MESSAGE FROM RUSSELL MAROON SHOATZ January 22, 2014 “This was the third strike – now we either go hard, or go home.” Greetings! A very happy new year to all my supporters and loved ones! By now you are aware that I am being housed in an underground cell at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Graterford, in a part of the Restricted Housing Unit known as J Block, which is used to house the criminally insane. My rapid response team has also got word to you about the conditions in this dungeon: a few days after my arrival I cleaned the human feces off the walls of my cell with my own hands; when it rains, water leaks through a hole in the roof and floods my cell – with heavy rains expected, I am sure this problem will only get worse. The screaming and banging coming from the surrounding cells of mentally challenged inmates, plus the 24-hour fluorescent lights, make it impossible to concentrate, let alone sleep. Those of you who have been closely following my situation know that I am being subjected to these conditions DESPITE successfully completing the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC)’s 60-day “step-down” program at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Frackville, which was conducted with the express purpose of releasing me from the hole into the general prison population. My current circumstances make two things very clear: First, that the Department of Corrections CANNOT be trusted to play by their own rules; Second, that my isolation in the hole has NOTHING to do with administrative or disciplinary concerns but is instead a punishment for my political beliefs, and the prison administration’s fear that these beliefs will reach other prisoners. They fear that I will awaken the dead . . . For years, the PA DOC has tried to crush my fighting spirit by keeping me locked up in the hole. This move to SCI Graterford – my third transfer in six months – is just the latest in a series of attempts to test my resolve; it is also, in my opinion, the third strike. I am here to tell you all that my will is holding strong. I am a political prisoner: imprisoned because I stood up against oppression, and I continue to support all those who stand up against repression everywhere. My perspective is one thousand years of struggle. My commitment has been – and will always be – the liberation of black people. In that spirit let me say that 2014 is not going to be a year of taking abuse and torture lying down: it is a year in which we either go HARD, or go HOME! I am calling on you, my supporters, loved ones and friends, to answer that call. This year I am asking you all to do whatever it takes to end the torture of 23-hour isolation and bring an end to this miscarriage of justice. STRAIGHT AHEAD! Russell MAROON Shoatz # AF-3855, P.O. Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0246 *** ACTION ALERT & UPDATE: CONTINUE THE PRESSURE! Thank you to all supporters for answering the call to action! Your phone calls and letters are WORKING. Maroon received a blanket, clothes, his personal belongings, and his medication. Maroon appreciates all your support and diligent action on his behalf. However, he is not OUT of this torturous situation. SCI Graterford authorities still have him buried in solitary confinement - the same Restricted Housing Unit for the criminally insane. It is an underground dungeon that floods and where the lights are on 24 hours a day. It is also where Maroon has to endure continuous banging and cries for help from mentally ill prisoners suffering in the same unit. The time is now to RAMP UP the pressure on Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC) Secretary John Wetzel and SCI Superintendent Wenerowicz and Graterford authorities demanding that they immediately remove Maroon from this present condition and release him into general population. PA DOC Secretary John Wetzel and PA DOC administrators continue to double cross Maroon by not fulfilling their verbal and written promises to release him into general population even after successfully completing a 60 day Step Down Program at SCI Frackville last fall 2013. As Maroon stated, “the Dept. of Corrections cannot be trusted to play by their own rules.” We are asking supporters to INTENSIFY the calls, faxes, and letters to PA DOC Secretary John Wetzel, Superintendent Wenerocwicz, and Graterford authorities. Remember, Maroon has made the call to “go HARD or go home!” CALL, FAX, & SEND SEPARATE LETTERS TO SCI Graterford Superintendent Michael Wenerowicz and SCI Graterford RHU J Block Manager Mr. Terra, P.O. Box 246, Graterford, PA 19426-0246, Phone: 610-489-4151, FAX: 484-961-7907, to let them know: We are concerned members of the community who are monitoring the situations involving inmate Russell Shoatz and the conditions he is being held under, We are expecting that SCI Graterford will be accepting the information regarding Shoatz’ successful completion of the step-down program at SCI Frackville, and their recommendation that he be released from Restricted Housing into General Population, We hold PA DOC Secretary John Wetzel and PA DOC administrators responsible for failing to fulfill their promises to release Russell Shoatz into General Population, We request that you immediately remove Russell Shoatz out of the J Block cell for the criminally insane because he doesn’t belong nor deserve to be there, the conditions are torturous, and he is not under Disciplinary Custody, AND... We also request that SCI Graterford transfer Russell Shoatz into General Population as promised by Secretary Wetzel and PA DOC authorities. For letters and faxes, please use the same talking points (letters: return receipt requested). CALL, FAX, & SEND LETTERS OF CONCERN, PA DOC SUPERINTENDENT JOHN WETZEL, 1920 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, Phone: 717-728-4109, FAX 717-728-4178 to let him know: We are frustrated and angry at the continued delays, and unfulfilled promises, and unwarranted treatment of inmate Russell Shoatz with his most recent transfer into a feces infested cell where the criminally insane are housed in the J Block unit at SCI Graterford. His consistent good faith efforts to abide by all State Correctional procedures for transfer to general population have successfully earned him the support of prison official and administrators at SCI Mahanoy and Frackville. In light of recent US Department of Justice findings that Pennsylvania State Prisons have used solitary confinement in direct violation of inmates’ constitutional rights, and United Nations guidelines regarding the illegality of using restrictive housing for punitive, long-term purposes, we write with concern that Shoatz’ continued placement in restricted housing constitutes an act of torture: cruel and unusual punishment. As voters and community members, we demand Shoatz’ immediate release into general population, and will continue to closely monitor this situation until Shoatz’ conditions are safe and legal.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:38:12 +0000
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