Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Three Thanksgiving PP Updates


1) SHAC 7
2) Bashir Hameed Alert
3) Formal Complaint for Robert Seth Hayes
———————————————————————————————————
This Thanksgiving, in addition to considering the millions of Turkeys
killed, we ask that you think of Jake, Lauren, Darius, Kevin, Josh, and
Andy, and do something to support them. Mail call is the most important
part of an activist prisoner's day, and we are asking each of you--even if
you have already written--to please send each of them a letter of support.
Andy started his prison sentences in late September, and the others all
started their sentences November 16th.

Letters, cards, and postcards are all acceptable, but please remember the
prison does not allow stickers, glue, glitter, or paint on anything sent
in.

Also, there is a new flyer available for download and photocopying at
www.SHAC7.com/resources. It is the second flyer down and contains all of
the addresses for the prisoners.

Their addresses are at the bottom of this email and also available online.

Also, please consider sending a donation to the support fund. The support
fund will be used to make sure they each have enough money in their prison
accounts to be able to buy the necessities and food to supplement the
prison food (which isn't too vegan friendly).

Donations can be made online at www.SHAC7.com or can be sent to:
SHAC 7 Support Fund
740A 14th St. #237
San Francisco, CA 94114

As you sit down this week to enjoy time with friends and family, please
make sure you haven't forgotten about our activist family and drop them
each a note of support.

From all of the SHAC 7, thank you for your continued support.
The SHAC 7 Support Committee




JACOB CONROY, # 93501-011
FCI VICTORVILLE MEDIUM I
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5300
ADELANTO, CA 92301


DARIUS FULLMER # 26397-050
FCI FORT DIX
P.O. BOX 2000
FORT DIX, NJ 08640


LAUREN GAZZOLA # 93497-011
FCI DANBURY
ROUTE #37
33 1/2 PEMBROKE ROAD
DANBURY, CT 06811


JOSHUA HARPER # 29429-086
FCI SHERIDAN
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5000
SHERIDAN, OR 97378


KEVIN KJONAAS # 93502-011
FCI SANDSTONE
P.O. BOX 1000
SANDSTONE, MN 55072


ANDREW STEPANIAN # 26399-050
FCI BUTNER MEDIUM II
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 1500
BUTNER, NC 27509


--
Defend Free Speech! Free the SHAC 7! www.SHAC7.com

_______________________________________________

BASHIR HAMEED NEEDS OUR HELP
We just received this email. As we all know, Bashir has various health
problems, and good dental care is very important for him. CALL THE NUMBER
BELOW AND INSIST THAT BASHIR HAMEED/YORK RECEIVE DENTAL CARE. BE SURE TO
GIVE THEM HIS DIN NUMBER: #82-A-6313

Brother Bashir needs assistance with dental care.
He has been requesting a visit for several weeks and continues to be denied.
Now he has a toothache that needs immediate attention.
Your help is appreciated. Their number is 518-457-8126.
Paula York Jones

WRITE TO BASHIR AND LET HIM KNOW HE HAS OUR SUPPORT:

Bashir Hameed/York #82-A-6313,
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
Box 51
Comstock, New York 12821
Birthday: December 1, 1940
--
Free All Political Prisoners!
nycjericho@riseup.net • www.jerichony.org
————————————————————————————————————
ROBERT SETH HAYES FORMAL COMPLAINT LETTER
Wende Correctional Facility
Robert Seth Hayes
#74A-2280 A-2-17

Superintendent, Robert Kirkpatrick
Wende correctional facility


FORMAL COMPLAINT
November 14, 2006

Superintendent Kirkpatrick,

I know you are quite busy with daily activities, so I will make this one
complaint as brief as possible. My formal complaint concerns the actions
of your officers who I believe were acting outside the employee's manual.
Doing so, they broke protocol, causing a breach in the smooth and
appropriate function and structure of this facility. My personal dignity
and self-worth were called into question, and to this day, no formal
resolution has come forth from either officers or Sergeant (area
Supervisor) of A block. The problem occurred as follows:

1. On November 8, 2006 while en route to the gym for recreation, I passed
through the metal detector with the following: (1) New York Times
newspaper, (2) print-outs of Yahoo! web page contents and one Upbeat
newsletter. All permissible items carried to gym on more than one
occasion. On the above date, approximately 9:24 a.m. these items were
reviewed by CO Kyle. Upon seeing the Yahoo! Web sheets, he immediately
questioned me on where I got them from. I explained that they came to me
via the mail. CO Kyle stated they were illegal. I countered by explaining
they were not and had come to me via the mail room. He sought out Sergeant
Higley for clarification and I heard Sergeant Higley state to Kyle, "yes
they were permissible. Inmates are entitled to receive said print out so
long as it was only five pages per envelope." But in deference to CO Kyle,
Sergeant Higley informed me that I shouldn't be taking this material to
the gym. That the gym was for recreation. Therefore, the Yahoo! would be
turned over to the Hall Captain of A block and I could retrieve them after
recreation period. First, I'd like to point out that reading material is
permissible in the gym and other recreation areas per policy and
procedure. I did not discuss this with Sergeant Higley, but accepted his
decision and went to recreation without the Yahoo! materials.

2. At the conclusion of recreation period and in route to my cell
(A-2-17), upon entering 2 co. gallery, I was informed by my floor officer
that my cell was being frisked and that I needed to proceed to the gun
walk where I could stand outside my cell and observe. I complied. In my
cell I observed CO Hartfield (like CO Kyle, from B block) engaged in a
thorough cell frisk. After approximately 15 minutes of my watching he
exited my cell carrying a manila folder stuffed with papers. I asked him
where he was taking the folder and he stated, "this stuff is leaving for
inspection." I then asked if I might see what it was he was taking and he
briefly exposed the contents to me. I saw inside Yahoo! pages, what
appeared to be a Buffalo Forum newsletter folded in half and a quantity of
papers I could not tell what was written on them. I immediately recognized
the folder as one that I kept beside my bed holding copies of letters I'd
previously written and expressed that to CO Hartfield. Officer Hartfield
stated to me, "I don't know anything about that." I then asked him did he
know what it was he was taking from my cell? He replied to me, "I've been
doing this job over 20 years, I know what I'm doing." I left off the
discussion and entered my cell to make assessment.

3. Upon immediate search I learned that several things were not in the
cell. (A) I had just received two days prior a printout of my approved
telephone listings. That was gone. (B) I happened to glance at the wall
over my lockers and discovered that my 2006 calendar was missing. After
searching I discovered that not only was the 2006 calendar missing, but
(C) the recently received through the mail, 2007 calendar was missing as
well. To the best of my recollection, calendars have never been considered
hostile, especially having come through correspondence without any
indication that it did not pass muster.

4. Reading the cell frisk notification sheet and Officer Hartfield's
comments on items removed from my cell which read, "(1) one bundle of
papers." There was no itemized listing of papers removed.

I am still in the process of determining what was removed and that's
proven difficult. I know for a fact that the above listed items have
disappeared without reason per the cell frisk removal.

I spoke with Sergeant Hinckley on November 9, 2006. I inquired about what
happened to the Yahoo! papers taken from me to be delivered to A Block
Hall Captain. Sergeant Higley's response was that "they were turned over
to Officer Hartfield who performed your cell frisk." I also spoke with the
Hall Captain concerning whether or not an itemized listing was filed and
left in the block concerning my cell frisk and was informed no. That I
should read the cell frisk notification for items taken. I explained what
the slip stated and he himself seemed surprised by what I stated.

Thereafter I contacted my attorney, family and friends, communicating this
matter. We all agree that what occurred is dangerous and needed
investigation. Protocol was breached and procedure violated. What was
taken did not confirm the cell frisk standards. The fact that correctional
Officer Hartfield stated he had over 20 years in corrections indicates to
me that the search crossed the line and was intended to convey a message
other than removal of alleged questionable materials. I/we are seeking a
full investigation and return of materials described above and other
materials in hand.

Further that some type of standards be set in place to offset this type of
protocol violation. I feel at this point, that no real reason ever existed
for a cell search. That CO Kyle took exception to the material in my
possession and called on his coworker to perform the cell frisk to destroy
the cell. As an afterthought, several non-contraband items were removed to
convey a message of next time you won't be so lucky. Finally, the
worrisome part is, by taking a printout of my updated telephone listing,
Hartfield took with him the names, addresses, telephone numbers and
relations to me listed persons that I cannot for the life of me see why it
was considered contraband. We have in place a media review system which
makes lawful determinations whenever the question of unacceptable
materials enters the facility. Why items were taken and why to date,
nothing was returned or to date not itemized makes this entire act
questionable.

I hope you will look into this matter. Question my facts and see for
yourself that the search was both illegal and inflammatory. That no
protocol was followed and the resulting state being, CO’s carrying out
private determinations outside their employee manuals, in violation of the
superintendents handbook and creating an inflammatory circumstance.

This formal complaint is concluded at this time subject to revisit based
upon newly discovered items missing listings. I hope to hear from you soon
on this matter. I want to reiterate that to date, November 14, 2006, 6
days after initial search, no item listing of materials removed from cell
or spoken word from any supervisor has been forthcoming.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Seth Hayes

RSH/rsh

CC: Susan Tipograph, AAL
American Civil Liberties Union
NYS Comm. of Corr,
NYC Bd. of Corr.
Files



It would be great for Seth to receive letters of support at this
time. Please write to him at:

Robert Seth Hayes #74-A-2280
Wende Correctional Facility
Wende Rd., PO Box 1187
Alden, NY 14004-1187

LET'S GET THOSE CALLS GOING OUT TO THE PRISON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! CALL
716-937-400O AND ASK TO SPEAK WITH THE WARDEN. IF YOU CAN'T SPEAK WITH THE
WARDEN, GET THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU ARE SPEAKING TO AND REGISTER YOUR
PROTEST WITH THEM!

--
Free All Political Prisoners!
nycjericho@riseup.net • www.jerichony.org

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