Prison on Lockdown and Eric McDavid in the Hole After Alleged IED Discovered

From:    sacprisonersupport@riseup.net
Date:    Wed, February 25, 2009

Hello everyone,

On Friday, February 13, Victorville's Medium II facility went on lockdown.
Media reports indicated that an improvised explosive device (IED)
detonated upon detection, but that no injuries were reported.  The reports
originally claimed that the device was found at the penitentiary at
Victorville, but later reports indicated that the incident actually
occurred at the Medium II facility.  We have just received a letter from
Eric detailing his experiences following these incidents.  What follows is
based on that letter.

At around 1pm on Saturday, the 14th, the prison began blocking out the
windows on the cells so that inmates couldn't see into the dayroom.
Shortly after the water to the toilet in Eric's cell was turned off.  At
around 2 pm they pulled the cardboard from Eric's window, revealing squads
of cops in full riot gear waiting outside of the cell.  Eric and his
cellmate were made to strip down to boxers and shower shoes.  His cell
mate was thrown in the hole, and Eric was escorted to a van.  He and two
others were taken to the hole at the Medium I.  Eventually he was escorted
into a room where two FBI agents were waiting to question him.  They
claimed that an IED had minorly harmed a staff member at the Medium II
(contrary to media reports which claimed no one was injured) and that they
would need to take DNA samples as part of their investigation.  Eric
denied their request and they threatened to get a court order.  At that
point he gave them his lawyer's information and they stopped questioning
him and escorted him back to the cell.  There is a sign taped to the door
of the cell saying that he has a "3 man hold" - which apparently means he
must be escorted by three guards anytime he leaves the cell.

At this point in time we have no way of knowing how long this
"investigation" will take.  We are also uncertain if Eric can receive
visitors during this time.  Since he currently has no phone or email
access, we must wait for letters to get any updates about his situation.
Unfortunately, he also has no access to commissary - so he may not be able
to send letters because he is out of stamps.  This is a difficult time for
Eric and his loved ones.  Please keep Eric in your thoughts and take a
minute to write him a letter of support.  Information on how to write Eric
and his current address can be found on his website:  www.supporteric.org.
 Remember that he more than likely cannot write you back right now.

Thank you all for your support.  We'll keep you updated as more news
becomes available.

Yours,
SPS