New Jersey prisoners begin hunger strike

Prisoners at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, N.J., began a hunger strike on Oct. 12 in protest against horrendous conditions inside the walls. The struggle has gotten very little attention in the corporate media but deserves both national and international support. An estimated 1,400 inmates housed in general population are participating in the hunger strike.

According to a press release sent out by the People’s Organization for Progress (POP), a long-active community group based in Newark, N.J., the prisoners are demanding an end to the brutality they face day in and day out from the guards as well as a halt to eliminating and/or cutting back rehabilitative, educational, recreational and religious programs. The prisoners requested that POP help present their demands during any negotiations with Department of Corrections officials.

The hunger strike was motivated by lockdowns of the prison in May and December 2005 and in June, July and August 2006—the last one for a whole month. During the lockdowns, prisoners were denied any legal access, laundry services, and yard or other opportunities for recreation.

The prisoners have compared their conditions, especially during these lockdowns, to Abu Ghraib, the notorious prison where Iraqi detainees were tortured and humiliated by the U.S. military.

At the New Jersey prison, half-naked inmates were forced to run the gauntlet of not only intimidating guards but also barking dogs. The inmates say their property was either damaged or destroyed during the lockdowns.

The prisoners have presented 16 demands to prison authorities:

1) That a person or persons independent of Department of Corrections (DOC) influence aggressively investigate the circumstances leading to the prisonwide searches in 2006 and 2005 and the manner in which the searches were conducted.

2) That corrective measures be taken based on the results of the investigation called for in [demand no.] 1, including discipline of any DOC staff member responsible for introducing contraband into the prison.

3) That discipline be imposed on anyone for misconduct during the searches.

4) That area, unit, and cell searches be conducted in a professional manner, with respect and due regard for an inmate’s person, property, and living space and for the property of and space allotted to inmate.

5) That there will be accountability for theft, damage to property, or other misconduct during searches.

6) That a person or persons independent of DOC influence be allowed to inspect searched areas to ensure that inmates’ rights are protected.

7) That there be an evening and weekend program and activity schedule, to include school, vocational, legal access and recreation activities.

8) That the previous daytime recreation schedule be reinstated.

9) That all inmate groups be reopened or restored to full functioning capacity, which includes opportunities to meet and to conduct group activities.

10) That any inmate removed from an assignment without good cause be reinstated, with good cause defined as conduct by the inmate being removed from the assignment that violates prison rules or makes the inmate unsuitable for the particular job assignment.

11) That there is an annual or other periodic cost-of-living increase in wages for prison jobs and program assignments.

12) That a reliable phone system be installed.

13) That the ban on retention and possession of hardcover books be repealed.

14) That laundry services, recreation opportunities, legal access and phone privileges be made available during any and all lockdowns.

15) That a diverse body, to include prison administrative officials and members of the legal profession and civil rights groups, with input from inmates and relevant experts, be formed to propose and implement programs and policy at New Jersey State Prison and other prisons under the control of the DOC that encourages rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

16) That amnesty be granted to all participants in the hunger strike.

On Oct. 13, five POP representatives, including the chair, Lawrence Hamm, met with Department of Corrections Acting Commissioner George Hayman at his office to discuss the prisoners’ demands.

After the meeting, Hamm stated, “We met with the commissioner and his staff for more than two hours. We have begun a dialog on the prisoners’ demands that we will attempt to continue.”

Hamm told WW that whether the hunger strike ends sooner or later, it is crucial that the word get out about the inhumane conditions that led to the hunger strike and that everyone should both call and write Hayman to strongly urge the implementation of the prisoners’ just demands.

Write to Acting Commissioner George Hayman, Department of Corrections, Whittlesey Road, P.O. Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625-0863 and call his office at 609-292-4036.

E-mail [email protected]