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By Charles Peterson
Although I believe its Prop 2 on the Ballot, but I’m not sure, if so then this story should be interesting. Three Judges from the highest court are discussing cruel and unusual punishment. To inmates in Prison who aren’t allowed to get fresh air and exercise for good health, and mental stress release but once a week if that, it often takes one mentally ill inmate to kick his door trying to get attention. To get his meds that the guards use corporal punishment, and punish everyone by taking their yard time away. They barely get yard time once a week, but the simplest thing that anyone does, the guards say no yard. In fact they don’t say anything, you just sit in your bathroom size cell waiting for the cell doors to open for yard. At the same time the people of California are voting, basically about the same thing with chickens, chickens in their cage like cells. Can’t stretch their wings or run around days, before they are killed. Or the chickens who are expected to lay healthy eggs for our consumption while standing or sitting in one spot for days and days. . . how cruel. . .It’s a no Brainier on both issues. But for man its up to three men to decide if its cruel and unusual punishment. What happens if they decide, no its not cruel, but the people vote it is cruel to chickens, but not to man. . . or even the other way around. . .And above all how long before anything goes into effect. I’m really starting to wonder if California is the place I really ought to be. . . I was in the Shriners Hospital for crippled kids when I was 14 years old. After my spinal fusion, I couldn’t walk for 1 year, after the 1 year went by, I couldn’t wait to walk again. Guess what! I couldn’t walk at all, I had no strength in my legs, it took another 6 months to learn to walk again. In our cells here at HDSP, we have 4 steps from our little make shift desk to the cell door, if you are taller than 6' then its 3 steps to the door. I spoke to the male nurse (Rusty), and he said walk in a circle. A very cruel comment as he bragged about his $9,000 a month salary. There is more cruel things going on in HDSP Reception Center, #1 being we are unable to stretch your legs and breath fresh air, but once a week or 2 times a month. Rarely 4 times a month (once a week). #2 being the Guard in the tower (MAC), will not let your letter of complaint leave the building. Yes, I’ve witnessed it first hand, its called a 602 form, its used to file a complaint on cruel and unusual punishment or Guard harassment, etc. The inmates fill them out, the Guard in the tower reads them, and if he doesn’t like what your wrote, he rips it up and throws it away. The Toilet broke in my cell, and for 10 days I ate, slept, breathed human waste. I filed a 602, 5 times and not one made it out of the building. For the last three days of my broken toilet, one Guard (Irish) had the toilet turned on to a constant flush. Try standing next to your car and blowing your horn, now try to sleep, eat, read or think or save your ears. . .for 72 hours we endured that torture. Yes we complained and yelled help us–help us. The Guards ignored us and said a work order was issued, we filed 602 after 602, all ripped up. The Prison Manual says at any given time the toilet is broken, the inmates shall be moved instantly “same day” to another cell with a working toilet. We went 10 days. . . one Guard said there was no empty cell to move us to. (Overcrowding). . . My cellie and I took a very dangerous chance by complaining, we both have low points for good behavior, and no problem which means we can be housed at a prison where everyone is like us, no complaining–no problems. All it took was for one Guard to write in his report that we were a problem, then we would be housed wit other inmates with problems. So now you see why no matter what happens here, the prison wins! The Guards are toying with us everyday, pushing us to get mad or complain. 602s are suppose to help us, they do not, MAC in the Tower will throw 602s away to protect his co-worker and himself. They give us a address to write to for any wrong doings by the Guard, the Guards read what you wrote and right in front of you rip it up and toss it in the garbage. Be very careful what you do next, words or kicking the door will get you a write-up. For any families that have concerns about how their loved ones are treated, tell the inmate not to file a 602, instead write the complaint and send it to the family member, and the family member send it directly to where the 602 is supposed to go. Director of Corrections
Charles Peterson, G13237
The people voted to protect chickens by passing Prop 2, but failed to pass Prop 5, which would have protected human beings through relieving prison overcrowding!
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