Guild Newspage 3

“NLG Presents...” and NLG Sustainers Event

page 4

NLG & PLS Lawsuit AgainstEssex County Prisoners’ Fees

page 5

Institutionalization & MentalIllness page 6

Johnny Walker Blueand poem “Life Without”

page 7

Bullying page 8

Never Forgetpage 9

poems “Dead Man Walking”and “No Hands”

page 10

Mass DissentOctober 2011 www.nlgmass.org Vol. 34, No. 6

Voices from Prison

October 2011 Page 1

For the last 15 years, the Octoberissue of Mass Dissent has beendevoted to prisoners and theirlife behind bars. The U.S. is nowinfamously the number oneleader for imprisonment of itspopulation - 715 per 100,000people (compared to Venezuela’s76 per 100,000) - statistics thatare astonishing and troubling.Even more problematic is thefact that non-Hispanic Blacks(13% of the U.S. population)account for over 40% of theimprisoned, while Whites accountfor 33% of the prison population,even though they make up 74%of the total population.

Since the 1980s, the U.S. hasshifted its view on crime - pre-vention and rehabilitation havebeen replaced by a punitiveapproach, and drug-related activ-ities began to be treated as veryserious violations. Thesechanges have contributed to anunprecedented threefold increasein incarceration rates, but havenot been followed by anyincrease in prevention and reha-bilitation services. On the con-trary, while more people are putbehind bars, basic prison servic-es are deteriorating or are beingeliminated altogether.

In this issue, we present a fewexamples of the depravation, dehu-

manization, and mistreatmentprisoners experience. In additionto poems by Arnie King, Rube,and Omar Abdullah, wereprint very moving drawingsby Kneyl Burnette and JamesRiva. In September, the NLGand Prisoner Legal Services fileda lawsuit against the EssexCounty Sheriff who, as MeredithCarpenter explains, establishedmandatory fees for medical serv-ices in the county prison. ShawnGomes, in his piece, argues thatalthough almost everyone whoenters prison walls needs psycho-logical support, the system doesnot provide what’s needed. JoeLabriola tells us that even basicnecessities such as good qualitywater are not available to prisoners.Marc Brown writes about howprison guards and some inmatesabuse their powers and bully theinmates to control them. We endwith Timothy Muise who won-ders why most prisoners accepttheir fate and, rather than objectingto inhumane conditions, adjust toprison life and forget that they arebehind bars.

We would like to thank allprisoners who submitted theirwork for this issue. Because ofspace limitations, only a fractionof submissions could be printed

- Editors -

In This Edition

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

October 4, 5:30 pm

14 Beacon St., 1st Fl.Boston

Massachusetts Chapter National Lawyers Guild 14 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 2

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRPERSONNeil Berman, Common Sense Legal Counseling

TREASURERSPatricia Cantor

Jeff Petrucelly, Petrucelly, Nadler & Norris

MEMBERSLaura Alfring, CPCS Youth Advocacy Dept.

Makis Antzoulatos, CPCS

Thom Cincotta, Political Research Associates

David Conforto, Conforto Law Group, P.C.

Hillary Farber, UMass Dartmouth

Jeff Feuer, Goldstein & Feuer

David Kelston, Adkins, Kelston & Zavez

Jonathan Messinger, solo practitioner

Halim Moris, Moris & O’Shea

Gráinne O’Neill, Harvard Law School

Josh Raisler Cohn, CPCS

Judy Somberg, solo practitioner

Bonnie Tenneriello, Prisoners’ Legal Services

Jessica White, Prisoners’ Legal Services

LAW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVESJay Diaz & James Racine, Boston College

Ryan Hidden, New England

Molly Howe-Lembcke, Suffolk

Lauren Marcous, WNEC

Matthew Schultz, Boston University

Matthew Spurlock, Harvard

Sky Swett, UMass Dartmouth

Yohana Valdez & Jessica Yamane, NUSL

Lindsay Vick, Roger Williams

STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORUrszula Masny-Latos

LRS COORDINATOR/ADMIN. ASSIST.Barbara Lee

STREET LAW CLINIC COORDINATORSky Swett

Mass Dissent (ISSN 0887-8536) is publishedmonthly except January, May, July and Augustby the National Lawyers Guild, Mass. Chapter,14 Beacon St., Suite 407, Boston, MA 02108.Second-class postage paid at Boston, MA.POSTMASTER: Send address changes toMass Dissent, NLG, 14 Beacon St., Suite 407,Boston, MA 02108.

NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILDMassachusetts Chapter, Inc.

14 Beacon St., Suite 407Boston, MA 02108

tel.: 617-227-7335 • fax: 617-227-5495nlgmass@igc.org • nlgmass-director@igc.org

www.nlgmass.org

Street Law Clinic Project: The Street Law Clinic project providesworkshops for Massachusetts organizations that address legal needs ofvarious communities. Legal education workshops on 4th AmendmentRights (Stop & Search), Landlord/Tenant Disputes, Workers’ Rights,Civil Disobedience Defense, Bankruptcy Law, Foreclosure PreventionLaw, and Immigration Law are held at community organizations, youthcenters, labor unions, shelters, and pre-release centers. If you are a Guildattorney, law student, or legal worker interested in leading a workshop,please contact the project at 617-723-4330 or nlgmass-slc@igc.org.

Lawyer Referral Service Panel (LRS): Members of the panel provide legalservices at reasonable rates. Referral Service Administrative/OversightCommittee members: Neil Berman, Neil Burns, Joshua Goldstein, JeremyRobin, and Azizah Yasin. For more information, contact the Referral ServiceCoordinator at 617-227-7008 or nlgmass@igc.org.

Foreclosure Prevention Task Force: Created in June 2008, the TaskForce’s goal is threefold: (1) to draft and introduce policies that addressissues that homeowners and tenants of foreclosed houses face, (2) to pro-vide legal assistance to these homeowners and tenants, and (3) to con-duct legal clinics for them. If you are interested in working with the TaskForce, please call the office at 617-227-7335.

Mass Defense Committee: Consists of two sub-committees: (1)“Legal Observers” (students, lawyers, activists) who are trained to serveas legal observers at political demonstrations and (2) “Mass DefenseTeam” (criminal defense attorneys) who represent activists arrested forpolitical activism. To get involved, please contact the office at 617-227-7335.

Litigation Committee: Established in 2010, the Committee bringscivil lawsuits against large institutions (such as government agencies,law enforcement, banks, financial institutions, and/or large corporations)which engage in repressive or predatory actions that affect large numbersof people and that serve to perpetuate social, racial and/or economicinjustice or inequality. To get involved, please contact the Guild office.

NLG National Immigration Project: Works to defend and extend thehuman and civil rights of all immigrants, both documented and undocu-mented. The Committee works in coalitions with community groups toorganize support for immigrant rights in the face of right-wing politicalattacks. For more information contact the NLG National ImmigrationProject at 617-227-9727.

NLG Military Law Task Force: Provides legal advice and assistanceto those in the military and to others, especially members of the GIRightsHotline, who are counseling military personnel on their rights. It alsoprovides legal support and helps to find local legal referrals when need-ed. For advice and information, GI’s can call 877-447-4487. To getinvolved, please contact Neil Berman (njberman2@juno.com) orMarguerite Helen (mugsm@mindspring.com).

Join a Guild Committee

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 3

ARTICLES FOR MASS DISSENT

The November issue of Mass Dissent will focus on police accountability.

If you are interested in submitting an article, essay, analysis, or art work (cartoons, pictures) related to the topic,please e-mail the articles to nlgmass-director@igc.org.

The deadline for articles is October 15.

GUILD NEWSThe

Massachusetts Chapter’s first ever “NLG MentorshipHappy Hour”!!! We are starting a new program for lawstudents and new lawyers to meet with Guild attorneysand discuss legal topics of interest to those who plan towork in public interest law. Wed., October 5, 2011,5:30-7:30pm, at Kennedy’s Midtown Pub, 44 ProvinceSt., 2nd Fl., Boston. Please join us! (See below.)

Thisyear’s NLG Membership Meeting will be held onTuesday, October 4, 5:30pm, at 14 Beacon St.,Conference Rm, 1st Fl., Boston. After a cheese &wine reception, we will discuss resolutions and amend-ments submitted for voting at the NLG Convention.

The2011 NLG Convention will be in Philadelphia, October12-16, at Crowne Plaza Hotel (1800 Market St., 215-561-7500). The panels will range from The Liberation ofPolitical Prisoners to Workers’ Rights to Grand JuryRaids, with keynote speech by Bhairavi Desai. To reg-ister: www.nlg.org/members/convention/ registration/.

Weinvite you to our Holiday Party on Friday, December 9,5:30pm. We’ll be hosted again by Stern ShapiroWeissberg & Garin (90 Canal St., 5th Fl., Boston). Inaddition to a very tasty spread and wine, the programwill include a raffle drawing with exceptional prizes.Raffle tickets are $10/ticket - to buy, call: 617-227-7335.

NLG HAPPY HOUR

Street Law Clinic Report

The following clinics and trainings were conducted formembers of Boston area community organizations andagencies:

June 22: Civil Disobedience training for membersof the Student Immigrant Movement in Boston, byCarl Williams and Urszula Masny-Latos.

August 11: Know Your Rights workshop forGrassroots International, by Myong Joun.

September 16 & 19: Legal Observer training forelection watchers, by Urszula Masny-Latos.

September 19: Legal Observer training forNortheastern law students, by Melinda Drew.

September 20: Legal Observing at poll stations inWorcester County, by 11 NLG Legal Observers.

September 25: Civil Disobedience training forhousing activists, by Jeff Feuer & Lee Goldstein.

September 29: Legal Observer training for housingactivists, by Jeff Feuer & Lee Goldstein.

September 30: Legal Observing at an anti-foreclo-sures and anti-evication rally, by 16 NLG LegalObservers.

NATIONAL CONVENTION

NLG HOLIDAY PARTYMEMBERSHIP MEETING

Mentorship Happy Hour...

WWaanntt ttoo ffoollllooww aa LLaabboorr//EEmmppllooyymmeennttLLaaww PPaatthh??

An evening with

AANNNNEE SSIILLLLSSWWeeddnneessddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 55,, 22001111

55::3300 --77::3300 ppmmKennedy’s Midtown Pub

44 Province St., 2nd Fl., Boston

We are beginning a new program - MentorshipHappy Hour - for law students and new lawyers.The first event is designed for those interested inpursuing a legal career in labor and/or employ-ment law. It will be led by local Guild attorneyAnne Sills from Segal Roitman who, since 1985,has been representing unions and workers.

In September, the Chapter held acheese and wine appreciation receptionfor the NLG Sustainers. This year, wehad an intimate gathering and spent theevening nostalgically remembering thepast and planning for the future (weeven discussed a sailing cruise to CapeCod on Rob Doyle’s boat!)

NLG Sustainers are our financialbackbone. Thank you for being therefor us! Couldn’t do it without you. Tobecome a sustainer, go to page 11.

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 4

“NLG Presents...”: Tahrir Square and Its Aftermath

September “NLG Presents” featured NLGmember Carol Gray who spent 10 months inCairo studying International Human Rights Law.Carol gave a riveting personal account of the 18-day occupation of Tahrir Square that led to thefall of then President Mubarak. She interspersedher account with her slides, videos of the demon-strations, and interviews with activists and peopleon the street. A discussion followed about thenature and extent of the changes in the Egyptiangovernment and society that have come about asa result of the uprising.

(right l.-r.): Marty Rosenthal, Bonnie Tenneriello,Judy Somberg, Barbara Dougan, Deborah Kuhn,Rob Doyle, Urszula Masny-Latos, Barbara Lee,David Kelston, and Neil Berman.

NLG Fall Sustainer Appreciation Event

(above): NLG Presents...” participants attentively listen to a very inspiring report andcontinue their discussion afterward.(left): “Carol Gray leading a conversation on the recent radical developments in Egypt.

Photos by Urszula Masny-Latos

n late September 2011, theMassachusetts Chapter of the

National Lawyers Guild, in part-nership with the law firm ofAdkins, Kelston & Zavez, P.C.and Prisoners’ Legal Services,filed a class action lawsuit onbehalf of inmates at the EssexCounty Correctional Facility inMiddleton, Massachusetts. Thelawsuit challenges illegal feesthat Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr.charges Essex County inmates. These Essex County fees includea $30 medical processing fee thatall inmates are forced to pay eachtime they are booked in the facili-ty. The fee purportedly is used todefray the cost of inmate healthcare, yet the medical processingitself consists solely of the admin-

istration of a TB test. If an inmatedoes not have $30 to pay the fee,this amount is added to hisaccount as a debt. Any money hesubsequently receives from fami-ly or friends is directly diverted topay off the debt. The facility alsocharges inmates additional med-ical co-payment fees that theMassachusetts Supreme JudicialCourt has ruled impermissible incounty correctional facilities. All of these fees overstep theboundaries established byMassachusetts law limiting sher-iffs’ powers. Undoubtedly, it isexceedingly important to keepthese powers in check. The real-ities of incarceration leaveinmates in a vulnerable position,and sheriffs should not beallowed to exploit such situationsfinancially. Sheriff Cousinsseems to be doing exactly that,

as his personal website advertis-es that he maintains the “lowestcost per inmate” inMassachusetts – no doubt helpedin large part by the medical pro-cessing fee he collects from eachinmate booking.In our suit, we seek to compelSheriff Cousins to reimburse all ofthe fees he has illegally takenfrom Essex County inmates overthe years, beginning possibly asearly as 2002. The case is enti-tled Bentley et al. v. Sheriff FrankG. Cousins, Jr. and is proceedingin Essex County Superior Court.

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 5

NLG Files a Lawsuit with PLS Against Essex CountyPrisoners’ Fees

by Meredith Carpenter

I

Meredith Carpenter is a 2L stu-dent at Cornell Law School. Thispast summer, she worked as theintern for the new LitigationCommittee of the NLG Massa-chusetts Chapter.

THROUGH BARBED WIRE

TBW invites you to participate in its monthly 4th Friday Prisoners’ Poetry Reading/Workshopsat Dimock Community Health Center's Detox program in Roxbury, 6:30-8:30pm.

Members of “Through Barbed Wire” provide poems, mentoring, music, and refreshments to the clients of Dimock’s Acute Treatment Detox Program.

If you would like to join us in the months ahead to read prisoners poetry, a poem, essay or brief performance of your own, or would simply like to contribute presence and be inspired

by this collaborative event, please let us know in advance so that we can arrange for you to be let into the facility. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Otherwise, if you'd rather send copies of poems or writings that are relevant to addictions and detox issues, we'd love to work with you on that as well. Please include a brief bio

of the writer and your connection with her/him. Send electronic copies to us at throughbarbedwire@yahoo.com, or postal mail at Through Barbed Wire, PO Box 230417, Boston,

Massachusetts 02123-0417. For more information, visit http://www.arnoldking.org.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Through Barbed Wire” was created by Arnie King to (re)establish and maintain ties to our neighborhoods and tooffer and provide genuine service to society. Due to the heavy chains around our hands and feet, as well as CORI

and other "stigmas," such efforts face severe restrictions. These obstacles can be lessened, and eventually eliminat-ed, with virtues of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness flowing through barbed wire into the community.

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 6

Institutionalization and Mental Illness

s a defendant, inmate, andpatient who has experienced

the judicial system, penal system,and mental health system forover 30 years, I have come to theconclusion, through experienceand discussions with peers, thatthe majority ofincarceratedi n d i v i d u a l s( i n c l u d i n gmyself) sufferfrom someform of a men-tal illness.

Throughoutthese discus-sions, alongwith my expe-riences, I havelearned thatwe as individ-uals were notborn with sucha defect.I n s t e a d ,s o m e w h e r ealong our trialsand tribula-tions, we haveexperienced some type of drastic,dramatic experience that mental-ly altered us. Some situationscan occur that will place an indi-vidual in harm’s way and canhave a serious detrimental effecton the individual most of his/herentire life – physical abuse, men-tal abuse, sexual abuse, and neg-lect. In such a time, we need asupport system to guide,address, resolve, and educate uson how to deal with the situationand any other future situations.

Here’s a metaphor – ouremergency 9-1-1 system and itsresponders. When an emer-gency occurs, we call 9-1-1 toresolve the problem. The people

who respond to the emergencyare trained for such an incident.This is called “protocol.”

In our own lives, we have allreached out to a family memberor friend who has played the roleof a personal 9-1-1 assistant, giv-ing advice or helping to resolveissues. But, far to often, our per-sonal 9-1-1 assistants are lacking

the knowledge to deal these situ-ations.

These are the seeds of men-tal illness being planted.Eventually, these seeds will blos-som, developing into branchesreaching into the swamps of drug,alcoholism, crime, police inter-vention, and (eventually) incar-ceration.

A mentally ill person does notrealize he/she is suffering frommental illness. The disease actsas a chameleon. The sufferer willattempt to camouflage the dis-ease unbeknownst for as long ashe/she can.

In the Department ofCorrection, there is no “meaning-

ful” rehabilitation. To me, it’sapparent that the judicial system,along with the ExecutiveDepartment of Public Safety andthe Executive Department ofPublic Health, has simply ignoredthe true issue of recidivism andmental illness. Instead, theseagencies are quick to blame theillness for the problem, instead of

the cause.It is a

proven factthat themajority ofindividualswho sufferfrom mentalillness ares e l f - m e d -icating withdrugs andalcohol totreat theirillness, andprofession-als are wellaware thatc o n s t a n tuse willexasperatethe illness.

I, alongwith many others, will be releasedfrom the D.O.C. My release willbe from a medium/maximumsecurity facility. I will still be suf-fering from mental illness at a“latent” stage. I will not be able toadapt to society. Due to theshock of release, I will develop ananti-social personality which willlead to depression, unemploy-ment, drug/alcoholism, criminalbehavior, and, again, imprison-ment.

by Shawn K. Gomes

A

Shawn Gomes is an inmate in OldColony Correctional Center,Bridgewater.

“Prison Overpopulation - How many is too many?”sent by Raymond D. Cooke, Mental Health Center, Bridgewater

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 7

he water from the tap isbrown again today. The

Department of Correction’s per-sonnel tell me that this brownwater is safe to drink. I supposethat is why they all bring water infrom outside and do not evenwash their hands in this brownmuck. There is something inher-ently disgusting about water thatyou must first chew before youcan swallow.

Do not worry about the smellof the water – that too is safe.What works for me, when mytongue is swollen from thirst, is tofirst turn out the lights in the cellso I don’t have to see the color ofthe water. I haven’t died yet soperhaps brown is the new clear.

They have made the griev-ance process so convoluted thatgetting an issue brought to thecorrect desk is a feat ofHerculean proportions. If you arelucky enough to be heard by asuit, you get a reply letter thatgenerally goes: “Thank you foryour letter. We are aware o theproblem and are currently investi-gating it further. I hope thisaddresses your concerns.”

The “investigation” goes onfor thirty years with no reason-able disposition to meet your sat-isfaction. This letter is designedto shut you up while the problemgoes unresolved and eventuallygets worse. What alternativedoes that leave us? .

We have no other choice butto drink it. We can go for weekswithout eating, but we cannot gowithout water for more than threedays. I have been so dehydratedthat I drink water from strangeplaces. In Ten Block, when theywould periodically shut the water

off for days because someonewas “ripping out,” I would drinkfrom the toilet bowl. I used towash my clothes in it, so whynot? Plug your sink up with toiletpaper and keep it filled with waterwhen the water returns to clear.You can’t put it in containers, noteven coffee cups. Simple thingslike Styrofoam containers frombreakfast or an empty soda bottlefrom the trash (if you’re luckenough to find one) will be confis-cated during a shakedown.

I am (or I used to be), a con-

noisseur of scotch whiskey.Blindfolded, I could tell the differ-ence between Glenlivit,Ambassador 25, or Johnny WalkerBlue. Today, blindfolded, I can tellyou the prison the water camefrom by its taste. Sometimes it hasthe same caramel color as scotch.When it does, I close my eyes andpretend.

Johnny Walker Blueby Joe Labriola

T

Joe Labriola is an inmate atMassachusetts CorrectionalInstitution, Shirley.

Life Without...

life without… being categorized, scrutinized, and ostracized through barbe wire, is a converging meniscus view. Will I ever be seen clearly again or simply destined to wander aimlessly in this 6x8 container?

life without… an opportunity to rectify a mistake involving loss of life, after 40 summers gone by. The misery caused by my hand has been transferred into a gift of service toward others, but will it ever be enough!

life without… hope as court appeals falter and relationships fade, while authorities demand another ounce of flesh and proclaim “You’ve cpme a long way, however…”

life without… community, ability to travel beyond restricted areas or welcoming new family members, though accepting life one day at a time until the journey concludes.

life without … parole eligibility as one life is viewed more valuable than another because varying degrees of killing a human being does warrant an array of sanctions, ranging from decorum to death row.

life without… the struggle continues!

by Arnie KingBay State Correctional Center, Norfolk

www.arnoldking.org, throughbarbedwire@yahoo.com

’ve addressed some majorissues, not always to the liking

of the D.O.C. Administration orinmate population at MCI-Norfolk.I have no problem with pointingout incompetence. But if there isone issue that gets under my sin,it’s bullying – by administration,correctional officers, orinmates. My time was my pun-ishment; I still have protectedrights.

The MCI-Norfolk adminis-tration as well as the D.O.C.Commissioner and his lackeysthink they can do what theywant, when they want, withoutbeing called on what they do.Not on my watch; not my rights.

I was set up. Someone puta shank under or in my mat-tress. It was found and I wastaken to the Hole, where I satfor 118 days. Two of thosemonths were over the summer,before I was shipped off.

I’ve done some pretty stu-pid things in my life because Ibelieved I could do what I want-ed, when I wanted. That thelaws of the land didn’t apply tome. I am where I am becauseof my lack of respect of thelaws of those same lands. I amserving a 20-year sentence forthe crime of home invasion. Iwas arrested, tried, and foundguilty by a jury of my peers. Iaccepted the consequences ofmy actions and from day one inthe D.O.C., I did everything in mypower to better the person I wasby any means realistically possi-ble.

One thing I did was workingtowards a college education. Iwas nowhere near being an A orB student, but I never missed aclass and tried my best in every-thing I could. I was enrolled in the

Boston University program atMCI-Norfolk and lost the privi-leges because of the actions ofthe MCI-Norfolk Administration.

I was in my cell waiting for thenext shower. An officer came tomy cell and told me he’s going todo a random search. There werefive other “random” searches in

the same cell over a 10-day peri-od. I went to the Dining Hall andfive minutes later was called backto my cell and shown an old bent-up piece of clothing hanger withsilver duct tape. I was chargedwith being in possession of amanufactured weapon.

In my five-man cell, not one ofthe other inmates were even ques-tioned. I was told that if I pleadguilty, I would loose my phone for

60 days and would be returned tothe Pop the next day. I told the offi-cer that I would not plead guilty tosomething I did not do.

Before the hearing, theywould not let me call any of theother four inmates in the cellbecause I didn’t know theirnames. I was in the cell less than

a month.They would not take

any finger prints from themanufactured weapon.When I had my hearing, Iquestioned the officer thatdid the “random” search.He came up with a notesaying that there was aknife in my bunk. My firstand last name wasspelled wrong. TheHearing Officer laughedin the face of the otherofficer for doing some-thing so stupid.

I requested a new trialbut was denied. I filledout a form with defensesto the evidence againstme, but was still foundguilty. The HearingOfficer’s reasoning was:“Officer found weapon,so inmate guilty.”

The U.S. Governmentwas built on the premisethat if you have beenwronged, there is a sys-tem that will protect yourrights – no matter who

you are or where you are. I say,to every incarcerated person inany state or county CorrectionalFacility, fight for your rights. Inthe end, it’s the only thing youhave left worth doing anything for.

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 8

Bullyingby Marc E. Brown, Sr.

Marc Brown is an inmate inNemansket Correctional Center,Bridgewater.

I

“Stop Clowning Around”by Kneyl Burnette, MCI-Shirley Medium

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 9

hen I walk these grounds, Iam amazed at how many

men are oblivious of the gravity oftheir circumstances. As life ebbsand flows outside of the razorwire, we worry about what’s forchow or who is the latest topic ofgossip. When did we forget thatit is “Us vs. Them”? The Captorvs. the Jailed? Where did it all gosouth? How and why did we for-get that we are in PRISON!

Prisoner apathy is one truevillain holding back the push forhumane treatment. Unity is thecure for this disease, but we arefacing an uphill battle. The con-trol measures employed by ourcaptors can slowly drain our soulsand mold us into their model ofhopelessness.

The time has come to fightagainst the machine, to rebelagainst the oppressor. The olddays are gone, reduced to distantmemories, and we are in themidst of new times that requirenew tactics.

We must begin to show themetal of our convictions and thestrength of our souls by refusingto react to the petty control meas-ures of the jailer. When you are“patted down” going in or out ofthe chow hall, never comment.When you are stripped searchedafter a visit, never make eye con-tact with the shell of a man whowishes to see you naked. Resistidle banter with our captors –keep it a business relationship –yes or no answers, minimal infor-mation sharing. What purposedoes this serve? It strips our cap-tors of their power.

If we fail to allow their littlecontrol measures to change ourbehavior, to take us out of char-

acter, then we disarm them. Onereason they feel they are power-ful because we allow them to feelthat way. We know they are notpowerful, but years of losing priv-ileges and enduring little abuseshave worn our thresholds thin.This can make it instantly gratify-ing to argue over small matters.But this wasted energy hascaused us to lose sight of the bigpicture, and this is what the eviljailer wants.

Earlier I spoke of new tactics.These are the meat and potatoesof the new “movement,” and a“movement” we must turn it into.We must begin to document themalfeasance of our captors, log-ging dates, times, and jailersinvolved. These logs of seriousmalfeasance must be specific,documenting medical failures,policy violations, and guard uponprisoner abuse.

We then coordinate theselogs and send them to the manygrassroots organizations that areactively fighting for true prisonreform. This will be the ammuni-tion for the grassroots “guns.”They can bring this to the StateHouse. They can detail it at com-munity meetings where state offi-cials are present and have edu-cate them to the serious failingsof the system. Will this methodwork? Absolutely! It has alreadybeen battle proven.

The grassroots agencies Ispeak of were “armed” with thistype of information when theydefeated the DOC in its attemptto make the visitation regulationsmore restrictive. They used thisloaded gun to drive the insur-gence for CORI reform, one bat-tle in this war that was substan-tial.

Former bad guy HaroldClarke was driven from his roost

as the top abuser with the facts ofhis failures. Now he is someoneelse’s “bad guy,” not ours. Thesemodern war tactics (and this is infact a war) are battle proven. Wejust need more troops. Can Icount on you to enlist?

You know who the men orwomen are at your facility whohave contact with the outsidegrassroots battle forces. Seekthese people out and beg to beinvolved. Take a step by gettingyour family, friends, and associ-ates on the other side of thatrazor wire or wall involved. Whenwe strip our captors of theirpower by failing to respond nega-tively to their control measures,while working to overthrow theabusive jailer mentality, we forgea connection with the forces ofgood that transform the system!

Our captors struck a bargainwith the forces of evil and it willtake our collective outrage andaction to right the wrongs theyhave penetrated upon society.Are you ready for this epic strug-gle? Is it time for you to stop yoursobbing and pick up the sword ofrighteousness? Only you cananswer that question – and itmust be answered with actions.

Look around. Take in whatyou see. Is this the world youenvisioned in your youth? Is thisthe dream you had as a youngperson? Never forget – YOU’REIN PRISON – and it is time to dosomething about it!

Never Forgetby Timothy J. Muise

Timothy J. Muise is an inmate inMassachusetts CorrectionalInstitution, Shirley.

W

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 10

No Hands

She was the OneWho carried me for 9 whole months – once.Taught me how to fly

Or surviveThe best I can.

And because of that OneSingleAct of LoveI was able to spread my wingsAnd find a soft place to land.I can just seeRight nowThat bigHumongous smile on her faceWhen I look back at herAnd say:“LOOK MANO HANDS.”

by Omar AbdullahSouza-Baranowski Correctional Center,

Norfolk

Dead Man Walking

Dead man walking around todayListen and heed the words that I sayWandering pointlessly they don’t seem to careLike a horror movie or frightening nightmare

Breath they have they’re physically aliveBut their memories are dying along with theirmindsThey have a voice, yes, they’re able to speakFor someone to listen they endlessly seek

With no one to hear them how can they defendBarely a whisper an echo in the windAs their memories flee they recall once moreThat fate is sealed behind close doors

Thoughts occur that are painfully clearOf childhood innocence and loved ones so dearWill these memories fade?Will this ever end?For now father time is their only true friend

Destined to dwell in this graveyard of steelBuried with memories… losing their willThey’re really not in debt, but have a price topayAs dead man walking these grounds today

by Rube Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Shirley

“I Been Railroaded!”by James R. Riva

Old Colony CorrectionalCenter, Bridgewater

October 2011 Mass Dissent Page 11

NLG Massachusetts Chapter Sustainers YES, INCLUDE MY NAME AMONG NLG MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER

SUSTAINERS!

I, _____________________________________, ammaking a commitment to support the MassachusettsChapter of the Guild with an annual contribution of:

_____ $500 (not including my membership dues)

$ ________ (other above $500)

As a sustainer I will receive:• special listing in the Dinner Program;• 1/8 page ad in the Dinner Program;• acknowledgement in every issue of Mass Dissent;• two (2) free raffle tickets for a Holiday Party raffle;• invitation to special events.

Three ways to become a sustainer:• contribute $500 or more a year (not including dues)• pair up with another person and pay $250 each, or• join the “Guild Circle” and pay $50/month minimum.

Please mail to: NLG, Massachusetts Chapter14 Beacon St., Suite 407, Boston, MA 02108

In the spring of 2003, the Massachusetts Chapter of the NLG initiatedthe Chapter Sustainer Program. Since its inception, the Program hasbeen very successful and has been enthusiastically joined by the fol-lowing Guild members:

Adkins, Kelston & Zavez • 2 Anonymous •Michael Avery • Samuel Berk • Neil Berman •Howard Cooper • Barb Dougan • Robert Doyle •Melinda Drew & Jeff Feuer • Carolyn Federoff •Roger Geller & Marjorie Suisman • Lee Goldstein& Shelley Kroll • Benjie Hiller • Stephen Hrones• Andrei Joseph & Bonnie Tenneriello • MyongJoun • Martin Kantrovitz • Nancy Kelly & JohnWillshire-Carrera • David Kelston • EleanorNewhoff & Mark Stern • Petrucelly, Nadler & Norris• Hank Phillippi Ryan & Jonathan Shapiro • AllanRodgers • Martin Rosenthal • Sharryn Ross •Anne Sills & Howard Silverman • Judy Somberg• Stern, Shapiro, Weissberg & Garin

The Sustainer Program is one of the most important Chapter initiatives tosecure its future existence. Please consider joining the Program.

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation

1. Publication Title: Mass Dissent2. Publication Number: 7601-103. Filing Date: October 1, 20114. Issue Frequency: Monthly, ex. Jan., May, July, Aug.5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 86. Annual Subscription Price: 0

7. Complete Mailing Address of Office NLG, 14 Beacon St., Suite 407of Publication: Boston, MA 02108

Contact Person: Urszula Masny-LatosTelephone: 617-227-7335

8. Complete Mailing Address of Publisher: as above

9. Full Name and Address of Publisher: National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Chapter, 14 Beacon St., Suite 407, Boston, MA 02108

Editor: Urszula Masny-Latos14 Beacon St., Suite 407Boston, MA 02108

Managing Editor: as above

10. Owner: NLG, Mass. Chapter, 14 Beacon St., Suite 407, Boston, MA 02108

11. Known Bondholders: none

12. Tax Status: Has not Changed

13. Publication Title: Mass Dissent

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: October 2011

15. Extent & Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies No. Copies of Each Issue During Single Issue Preceding 12 Published Months Nearest to

Filing Date

a.Total No. of Copies 238 220

b.1- Paid/Requested Outside-County 204 1952- Paid In-County Subscriptions 34 253- Sales Through Dealers Ø Ø4- Other Classes Mailed Through USPS Ø Ø

c.Total Paid/Requested Circulation: 238 220

d.1- Free Distribution Outside-County Ø Ø2- Free Distribution In-County Ø Ø3- Other Classes Mailed Through USPS Ø Ø

e.Free Distribution Outside the Mail Ø Øf. Total Free Distribution: Ø Ø

g.Total Distribution: 238 220h.Copies not Distributed: Ø Øi. TOTAL: 238 220

j. % Paid/Requested Circulation 100% 100%

16. Publication of Statement of Ownership required. Printed in the February issue of this publication.

17. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.

Urszula Masny-Latos, Director 10/1/2011

Mass DissentUSPS 0760-110 PERIODICAL

The National Lawyers Guild is...

Periodical

Postage & Fees

PAIDUSPS Permit

0760-110

" ... an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structureof our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, lawstudents, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organiza-tion which shall function as an effective political and social force in theservice of people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as moresacred than property interests. Our aim is to bring together all those whoregard adjustments to new conditions as more important than the venera-tion of precedent; who recognize the importance of safeguarding andextending the rights of workers, women, farmers, and minority groupsupon whom the welfare of the entire nation depends; who seek actively toeliminate racism; who work to maintain and protect our civil rights andliberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them; and who look uponthe law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than fortheir repression."

Preamble to the Constitution of the National Lawyers Guild,originally adopted February 22, 1937, and most recentlyamended in July 1971.

Please Join Us!

Dues are calculated on a calendar year basis (Jan.1-Dec.31)according to your income*:

Jailhouse Lawyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FreeLaw Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25up to $15,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40over $15,000 to $20,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50over $20,000 to $25,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75over $25,000 to $30,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100over $30,000 to $40,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150over $40,000 to $50,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200over $50,000 to $60,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250over $60,000 to $70,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300over $70,000 to $80,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350over $80,000 to $90,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400over $100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500

* Any new member who joins after September 1 will be carriedover to the following year. Dues may be paid in full or in quarter-ly installments. Dues of $80 cover the basic membership costs,which include publication and mailing of Mass Dissent (theChapter's monthly newsletter), national and regional dues, and theoffice and staff. No one will be denied membership because of inability to pay.

Fill out and send to:National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Chapter14 Beacon St., Suite 407, Boston, MA 02108

NAME: ___________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _______________________________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP: __________________________________________

PHONE: (w)____________________________ (h)________________

E-MAIL: __________________________________________________

FAX: _____________________________________________________

Circle one:Lawyer Legal Worker Law Student Jailhouse Lawyer

Alumna/Alumnus of ___________________________ Year _________

Dues (from schedule): ________________________________________

I am interested in working on the following projects:_____ Lawyer Referral Service_____ Street Law Clinic_____ Mass Defense Committee_____ Litigation Committee_____ Mass Dissent (monthly publication)_____ National Immigration Project