On October 12, prisoners at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton began a hunger strike in protest of the horrid conditions inside.
Of course, you won't hear anything about this on your local news. You might see a story on a local flower shop selling more flowers than usual, or some other irrelevant garbage, but you won't hear about a 1,400 prisoners standing up against inhumane treatment.
The protests were iniated in response to a number of prison lockdowns in 2005 and 2006. The most recent one, in August, lasted the entire month.
During these lockdowns, prisoners have no access to recreation of any form, legal assistance, laundry, phones, etc.
In an Abu-Ghraib style scenario, half-naked inmates were forced to march past lines of armed prison guards and vicious, barking police dogs.
The inmates have presented 16 demands to prison administrators:
1) That a person or persons independent of Department of Corrections (DOC) influence aggressively investigate the circumstances leading to the prisonwide searches in 2006 and 2005 and the manner in which the searches were conducted.
2) That corrective measures be taken based on the results of the investigation called for in [demand no.] 1, including discipline of any DOC staff member responsible for introducing contraband into the prison.
3) That discipline be imposed on anyone for misconduct during the searches.
4) That area, unit, and cell searches be conducted in a professional manner, with respect and due regard for an inmate’s person, property, and living space and for the property of and space allotted to inmate.
5) That there will be accountability for theft, damage to property, or other misconduct during searches.
6) That a person or persons independent of DOC influence be allowed to inspect searched areas to ensure that inmates’ rights are protected.
7) That there be an evening and weekend program and activity schedule, to include school, vocational, legal access and recreation activities.
8) That the previous daytime recreation schedule be reinstated.
9) That all inmate groups be reopened or restored to full functioning capacity, which includes opportunities to meet and to conduct group activities.
10) That any inmate removed from an assignment without good cause be reinstated, with good cause defined as conduct by the inmate being removed from the assignment that violates prison rules or makes the inmate unsuitable for the particular job assignment.
11) That there is an annual or other periodic cost-of-living increase in wages for prison jobs and program assignments.
12) That a reliable phone system be installed.
13) That the ban on retention and possession of hardcover books be repealed.
14) That laundry services, recreation opportunities, legal access and phone privileges be made available during any and all lockdowns.
15) That a diverse body, to include prison administrative officials and members of the legal profession and civil rights groups, with input from inmates and relevant experts, be formed to propose and implement programs and policy at New Jersey State Prison and other prisons under the control of the DOC that encourages rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
16) That amnesty be granted to all participants in the hunger strike.
I for one fully support these brave men, and I urge you to do the same.
You can contact the prison administrators to voice your support for the inmates at: Acting Commissioner George Hayman, Department of Corrections, Whittlesey Road, P.O. Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625-0863
You can also call his office at 609-292-4036.
