Page 6 Portland Observer M ay 8, 1980
Behind the Walls
By An A nonymous Prisoner
Many times honesty in prison end
up being a bitter pill to swallow. But
w ith so many o f today's youth
w alking through these gates,
someone got to tell them something.
Because the rules in society differ a
great deal from those developed in a
prison...where they are called “ Sur
vival skills or Life savers.”
Crime is a loser's game for most,
and just the appellation o f the word
criminal to you may well cause your
family and friends untold anguish.
Starting with the lead-in o f arrest
and into ja il, then eventual plea-
bargaining or trial, it's downhill.
Errant individuals convicted o f
felonies and ticketed for prisons
ought to know that the following of
unpleasantries await them behind
massive penitentiary walls.
1. First o f all, expect to be stran
ded in prison for a while, and maybe
fo r many long, trying, lonesome
years.
2. I f you must be in prison for
over three years, expect to lose con
tact with some o f all your family
and former friends.
3. Don't expect anyone to agree
with "your notion” o f justice, nor
will some miracle come along that
w ill instantaneously affect your
release.
4. Don't expect to soon, if ever to
win a reversal from any higher court
on appeal. The vast majority of im
prisoned persons lose their appeals
consistently.
5. There w ill be absolutely no
privacy, and you can expect to do
"h a rd tim e” in a hostile environ
ment.
6. D on't expect the twisted c ir
cumstances o f im prisonm ent in
themselves to improves anyone's
character o f disposition. Since
association is forced and limited by
the very nature o f the prison
situation, some o f your companions
will oscillate between explosive bad
temper and being boisterously an
noying. Others w ill be unap
proachably withdrawn to the point
o f being totally uncommunicative.
7. In prison you have been thrust
into an abnorm al tw ilig h t zone
where neurosis, pyschosis, and
paranoia rein supreme. You are to
be piled if you need or expect any
meaningful psychiatric help. Prison
personnel won’ t take all their time
dealing with you or your special in
terest problems.
Interested in current books
about African Liberation?
visit:
JOHN REED BOOK STORE
In the Dekum Building
519 S.W. 3rd Avenue
Sixth Floor
Or call: 227 2902
Cell Talk
David Wright » 39816
Assistant Editor
by Larry Baker 935021
O.S.P. Correspondent
Asmar Abdul Seif ulta, Editor
aka Joe West 40404
8 Expect no compassion, love, or
22. W ithout going out o f your
By Asmar .4 bdul Seifullah
(5) There isn’t any Black oriented
meetings to honor their con-
sympathy from your fellow
way in the least, you can count on
(aka Joe West)
entertainment o f any significance,
tributions to the comm unity, bui
prisoners or from their keepers.
violating one or more o f the prison’ s
the sole source o f institutional enter
even they haven’t answered our call
9. There will undoubtly be over
many rules and regulations. A
These
lines
are
written
with
the
tainment
is left in the hands o f the
for support and assistance. One ui
crowding, continuous backbitting,
punishment o f some sort will surely
sole purpose o f shedding light on
State
St.
Jay-Cees
which
is
a
white
the
necessary ingredients to unity a j
and endless gossip out o f which all
follow.
the plight o f Black prisoners now
control and operated organization.
self-reliance is taking care o f your
kinds o f wild rumors w ill <;ome.
23. You w ill quickly feel as if you
housed in the Oregon penal system.
(6) All programing for television
own and we're still members o f the
What little facts and truth that is
have committed your crime against
I have procrastinated and soft-
programs are done by white inmates
community - we will be back and
circulated around in prison is unfor
prison officials or the prisoners, in
shoed around the issue o f racism for
which causes for very bias selection
we are s till Black, Blacker than
tunately mangled by most prisoners.
stead o f the accuser who brought
too long and it's time - past time
o
f programs.
most, no matter what we’ve done in
10. Expect the 6 X 8 cell that will
the original charges against you in
that the truths were known about
(7) We do more time for the same
the past. I f there is one iota ot
be your home to be filth y . Your
court, and each day you w ill pay
the blatant racism that now exist in
type o f crimes as our white-
comradeship or brotherhood left m
bed, graced with a dirty mattress,
dearly psychologically to one o f
the whole correctional system and at
counterparts which relates directly
Portland or in Oregon among
will be ancient, and one or more of
them for it.
O.S.P. specifically.
to
the
parole
system
and
the
extra
Black
folks, please come to our aid
your fixtures, electricity (lights),
I ’ve delayed writing this piece and
24. W here you preceive some un
burden it places on Black prisoners.
please support us in our endeavour
sink or toilet, may not work.
similar pieces o f this nature because
fairness or wrong and individually
(8) W e are constantly subjected to to gain the medicine that’s needed to
11. You, w ill wear prison issued
1 honestly telt that there were other
or collectively seek redress through
harrassment
and racism perpetuated heal us and make us productive
ill- fittin g perm a-wrinkle clothing
avenues o f recourse open to Black
petition via mail to some officials in
by white staff members.
citizens. "These people are killing
that will always be in short supply.
prisoners. But that line o f thought
the state capital, expect disappoint
(9 ) We have no one who w ill
us mentally today, but tomorrow
The scuffed shoes you will be given
has been com pletely and u tte rly
ment,
a
fla
t
rejection
o
f
your
champion
our
cause
or
who
under
they
may want our blood!”
may have been worn by ten men
destroyed. 1 don’t wish to alienate
allegations or contentions.
stands our cause when we relate it to
before you.
any friends that "C e ll T a lk " may
them.
25. You have no " r ig h t s " so
12. Every door (and there are
have made during this early and im
don't
delude
yourself
into
thinking
(10) W e are solely dependent on
many) will be securely locked.
portant stage of development but I
that you do.
the
beneficence o f a apathetic ad
13. There is continual confusion
can no longer with a clear conscious
26. You w ill hear guards and
ministration.
A PERSONAL MOMENT
in prison, loud discordant noises
neglect my responsibilities to my
prisoners applying derogatory terms
(11) We have been and still are the
FOR THOSE WHO CARE
from morning to night, and often
readers or to my fellow prisoners. I
victims o f racial slurrs and bigotry.
to all races and ethnic groups, there
vermin — mice, rats, flics,
realize that there will be people who
w
ill
be
guard
harassment,
and
in
Damm, the list goes on and on
mosquitoes, roaches and an abun
To provide ourselves with the
w ill frown on the strongness o f the
and we’re sick and tied of receiving
disputes between guards and
dance o f other sundry insects.
basic
food to sustain life, the
approach
that
I
have
taken,
but
too
scraps while others receive the
prisoners, the prisoners lose..
14. There will be an interminable
minimum in shelter and
many lies have already been told in
quality cuts. This adm inistration
27. Jobs in prison are very scarce
wait for anything and everything,
clothing, takes only a few
support o f this racist system, and I
has set up and supported a boot
because o f the over-crowding, if you
and your incoming mail will be read
hours of time. The rest of the
tor
one,
will
no
longer
tolerate
the
licking, Uncle Tom role for Black
get one, treasure it, fo r it may
before you get it no matter if o f
hours could be spent at our
duality ot hypocrisy. If for some un
prisoners to play and we w ill no
become the only way you can keep
ficials claim to the contrary.
leisure. Why do we want more?
explainable reason these articles
longer give up our dignity to receive
your sanity.
15. L ittle respect, honor or in
Selfishness drives some and
suddenly stop appearing, yo u ’ ll
what we should rightfully receive.
tegrity is to be found in prison, but
28. There will be days when you
know that measures have been taken
their
work is hard labor. If the
The racism that exist in this place is
discourtesy
and
dishonesty
won't be able to get certain essen to silence me, but I shall not be lead
extra work is done to provide
o f the worst type because it isn’ t
inclusive ot petty theft are common
tials, toothpow der, toilet paper,
to slaughter passively and neither
for the one you love this
overt. It's subtle and refined down
place occurances.
razor blades, and no one will care,
will my brothers.
becomes a labor of love and is
to a filth y , bigoted smile. It
16. Every imprisoned individual
but you.
As Coordinator o f Uhuru Sa Sa,
done with ease. Love then
manifest itself in terms o f duality
will have his own unique sad tale to
29. You w ill be constantly under it used to be Uhuru which means
becomes the attitude of success.
and favoritism -- it's fo u l and
tell, and most prisoners w ill least
supervision when you take your
freedom in Swahili, but has now
polluting because these people go to
make a claim of "technical innocen
showers, not only by the guards, but
been changed to U huru Sa Sa,
great lengths to hide it and they even
ce.”
1V79 IV m A Kummer
some of the prisoners too.
(Emancipation and Freedom Now)
want you to like them in the process.
■ ' i n ............m i ................. m i ...........i t
17. There are hundreds o f written
30. Sheets fo r your iron bunk
one of my functions is to negotiate
They are masters o f deceit and
PRESENTED BY
and unwritten rules that attempt to
(bed) will often be torn or raggedy, on an inform al level with the ad
trickery and their word isn’t worth a
govern your in-prison behavior, but
and they will seldom match the size m inistration concerning Black in
damn.
A M E R IC A N
don't expect any practical everyday
o f your thin and dirty mattress.
mate related problems. I ’m backed
" I t has been decided that we will
guidance. There is no set criteria,
31. Bacterial and viral epidemics up by a very dedicated group o f
no longer subject ourselves to the
S TA TE
specific steps or programs fo r
periodically plague prison, so expect
brothers and up until this point,
hollow display o f negotiation. I f
making parole, and no logical or
to catch whatever is going around.
we’ ve had high hopes of being able
necessary we will do our time silen
BANK
reasonable explanations are going to
32. Don’ t expect the best in dental
to effect some meaningful changes
tly and peacefully, but we will never
2737 N.E. Union
be given for anything.
and medical care.
in the institutional attitude and ad
be willing to panic.pate in our own
18. M onitory, regimentation —
33. Expect to be guarded in the ministrative approach to Black in
destruction. We have contacted
282 2216
sameness -- w ill characterize your
prison's chapel, no m atter what mate problems, programming and
numerous so called, Black leaders
knnnnnnnnnnnnnnnin
existence, so you may expect to ex
God you are praying to.
release. Needless to say - we were
concerning our plight and we have
perience the depths o f frustration.
34. Don't be fooled into thinking
functioning under the delusion that
even had some o f them down to our
19. You will be hustled, jostled,
that prison can be likened to a small
we were dealing with tair and just
and manipulated from every con harmonious community or society.
men. That assum ption has been
ceivable angle, and you can expect
There will be little or no unity ot
completely disspelled, it has been
some of the prisoners you meet to be purpose, and your aims and goals once again demonstrated that Black
armed w ith some kind o f crude
probably won't coincide with those prisoners have no rights that white
weapon.
of any one else.
administrators are bound to respect.
20. Transfers from one prison to
Always warped to a greater or
That the needs o f Black prisoners
another are frequent; and there will
lesser degree, things are, never quite are placed at the bottom o f the list
be little or no association with the
as they appear to be in prison - but
of priorities and that the best that
opposite sex.
all to be seen or felt in penal in we can possibly hope for is deceit
21. Expect rampant hom o
stitutions are variegated facets o f and pacification.
sexuality, guard and prisoner
bad situations impervious to im
Let it now be noted that the Black
b ru ta lity
(physical
and
provement. I f therefore, you would
inmate
population o f O.S.P. w ill
psychological), vicious prison
avoid a seared soul and hellish
not be deceived or pacified into a
politics concerned with the preser
degradation...find a answer for why
false sense o f security or accom
vation of their own special privileges
you are still alive and in prison.
plishment. We want and deserve our
for the most part, and there will also
Remember, you are nothing but a
piece o f the rock, the handwriting
be a plethora o f non-political tight-
number and can easily be erased in a
on the wall has been identified as
knit cliques, none o f which w ill
minute with a smile on someone’ s
that o f a bigot, the master-plan no
welcome vou.
face.
longer exist because we recognize
BECOME A FAMILY DAY CARE PROVIDER (IN YOUR HOME)
the master’ s mentality. Our pain is
supreme, our suffering is beyond
WHO
Persons receiving assistance from Adults & Family Services and
are WIN eligible.
imagination but none it is new - it
/ f a s O /ú s /J e
has been and will remain to be the
W H A T : Trainees will be required to attend 4 training sessions a week, 4
same old song until we unite against
hrs. a day (9 am to 1 pm.) for 4 weeks. Children two years and older may
the enemies of equality. Please un
participate.
derstand that we are powerless
WHERE:
w ithout com m unity support and
m r> aitca/ts n a S a m / -rflea/m sn/ rn/er
that our grievances are legitimate
A M A FA M ILY DAY & N IG H T CARE
and just. "Yes we are angry and
1518 NE KILLINGSWORTH
1425 NE Dekum 285 0493
frustrated but neither will lead us to
PORTLAND OREGÖN 97211
f'ORFURTHER INFORMATION contact Kaye or Sue at 285-0493
foolish action.” We will not become
X O D
the victims o f situations like Attica
or New Mexico -- we w ill not be
passive or silent casualities now or
ever.
284 7997
FROM THE FRONT DOOR
By Tom Boothe
From the front door. I heard people in our community complaining, criticizing and con-
anTude^m a" ° ther Al' come,a'nt^ criticisms and condemnations were evident of negative
attitudes toward each other.
“
T-e subject of their complaints, criticisms and condemnations should have been acted
upon rOm a positive attitude position with respect of understanding the situation and cir-
e i c t X m r : , r0Und'nfl the ,UbJ* Ct' a,ter Wh,Ch the ,u b ' * c t
accept
or
ejected with full respect projected from a positive attitude.
o r ^ r ^ n o 9 thatt conip'8i'nts breeds complaints, criticisms breeds criticism, condemnation
Í n T X c r J emnat'on’ h 01 Wh'ch have 3 d,rect "«Uat've effect on the spiritual, mental
3 d physical aspects of hurnan beings
On The other hand respect breeds respect, encouragement breeds encouragement honesty
° ^ : i n ° 1 Wh,Ch h8Ve 3 d,reC‘ POS't,Ve eHec’
tha
— tai Tnd
physical aspects of human beings
From the front door. I also saw the difference between the results of positive attitudes verses
negafive attitudes I saw those who possessed and practiced positive attitudes in more than
60 o thetr encounters with others had more valuables and were in control of those who
possessed and practiced negative attitudes in more than 60% of their encounters with
ot erS Those who were in control of our community services possessed more positive at
titudes, than did those who felt they were being controlled
Icould see in the shadows that tf e first principle of collective community growth needed
be «■» development of more positive attitudes by the citizens of our community
to
Oregon State Penitentiary is a
white institution in design and con
cept and perpetuation. The im
plem entation
of
m eaningful
programs designed to meet the
needs of minority prisoners are null
and void. We labor under the most
dilfuclt o f situations because we are
totally isolated from those parties
that could help alleviate our pain.
The prison a d m in istra tio n is
apathetic toward our needs but none
the less they make a great show o f
lip service and concern.
(1) There isn’ t one Black teacher
on the present payroll -- yet Black
prisoners com prise 17°?e o f the
prison population.
(2) There isn't one Black coun
selor on staff behind the walls and
there is only one Black counselor on
staff period.
(3) There isn't one Black correc
tional officer o f consequence above
the rank o f private nor has there
been one in quite some time.
(4) There isn't one Black man or
woman on the decision making level
o f state corrections.
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