Pablo Pina D-28079
P.O. Box 7500 D-2 122 SHU
Crescent City, Calif 95531

October 8th 13
Tuesday 5:30pm

That's right, the prison administration has refused to give us anything, under the guise of SECURITY.

But what does something like art paper, colored pencils, an eraser have to do with security?

Or taking away our salt & pepper and sugar? How much damage can a prisoner really do with any of that, even if he wanted to.

Yes, the administration has said they plan to hold meetings and discuss possible modifications.

But don't believe all you read in the news media, they've promised us some concessions, but never came through, but they just brought in a new acting warden who I saw on the news the other day. He said he's going to speak to prisoners, and also said he read some of the demands and feels some have merit.

But, that can be anything. He might decide to give us back the salt, or icing on the cakes.

I won't lie, I'd like to have both those, but does that really constitute changes? I don't think so.

Thank you for your comments, they are comforting for sure.

You know, it wasn't always like this. It turned for the worse in the 1980s, and just kept going, every new governor and warden.

No, I don't have much support from anyone these days, my mother was my main support but after thirty years in prison she's gotten very old, and can no longer do anything for me. But that's okay, I know if she could she'd still be standing strong, and knowing that is enough. My mother was a very proud and strong lady. I find it hard to believe that she is frail and helpless, and it kills me every day knowing I can't help her.

I have not seen her in 23 years, nor have I been able to talk to her. We've been trying to get these folks to let us call home once in a while, that one of our demands. But so far they have done nothing.

It's too much of a security risk to let us speak to our mothers or loved ones.

Even though the hunger strike is over, your help getting the public aware of the problems in the SHU is still needed. And folks must be reminded if they don't keep their protests and comments coming, prison officials will figure it's okay to go back to program as usual. And I will send in another post describing the SHU and the program inside and outside of our cell. It's not much, as we don't get out too much. So it may bore you, or upset you. I think dogs at the dog pounds have more of a program than we do.

Till next time...
Respectfully
Pablo