7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
1/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisonsEvidence
of
Human
Rights
Violations
2nd
Edition
AmericanFriendsServiceCommittee
NewYorkMetropolitanRegion
HealingJusticeProgram
Editedby:
BonnieKerness
Coordinator,
Prison
Watch
EditorialAssistant:
BethBreslaw
Intern,PrisonWatch
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
2/64
Contents
Introduction3
Isolation....5
CommunicationsManagementUnits...20
HealthandMedicalServicesandConditions ...24
MentalIllness.......28
Use
of
Force
and
Devices
of
Torture ..33
ContrabandSurveillanceWatch..42
Racism..46
WomeninPrison......52
HowYouCanGetInvolved....57
Appendix....59
Glossary...63
SpecialthankstoKingDowning,onwhoseworkHowYouCanGetInvolved(pages
5758)isbased.
CoverartbyTodd(HyungRae)Tarselli
2011
American
Friends
Service
Committee
NewYorkMetropolitanRegionalOffice(NYMRO)
PrisonWatchProject
89MarketStreet,6thfloor
Newark,NJ07102
www.afsc.org
(973)6433192
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
3/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page3
Introduction
Whenprisondoorsclosebehindmenandwomentheybecomeourprisoners.Ifwearetheirfamily
andfriends,wemayvisit,write,call,andadvocateontheirbehalf.Iftheyareanonymous,wewill
likelydismissthemwiththethought,theybrokethelawthatwastheirchoiceandnowthey
mustpay
the
penalty.
And
we
proceed
about
our
daily
lives
without
looking
over
the
prison
wall.
Itistimewedidjustthat;prisonsreflectthesocietiesthatcreatethem.
Internationaltreaties,conventions,anddeclarationsprovidebasicguidelinesforthetreatmentof
prisoners.TheseguidelinesareoftenignoredbytheU.S.criminaljusticesystem.Meanwhile,the
UnitedStatescontinuestocriticizeothercountriesforviolationsofprisonershumanrights.
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(SecondEdition)providesprimaryevidenceofsuchhumanrights
violations.Itsgoalistocastlightonthetortureandabuseofprisoners.
Forover
three
decades,
the
American
Friends
Service
Committee
(AFSC)
has
spoken
out
on
behalf
of
prisoners.Since1975AFSChasoperatedaCriminalJusticePrograminNewark,NewJersey.During
thattimeAFSChasreceivedthousandsofcallsandlettersoftestimonyofanincreasinglydisturbing
naturefromprisonersandtheirfamiliesaboutconditionsinprison.Thelistofabusesislongand
horrifying:useofstungunsandrestraintdevices,rape,prisonchaingangs,inadequatemedicalcare,
isolation,notouchtorture(lightson24/7,deliberatelystartlingsounds,menacingdogs),useof
force,andotheregregiousviolationsofinternationalhumanrightsstandards,includingthe
ConventionAgainstTorture,ratifiedbytheUnitedStatesin1994.
TheconceptsofhumanrightslawmustbeupheldbytheUnitedStatespolice,court,andprison
justicesystems.Onewaytofosterthischangeisforprisoners,theirfamiliesandlovedones,and
prisonerrightsadvocatestoweavethelanguageofinternationalstandardsandtreatiesintotheir
argumentsforhumaneprisonconditionsandtreatmentofprisoners.
Tothatend,thisdocumentpresentsprisonerstestimoniesin fivesectionsIsolation,Healthand
MedicalServicesandConditions, UseofForceandDevicesofTorture,Racism,andWomenin
Prisonandintroduceseachsectionwitharelevantinternationalstandardasstipulatedin
internationalhumanrightsagreements.Forexample,Article1oftheUnitedNationsConvention
AgainstTortureprohibitsphysicalormentalpainandsuffering,inflictedtopunish,coerceor
discriminateforanyreason.Yetpracticessuchastheindefiniteuseofshacklesandother
mechanicalrestraints,theadministrationofdangerouschemicaltreatments,andthepracticeof
extendedisolationcontinueintheUnitedStates.
Thepractice
of
extended
isolation
in
particular
is
of
growing
concern
to
many
prison
activists,
both
insideandoutsidethewalls. ThereportsthatcometoAFSCaboutprisonerssubjectedtodevicesof
torturehavelargelybeenfromisolationcellsoftencalledmanagementcontrolunitsorspecial
managementunitsinwhichtherearefewwitnesses.OjoreLutaloisonesuchprisoner,andyou
canfindhisfullstoryintheAppendix.Therearethousandsofsimilarstoriesaswell,someofwhich
areincludedhere.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
4/64
Introduction Page4
Inthesepagesyouwillreadthewordsverbatimofprisonerswhoselivesareirrevocablychanged
bytheconditionsunderwhichtheyareheld.Thedetailsarehardtoread;someofthelanguageis
crudeandtheaccountsgraphic.Allarecompelling.
Readon.Tellusyourstory.And,aboveall,weurgeyoutousethelanguageofinternational
standardsandtreatiesinyourargumentforhumaneprisonconditionsandtreatmentofprisoners.
BonnieKernessandBethBreslaw
Acknowledgments
Thisdocumentwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthecourageofthosepeopleinprisonwho
weredeterminedthattheirwitnessandtestimoniesreachtheoutsideworld.Inmanycases,they
wereafraidofretaliation,andinmanycasestheywerebeyondfear.Weespeciallythankthosewho
wroteonbehalfofandaboutpeoplewhocouldnotwriteontheirown.
VeryspecialthankstoBethBreslaw,anextraordinaryinternstudentfromRutgersUniversity, New
Jersey,whodrewexcerptsfromthehundredsofletters,drawings,andphotographswereceived.She
categorizedthetestimoniestofitlogicallywithinthehumanrightsframework.Bethtookcareto
respondtoeachpersonwhowrote,whilestrugglingwithherownemotionsasherworkprogressed.
WewanttothankTerryKaye,whowalkedintotheofficeonedaywithherdevotionanddetermination
tohelp.ItiswithgratitudetoTerrythatthisdocumentflowswithwonderfulediting.Herguidance,
comments,andsuggestionsthroughouttheentireprocesswerefullofwisdom.Herwillingnesstoput
hoursofenergyintocreatingadocumentworthyofaccuracyandprideisappreciatedbyeveryonewho
hadtheprivilegeofworkingwithher.Beth,Terry,andIformedateamwhoworkedwithconsensusand
alovingsenseofpurposethatneverwaivered.
WewanttothankKingDowningforhisexcellentsectiononpracticalwaystohelp,ElizabethEnloe
forherconstantsupportoftheworkofPrisonWatch,and[tocome]________________________
BonnieKerness
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
5/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page5
Isolation
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
Article 1the term torture means any act by which severe pain or
suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a
person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person
information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third
person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or
intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason
based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is
inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or
acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official
capacity.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Article 7No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 101) All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with
humanity and with respect for the dignity of the human person.
3) The penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of prisoners
the essential of which shall be their reformation and social
rehabilitation.
Article 161) Each State Party shall undertake to prevent in any territory under
its jurisdiction other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment which do not amount to torture as defined in article
1, when such acts are committed by or at the instigation of or with
the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person
acting in an official capacity. In particular, the obligations contained
in articles 10, 11, 12 and 13 shall apply with the substitution for
references to torture or references to other forms of cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment.
2) The Provisions of this Convention are without prejudice to the
provisions of any other international instrument or national law
which prohibit cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
or which relate to extradition or expulsion
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
6/64
Isolation Page6
.at9:30am,theygavemebackmyclothing!Thetelephoneisringingwithcallscominginfromother
prisonsecurityguardswantingtoknowLutalosstatus,ifIhadlostasenseofmyself,meaningifLutalo
wentcrazy.Igrowwearyofpacingthefloorandsittingatopofthesink,soIcover thedirtyfoam
mattresswithapapersheetandlaydownfullydressedanddozeoff.Iwakeuptothesoundof
splashingwater,toseewaterleakingfromtheceilingandrunningdownthewallandseepingunderthe
mattress.Icalltheguardwhocomestothecagedoor.Iaskifhecouldmovemetoanotherage.Now
thewaterisrunningunderneaththecagedoor.Twohourslatertheymovemeintocage#2whichdoesnthavethe24hourcamerawatch.Cage#2hasanotherdirtyfoammattresswithtwopaper
sheetsatopitandisjustascoldasCage#1.Istartpacingtogeneratesomebodyheat. Thestooland
thecageshelveswereremoved,thelightswitchhasasteelplateoveritandthewallsocketshavesteel
platesoverthem.Thecagelightstayson24hoursaday.Thefloor,toilet,andsinkarefilthy!
OjoreLutalo,TrentonStatePrisonnowNewJerseyStatePrison(10/14/05)
Myeyesarehurtingmorefromtheglareofthe24hourbrightwhitelights!Youcallthisa
democracy?Ifeelthecoldnessofthecageassaultingme.Ipace,Idoze,Icoverthedirtymattress
foammattressandlaydown.ThewayIamnowbeingtreatedisillegal. Thiscageiscondemned.
Youcallthisademocracy?!
OjoreLutalo,
Trenton
State
Prisonnow
New
Jersey
State
Prison
(10/17/05)
CollagebyOjoreLutalo
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
7/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page7
Anotherprogressionofcontrolunitsandtheuseofisolationarecalledsecuritythreatgroup
managementunits(STGMU).Thegovernmentdefineswhatasecuritythreatgroupis.According
toanationalsurveybytheDepartmentofJustice,theDepartmentsofCorrectionsofMinnesotaand
OregonnamedallAsiansasgangs,towhichMinnesotaaddedallNativeAmericans.NewJersey,
Oklahoma,andPennsylvaniaincludevariousIslamicgroupsasgangs.
In2004,anofficesecretedasmallvideocameraintothe NorthernStatePrison,NewJerseySTGMUunitandgaveittoinmateOmarBroadway,whofilmedabuseintheprisonoverfourmonths.That
footageresultedinascreeningattheTribecaFilmFestivalinNewYork.HomeBoxOfficepurchased
thedocumentaryandshoweditmultipletimesinthesummerof2010.Thefilmfeatures
commentarybyBonnieKerness,CoordinaterofPrisonWatch,AFSC.AFSChascopiesofrawfilm
footage (SneakPeak)giventothembyOmarBroadwaysmotheravailableforviewing.
Reportsofabuseanduseofphysical,chemical,andpsychologicalabusecameoutofSTGMUto
PrisonWatchduringtheentiretwelveyearsitremainedopen.TheNewJerseyDepartmentof
CorrectionsclosedtheunitinMay2010.
ReviewofAnOmarBroadwayFilm,whichdocumentsabusesintheSecurityThreatGroup
ManagementUnit
in
Northern
State
Prison,
Newark,
NJ.
The
film
was
released
to
the
public
in
2008,andpremieredonHBOinJuly2010.
Astheprisonersstandmotionlessnexttoeachotherandcoverthemselveswithplasticbagsto
protectthemselvesfromchemicalweapons,theriotsquadburstsin,sprayingtorrentsofMaceand
freelyswingingtheirbatons.Theinmatesoffernoresistance.Theylatersportblackeyesandbroken
jaws.Onedisappearsformonthsafterbeingdraggedbyhisshacklesdownthestairsandacrossthe
floor,bleedingandscreaming.Disturbingly,thesescenesarealsooftenfilmedbyInternalAffairs
agentsemployeesoftheprisoninchargeofproceduralenforcementwhocanbeseenpointing
theircamerastowardtheceilingastheblowsstartrainingdown.Theotherprisonerswhoare
lockedintheircellsalsochokeonthegas;nopreparationsaremadefortheirsafety.Whenthis
happenson
Thanksgiving,
the
styrofoam
encased
dinners
sit
undistributed
all
night
in
full
view
of
theinmates.TheyarestackedbehindtwocanistersofMace.
OpenSalon,Prison'sDirty(Open)Secret:AnOmarBroadwayFilm.July18,2010.
http://open.salon.com/blog/lawless_lawyer/2010/07/18/prisons_dirty_open_secret_an_omar_broa
dway_film
NewJerseyCorrectionsCommissionerGaryLanigansaidthestatewillclosea240bedunitat
NorthernStatePrisonthathousesthestateshighriskgangmembers.Lanigansaidinmatefileswill
bereviewedtodeterminewherebesttotransferthem.Hedoesntbelievemixingthemwithother
inmateswillcauseproblems.
NewJerseycloseshighriskgangunitatNorthernStatePrison.AssociatedPress.5/7/10
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/nj_closes_highrisk_gang_unit.html
IhavenothadANYphysicalhumancontactin2years,Ivenotbeenallowedtowashanyofmy
clothes,cleanmycell,cleanmyshower(IHAVEMYOWNBUILTINSHOWER),receiveahaircut,use
thephone,receivevisits,myoutgoingmailwasbeingopened,refusedlegalassistance,mymeals
arebeingtamperedwith,theyareservingmeWITHOUTglovesorhairnetson,sometimesfeeding
meHOURSAFTEReveryoneelsehasbeenservedandthisisdonebythesupervisorTheyleavemy
trayinhereallnightuntilthenextmorningwhenIamservedbreakfastandthisaccumulatesbugsI
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
8/64
Isolation Page8
amvideotapedleavingaswellascomingbackinmycellatalltimesandthisisdonebyaFEMALE
S.I.D.officermakingmebendoverandspreadmyselfaswellasshowmygenitals.
LesterA,EastJerseyStatePrisonLockbagR,RahwayNJ(11/29/08)
Ivebeeninthe(hole)forthreeyearsandnowsoparanoidthatIcantbearoundpeople.Icant
evensleepinacellwithsomeoneelseevenifIknewhimallmylife.Ivetriedeverytreatment,
medicationpossible,nohelpIamnowsoparanoidIcantevenbeontheyards.Imsoparanoidnowforbeingbymyselfforthreeyears,Iwonttakeacellie,wontrecwithsomeoneelseinmyrec
cage.Idonteventurnbackwardswhentheysaytocomeoutofthecellthatway.Eveninalockcell,
alockshower,alockreccage,ImstillparanoidsohowisitgoingtobeonthestreetswhenIam
aroundothers?Ivereallytriedtoworkonitbutnothingatallworkseventhemedications.SoallI
askis,isthisplacereallyneed[ed].
JeffH,FederalCorrectionalComplex,OakdaleSMU,OakdaleLA(3/18/10)
Eventuallytheisolationandcyclesofhighsandlowssimplybecamemynewnormin1997
Iagreedtodoublecellwithaprisoner,whounbeknownsttome,wasalreadysufferingfromthe
adversepsychologicaleffectsofsensorydeprivationbroughtonbytheextremeisolationdesignedto
breakdownthementalconditioningofthosewhoarehousedinthistypeofsettingmynewcell
partnerstatedmanytimestomyselfandopenlytoourneighborsthathefoundithardtobreatheHe
toldmethatifhesoughtpsychologicalhelpthatitwouldimpacthimnegativelywhenhewentbefore
theBoardofPrisonTermsduringhisparolehearingsandthatthepsychswouldthinkhewasjustfaking
DrawingbyTodd(HyungRae)Tarselli
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
9/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page9
ittogetoutoftheSHUsanyways.Twomonthslaterheviolentlyattackedmeinanattempttostrangle
mewithashortpieceofrope.Duringthisstruggleformylifehetoldmethathewouldratherdieon
deathrowthangocrazyintheSHUIhaveseeneverylevelofmadnessandeverylevelof
deterioratingmindinthisslowfreefallhereMyeyesighthasdeterioratedfromneverlookingpastthe
wallsofmycellandmyskinhaslongsincepassedbeingpaleandturnednowtosicklypalefromnever
seeingthesun.
BryanE,PelicanBayStatePrisonSecurityHousingUnit,CrescentCityCA(5/3/10)
inmateshavethechoiceofremaininginSHUunituntildeath,mentalillness,orbecomingaknown
informantwhohascauseddamagetootherinmates[SHUinmatesare]subjectto(1020+)yearsof
sensorydeprivationviaisolationandintentionallimitationofnormalhumancontactandsocial
interactionasmuchaspossible.deniedadequatemedicalcare(thisbecamemorepronounced
when[medicaladministrationbegan]tellingSHUinmates,ifyouwantbettercare,getoutofSHU
andnowSHUinmatesarechaineddowntothefloorofthecliniclikeanimals,iftheyneedtoseea
nurse/doctor)thepsychiatricstaffarecomplicittoo,claimingtherearenomentalhealthissues
precludingcontinuedSHUconfinement,withoutanypersonalinteractionwiththeseinmates!
Anonymouscollective,PelicanBayStatePrisonSHU,CrescentCityCA,sentbyRitaG
Itshardtoexplainthemultitudeoflittlefactorsthatinducestress,anxiety,frustration,and
depressionMybestattempttodescribeprolongedisolationinasupermaxprisonisthatitslike
Chinesewatertorture.Asingledropmaynotharmyoubutthemillionsoflittledropsofstress,
anxiety,uncertainty,depression,andsorrowbuildupuntilyoucanbegintofeelyourmind
breaking.IwishIcouldexplainitbetter.Maybethenpeoplecouldunderstandandwouldntallow
thishelltocontinue.
JoeD,TammsCorrectionalCenter,TammsIL(2009)
Theconditionswereveryinhumane...hot,noworkingventsatall...stuffyandhumid...myfirstcell
bugswerebitingmeallovermybody,whenIsaidsomethingaboutitthey(themedicalstaff)played
like
I
was
crazy
then
finally
after
constant
complaining
they
gave
me
Benadryl
then
moved
me
and
stilldidn'tcleanthecell.Theyhadalightonalldaythatfeltlikearotisserielamp.Itwashardto
sleepbecauseofthehothumidcellsandconstantbugsbitingmealldayandnight...wehadnocups
todrinkthebrowncoloredwaterthatcameoutofthesinksandtoilets.Therewasconstant
screamingyellingkickingandbanging(withobjectsondoorstomultiplythesoundonthedoors).
A.S.A.,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTownshipPA(8/20/09)source:
HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.21
MybloodpressureisupandIconstantlyhaveheadaches.IhavebugbitesallovermybodywhichI
wasgivenBenadrylforandneverseenadoctor,thenmovedfrommycelltoanothercellwiththe
sameresults.IfearformylifeandsanityeverydayIlive.Ioftenthinkandhavesuicidalthoughts
fromtheabuseIamsufferingfrombackhere[followupletter10/8/09]
Sufferingunder24hoursadaylightsoninthecells,aspitshieldfixedonthecelldoorwithout
violatingaspitpolicythatmakesthecellona80degreedayfeellike110inourcellscausethereis
noventilationinthecell,theventdoesntblowairoutortakeairin,theyrefusetoputthefanson
thetier,obstructandtamperwithourfood,showersandexerciseyard,haveushousedinclose
proximitywithmentalhealth[patients]whotheyagitateandhave...bangingondoors,metaldesk,
sinksandtoiletsandscreamingallnightfordaysatatimecausingsleepdeprivation.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
10/64
Isolation Page10
EricR,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTownshipPA(7/16/09)source:
HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.22
Thelightincellisblinding.Itremindsmeofoldwartorturetactics.Ithurtsyoureyesandgivesyou
migraines.Iveseenmedicalformigrainesandamduetoreceiveglassesfordamagetoretina.Only
noisesweheararethescreamsofmentalpatientsofwhichtherearemany...TheCOsareliabletodoanylevelofundignifyingactstoyouatanygiventime.It'sconstantworryandunease.Itmakes
onefeelsohelplessandvulnerableandyouneverknowwhattragedymayaffrontyoutoday.Atfirst
Islepttoomuch,nowIrarelysleep.Theloudscreamsandbangingandkickingondoorsmakeit
difficult.PlusImalwaysattentivetoCOkeysandthepossibilitythatthey'recomingforme.
LawyerL,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTownshipPA(undated)source:
HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.23
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
11/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page11
ThenoisesIhearareconstantbangingfrominmatesnearandfarintheRHU.AndI'mtalkingabout
24/7.Someinmatesbangontables,bunks,doors,sinks,etc.anditseemslikeitneverceases.Other
thanthatIhearguardsyellingandcursingatpeople.OftenIhearthemuseracialslursandother
derogatorytermstowardsinmates.TheCOstellinmatestokillthemselvesandsometimeskick
doorsorclangkeystodisturboursleep.Also,Ihearinmatesconstantlyscreaming...Thankfully,I've
neverhadanimpulsetohurtmyself,oratleastaseriousoneIshouldsay.Thisplacedefinitely
makesyouthinkaboutitthough.Ifeelsorryforweakmindedormentallyunstableinmates,though,becauseIcanseehowtheywouldhavesuchimpulses.Infact,atleastoneinmatecommitted
suicidebyhanginghimselfinhiscellwhileI'vebeeninthisRHU(theCOsharassedhimintohanging
himself).Itwasafewweeksago,Idon'trecallthedate.Butthejailsweptthatincidentunderthe
rugandputanewinmateinthatcelltheverynextday...
IhavenoticedslightvisualhallucinationsinmyperipheralvisionandalsoifIfocusonanobjectfor
extendedtime.NowthatIthinkaboutit,myperceptionofrealitymaybeisntasgoodasIdliketo
thinkitis.Imustadmit,mythoughtsareoftenirrationalinrelationtorealityandoftenviolent.
Sometimesmyperceptionoftimeisoff.Isometimesgetparanoidandthinkmycellmateiswatching
meorpayingtoomuchattentiontomybusiness.Wegetabsolutelyzeroprivacy.Ioftenget
paranoidand
wonder
if
he
is
ahomosexual.
Sometimes
Ihave
urges
to
hurt
him,
but
Itry
to
control
myself.Itrytoremindmyselfthatitisnothisfaultweareforcedtobeinthissituation.
Thebangingnoisesandscreamingvoicesoftenseemunbearableaswell.Also,Isometimesgetvery
claustrophobicandfeellikeIamhavingapanicattack...Ithinkthatthewholeideaofsolitary
confinementisinsane.Werealreadyinprison.Thisisjustaformofinhumanepunishmentand
torture.IthinkthatmostoftheCOsthatworkinthisRHUinparticulararesickindividualsthatget
offontorturingus.Theadministrationisobviouslyindifferentandcouldcarelessaboutthelong
termaffectsthatthistypeofconfinementhasonusashumanbeings.Obviouslywearenothuman
beingstothem,wearemerelyanumber.Mostoftheinmatesinsolitaryconfinementneedmental
helpbutarenotreceivingit.
Anonymous,
SCI
Dallas
Restricted
Housing
Unit
(confinement),
Jackson
Twp
PA
(undated)
source:
HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.25
...IwasnotallowedtocommunicatewithnooneoutsideofthisprisonandwhenItrytosendmy
familyalettertheywouldnotreceiveitandwhenIwasputonadministrativecustodyIwouldask
foraphonecallaweekwhenyoureallowedonephonecallaweekwhenyou'reinAC.WhenIask
theywoulddenyittalkingaboutIdontdeserveanythingbecauseImapieceofshit...Ihearalltype
ofnoises,peoplecrying,peoplescreamingandyellingalldayandnight.Myabilitytofocusisnotthe
sameanymore...
YesItrytohurtmyselfbecausetheofficerswillalwaystellmetokillmyself,callingmealltypeof
namesandencouragingmetodosobecausetheysaytheworldwouldbeabetterplacewithoutme
andit
came
to
apoint
where
Istarted
believing
them.
Icant
sleep
at
night
because
I'm
always
thinkingthattheofficersweregoingtocomeinmycellandattackme.I'malwayshavingdreams
wheneverIgetachancetosleep.Ivedreamsabouttheofficerstryingtokillsmeortryingtopoison
myfood.IwakeupshakingwhereIcantcontrolmynerve.IbehallucinatingthateverybodythatI
lookatalwayslaughatmeandImalwayshallucinatingthateveryofficersIseeiswearingashirt
thatsaidkillyourself.
WallyM,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(9/17/09)source:Human
RightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.27
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
12/64
Isolation Page12
Thesystematicgrindconsistofconstantilluminatelightinterruptingyoursleeppattern,being
deniedfoodtrays,showers,exerciseyard,andhumiliatingstripsearcheswheneveryouexityourcell
orgiven
aurine
test.
Additionally,
the
sensory
deprivation
exacerbates
the
problems
prisoners
already
haveandthemostrationalindividualsfinditextremelydifficulttoacceptthisabuseandwanton
inflictionofpain...fabricatedmisconductsandretaliationbyRHUsguardsforchallengingandbeing
defiantoftheirabuseofauthorityoftenresultinginplacementintheSpecialManagementUnit.This
controlunitisdesignedtodepriveprisonersandbreaktheirspiritandmind
PaulR,StateCorrectionalInstitution,HuntingdonPA(4/29/10)
thesestatebasedCMUunitssuchasbeinglockedupandconfinedtoawindowlessmonkey
cage22hoursaday,inwhichthere isnohumancontactwithotherprisoners,andno
environmentalstimulation
K.T.A.,PelicanBayStatePrison,CrescentCityCA
Myfoodtrayshavebeensprayedwithmaceorcleaningagents,tohavinghumanfecesandurine
putintothembyguardswhodelivertraystomybreakfast,lunch,anddinnerIhavewitnessedsane
menofcharacterbecomeselfmutilators,sufferparanoia,panicattacks,hostilefantasiesabout
revenge.OneprisonerwouldswallowpacksofAAbatteries,andstickapencilinhispenis.They
wouldcutonthemselvestogaincontactwithstaffnursesorjusttodrawattentiontothemselves.
Thesemenmadeslinginghumanfecesbodywastedailylikeitwasarecognizedsport.Somewould
eatitorrubitalloverthemselvesasifitwasbodylotion
DrawingbyTodd
(HyungRae)Tarselli
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
13/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page13
Prisoncratsuseaformofrestraint,abedcraftedtostrapmeninfourpointVelcrostraps.Both
handstothewristandbothfeettotheanklesandsecured.Prisonershavebeenkeptlikethisfor36
hoursatatime.Mosttimestheywouldremovealltheirclothes.TheSpecialConfinementUnitused
the[waterhoses]onthesemenalsoWhenprisonsbecomeovercrowded,prisoncratswilldo
forceddoublebunking.Overcrowdingissuespresentsanassortmentofproblemsmanyofwhich
resultsinviolencePrisoncratswillpurposelyhouseasexoffenderinacellwithprisonerswithsole
intentionsofhavinghimbeatenuporevenkilled.K.M.K.,SHUWabashValleyCorrectionalFacility,CarlisleIN(2010)
Insegregation,prisonerswerelockedincells23hoursaday.Alltheamenitiesofpopulationlife
describedabovewereabsent.Everysinglesegregationprisonerwassubjecttosolitaryconfinement.
Mentallyillprisoners,someofwhomhadattemptedsuicidemultipletimes,werehousedinthe
segregationunitwiththeothersegregationprisoners.Therewereprisonerswhothrewfoodand
feces,whorattledandpoundedtheirdoors,whoyelledfromcelltocellorscreamedincoherentlyat
allhours
Insegregation,theselightsglow24hoursaday.This,combinedwiththestandardsleepcyclewere
techniquesspecifically
used
as
methods
for
low
intensity
and
plausibly
deniable
torture
in
military
manualsIassistedineditingwhileintheU.S.Army.ThesetorturetechniqueswereemployedatToCI
Insegregation,thetraysusedforfooddeliverydidnotevenholdtheappropriatelysizedportions.
Segregationfoodservingswereoftenhalfthenormalsize.Asaconsequence,Ilostapproximately
30poundsin70days,weightthatIgainedbackaftermyreleasetopopulation
Insegregation,itispolicyforprisonerstobesubjecttofullvisualbodycavitysearchesandtobe
handcuffed,shackled,andbellychainedwheneverleavingthecell.Allmovementwasunderescort.
Istillhavescarsonmyanklesfrombeingshackledandforcedtowalkupstairs,throughextended
hallways,andbackdownstairs.Ihadopenwoundsonmyanklesthatwouldnothealforweeksata
time
WhenIarrivedinsegregationaprisonernamedAoccupiedthecellnexttoit,sharingtheventthe
smellofhumanfecesandfilthpermeate[d]mycellthroughthevent.Afterhistransfer,another
mentallyillprisonernamedOwasmovedfromhiscelldowntherangewithoutexplanationintothe
cellAhadvacated.Omadeseveralsuicideattemptsandwouldstayupfordaysatatime,rantingon
manictirades,poundinghisdoor,sometimesfloodingtherangewithdirtytoiletwaterthatspilled
undermycelldoorandlefthumanwasteonthefloorAprisonernamedFrieszattemptedsuicide.
Afterbeingplacedinthesuicidecell,heclimbedontohissinkanddoveheadfirsttothecement
floortryingtokillhimselfyetagain.Theconditionsinsegregationdrovepeopletosuicide.
SeanS,MansfieldCorrectionalFacility,MansfieldOH(5/17/10)
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
14/64
Isolation Page14
in1997,Idefectedfromthe[validatedprisongang]andrenouncedmygangassociationand
withdrewfromallgangactivity.YethereIsit13yearslater,stillinsegregation,althoughCDCRknows
thatIamadropoutIhavebeentryingtogetoutofmyvalidationformanyyearswithoutsuccess.Its
aslowandfrustratingprocesswithtwistsandturnsandroadblocks.Iam52yearsoldandcontinueto
sufferpunitiveisolationIwasfirstintroducedtoat35withinthewallsofCaliforniasSHUunits
Manyarethedaysthatwegowithoutashowerorwithoutyardorexercise.24hourperiodslocked
inacell,moreoftenthannotforconsecutivedays.Theadministrationwilluseanylittleexcusethey
cantokeepuslockedinourcells.Weloseshowers,yardandmedicalonaregularbasis.Ispentthe
better
part
of
2008
and
part
of
2009
in
a
cell
without
any
glass
in
a
2
foot
by
4
foot
window
frame.
I
hadtousetheblanketIwasissuedasacovering.IsleptwithallmyclothesonabaremattresssoI
couldhavetwosheetstocovermyselfwith.Ialsolivedwithhugecockroachesandmiceandhadto
securemyfooditemsbyhangingtheminatshirtfromtheceilingventtokeepbugsandrodents
out.Ivehadtodrinkwaterwithtoxiclevelsofarsenicandseleniumwellabovefederalstandards.If
thisisnottorture,Idontknowwhatis.
CollagebyOjoreLutalo
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
15/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page15
IhaveseenmanyfallvictimtoisolationandsensorydeprivationoftheSHUenvironment.The
indifferenceismindboggling.TheprevailingattitudebyCOsisthatweregarbageandsowhatif
youdontgettreatedhumanely,whocares?Iactuallyheardaguardsay,weusedtobeableto
beatthecrapoutofthem,buttheycriedtothecourts,sonowwegetintroubleifwetouchthem.
JoeA,CorcoranStatePrisonSHU,CorcoranCA(RealCostofPrisons5/4/10)
Ihavescarsonmyankles(asIknoweveryoneheredoestoo)fromwheresomeofficersliketo
sharpentheshacklestocutintotheprisoners(aprisonerdoesnotleavethecellwithoutcuffsand/or
shackles).These
same
types
of
guards
will
clamp
down
on
cuffs
to
cut
into
the
skin.
When
the
inmate
proteststheguardswillsometimesleavethemonforhours.Thatisafavoritepunishmentofthese
guardstoanyprisonerthatstandsupforhisselfworth.Leavethem/himincuffslethimstewinhis
ownfecesandurineforadayIveseenamanstumble(chainonshackles)andwasthrowntothe
floorandakneeonhisneck.Hescreamedthekneewenttohisfacebreakinghisfrontteeth
meanwhiletheotherofficeriskickinghiminhisballswellkneeinghisballswhileheheldthe
prisonerslegsopen.Theinmatechargedwithassault,theofficerisnowasergeant
DrawingbyTodd
(HyungRae)
Tarselli
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
16/64
Isolation Page16
RightnowasIwritethisamanhasabrokenmindandspirit.Hescreamsstopshutupshutup
fuckyou!Hesnotscreamingatus.Hescreamsbecausehesalittlepsychoticandtheguardsinthe
towerwillopenhisdooralittlecrackandthencloseit.Prisondoorsdontcloselikedoorsathome
theyslamshutBOOM.Andtheyturnonthespeakerandtaptaptapforhours.Theyllyell
intothespeaker,sayingverbalabusessometimes,sometimesjustyelling.
KevinO,ElyStatePrison,ElyNV(6/1/10)
Iwitnessedseveralincidentsofguardoninmateabuse.OnceIsawtwoguardspunchaninmatein
thefacewhiletheinmatewashandcuffedandshackledtoabench.Isawinmatesslammedfacefirst
ontotheconcrete,oftenfornothing.Theseincidentsciteonlytheovertphysicalabuse.Themental
abusewas,insomecases,worseEvennow,sixmonthsoutoftheholeIstillremainaffected.I
withdrawfromsocialinteraction/setting.Ifeelfrustratedfornoapparentreason.Possiblythemost
damagingaspectofsegregationisthesenseofpowerlessness.Youcanyell,scream,report
misconductandabusetoprisonofficialstonoavail.
BrianS,JeffersonCityCorrectionalCenter,JeffersonCityMO(6/10/10)
ThecontroltowerwasmannedbyoneCO.Eachshiftliterallyexperimentedondifferentways
(methods)to
torture
me.
Theyd
write
notes
and
call
in
my
responses
to
the
torturer.
They
were
constantlyontheirphonesandwalkietalkiescommunicatingaboutwhattheyweredoingThe
bottom(lowertower)COwouldringthecontroltowerandthecontroltowerCOwouldstartturning
knobsononeoftheconsoleboards(controlandmixingboards)andthiswouldturnupacertain
frequencythroughthesoundsystem.Thentheydblarethesoundintotheisolationcellsoloudit
hurtmyears.Hedthenaddprerecordedsoundsofaguillotinehackingofflimbsandseveralother
soundsatthesametime.Theydidthisfordays.Theydplaycertainrecordingsoverandoveragain
toelicitaresponseandthentakenotesIthurtsobadIbeggedthemtostop.Theydusesign
languagelikeputtingtheirhandstogetherinprayerformationandpointattheconcretefloorto
implyIhadtoprayandbegtothemonmyhandsandknees
Another
example
is
a
term
they
called
fired.
Theyd
use
some
kind
of
voltage
that
made
the
hairs
onmyarmsstandup.Itwasapainful,continuous,irritablefeeling.Whentheyturneditupthat
meansitwaswhattheycalledhotter(highervoltage).Theyalsohadatermcooloff.Thecellfloor
wouldgetcoldandtheatmospherewouldmakemeshakebutIcouldstillfeelsomevoltage
Sometimestheydhaveallintercomsplayingthroughtheloudspeakersatonetimeandthentheyd
addechoorhighpitchedfrequencysoundssimilartosoundstheyusewhentheycheckearsatthe
doctor.ThentheydblareitallintotheisolationcellandplayitoffandonfordaysOnedaythey
hadahighfrequencyechosoloudinthecellitfeltlikemyearsweregoingtoexplode.
EricH,ElDoradoCorrectionalFacility,ElDoradoKS(1/15/10)
offendersareforcedtogonumerousnightswithoutsleepduetoofficialsinvalidatedpracticeof
keepinglightson24hrsadayontherareoccasionthatcelllightsareturnedoffitisonlyfor45
minutesor
so.
Offenders
are
not
allowed
to
cover
lights
in
cells,
if
an
offender
does
he
faces
a
conductviolationandsubsequentdenialofhisbreakfastmeal.Thisnotonlyisphysicallytorturous
(whereasprolongedsleepdeprivationcausesheadaches,etc).Itisalsopsychologicallytorturous
(whereas)prolongedsleepdeprivationleadingtodementia,paranoia,irritabilityetcservesto
worsenmentalillness.Theseconditionsalsoinflictchronicinsomniawhichisdefinedas
sleeplessnesslastingformorethanamonth,orchronicintermittentinsomniainwhichperiods(days
orweeks)ofinsomniaalternatewithperiodsofgoodrest.Mentalhealthstafftendstothrowdrugs
attheproblem.However,althoughthesedrugswilltreatthesymptoms,mentalhealthstaffhavea
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
17/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page17
morepressingresponsibilityofaddressingtheunderlyingproblemwhichissleepdeprivation
causedbyconstantexposuretobrightstrobelightingwithincells.
AntwonW,SouthCentralCorrectionalCenter,LickingMO65542(6/7/10)
Manypeoplemaynotknowwhatitsliketobeisolatedforsolongthewaywevebeenhere,andI
wouldsaythatitslikebeinglockedinthetrunkofacarwithenoughweatherstrippingremovedso
thatyoucanbreathe,andwithenoughfoodandwaterstuffedineverydaysothatyoucanphysicallysurvive.Youresoongoingtorealizewhatitactuallymeanswhenitssaidthatwere
socialbeings.Youregoingtocravesocialinteractionandhumancontact.Soonyoullbehollering
outthecracksofthetrunktoseeifanyoneisoutthere,anyonewhoyoucanatleasttalktofor
evenabrieftime.GabeH,PelicanBayStatePrison,CrescentCityCA(6/7/10)
Ifthesensorydeprivationdoesnotsubdueapersonthentheyresorttophysicalattackswith
chemicalagentsoverthemosttrivialmerdetheycanthinkof.Strippingamannakedandputting
himinacellwithNOTHINGbecausehecausedadisruptionbynotifyingthecorrectionsofficersof
rottenandputridfoodbeingservedHereisalistofthingstheydotoprisoners:..Spraypepper
spray/chemicalmaceintocellsjusttoestablishwhosincontroletc.20Hoursadayofconstant
fluorescentlighting.
Dog
leashes
(restraint
tether)
used
on
top
of
handcuffs
to
leave
the
cell.
Every
time.Restrainttethers,shackles,bellychains,handcuffsandblackboxestoseeourfamiliesfor2
hoursofnocontactvisiting.Tormentingourvisitorswithseeingusinsuchastate.Chainedbeyond
anyrealsecurityconcernsTheyveblockedairflowfromunderthedoorswithsandbagscausinga
fluxofstaphinfectionalongwithavarietyofotherbacteria,fungi,andviruses.Thosesandbagsare
wetandputrid(sometimesImnotsureifImsmellingthefoodtraysortherottingsandbags.)
NateR,JeffersonCityCorrectionalCenter,JeffersonCity,MO(7/1/07)
TammsCorrectionalCenter
currentproceduresforsendingprisonerstotheTammsCorrectionalCenterinSouthernIllinois
andkeepingthemthereindefinitelyisinviolationofthe14thAmendmenttoU.S.Constitution,
which
guarantees
due
process
of
law.
The
judge
ordered
that
significant
changes
be
made
at
the
notoriousstatesupermaxJudgeMurphymadeclearthathisrulingisnarrowlydrawn,extendsno
furtherthannecessarytocorrecttheviolationofthe14thAmendmentdueprocessrightsofIDOC
[IllinoisDepartmentofCorrections]inmatesplacedatTamms,andistheleastintrusivemeans
necessarytocorrecttheviolationofthefederalrightsofsuchinmates.
JeanCasellaandJamesRidgeway,JudgeRulesProceduresatTammsSupermax
ViolateConstitutionSolitaryWatch,July212010
SinceIbeenatTammsJuly8,1998topresent,Ihavecut,biteandhungorattemptedtohang
myself.Ibeenonandoff17differentmedicationssinceIbeeninprison1994toMarch2009
whenIwasforceoffmedsbyDr.KforwritingagrievanceagainstherINEEDHELP!Someone
PLEASEHELPME!
RobertF,
Tamms
Correctional
Facility,
Tamms
IL
(6/8/09)
guardsfoundRobertF,33,deadonJune23inhiscellintheTammsSpecialTreatmentUnit,
ormentalward...
GeorgePawlaczykandBethHundsdorfer,BellevilleNewsDemocrat,TrappedinTamms:InIllinois
onlysupermaxfacility,inmatesareincells23hoursaday.August4,2009
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
18/64
Isolation Page18
TammswardenYJtoldheronthephonethatFoorwasnotreceivinganymedicationsatthe
timeofhisdeath
DustyRhodes,PrivateHell:MentallyIllTammsinmatediesinsolitaryconfinement.IllinoisTimes,
7/2/09.http://www.illinoistimes.com/Springfield/article6079privatehell.html
Inastatementinsupportofhisdecisioninadueprocessprisonerslawsuit,U.S.DistrictCourt
JudgeG.PatrickMurphywrote,Tamms[Supermax]imposesdramaticlimitationsonhuman
contact,so
much
so
as
to
inflict
lasting
psychological
damage
and
emotional
harm
on
inmates
confinedthereforlongperiodsPrisonofficialsandinmateswhodescribedcrushing
monotonyofspending23hoursperdayaloneinacell,devoidofhumancontactThejudges
findingsconcerningpsychologicalharmcontradictsprisonofficialsnumerousclaimsoverthe
yearssincethesupermaxopenedin1998,thatlongtermsolitaryconfinementdoesnotleadto
mentalbreakdown.
GeorgePawlaczykandBethHundsforfer,IsolationatTammsleadstomentalillness,judgerules.
BellevilleNewsDemocratJuly2,52010
DrawingbyTodd(HyungRae)Tarselli
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
19/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page19
Krystalreportsthatshewasphysicallyattackedbyotheryouthnearlyeverydaythatshewasin
thesystem.Shortlyafterarriving,Krystalfoundhershoesinthetrash,coveredinurineandspit.
Frequently,youthsattackedKrystalforrefusingtoperformsexacts.Otherqueeryouthinthefacility
hadsimilarexperiences.We'reallinthesamecategory,shesays.Andtherewasnowheretohide.
Itwasbasicallylikeabigdormonebigroomwhereeverybodysleeps,that'swhat'sgoingon,
Krystalsays.Sometimesyouwouldgetsenttolockdownforfightingback,butthere'snothingelse
youcando.Krystalreportedtheabusetostaff,buttheywouldjustwaittillthingshappened.Sometimesthestaffwouldtelltheotheryouthtostop.Sometimestheywouldn't.WhenKrystal
was13or14,thebullyingandviolencebecamesobadthatstaffplacedherinprotectivecustody,
wheresheremainedforamonth.
DanielRedman,Iwasscaredtosleep:LGBTyouthfaceviolencebehindbars.TheNation.June21,2010
Iamverythankfulthattherearepeoplelikeyouintheworldwhocare.Afriendofmineletmeborrow
andreadyourSurvivorsManual.Itbroughtsomanymemories.TearsfellfrommyeyesasIthought
backtothemanyyearsIwasforcedtospendinsolitaryconfinementintotalisolationandtheyears
spentincontrolunitsforcedtoendureunspeakableformsofabusebybothinmatesandprisonofficials.
IvebeenbeatenandrapedmoretimesthatIcaretoremember.Degradedanddehumanized.Passedon
fromone
man
to
another.
From
one
organization
to
the
next.
Im
still
treated
with
the
same
discriminationanddeliberateindifference.Iamatransgendered(maletofemale)inmatecurrently
incarceratedinacontrolunitwithinthefederalbureauofprisons.Iaminmymidthirtiesandhavebeen
incarceratedforalmost16yearsAnonymous
Ithasbeenconvincinglydocumentedonnumerousoccasionsthatsolitaryconfinementmaycause
seriouspsychologicalandsometimesphysiologicalilleffects.Researchsuggeststhatbetweenone
thirdandasmanyas90percentofprisonersexperienceadversesymptomsinsolitary
confinement.Alonglistofsymptomsrangingfrominsomniaandconfusiontohallucinationsand
psychosishasbeendocumented.Negativehealtheffectscanoccurafteronlyafewdaysin
solitaryconfinement,andthehealthrisksrisewitheachadditionaldayspentinsuchconditions.
Individualsmayreacttosolitaryconfinementdifferently.Still,asignificantnumberofindividualswill
experienceserioushealthproblemsregardlessofthespecificconditions,regardlessoftimeand
place,andregardlessofpreexistingpersonalfactors.Thecentralharmfulfeatureofsolitary
confinementisthatitreducesmeaningfulsocialcontacttoalevelofsocialandpsychological
stimulusthatmanywillexperienceasinsufficienttosustainhealthandwellbeing.Theuseofsolitary
confinementinremandprisonscarrieswithitanotherharmfuldimensionsincethedetrimental
effectswilloftencreateadefactosituationofpsychologicalpressurewhichcaninfluencethepretrial
detaineestopleadguilty.Whentheelementofpsychologicalpressureisusedonpurposeaspartof
isolationregimessuchpracticesbecomecoerciveandcanamounttotorture.
InternationalPsychologicalTraumaSymposium,December2007.Kingdom,Applicationnos.
24027/07,11949/08and36742/08,CouncilofEurope:EuropeanCourtofHumanRights,6July2010,
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c3718882.html
TerroristsuspectscannotbesenttolifeinjailinUS,EuropeanCourtrules
Thecourtsaidthesentenceswouldbreachtheprohibitiononinhumanordegradingtreatment
underArticleThreeoftheEuropeanConventionofHumanRightsThejudgeshavealsoruledthat
prolongeddetentioninsolitaryconfinementinaUSsupermaxprisoninFlorence,Coloradowould
breachArticleThree.
DuncanGardham,SecurityCorrespondent,www.telegraph.co.uk,July8,2010
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
20/64
CommunicationsManagementUnits Page20
Communications Management UnitsNote:TheFederalCorrectionalComplexinTerreHaute,INandtheUnitedStatesPenitentiaryin
Marion,ILcurrentlyhousethetwoCommunicationsManagementUnitsinthefederalsystem.
Thelatest
progression
of
control
units
are
called
security
threat
group
management
units.
This
is
particularlyegregiousbecauseitisthegovernmentwhichgetstodefinewhatasecuritythreat
groupis.AccordingtoanationalsurveydonebytheDepartmentofJustice,theDepartmentsof
CorrectionsofMinnesotaandOregonnamedallAsiansasgangs,whichMinnesotafurther
compoundsbyaddingallNativeAmericans.NewJersey,Oklahoma,andPennsylvaniagoontolist
variousIslamicgroupsasgangs.Becauseofmyownbackground,Iamverymindfulofwhois
consideredasecuritythreattothiscountryandhowtheyaretreated.Theprogressionoftheuse
ofisolationismostrecentlyknownasCommunicationsManagementUnitsinfederalprisonswhich
aredesignedtorestrictthecommunicationofimprisonedMuslimswiththeirfamilies,themedia,
andtheoutsideworld.ThistreatmentofprisonersisreplicatedinUSsecretprisonsthroughoutthe
worldwherealmostallofthosecapturedarepeopleofcolor.
BonnieKernessseminar,MuslimAllianceinNorthAmerica(7/17/10)
TheBureauestablishedtheCMUatFCCTerreHaute,IN,tohouseinmateswho,duetotheir
currentoffenseofconviction,offenseconduct,orotherverifiedinformation,requireincreased
monitoringofcommunicationswithpersonsinthecommunitytoensurethesafe,secureand
orderlyrunningofBureaufacilities,andtoprotectthepublic.TheCMUisanopenunitthat
operatesseparatelyfromthegeneralpopulationofthemaininstitution.Withacapacityof
housing90inmates,theCMUsoperationalproceduresreduceinmatesabilitytocircumvent
existing mailandtelephonemonitoringprocedures.Typesofinmateswhomaybehousedthere
includethose:
convictedof,orassociatedwith,internationalordomesticterrorism; convictedofsexoffenseswhorepeatedlyattempttocontacttheirvictims; whoattempttocoordinateillegalactivitieswhileincarceratedviaapproved
communicationmethods;
thosewhohavereceivedextensivedisciplinaryactionsduetotheircontinuedmisuse/abuseofapprovedcommunicationmethods.
StateoftheBureau2007:BureauofPrisonsStaff:EverydayHeroes,p.15.U.S.Departmentof
Justice,FederalBureauofPrisons.HarleyLappin,director.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
21/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page21
AttheMarionCMU,72percentofthepopulationisMuslim,1,200percenthigherthanthenational
averageofMuslimprisonersinfederalprisonfacilities.TheTerreHauteCMUpopulationisapproximately
twothirdsMuslim,anoverrepresentationof1,000percent.
CenterforConstitutionalRights,CommunicationsManagementUnits:TheFederalPrisonSystems
ExperimentinSocialIsolation.
Collageby
OjoreLutalo
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
22/64
CommunicationsManagementUnits Page22
ThereisnojusticeandnorightsforsomeonelikemewhoisaforeignerandMuslim.Theysentmetothe
specialunitcalledGuantanamoBayonAmericanSoilforthefollowingreasons:
Tomanageourcommunication(phone,visits,mail)Becausewearesupposedlyterroristsandadangerto
thecommunity.Letmeexplainwhatthegovernmentclaimsandmakeitclearforyouthatitisnonsense,
anexcuseforthenewfascism,thenewruleofdiscrimination.
Therearepeopleherewhodonthaveanycontactwiththeoutside.Theyneverwriteorgetmail,theyhavenophonecallsandnovisits.Thiswastruewhentheywereinregularunitsforyearsbut
stilltheywerebroughthere.Whichcommunicationsarebeingmanaged?Manyothershaveavisit
onlyonceayear,phonecallsonceamonth,mailonceaweek.Howdifficultisthattomonitor?
Whilesecretlytheywiretapmillionsofpeopleandreadbillionsofpiecesofmailandemailinthis
country!Buttheycantmanagetofollowone15minutephonecallpermonthsotheymustput
thepersoninthisUnit
Allourvisits,evenwithfamily,mustbethroughglass.Stoppingmefromhuggingmybabyhas
nothingtodowithnationalsecurity!Again,ifitsreallyasecurityconcernletthemgiveusnon
contactvisitsforfriends.Butfamily,especiallychildrenunder10,havenothingtodowiththreats.
Evenif
the
people
here
were
adanger
(which
Idont
believe,
at
least
in
most
cases)
there
are
thousandsofcriminals,evenmurderers,inmediumsecurityprisonslikethis.Buttheyareall
allowedcontactvisitseveryday,not4hoursamonthandthroughtheglass.Thelawshouldbethe
sameandallshouldhavethesameprivileges.TheonlydifferenceisthatweareMuslims
Iwasherewhenaninmatedied.Istilldontknowwhybuttheysaiditwasaheartattack.Allwe
knewwashisfrienddidnotseehimatbreakfast,andaftereatingwenttocheckonhim,hefound
hisbody.Evenifitwasaheartattack,imaginewhathemusthavegonethroughallalone.Usuallyin
prisonstheyhaveanemergencybuttonyoucanpress.Nothere.Hecouldhavebeenstrugglingall
night.Maybeifsomeonehadknownhislifecouldhavebeensaved.Butwhocares...liketheysay,
prisonersarejustnumbers.Ifonedies,itsonelessnumber.
Anothernightatabout2:00amIheardsomeonebangingonthedoorofhiscellandyelling,CO!
CO!Otherinmatesstartedshouting,Whatsgoingon?Heyelledback,Itsnotmebutmy
neighborhesdiabeticandhecollapsed...heiscryingforhelp.Weallstartedshoutingforthe
guardstocheckonhim,andthedoctoryelledthattheyshouldgivehimsomehoneyorjuice.Itstill
tooktwohoursuntiltheemergencyteamarrivedwithanurse.Ifhiscellmatehadnotheardhimand
startedshoutinghewouldhavedied.Whyisthisalockeddownunitbuttherearenoemergency
buttonsinthecells?
YassinA.,CommunicationsManagementUnit:TerreHaute,TerreHauteIN(10/14/07)
http://www.albanyweblog.com/2007/10Oct/101407.html
DirectorLspecificallyredressedaconcernthatsurroundedactivitiesbyMuslimsprisonerswithin
thecustody
of
the
Federal
Bureau
of
Prisons.
Because
certain
Muslim
prisoners
dont
require
high
security,DirectorLinformedCongressthattheCMUswerespecificallycreatedfortheseindividuals
insteadofplacingthemintheSupermaxADX.[BOP2009BudgetHearingBeforeCongress].This
requestforadditionalfundswasfor9milliondollarsafterCongresshadalreadygivenMr.L17
milliondollarsfortheCounterterroristUnitinWestVirginia(CTU).
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
23/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page23
AgentlemanbythenameofMr.N,a71yearoldmanserving120years,alsoresidesintheCMU.
Mr.Ndoesnotshowerformonthsonend.LetterswrittentotheU.S.DepartmentofHealthand
HumanServicesarelostinthemail.Staff,thosespecificallyrunningtheCMUonsiteand
administrationstaff,i.e.,Mrs.H,herassociatewardensanddepartmentstaffheads,areallawareof
theodorofurineonMr.Nandhavemadenoattemptstohavehimtransferredtoaninstitution
wherehecouldbetakenbettercareof.
CenterforConstitutionalRights,CommentsSubmittedbyCurrentandFormerCMUPrisonersRoyal
GeneDomingoJones,Sr.,USPMarion.June2,2010
OnatourofCamp5,amaximumsecuritycampfordetaineesthemilitarydeemsnoncompliant,
thecommandingofficerrattledoffstatisticsaboutthebuilding.Itwasmodeledafteraprisonin
TerreHaute,Indiana.
JeremyW.Peters,TourofGuantanamoOffersaLook,butLittleElse.NewYorkTimes,August11,2010
Thosecomingoutdirectlytothestreetsfromyearsinisolationtalkaboutsleeplessness,paranoia,
feelingsofviolence,andaninabilitytorelatetoanyonewhohasnthadtheexperienceofprison
andisolation.Familyandfriendsreportthatthelovedonesbeingreturnedtothemafterfinishing
theirsentences
are
not
people
they
know
anymore.
The
people
who
have
endured
this
describe
yearsoflivinginanenvironmentsotoxictomentalfunctioningthattheyareunabletorelateto
theworldasweknowituponrelease.Onemandescribedcuttinghimselfjustsohecouldfeel
something.Ionceaskedamanwhyhethrewfecesonofficers,whatcouldpossiblycompelhimto
behavelikethat?Hesaiditwastheonlypowerhehadleft.
BonnieKerness,FromSlaverytothePrisonSystem:HumanRightsViolationsinAmerica.
MonmouthUniversity,February19,2009
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
24/64
HealthandMedicalServicesandConditions Page24
Health and Medical Services and Conditions
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 3Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Article 6Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be
protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment
Article 21) Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative,
judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any
territory under its jurisdiction.
2) No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state ofwar or a threat of war, international political instability or any
other public policy emergency, may be invoked as a justification
of torture.
3) An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not beinvoked as a justification of torture.
Article 164) Each State Party shall undertake to prevent in any territory under
its jurisdiction other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading
treatment or punishment which do not amount to torture as
defined in Article 1, when such acts are committed by or at the
instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public
official or other person acting in an official capacity.
Pleaseallowmetoexplaintheunhealthy,unsanitary,unsafeandnastycellsIvebeenplacedin
sinceIvebeenhere5/9/08Sgt.Bmovedmeinacellbuilding18DLower11thathadbloodonthe
floor,thewalls,themirror,thetoilet,thebedframeandthesinkfromtheguyinthecellbeforeme
hithisheadorsomethingandIwasforcedtocleanitupon4to12shiftbarehandedwithjust
torntowelsthatthe4to12officersgavemebecauseSgt.Bwouldntgivemeanythingtocleanthe
blood
up
with
on
his
shift
(8
to
4)
and
when
I
asked
him
[Sgt.
B]
for
some
gloves
and
cleaning
supplies,toldme,FnoIfiledagrievanceandtold,nongrievable
Ivebeentoldbyseveralofficers,thatswhyIeattheirspit,theirsemenandallkindsofstuff,Ifiled
grievancesonallofthethingstheyhavetoldmetheyaredoingtomyfoodandImtold,non
grievable.On6/27/09,7/11/09,and12/22/09Ibitdownonmetalinmyfoodinwhichmymouth
stillhurtsandbleedsfromwhenIfirstbitdownonmetalinmyfoodon6/27/09andalltheyare
tryingtodois[CMSmedicaldepartment]coverupandjustifymyinjuriestomylefthandandleft
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
25/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page25
footandcoverupandjustifywhymymouthisbleedingIfearformylife,safety,andhealthby
correctionalofficersandthedepartmentofcorrectionsiscontinuingtoallowthesameexact
officerstocontinueandcontinuetoassaultme,harassme,targetme,tamperwithmyfood,steal
mylegalwork,stealmygrievances,etc.andIvemadethedepartmentofcorrectionsknowexactly
whatsgoingonbutnothingisbeingdoneaboutitatall
GregR,SHUJamesT.VaughnCorrectionalCenter,SmyrnaDE
IamalungandbronchialtubecancerpatientandithasmetastasizedsubstantiallyDuetothe
cancer,radiation,andbotchedsurgery,Iaminconstantpain.IamonlifetimeM.S.Contin
[morphine]painmedicationwhichalsohelptremendouslyforthemultiplespinedisease
painPrisonstaffdeliberatelyrefusetoallowmetogotomypainmedicationappointmentsorthey
deliberatelyinterferebyholdingmeinmyhousingfor2hourswhichbothcauseunnecessarypain
andnarcoticswithdrawalsthatareevenworsethanthecancerpain
Anotherincidentwheremedicalstaffdeliberatelyrefusedtoprovidemypainmedicationwasduring
aheatwaveof101105degrees.ThisTexasprisonunitwithmanyelderly,andveryillinmates,has
noairconditioningthemedicalholdingcageisnotinthemedicaldepartmentlikeonalmostall
otherTexasprisonunits.Itisinthemainhallwayinfrontofmedical.everyonemustsitatalltimes.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
26/64
HealthandMedicalServicesandConditions Page26
Duringthehottestsummermonthsthecagesbecomesofullwithstaphinfection,medication,and
treatmentsthatitisshouldertoshouldersitting.thecagesbecomesohot,thebodyheatbeingheldin
bycinderblockwallsandbodiesshouldertoshoulderthatwebecomesoakingwetwithperspiration.
OnonesuchoccasionIbecamedizzyandnauseousandIwenttothemedicaldoorandaskedtosit
insideafterexplainingmysymptoms.Theguardnotonlyrefusedbutrefusedtotellthemedical
staffsittinginthecageduringaheatwaveIbecamedizzyagainandfeltlikeIwasgoingtobesick
nauseaandmouthwatering.BecausethepillwindowwasstillgoingwithregularmedsIknewfromexperiencethatitwasgoingtobealongwhileuntiltheyweredone[cancermedsaregiveninthe
medicaldepartmentunderdirectobservation]soIwentbacktomyhousingtolayinfrontofmyfan.As
soonascountclearedIwentbacktothemedicaldept.,Iwasgoneabout1hourandassoonasIwalked
uptheR.N.,Ms.R,yelledthruthedoorYouarenotgettingyourmedication!Itwasarough,rough
night.Cancerpain,narcoticwithdrawal,andalltheheatstrokesymptoms.
MichaelS,TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice,RosharonTX(5/3/10)
July19,2007inmateDaleIdiedfromaraginginfectioncausedbyfecalmatterseepingintohis
abdomenthroughaperforatedulcer.TheofficialinvestigationfoundthatJailHealthService
caregiversoverlookedorignoredtheevidencethatIszleywasinseriousmedicaltroubletheday
beforehe
died.
Documents
show
Iszley
begged
to
be
sent
to
ahospital
and
writhed
in
pain
for
nearlytwodaysbeforehediedinthejailsinfirmary.
JohnS,SeattleWAKingCountyJail(5/4/10)
AprisonerbythenameofFredCdiedthispastweek,andyoushouldbeinformedthatthereis
littledoubtthathisdeathwascaused,atleastinpart,byhismaltreatmentatthehandsofyourB
podhousingstaffMr.Ccomplainedincessantlyofexperiencingchestpainsb/cofhispresumed
mentalhealthissues,staffmostlyrolledtheireyesandignoredMr.Csmedicalcomplaintsstaff
wouldmakefunofMr.CsmedicalcomplaintsThesmellandfilthassociatedwithMr.Cs
dramaticallydeclininghealthdidnotmovehousingstafftoseekmedicalhelpforhim,butinstead
causedfurtherangerandresentmentbystaff[C]wassubjectedtohazingandharassmentbyunit
officers
on
a
regular
basis
in
connection
with
his
inability
or
unwillingness
to
stand
to
take
showers.
Insteadofattemptingtoaccommodatehisneedsbyprovidingachairintheshower,orproviding
himaccesstoabathtubinthemedicalunit,housingstafftookitasachallengetotryandforceMr.
Ctoshower.ThiswasattemptedonmanyoccasionsbylockingMr.Cintheshowerandleavinghim
inthere,layingonthefilthyshowerfloor,forliterallyhoursatatimeIpersonallywitnessednight
OfficerHtakeagrievancefromMr.Csdoor,dropitonthefloor,andusehisshoetojamthe
grievancebackunderMr.Csdoor.
CharlieF,AdultDetentionComplex,SaltLakeCityUtah(5/24/10)
Ivebeenforcedtolivethreemeninacellhousewithacameraoverourlivingquarteroneofour
cellmatesisforcedtolayonthefloorduetohisageheshouldnthaveto.Butweareforcedtoshut
uporwewouldbepeppersprayedorshockedbytaseragain.Thephoneswontpermitustocall
outto
the
Marshalls
office
when
we
ever
get
the
telephone.
HowardH,CalcasieuParishCorrectionCenter,LakeCharlesLA70602(6/6/10)
Ihadanemotionalbreakdownandkickedthedoortomycell.IrealizedthatIhadbrokenmyleg
bykickingthedoorandcalledontheintercomforhelp,statingthatIhurtmyleg.Noone
responded.Icontinuedtolieonthefloorandcallforhelp.Afterabout20minutes,staff
respondedtheyreturnedaboutfifteenminuteslaterandtoldmetomoveawayfromthedoorso
theycouldseeme.IinformedthemthatIcouldnotmovebecausemylegwasbroken.They
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
27/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page27
respondedthatunlessIcrawledacrossthefloortheywouldnotcallforanurse.Iwasabletodrag
myselfatotalofaboutsixfeetawayfromthedoor,ittookoverahalfofanhourtodosoStaffand
thenurseleftagain.Thenursereturnedaboutfifteenminuteslaterwithtwelvesecuritystaff.Staff
enteredmyroom,thengrabbedmyarms,handcuffedme,androlledmeonmyback,heldmy
brokenlegdown,thenpulledupmypantleg,causingmeextremepain.Iwaslefttolieonthefloor
untilemergencytransportpeoplearrivedaboutthirtyminuteslaterIwasdiagnosedwithmultiple
fracturestomyrightlegIwasarbitrarilydeniedallmybreakswhileinisolationfromthetimeofmyinjuryuntilaftersurgery.SoIwaslockedinmycell24hoursaday.Mykneehasbeenpermanently
injured,andIlostfeelinginthedorsalsideofthelegandthreetoes
OnoraboutNovember13,2003,Icomplainedofintensepaintomylowerbackfromacystwhere
myskinswelledgreatly,andthenbrokeandbledasaresultofbeinginbedbecauseofmyleg
injuryWhenthenursearrived,shemerelyplacedagauzepadovermybleedingskinandleft.I
explainedthatitwasnecessarytolancethecystinordertodrainthefluidwhenIreceivedno
furthermedicalhelp,Ieventuallyfeltforcedtopuncturethecystanddrainitmyself,becausethe
painandpressureweresogreat.TheMSOPrefusedtoprovidemewithadoctorforthiscondition
untiltheendofDecember2003.Thedoctoratthehospitalrecommendedsurgery.Thefacilityfailed
toarrange
surgery
until
February
24,
2004
when
agolf
ball
sized
cyst
was
finally
removed.
ArthurS,MinnesotaSexOffenderProgram,MooseLakeMN(6/8/10)
InthetenyearssincemyinitialstayatPassaicCountyJail,inmateshave,andarecontinuallybeing
forcedtoliveinabsolutesqualor;whichexposesthemtoavarietyofparasiticinfectionslikescabies,
lice,ringwormandcrabs,aswellasskindiseaseslikeMRSAandimpetigo.Thisfilthcontributesto
theobviousinfestationproblem.
MichaelB,PassaicCountyJail,PassaicNJ(9/14/09)
Icamedownwithsomethingcalledcellulitis.Cellulitisisabacterialinfectionoftheskinwhichif
leftuntreatedmaycausesepticemia,apotentiallyfatalcondition.NowIwassickwithcellulitisinmy
foot.
And
for
three
weeks
the
condition
had
got
so
bad
the
prison
call
911.
And
I
was
taken
to
St.
FrancishospitalwhereIstayedfor7dayswithonedayintheICU.
KofiB,NewJerseyStatePrison,TrentonNJ(7/16/10)
Onabout2006,atBexarCountyJailinSanAntonio,IpickupHepatitisC,alongwithStaphinfection
thatcausedmetohaveabloodpoisoning,inwhichcausedacyst,thatgrowonmyneck,andhadto
haveanoperationonmynecknowIhaveascaronmyneckfrommyeartothebottomofmyneck,
intheareaof10to11incheslongIdidnthaveanythingwrongwithmewhenIgotintothecounty
jail,nowinprisonIcantgetnotreatment,untilmylivergoesout,thenitstoolate
DavidP,TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice,StilesUnit,BeaumontTX(6/2/08)
Inasystemwhere95%ofpeopleinprisonreturntoourcommunities,theimpactofcrueltyand
poormedical
practices
isnt
just
amatter
of
human
decency.
They
involve,
among
other
things,
seriouspublichealthconcernswithbothimmediateandlongtermimplications.Publichealth
issuesincludingHepatitisC,Tuberculosis,HIV,mentalillnessandsymptomsrelatedtopost
traumaticstressdisorder.Manyleaveprisonswithoutanyofthemedication,whichformedthe
bedrockoftheirtreatment,therebyriskingdiffusionofthesediseases.
BonnieKerness,FromSlaverytothePrisonSystem:HumanRightsViolationsinAmerica.
MonmouthUniversityHumanRelationsAdvisoryCommittee,February192009
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
28/64
MentalIllness Page28
Mental Illnesspeoplewhohavementalillnesswillgetsprayedwithmacefirst,thentheyllshootgasthreetimes
inthecellbeforetheyruninfourtofivesuitedupmentoputtheinmateinthegroundand
handcuffandshackle.Usuallywhenthishappenstoanybodywhogetsauseofforcetheyare
strippednaked,
all
property
including
mattress
is
thrown
out
and
you
dont
get
fed
next
meal
for
the
facttheyhavetodopaperwork
RubenZ,EstelleHighSecurityUnit,HuntsvilleTX(3/17/10)
Ivehadseriousmentalillnesssincechildhood,bipolardisorderandbehavioralproblems,
intermittentexplosivedisorderandIvegotintellectualfunctioningdisorder!Aswellaschronic
seizures,grandmalseizuresmymentalillnesswent100%untreatedformyfirstcoupleyearsin
prison!WhichcausedmetobeputintoconfinementIvebeeninstripcellswithnothingbuta
steelbunkinthemiddleofwinterandnoheatinthecellhouseandhadtheofficersspraywaterin
mycellandonmyself,andIwouldstaylikethatforupto1012daysattimes!Withthewholecell
havingathinlayeroffrost!...Icutmyselfsobadtheguardsgotsickuponseeingmywounds!Iwas
injectedwithlotsofpsychmeds,placedin5pointrestraintsforverylongtimesIwasso
paranoidmymental
help
was
asuper
mega
dose
of
psych
meds
and
abox
car
segregation
cell!
BobbyB,TammsCorrectionalCenter,TammsIL(5/7/10)
OnMarch5,2010,anadjustmentshearingwasheldandKwasconvictedinabsentia.FredNs[the
hearingofficer]recordofthehearingallegesthatKwaivedhisrighttobepresentatthehearing,to
havearepresentative,ortocallwitnesses.Kwasfoundguiltyofusingthreateninglanguageand
disrespect.Kwassentencedto340dayssegregation,thelossofvisitsfor150days,andthelossof
1,000goodconductdays.Inimposingtheunusuallyharshandcruelsentence,Nobviouslygaveno
considerationtoKsmentalhistoryorcondition,andtheresnoreasonforaninferencethatNeven
caredwhetherKwasmentallycapableofknowinglyandintelligentlywaivinghisrightsInmateK
hasahistoryofmentalillnessOntheafternoonofMarch5th,whentheconsequencesofthe
adjustmenthearing
were
cautiously
explained
to
K,
he
presumably
cut
himself
and
was
subsequentlymovedtothesuicidewatchareaoftheinstitution
OnFebruary2,2010,Iwashousedinasegregationcellnexttoamentallyillinmatehearouseda
greatdealofcommotionbecausehewascoatinghimselfwithhumanfeces,spreadingthesame
aroundthecellandonthecelldoorwindowfromwhichhewaslickingthewaste.Securitystaff
reactedtothiscryforhelpbyinitiallythreatening,tonoavail,todeprivethepatientofhisfood
ration.Withinafewdaysthepoorsoulwasrotatedoutoftheareaandawayfromotherinmates
awareofthepatientsneglectedcondition
AgainonFebruary19th,2010,amentallychallengedinmatenamedMomidWwasexitingthe
housing
unit
#5
adjustments
hearing
room,
from
which
he
seemed
to
have
been
somewhat
propelled.InmateWwascuffedfrombehind,andjustasheclearedthedoorframehewasstrucka
viciousblowtothebackoftheheadbyacorrectionalofficertohisrear.TheblowknockedWtothe
floorwherehewasthenkickedandpummeledbytwoofficersbeforehewaspainfullyliftedand
drugoutofsightbythehandcuffsthatsecuredhisarmsbehindhisback
NormP,WesternCorrectionalInst.,Cumberlan,MD3/9/10(written),5/18/10(received)
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
29/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page29
Thisguyhas40yearsinPrisonandithastakenagreatpsychologicaltollonhismind.Hehas
illusions,paranoid+verypsychoticTheyoungofficersliketotaunthim,andprovokearesponseto
givehimaticket.
S.D.P.,UpstateCorrectionalFacility,MaloneNY(5/20/10)
takenfromalettertoallwhowilllisten,takewhatIhavetosayseriouslyandopentheirmindto
acceptthetruthIhaveheardvoices(andstilldo)andseenthingsthatotherpeopledontsee(andstilldo)andanytimeItrytoseekhelp,Iameitherlaughedatandcalledaliar,orevenworse,
punishedbybeingplacedinafreezingcoldcellwithnoclothesitiswelldocumentedthathehas
hadmentalhealthproblemshestateshishistoryofselfmutilationpsychologistsconclusions
state:Mr.Pobviouslyhadsomeseriousmentalhealthproblemsevenbeforehebeganbeing
housedinisolation;hehasbeenhousedinisolationalmosttheentiretenyearsthathehasbeen
incarcerated.Mr.Pbelievesthatthesensorydeprivationhashadmuchtodowithhisactingout
throughcustodialassaultshebeginstodevelopsuspiciousandparanoidfeelingsrelieve[s]the
stressbyselfmutilationandactingouthegivesthisaccountofthetreatmenthedidreceiveinthe
SpecialOffendersUnit:Iwasplacedintherestraintbedduetoaselfharmattempt.Whileinthe
restraintbedIwasassaultedbyanofficercametotherestraintbed,toconductacertcheckon
therestraintsC/O
Shaw
open
hand
smacked
me,
extremely
hard
with
excess
force,
two
times
in
therightsideofmyface
FromprisoneradvocateonbehalfofKyleP,WashingtonStateDOC(5/30/10)
eventhoughtheuseofchemicalagents/ad[ministrative]seg[regation]onmentallyill
unconstitutional,thepracticescontinueIwasangrybecauseIwasnotgivenasuicideblanket,it
waswinterandlackofheatisusedtomodifybehavior.Iwaspeppersprayedwithoutpriormental
healthconsultationandevaluation.
StevenD,WesternNewMexicoCorrectionalFacility,GrantsNM(6/8/10)
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
30/64
MentalIllness Page30
Collageby
OjoreLutalo
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
31/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page31
ThefollowingfourtestimoniesareregardingthesuicideofMatthewBullock,whosufferedfrom
mentalillness,hadattemptedsuicidesixtimes,andhadbeensentencedtoserveinasecure
mentalhealthfacility:
OfficerB,C,McC,P,RandMencouragedprisonerMatthewBullocktokillhimself,calledhim
childmolester,kickedonhisdoor,anddeprivehimofprotectionagainstsuicidaltendencies.
SpecificallyIrecallon8/26/09and8/27/09OfficerMcCwasbraggingthatitwashim(McC)that
madeBullockcommitsuicideandthathewouldliketoseeotherinmateskillthemselves.On
8/27/09correctionalofficerMcCstatedthatheisgoingtomakethebabyraper'[namewithheld]'
killhimselftoo.ThedaysfollowinguptothedatethatprisonerMatthewBullockcommittedsuicide
Mr.Bullockwascomplainingaboutbeingunabletobreatheinhotcellwiththebrightlightshiningin
hisface24hoursaday.PrisonerBullockwasinacameracellandtoldtheofficersthathewouldkill
himself.TheRHUofficersmovedinmateBullocktoacellwithoutcameraandprovidedhimthe
meanstokillhimself.NoofficersmadeanyroundstocheckonBullockonthe210shift.Therefore
Mr.Bullockbeingunderthepressureofsolitaryconfinementandbeingtreatedlessthanadog
committedsuicide.
CarringtonK,
SCI
Dallas
Restricted
Housing
Unit
(confinement),
Jackson
Twp
PA
(9/17/09)
source:
HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.14
...They...toldMatthewBullockthattheydon'ttakehissuicidethreatsseriouslyandthatifhe
wantedorneededahelpinghandtoassisthissuicidetask/threat...theofficershereatDallas
definitelycausedthisinmatetokillhimselfbyagitatedhiminvariouswaysandbytotallyignoring
hishealthproblems/conditions.
IsaacS,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(8/24/09)source:Human
RightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.15
AmannamedMatthewBullockdiedinKA48cellofDallasRHU.OfficerBworkedalongwith
officerM.
Officer
B
was
an
instigator.
He
was
making
comments
of
how
well
all
get
your
day
and
werejustsavingtaxdollars,itsadepression.Wheninmatesscreamedmandyinggethimhelp.
TheyloungedaroundmakingcommentsofobscenenaturetowhichIcantrepeatindetail.Noone
knewhisfamilytotellthemtherealstoryandbeabletoofferthemaffidavitsandtestimonysothey
cangetjustice.Surelytheyweregivenatrumpedupversionoftheirlovedonesdeath.MayGod
Blesshissoul!
LawyerL,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(undated)source:
HumanRightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.16
SinceIgottothisprisonIvebeenintheRHUmoretimethanthegeneralpopulation.Ineed
someonetohelpmebecauseIshouldhavebeenMattBullock,IhungmyselfNov.1508andall
thesepeopledidwaslockmeinaroomnakedfor18daysandtake[away]everymedicationthat
hadhelped
me.
Iwouldnt
have
hung
myself
ifthey
wouldve
listened
to
me.
If
they
wouldnt
have
continuallymessedwithallmymedications.
JohnP,SCIDallasRestrictedHousingUnit(confinement),JacksonTwpPA(11/5/09)source:Human
RightsCoalitionFedUpChapter InstitutionalizedCrueltyp.17
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
32/64
MentalIllness Page32
Aconsiderablenumberofprisonersfell,afterevenashortconfinement,intoasemifatuous
condition,fromwhichitwasnexttoimpossibletoarousethem,andothersbecameviolentlyinsane;
othersstill,committedsuicide
VictorD,OklahomaStatePrison,McAlester,OK(9/28/09)
IamremindedofmentallyillFrankHinNewJersey,whowasforcedintoanisolationunit.The
guardstauntedandteasedthisman,madehimdanceashebeggedthemforcigarettes,waterorfoodwhiletheylaughed.FrankHkilledhimself.
AstoldbyBonnieKerness,explainingreportsreceived(11/09)
InNewJerseyIvereceivedreportsoftheuseofsomethingcalledthechickensuit,wherethe
mentallyillareforcedtowearclearplasticsuitsduringtheirstayintheSpecialNeedsunitina
countyfacility.Inessencetheyspendtheirdaysnaked.
AnonymouslytoldtoBonnieKerness(2009)
thetrendtowarddeinstitutionalizationofthementallyillinthe1970swasitsownsocial
movementdesignedtotakepeopleoutofthedreadfulconditionsinmentalasylumsandplace
themin
community
treatment
centers.
The
money
to
realize
the
second
half
of
the
vision
never
materialized,however,andmanyofthementallyillwereleftonthestreetsandsubsequently
arrested.Asaresult,jailsandprisonshavebecometheprimarysitesformanypeopletoreceive
mentalhealthservices
Webelievethatweshouldstoptreatingmentalillnessascriminalbehavior,andusehealthcare
responsesratherthanpoliceresponsestobehaviorthatresultsfrommentalillness.Ifthereisa
returntogreateruseofmentalhospitals,theseshouldbeavailabletopatientsandtheirfamilies
onavoluntarybasis.Insteadofcontinuinginvestmentinmoreprisonstohousementallyill
personsinfacilitiesnotequippedtotreatthem,weshouldinvestmoreinsecurebuttreatment
orientedhospitalsfortheviolentmentallyill,andincommunitymentalhealthservicestotreat
nonviolent
mentally
ill
persons
as
outpatients.
LauraMagnaniandHarmonL.Wray,BeyondPrisons:ANewInterfaithParadigmforOurFailed
PrisonSystem.Page30,126;AmericanFriendsServiceCommittee,2006.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
33/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page33
Use of Force and Devices of Torture
International Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Article 41) Each State Party shall ensure that all acts of torture are offenses
under its criminal law. The same shall apply to an attempt to
commit torture and to an act by any person which constitutes
complicity or participation in torture.
Article 101) Each State party shall ensure that education and information
regarding the prohibition against torture are fully included in the
training of law enforcement personnel, civil or military, medical
personnel, public officials and other persons who may be
involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of any
individual subjected to any form of arrest, detention, or
imprisonment.
2) Each State Party shall include this prohibition in the rules orinstructions issued in regard to the duties and functions of any
such person.
Article 11Each State Party shall keep under systematic review interrogation
rules, instructions, methods and practices as well as arrangements
for the custody and treatment of persons subjected to any form ofarrest, detention or imprisonment in any territory under its
jurisdiction, with a view to preventing any cases of torture.
Article 13Each State Party shall ensure that any individual who alleges he has
been subjected to torture in any territory under its jurisdiction has
the right to complain to, and to have his case promptly and
impartially examined by, its competent authorities. Steps shall be
taken to ensure that the complainant and witnesses are protected
against ill-treatment or intimidation as a consequence of his
complaint or any evidence given.
OnJune19,2004[correctionalofficer]SorderedthatIbeplacedinfourpointrestraintsafterIset
thewatersprinkleroffinmycell...SforcedmetoremaininrestraintsuntilJune22,2004without
evertalkingtoorobservingme.Whilealreadyrestrained,defendantSthenorderedthatIbe
involuntarilyinjectedwithantipsychoticdrugs(unknowntomeatthetime)atthesuggestionof
nonmedicalLTSU[longtermsegregationunit]staff.Prisonguardsphysicallyheldmedownwhilea
femalenurseforciblypulleddownmyunderwearandinjectedmeinthebuttockswithaneedle.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
34/64
UseofForceandDevicesofTorture Page34
IwasinjectedwithHaldolatdefendantS'sdirection,withfullknowledgethatthisdrugisknown
tocauserestlessnessandmusclespasmsinpatients.Duetomebeingrestrainedandunableto
stretch,defendantdidthisastorture.Whileintheserestraints,Iurinatedanddefecatedonmyself
severaltimesandwasmadetoliveinitforseveraldays...WhenIasked...Saavedrawhyhewas
denyingmeplacementinatreatmentunitandsinglingmeout,hestatedthatIshouldn't'complain
somuch'andthatI'm'nothingbutalabrat.'
AndreJ,SCIFayette,LaBellePA(11/09)
TheC.O.MichaelJholdtheblackmetalbox,theonethatgoeswiththehandcuffsandthechain
aroundthewaist.HeholdwiththelefthandandpassedtherestofrestrictionstoOfficerM.Having
donethat,theC.O.Jdidasifhewasleavingthecell,butsuddenlyheturnedaroundandbalancing
allhisweight,heextendedhisrightfistandhitme.Rightbelowofthelefteyeinflamingmylefteye,
knockingmedowninmybackinthebunk,andjumpedontopofmeandbeganstrikingmewith
bothofhisfists,ontheface,neck,torsoarea,andinthechest.TheC.O.M.Jhitmeseveraltimes
withtheblackmetalbox.Theblackmetalboxslippedoutofhislefthandbuthewasontopofme.
Andcontinuebeatingmelikeabeast.TheC.O.MwasstandingatthedoorjustwatchingtheC.O.
MichaelJbeatingme.
SergioF,
Florida
State
Prison,
Raiford,
FL
(3/19/10)
ifsomeonedontknowwhatthey[correctionalofficers]thinkweshoulddothentheygasus,
shootuswithbombs,shootuswithapaintgunthathasrubberballsinit.Thentookastripcellput
inblackbox.Chainsandlegironsuntilwedecidetodoastheysayorthewardencomesandsaysto
takeyouout,soyougottopraythatatourcomessoyoullbeoutbeforeallthat.
Jeff H,FederalCorrectionalComplex,OakdaleSMU, OakdaleLA(undated)
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
35/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page35
SomeyearsbackIwasatagatheringwheresomeonebroughtablackboxattachedtohandcuffs
andaskedmetowearitfor45minutes.Theboxwassoheavythatthepainwasimmediate.Iwas
unabletothinkofanythingforthose45minutesexceptpain.Peoplehavedescribedwearingitfor
hoursandinatleastoneprison,thepersonhastowearitduringhisentirewindowvisit.
BonnieKernesspresentationtotheNationalReligiousCampaignagainstTorture(11/09)
InJune2004Iwasbeatenandchainedtoametalbedwithnofoodandwaterfor3daysChrisG,SaguaroCorrectionalCenter,EloyAZ(4/29/10)
NoTouchTortureUniversityofWisconsinprofessorAlfredMcCoy[authorofAQuestionofTorture,CIAInterrogation,
fromtheColdWartotheWaronTerror]writes, interrogatorshadfoundthatmerephysicalpain,
nomatterhowextreme,oftenproducedheightenedresistance.
TheCIAspsychologicalparadigmfornotouchtorturefusedtwonewmethods,sensory
disorientationandselfinflictedpain,whosecombination,intheory,wouldcausevictimstofeel
responsiblefortheirownsufferingandthuscapitulatemorereadilytotheirtorturers.Refined
throughyears
of
practice,
sensory
disorientation
relies
on
amix
of
sensory
overload
and
sensory
deprivationviabanalprocedures,isolationthenintenseinterrogation,heatandcold,lightanddark,
noiseandsilence,forasystematicattackonallhumanstimuli.Thefusionofthesetwotechniques,
sensorydisorientationandselfinflictedpain,createsasynergyofphysicalandpsychologicaltrauma
whosesumisahammerblowtotheexistentialplatformsofpersonalidentity.(McCoyoutline,45)
In2004,theRedCrossreported:Theconstructionofsuchasystem....cannotbeconsideredother
thananintentionalsystemofcruel,unusualanddegradingtreatmentandaformoftorture.
(McCoyoutline,9)
FromInContraventionofConventionalWisdomby CherylWelsh,January2008
TheauthoritieshereatLewisberg,beingcarriedoutbystaffinregardstoecessive(sic)useofforce
andthedischargeofchemicalagents(gas)isandhasbeenanongoingproblemsinceIarrivedin
6/2010.IhavetobeverycautiouswhatIwriteinthisletterbecausethemailisoftentamperedor
soIhavewitnessed.Thisisachemicalagentgohappy(gas)prison.Whensomeoneisgassed,weall
havetoendureit.Whenpeoplefight,staffdoesaverypoorjoboftryingtopreventit.Theywould
ratheryoufightsotheycangasyouorshootyouwithsprayballpepperballgunorgrenadeyouand
burstyoureardrums.Twoweeksaagomyselfandmycellmatetriedtoavoidgettinginafightby
tellingstffthatwearentgettingalongbeforewegotintoafight.Theunitmanagertoldthatthathe
willnotmoveeitherofus.
P.D.,LewisbergPenitentiary,November15,2010
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
36/64
UseofForceandDevicesofTorture Page36
CNNBlogAugust24,2010OfficialsataLosAngelesCountyjailplantotestoutaninvisibleheadbeamweaponoriginally
developedbythemilitaryasawaytosubduebrawlinginmatesbymakingthemfeelintolerable
heat.
Thetechnology,calledanAssaultInterventionDevice,isanonlethalweapondevelopedby
RaytheonCompany.Itoriginallywasscaleddownforuseatthejail.
Thedeviceemitsafocusedbeamofwaveenergythattravelsatthespeedoflightandproducesan
intolerableheatingsensationthatcausestargetedindividualstoflee.
Deputieshavetestedthedevice,whichiscontrolledbyajailofficerusingajoystick.
Webelievethattechnologycanhelpsolveproblemsfacingthecorrectionscommunity,including
addressingissuesofinmateviolence,SheriffLeeBacasaidduringanewsconference.Thedevice
willallowustoquicklyintervenewithouthavingtoentertheareaandwithoutincapacitatingor
injuringeither
combatant.
Officialssaytheyhopethedevicecanhelpquellinmateassaultsandreduceprisonviolence.Its
usewillbemonitoredbytheU.S.DepartmentofJusticesNationalInstituteofJusticeand
PennsylvaniaStateUniversity.
Fromhttp://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/24/lajailtestsintolerableheatbeamonbrawling
inmates/
ImwritingonbehalfofthevictimFbecausehedoesntknowhowtoreadorwriteFrequested
forhiscelltobesanitized,Sgt.DreplywasthatithadalreadybeendonewhichisaliebecauseIwas
standingatmydoorandtheyhadjustmovedanotheroffenderout.Theyrefusedtocleanthecell
out,all
inmate
Fdid
was
kneel
down
on
his
knees,
and
laid
down
on
the
ground.
This
happened
right
underneathoneofthecamerasonthiswing.Sgt.DandOfficerRgottothegroundoneoneach
side,andfornoreasonwhatsoeverSgtDstrikedtherightsideofinmateFsfacefivetimeswitha
closedfist,whenFisherturnedhisfacetotheothersideofficerRalsostrikedhimwithaclosedfist
fivetimes,heturnedhisfacetoSgt.Dstrikedhimfivetimes,thenofficerRpickedFsheadoffthe
groundandsmasheditintothegroundfacefirstthreetimesafterthatother(illegible)arrivedand
toldSgt.Dtostepaway.
InmateFhadhishandcuffedbehindhisback,neveratanytimedidhespit,kick,orbecomeverbally
orphysicallyaggressiveatanytime.Thereisnowayhecouldhavehurtanybodywhilebeing
handcuffedandalsoescortedbytwoofficers. Hewastakentothehospital.IusuallytellmyselfI
dontstickmynoseinanythingthatdoesntconcernmebutdamnwhatIseendonetothis
innocentindividual
was
fucked
up
to
the
point
where
Iwrote
astep
one
grievance
and
which
I
immediatelyreceivedaresponsebacksayingmystatementwouldbeincludedintheuseof
forceandthefollowingdaytheybroughtbackinmateFback.Hehadabrokennose,bruisesand
knotsonbothsidesofhisface,andthedoctorfromthehospitaladvisedhimhehadoneortwo
brokenbonesandfracturesinhisface.Theyweresupposedtodoafollowupbuttheguardshere
refusetotakehimtomedicalretaliatingagainsthimfornoapparentreason.
7/27/2019 torture-in-us-prisons 2nd edition
37/64
TortureinUnitedStatesPrisons(2ndEd.) Page37
Otherthingsmultipleofficersdoisrefusetofeedinmatesiftheyfindoutacertaininmatefileda
complaintsteponegrievanceagainstthem,theythrowoutoutgoingmail,orwhichisreallyfucked
upgiveaoffenderanotherpersonsmailonpurpose,peoplewhocantspeakEnglisharemostly
victimsofthisbullshitdenythemmedicalorjackingthemfortheirfood...Thepeopleherewithrank
areoutofcontrolmypointisyeahwereinprisonforbreakingthelaw,butwerestillhuman
beingsanddeservetoberespectedasoneespeciallyifwedontdoanythingwrong.
RubenZ.,EstelleHighSecurityUnit,HuntsvilleTX (3/17/10)
itsnotjusttheconditionsoftheprisonorlackofprogramsandpropermedicalattention.Its
alsothewaywearetreatedbytheguardsandstaff.Wehavetowalkthroughagantletofguards
whoarewearinghelmetsandswingingandbangingtheirnightsticksinathreateningmanneraswe
gotoandfromchow,oranymovement.Theytalktouslikeweweredogs,cursingatus,threatening
us,itsinsane!Prisonersarebeingbeaten!Whentheypullyouoverforapatdown,theymanhandle
you,slappingyoursides,grabbingyourlegandgivingitaquickyank,andwhatnotdoingtheirbest
togetustosaysomething.
RalphK.,NewJerseyStatePrison,TrentonNJ(9/11/08)
Havingheard
that
guards
at
SVOP
in
Sussex
County
spray
and
beat
inmates
for
sport,
Iarranged
tobesenttothesanctionpodatSVOPinGeorgetownOnMay9,Isawtwoguardsapproachan
inmatefrombehind,ashewaswalkingawayfromthem,sprayhimwithpepperspray,hithim,and
slamhimintothesteeldoor.Thisattackwasunprovokedandunjustified,andalltootypical!...On
May11,aCpl.MandaLt.CattackedmeWhileIwashandcuffed,silent,andseatedinachair,they
sprayedmewithpepperspray,pickedmeupsnatchedmeoutofthechairthrewmetothe
asphalt,kickedmeintheheadanddeliberatelyinjuredmyarmtheythenthreatenedtorepeatthis
behavioreveryhour.
KennethA.,VictorB1DCC,SmyrnaDE(11/7/07)
IwasthrownfromthewheelchairorratheritwassnatchedoutfromundermeIwastackledto
thegroundandheldfacedowncompletelyhelpless.Ididnotresistinanyway;thisallhappenedso
very
fastanother
CO
who
was
pressing
my
face
in
the
ground
took
me
by
my
hair
and
slammed
me
facedowninthegroundseveraltimesveryhardtillmymouthwasfilledwithdirtandbleedingand
myfacewaskickedveryhardbyaCOD.
FredW,RedOnionStatePrison,PoundVA(11/3/07)
OnJanuary29and31,2010,andFebruary1,2010,atElyStatePrison,sixteeninmateswere
involvedincellextractionsoveranonemergencysituationwherestaffonlywishedtoassert
authority.Tenweresubjectedtobrutalphysicalabuseatthehandsofstaffwherenomediationwas
usedtoachieveapeacefulresol
Top Related