding cell phones. Can you believe this? Now there's a team of guards going around every day shaking down 5 prisoners on each pod. They hit our section already. My cage had been turned upside down when I returned to it.
One guy was gassed. Not sure what kind of issues he had with the guard. Nonetheless, he didn't appreciate something about her actions! He expressed unkind words at her. Not sure what she said. I couldn't hear her, they were on the end of the run. Anyway, once she left threatening to write him a case. This made him furious! The guard working the pod exchanged a few words with this guy, who threw his juice into this guard's face. A furious guard retaliated by throwing juice back onto this inmate. Immediately they came to move this guy. Inside this guy's mind, 'the guard threw juice on him first'. He would be gassed and moved. This is just a small piece of what's been going on in my life.
These teams remove property out of inmates' cages that they shouldn't be. I had to threaten to be gassed just to get the ribbons of my typewriter back!
Most of these guards don't know the rules, they only know the rules that allow them to take something. Thankfully my property was returned.
I have to battle with ignorant ass guards, an environment filled with distractions.
I'm still suffering knee pain. It's worse. I don't run anymore. The pain only allows me to do exercise, push up, sit up & other things where I'm not bending my knees.
I picked up some weight. This & not being able to physically do what I've been able to do affects me psychologically.
This month I'm supposed to receive the injection for my knee. I know I'm going to be forced to write a grievance just to receive the shot!
Officials have closed the unit to all outside visitors. Surely you've heard about the swine flu? Closing the unit is the first step. They're hoping more drastic steps won't be necessary. Actually, every prison in the State of Texas is closed to the outside world. Guards & workers are the only ones allowed in. A lot of prisoners are upset. All small pieces...

12-05-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

For weeks now I've been focusing on my newsletter. It's almost finished. I think it's a very nice article. It has taken longer than I'd wished. Most of this was due to my knees. I've discovered what my problem is, from information out of an article I read. I have an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear.These people knew what was wrong with my knee but they haven't told me anything! They knew the problem is serious but they don't want to give me the tretment I need - I have to wait until May to receive injections.
Not sure what good that is going to do...

22-04-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

10-04-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

I received my grievance I wrote against the disciplinary case for claiming that I damaged the mattress the other day.
This is what it said: "Disciplinary case #20090059831 will be overturned. Your records regarding this case will be corrected. The option to rehear this case will be left to the warden's discretion". Signature authority L. Richey.
Can you believe this?  These people take away my mattress, make me sleep on the floor for 8 days! Take away my level, where my property is taken. I'm found guilty even though there isn't any evidence to show that I destroyed any mattress. Nonetheless, I'm given a restriction. My radio & typewriter are confiscated, all because a guard wrote a disciplinary case against me claiming I damaged my mattress - when I did not!
What is truly frustrating is that no one will be punished for their actions! $26.13 was removed from my inmate account. I wrote these people a requeat & explained to them that I won my appeal. I never received a reply. I don't know if my money was placed back into my account...

31-03-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

INCAGED conducts an interview with an anonymous death row guard we'll identify as Mr/Ms Anonymous, interviewed on March 10, 2007 surrounding the circumstances which caused death row inmate Ryan Dickson to spear correctional officer Larry Stane in the face. I believe this is an interview you'll find insightful.

Thank you, Mr/Ms Anonymous, for agreeing to share your opinion and views with INCAGED readers. OK, so after reading my article "They'll never change", which shares the details why Ryan Dickson speared a guard in the face - what were your thoughts about this?
A - First, it's I who would like to thank you for allowing me to share my views and opinions on this subject. I found "They'll never change" very interesting. Some of what was written I agree with. The rest I think is just propaganda. You made Dickson sound like a little angel. But if that's what truly happened, I blame the ranking supervisor for a problem. A shaving case could have been informally resolved if Dickson was willing to shave. I wish you would have printed the name of the guard and sergeant involved.
Q - Sorry. Dickson didn't mention their names. I'll agree with you, a shaving case should have been informally resolved by the sergeant. Can you tell me, after hearing about this incident, how did it make you feel?
A - At first, I felt angry! One of my fellow co-workers, another guard got speared in the face! This could have been me - I was mad. Afterward, after having time to think, the thinking man took over, I began to wonder about who all was involved, what caused this incident, then I began to wonder about everything that goes on inside this building. So, I held my opinion until I found out more.
Q - So please tell my readers what you heard, did you believe what you found out?
A - Half of it. Yes. The rumor mill was flying everywhere. Some were saying the incident happened because Dickson was expecting a date to be executed, and he was mad. Others said someone else paid him to do it. I'm not sure about anything I heard, I heard all kind of stuff.
Q - I guess, it could be said that to get back, retaliation against a guard, would be a good motive once someone receives a date to be murdered. If this was so it would happen all the time. Did you know any of this before it happened?
A - No, I didn't have any knowledge about this before the incident.
Q - With many years of experience, would you say all guards conduct themselves professionally?
A - No. Most guards are too young. They don't have enough life experience, nor training to be working inside a prison environment. They should be properly supervised before given full authority over death row prisoners. I'm not saying all guards are inexperienced, under-trained and unprofessional. All do not fall into this category. I work with many who conduct themselves professionally, myself included we do our jobs by the letter. Here's an example: you or someone else piss me off and I'm still going to feed you. You just won't get your chance to shower. No, wait, don't write that down!
Q - OK, I hope I don' piss you off, it's real considerate that you're going to feed me. No, seriously, will you share your opinion on the majority of death row prisoners' attitudes towards you, guards?
A - I myself receive respect from most prisoners. This has a lot to do with experience and the professional manner how I treat all prisoners the same. There are some I have to treat them on the same level that they act. But most just want to be respected and allowed to do their time, deal with their situation they're facing. I'm able to say things to most prisoners, prisoners who wouldn't accept the same thing from an inexperienced guard. Some guards don't possess a professional attitude to do this job. I've learned over the years that most death row prisoners normally give back the same attitude they're receiving.
Q - Can you give the readers a better understanding - is there a large number of death row prisoners who're violently aggressive towards guards?
A - No, there isn't a large number. Death row prisoners have way too many problems and other matters on their minds. There are disagreements and confrontations, which are properly addressed. There are major uses of forces, prisoners are gassed; but most death row prisoners try focusing on what's goin on in their lives.
Q - I see. I guess this explains why there's a large number of death row prisoners living on level 1 pods. There're close to 400 death row prisoners and there're less than 35 prisoners on level 2 and under 5 on level 3. OK, can you tell me, have you witnessed many attacks on death row?
A - Yes, some guards have been spit on, feces and urine or whatever thrown on them, speared, cut. Yet, in the past few years these incidents have gone down. In my opinion, here's why some of these events happen: On the Job Training: during training young guards are shown films on disruptive prisoners. They're told what to expect and how they should handle themselves around these kind of prisoners. Stories of the past are shared on how it used to be, many take these stories and come in with a fixed perception. They're just looking for the worst, yet most death row priosners are concerned about getting off death row; the biggest sound you hear is a typewriter going, a radio playing or inmates playing a game of chess over the runway.
Q - Interesting. Do you feel that most guards are fair?
A - Yes.
Q - Have you witnessed guards being unfair?
A - Yes. I've seen it both ways. In some cases when an inmate allows his hair to grow too long, most guards don't harass 'em about it. Or when there're pictures on the wall that the inmate knows he's not supposed to have on the walls; in some cases a professional degree is given. In Dickson's case, if he was willing to shave, the sergeant shouldn't have allowed that case to go through, in my opinion.
Q - In your opinion, are death row prisoners aggressive?
A - No. 96% isn't. 4% are aggressive.
Q - Can you tell us: why are guards speared and thrown on?
A - There are many circumstances which create confrontation. (1) Some guards are under-trained, lacking professionalism brings his/her problems to work. (2) An immature prisoner may be unable to deal with a mental disorder. (3) The rumor mill fills some guards' head with misinformation. (4) Young inexperienced guards are not properly supervised. As I said, there are many reasons that create confrontation; but it goes both ways.
Q - OK. Please tell us, are ranking officials fair, do they do their jobs correctly?
A - No.
Q - Do ranking officers deliberately support their guards more so than being impartial when addressing prisoners'problems?
A - Yes.
Q - Do ranking officials lie?
A - I won't say No, but I won't say Yes. There's the potential that it could be happening. Ranking officers are held accountable by unit administration.
Q - How?
A - Their ranking status and job is threatened.
Q - I see, it sounds like the decisions made are made on how that person feels at that moment. Can you tell me, do you feel the living condition and treatment are fair for death row prisoners?
A - For most part yes. I feel some punishments should be harder. If I were in your guys'position, I would expect it to be a lot harder on me. This isn't pre-K, you guys are in here to be punished. As long as your punishment is fair and impartial, I have no problem with it. I've seen what conditions are like in Iraq and Mexico prisons, you guys have it made.
Q - Do you feel that the conditions play a role in the mental deterioration of prisoners?
A - Yes. Being deprived of not being able to witness what's going on in the world, not being able to watch TV, this creates free time, prisoners have nothing to do inside their cell. I feel we should sell TVs out this unit commissary.
Q - The attack on Officer Larry Stane, do you think it would have happened under better conditions?
A - No.
Q - Why do you say this?
A - If you keep someone inside a box with nothing to do, this person only has time to pay attention to what's in front of him: his conditions, his loneliness, anger, and his many other problems with what's going wrong in his life. Give this individual a release valve, something to occupy this prisoner's mind, like in-cell craft, a TV, anything that would distract this prisoner from reflecting on all he loses, his suffering, as he paces the floor, all of this would be placed in the back of his mind. He would also know, if he's disruptive he would lose his TV privilege. When a prisoner is able to escape his suffering by going into another world, this is a place that the prisoner protects.
Thank you, Mr/Ms Anonymous, you have been very insightful. Your views and opinions gives INCAGED readers a better idea of death row and its atmosphere, what it's like working inside a control environment. 

01-03-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

INCAGED focuses on what the appeals court is deciding, whether lower courts are complying with its previous ruling on the faulty jury instruction where juries decide if death sentences are based on future danger.

The question is: Does a life sentence mean a person convicted of capital punishment will be a future danger to society and those around him?
This is the concept injected into the minds of members of a jury asked to decide if convicted individuals of capital murder will be a danger in the future. Yet Lower Courts aren't complying with the law, this is the real danger. What happens when the rules aren't being followed by judges, prosecutors, prison administrators and guards who abuse and neglect their authority and positions? Abuse that creates negative reactions within those under their authority, yet they're responsible for causing the negative situation by abusing their authority. Does this present a future danger to society and those convicted of capital murder? Please consider this as INCAGED reveals what took place on December 1, 2006.

Death row prisoner Ryan Dickson got fed up with being victimized by guards who don't carry out the rules correctly. "I'm sick and tired of being made to endure neglectful treatment by these guards who only use the rules to punish, hold us prisoners down", Dickson stated. Neglect of the rules caused Dickson to take action where a guard would be injured. Disciplinary case 20070097893 states on the date and time 12/01/06 7:59 at 12 building E pod cell 69 offender Dickson, Ryan 999250 did assault Officer Stane, Larry Co III with namely an unknown homemade weapon by shooting it through the wire mesh on his door. The assault resulted in injuries that required treatment beyond first aid.

What kind of treatment is needed on victims of a psychological assault, it's how the attack comes when a victim of those who abuse and neglect their authority, yet to so many this attack isn't viewed as a violent act.

Speaking for INCAGED and the DRIVE Movement - Dickson's violent act isn't encouraged, promoted nor condoned with our efforts to raise awareness and involvement to create change. Educating society while generating improvements surrounding prisoners' treatment and conditions is what our efforts and goals are all about. With outside help and support we believe as a whole our efforts will one day abolish the death penalty through positive efforts - not violent.

However, we haven't forgotten the violence of the past, what took place in the struggle fighting to create better treatment and conditions for the poor black people during segregation. Demonstrators exercising a non-violent protest were confronted by violence from the police, using their authority to cause destruction, to discourage and prevent change from taking place. Death row prisoners are up against these identical forces. I wish for you to see the mentality of these forces, which will explainwhat would push a man to stop caring and take action against these forces.

Police commissioner Eugene (Bull) Conner commanded police and firemen to use high pressure hoses and K-9 police dogs to drive demonstrators back. Legal reinforcements were provided by a local judge who issued a sweeping injunction barring protest marches. Almost a thousand blacks were either in jail or out on bond. Men who stared into the face of violence, fighting for equality, were labeled as criminals - while every violent act committed against these men was supported legally. Meaning the violence committed by the police wasn't considered wrong.

On May 3, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr., in a peaceful demonstration against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, decided to take a calculated risk by committing thousands of children on the front line facing an angry white mob of firemen and policemen who inflicted them with their violent
acts. These children endured nightsticks, police dogs and high-powered water hoses that could strip the bark off trees. How can the mentality of those who have generated this kind of violence be forgotten?

This concept lives within many of those in charge within Polunsky Unit, where the guards control its everyday operations: it's masked but it's the same mentality of the police who committed violent acts upon innocent men, women and children. You be the jury, who's a future danger to society - the individual abusing the authoity to provoke a situation or the individual reacting to this antagonizer?

Will this system ever change, will they stop thier killing by abolishing the death penalty? Please consider all of this as I share the circumstances with what took place on December 1, 2006.

Dickson explained that he was within weeks of the required 90 days of good behavior without a disciplinary case. On the day in question he was asked to shave. Yet, while in the shower the guard wasn't able to provide him with a razor. Stating that all the razors had been mixed together inside the bucket used to carry the razors around. The guard was unable to tell one razor from another. After Michael Johnson committed suicide October 19, 2006, unit administration installed a so-called 'fool proof' way to issue out razors to all level 2 and 3 prisoners who aren't able to keep razors inside their cages. Razors are issued out by request or when ordered, but we're only allowed to have a razor while in the shower. The old system they used to use: all razors were kept on a board inside the picket; this always caused confusion. Razors would come up missing or another prisoner would be given the razor used by another prisoner. The new sysytem being used  now: razors are placed in a bucket with 84 holes all the way around the side. a number over each hole identifying the cage the razor belongs to.

Now guards are instructed to walk around with this bucket as prisoners are being placed into the shower, those needing to shave are given a razor, when we are being removed, the razor is returned and placed back under its number in the side of the bucket. Like all other rules, the guards don't follow them. This new 'fool proof' system lasted only a week and a half, the guards don't like walking around with this bucket. One guard said he feels like a girl picking flowers, so when someone asks for their razor, the guards are so focused on putting prisoners in and pulling them out of the shower, we're always told: "I'll get your razor to you later". Which sometimes never happens.

In Dickson's case he was told all the razors had spilled over causing them to mix all together, preventing the guard from telling one razor from another. Leaving Dickson without a razor to shave with, unaware of these circumstances another guard was ordered to write a case on Dickson for failing to groom. Dickson explained he wasn't given a razor and the guard knew level 2 status prisoners aren't allowed to keep razors inside their cages. "OK, I understand your situation, I'll take care of this", the guard stated, meaning he would personally explain the confusion, cleaning up the situation. However, neglectfully the guard never explained the mix-up - he simply lied. Causing Dickson to be falsely written up for refusing to groom, though Dickson never had a razor to groom. Dickson was placed in a situation out of his control due to the rule not allowing prisoners on level 2 and 3 to have razors, as well the unprofessionalism of the guard neglecting to give him a razor as well explaining to the sergeant why Dickson was unable to groom. The sergeant informed Dickson he had received a case for not grooming, what was his statement on the case? Dickson explained what had happened yet the sergeant only stated: "I've to go by what's written on the case". No matter what causes the situation, ranking officials don't care about the truth, no matter what. One would still question: is this enough reason for Dickson to justify spearing a man in the face? This incident was only one of many injustices that were allowed to build up into one big snowball; receiving the case only set the snowball into motion, where it rolled out of control.

For society a person who's on death row, on a low level within the prison system, this describes that individual as a bad person, who's a trouble maker. This is the only way a prisoner who has speared a man in the face will bes een by society. Yet the circumstances which caused the incident won't be acknowledged; something had to happen to cause Dickson to strike out. Yet in most cases this is never considered. This is what jurors in capital cases aren't considering when asked to decide if a death sentence should be imposed because they believe the defendant will probably commit more violent acts in the future.

Jurors are being asked to make a prediction, just as you would create an opinion on Dickson after hearing that he speared a guard in the face. You would quickly believe this man is a future danger. No one knows the future, if you're a juror isn't it best to know what created the situation which drove Dickson to strike out; isn't this an important fact? Isn't it necessary to identify who is reponsible for igniting the situation? Dickson wanted to shave, and due to the rules, unprofessionalism and mismanagement he was unable to do so. Here's a man who's trying to get his level 1 status only to receive a disciplinary case he feels is injustice. This is like setting a house on fire and taking Dickson to jail for it. Could this explain what caused Dickson to disregard trying for level 1 status and take action, knowing he's throwing all away he wanted?

To fill a man with energy of dismay, anger and disappointment, no doubt this is what drove Michael Johnson to take his own life. This energy caused a man to lose all sense of hope, having no faith within the judicial and penal system. The message Michael Johnson left on the wall in his own blood saying "I didn't do it" is a clear sign reveling a man who gave up just as Dickson gave in to his anger and gave up caring about what happens to him.

Again and again, incident after incident, the penal and judicial system continue to reveal it's broken. Here in Texas juries are asked to decide the fate of individual convicted of capital murder by relying on expert testimony. It's exactly how society relies on trusted officials like judges, prosecutors, prison administrators and guards to report the truth to society. These individuals and experts are sitting in trusted positions, yet these people don't always speak and reveal the truth.

Here are two situations where expert testimony was used to send men to prison to be sentenced to death; their testimony was nothing more than an opinion.

In the first case, in 1986, Dr. Edward Gripon, a psychiatrist, testified that David Harris, then 25 years old, convicted of murder, posed a substantial risk of further violent acts. Yet Dr. Gripon had never examined nor met Mr. Harris! His opinion was solely based upon the conclusion of the prosecutor's description of the defendant's past conduct. Mr. Harris was 43 years old when he was executed June 30, 2004. His lawyer would submit a petition to a state appeals court saying "Dr. Gripon's prediction 18 years ago has turned out to be wrong. Mr. Harris's years in prison have been marred by only minor infractions, like having too many postage stamps or hanging a clothes line up in his cell".
(Reported by Adam Ziptots for The New York Times)

In the second case, the headline reads: "How many death row inmates are guilty? Don't ask police chemist Joyce Gilchrist in Oklahoma City". Joyce Gilchrist stated hair and semen samples found in victims matched those of Pierce. The FBI became involved due to the false conviction of Jeffrey Pierce, who was found guilty of rape in 1986. Although the victim initially told officers that Pierce was not the rapist! An Appellate Court later found Gilchrist had violated a court order by failing to forward the hair and semen evidence. But affirmed Pierce's conviction nevertheless, describing Gilchrist's violation as a harmless error. Ultimately DNA testing proved conclusively that there was no match between the evidence found in the apartment and the accused. After serving 15 yers in a violent prison, Pierce was released in May 2001.

'Harmless error' is the talismanic phrase frequently invoked by appellate courts at the behest of prosecutors, to maintain questionable convictions it is applied more frequently as the fear of the political repercussions of freeing convicted rapists, murderers and drug dealers grows in appellate courts. Gilchrist's court testemonies may have sent 11 people to their death, 12 others remain on death row. Gilchrist is certainly a villain but she is not alone with what was allowed to take place.
(This story was reported by Alan M. Dershowitz)

These two reports reveal how people - some innocent people - are being thrown into prison under manipulation of the facts, which are seen by the courts as harmless errors or erroneous predictions stating a person will be a future danger. Under these circumstances, how can anyone be seen as a future danger? If the judicial system is broken, then surely the penal system is in far worse conditions. In Dickson's case maybe the pressure of enduring injustice after injustice was just too heavy for him to continue to carry, which caused him more than frustration while dealing with the reality of living inside a cage waiting to be murdered by the state of Texas.

This may be difficult for some of you to understand, viewing Dickson's situation for the outside looking in, totally unaware what takes place on this side of the wall. No one knows what made Dickson take action, yet if we consider all of the circumstances, a violation of the rules and unprofessionalism cannot be described as harmless - these facts share some responsibilities with what happened. Does society care about these facts, with what caused a man who's following the rules because he's trying to be placed on a level 1 status, to simply stop caring about this and just strike out? Against a guard? When Society hears about the details of a guard getting attacked by a prisoner, it will be received the same way a jury accepted erroneous testimonies from experts like Joyce Gilchrist and Dr. Edward Gripon.

This is what society and juries are relying on, yet case after case states it's a fact these professional experts don't always speak the truth.

David Harris was executed; yet 18 years in prison reveals he wasn't a future danger to those working within the penal system. Karla Faye Tucker is only another example, showing the world that change is able to take place behind prison walls. Irregardless of the changes Karla Faye Made, she would be killed anyway, her death points out death row isn't about rehabilitation - what is there a death row prisoner has to care about? This is why INCAGED and the DRIVE Movement - along with many human rights groups like CEDP, ISO, TAMADP, just to name a few - are fighting to create hope, direction and change in attitudes, treatments and conditions. Help us make a difference, because to do nothing is only to allow acts committed by Dickson to continue to escalate into an eruption where only the act is seen as future danger, not what caused the eruption.
When nothing is done, THEY'LL NEVER CHANGE!

(This article was first shared with the public in January 2007)

27-02-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine  

To those who have logged in and have enjoyed my introduction, I wish to give thanks to you all.
I begin this update by acknowledging Barack Obama; the first African-American to be inaugurated as President of the US. Millions headed to the nation's capital to witness the event take place. The inauguration is a day people around the world will look upon as a day of change.
I'm excited about this. I'm stepping into 2009 with a changed attitude, looking at 2009 as a year of change. Thinking positive as I continue to try to overcome this adversary in my life & become a free man again. "What is it that I have to look forward to?" Thinking positive, I'm thankful to have this platform. Able to share my thoughts, opinions & educate those of you interested in understanding prison life, as well as the death penalty & judicial system. You'll read events & details surrounding my life dealing with prison officials & my legal battles. These descriptions will provide you with insight with a struggle with the death penalty.

To update you: on October 27, 2008 several prisoners were downgraded from level 1 to 2 for damaged mattresses discovered during lockdown. For those of you unaware: level 1, 2, 3 is a system unit officials use as a behavioral method. Nonetheless, the only thing wrong with my mattress: it happened to be new. No holes nor anything else to suggest the mattress was damaged. Discovered during x-ray another mattress liner inside. Nonetheless, myself & other inmates were given disciplinary case & found guilty. In my case, the charging officer did not witness me destroy any mattress nor did he know the condition of the mattress when it was given to me - or able to explain where I would get an extra mattress to put inside the one I had. When I asked the charging officer these questions, he had no explanation. Inside Kangaroo Court all it takes is the word of a guard to make me guilty. It's been a year and a half since my last disciplinary case. Thinking positive!

I assisted another prisoner in writing a grievance. The charging officer claimed he searched through the mattress of this prisoner & discovered contraband at 5:20 p.m. The only problem with this: the section this prisoner lived on, wasn't pulled out & searched until 8:20p.m. that night. This was 3 hours after this guard claimed to have searched this prisoner's mattress! When this was pointed out during Kangaroo Court, the disciplinary hearing was reset, 29 days later the case was dropped to a miner. He was found guilty, given 30 days commissary restriction.
How can this prisoner be found guilty when it's clear this guard did not know what he was talking about? We won the appeal. Yet, this prisoner ended up doing 60 days on level 2 & 21 days of commissary restriction, all because a guard said he found contraband inside his mattress. After winning his appeal, this prisoner was given back his level 1. In my case, my appeal was extended, I received a notice of extension from the grievance department stating that more time was needed to make a decision.

In 47 days I will have completed the 90 days' punishment. Surely I'll win my appeal, even though I will have been punished for something I did not do. Deja vu, I've already experienced something like this many times. I've heard unit commissary won't be selling any radios for 6 months! My typewriter & radio is something I'll be forced to replace. To any prisoner a radio is a source of news & escape to the outside world. Mine was taken due to one prisoner exposing prison officials a dirty little secret: "their guards bring in cell phones...", something they wanted kept out of the public eye.
This reality was justification for prison officials to embellish erroneous ass disciplinary cases, confiscating property as a form of retaliation, using prison rules to justify their actions. This cruel reality can generate many syndromes, mental illnesses & other disfunctions. 19 years & counting I suffer psychologically when I'm forced to endure an injustice behind these walls. However these 19 years have taught me when to engage into battle, I'm trying to win the war. I need a strong mind to do this, I'm thankful not to have lost my mind.

For Andre Thomas a.k.a. Squirrel, as known to those of us on death row, the syndromes suffered behind these walls caused him to pull out his eye & eat it! On December 9, 2008 guards discovered Squirrrel's face covered with blood. He was taken to unit infirmary, where they discovered Squirrel had eaten his eye... This is a serious illness that should never have been allowed to go untreated. I feel so blessed not to have fallen to this level where my mind disengaged from reality. Yet, I witness the disfunctional inmates daily.
There's one who spits on the guards! They've written him disciplinary cases, moved him, refused to feed him. He continues.
There're those who're extremely paranoid, refusing to eat & those who cover themselves in their own feces.
This is the world that I witness daily. This is only a small amount of what I'll share with you from this platform. A doorway which allows us to make a coonection & an escape for me from this cage I exist in. I'm blessed to have a few who believe in me, justice, equality, fairness & my innocence. Sharing their time & resources to provide a mental sunshine impowering me & hope of correcting this injustice - liberating me from this cage...

20-02-2009, 00:00 geschreven door Sunshine