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Some Reflections – As People Turn Their Attention to Other Struggles Lets Continue Supporting the Inmates in Georgia Who Organized The Largest Prison Strike in US History

On December 9, 2010 several Georgia State prisons were effectively shut-down when inmates went on strike to improve their living and working conditions and to demand compensation for the free labor they are forced to provide. This display of solidarity across the state prison system (accomplished with the ingenuity of using cell phones purchased from guards) made this the largest prison strike ever in the empire.

Laundry workers refused to report and wash linens, kitchen workers refused to go to food service and prepare meals. Outside crews did not report to the fields to cut grass or perform construction for local towns. All job descriptions, which are known as “details” ceased being performed. Inmates carried out sit-ins and many refused to leave their cell to denounce the various forms of repressive demands made upon them. Inmate “jobs” don’t provide any pay and is more closely related to slavery anyway according to the thirteenth amendment of the US Constitution. This was one of the chief concerns the strike was meant to address. Other conditions included issues of food provision, both the lacking of any real nutritional value of prison meals and the small amounts served. From Friday thru Sunday (and on so-called holidays) inmates are fed a notoriously small breakfast and one other meal at night. Another major concern is over population. Like slave ships men are packed in tight in their living quarters. Cells that are 6 x 12 and designed originally for one person are now packed with three men to a cell. Inmates also protested medical services and co-pays, disciplinary report fees, and the new ban on tobacco products.

The strike was organized from the inside while support was gathered from various local and national community groups. The corporate media did its best to play down the story of a rebellion inside the prison. While Georgia Sate Correctional authorities (some included black men acting as overseers) attempted to strip these men of their humanity referring to strikers in a meeting I attended as “trouble makers” and “perps”. As the state continues to perfect its system of low/no wage labor for public and private corporations of imprisoned men and women it also further engrosses itself on profits from inmate families on overcharged collect calls. It all depends on quiet family members and inmates who can’t muster support from the outside world.

However this first attempt hopefully is just a beginning as these men stood up across racial lines and gang ties to send a larger message. Yes some are guilty of crimes and need separation and access to a rehabilitation regimen, the latter really does not happen in these institutions. But some of these same men confined and brutalized understood that they are human beings and not just people to be thrown away. Outside of the pubic eye the state authorities have created conditions that no human being should have to accept, and for a few days people who are not expected to stand up did. They have now been separated and given individual penalties for interrupting the states revenue streams both to public and private entities. For those of us who had some contact with these men and their families, who ourselves have friends and family members locked up in state and federal institutions across this country this strike has made us all stand in solidarity because the inmates themselves have reclaimed their own humanity by demanding in words and deeds that the state recognize their human rights.

Remember to join the Concerned Coalition to Respect Prisoners Rights Face-book Page for Update.

About Community Movement Builders (159 Articles)
Community Movement Builders (CMB) is a member-based collective of black people dedicated to being a force for creating sustainable self-determining communities through cooperative economic advancement and collective community organizing. Our mission is rooted in Black love and equity. Grassroots Thinking is our newsletter/community blog about our work and movement activity

3 Comments on Some Reflections – As People Turn Their Attention to Other Struggles Lets Continue Supporting the Inmates in Georgia Who Organized The Largest Prison Strike in US History

  1. I love the fact that they came as one to stand up for their right as people. and on the issues that they fell need justice in DOC the system has been railroding our people for a long time.and it been a long time I have not see our people standing up for their right and what we see as unconstutional, we all the law today with no fairnees and justice in New York State

  2. Hey Kamau, Thanks for this post. I have been thinking alot about the GO prisoners strike, while everyone is focused on the public workers fight in Wisconsin and other states, and why the GA situation got such little attention and support.

  3. Richard Bullard // March 29, 2013 at 2:54 am // Reply

    my wife was arrested and she takes heavy medication has been taking for several years all meds are from her DR and she did not get her meds nor did they help her she almost died no joke.you could see that she was having serious problems.she was in L.A.country jail CA is there anything we can do .did they mistreat her rights. list and strength of meds methadone 110mg Remeron30 mg 2 times a day amatrip2 mg and Xanax 6 mg a day I am on close to the same thing and I have been warned I can have seziours or I could die if I stopped suddenly. please let me know anything about this thank you very much JR Bullard (661)974-6580 feel free to call at any time or leave email anyway you can leave me info

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