Prisoners continue to strike!
More “inside” actions in the National Prison Strike have been reported since the Aug. 28 roundup in Workers World. (tinyurl.com/y9ssw4sa) The strike was originally called by Jailhouse Lawyers Speak for Aug. 21 through Sept. 9. One key strike demand, “End prison slavery!” refers to widespread state and corporate exploitation of prisoners who receive no or little compensation for work. This slavery is still permitted under the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
North Carolina – Despite denying prisoner protest or strikes to the media, the North Carolina Department of Public Services privately admits in its infraction forms that prisoners are being thrown into segregation for strike organizing. There are rumors from prisoners of strike participation at 11 North Carolina facilities, with confirmation of organizers being put in segregation in at least two prisons. (Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee)
South Carolina – Prisoners are reportedly on strike in Broad River, Lee, McCormick, Turbeville, Kershaw and Lieber correctional institutions. The actions include widespread workstrikes, with only a few prisoners reporting to their jobs, and commissary boycotts. (Jailhouse Lawyers Speak)
Georgia – Prisoners in the main maximum state security facility, Georgia State Prison—Reidsville, have reported a strike. (JLS)
Florida – Five Florida facilities are evidently seeing strike activity: Charlotte Correctional reports 40 refusing work and 100 boycotting commissary. Dade Correctional prisoners say 30 to 40 on strike. Franklin Correctional reports 30 to 60. Holmes Correctional reports 70. Appalachee Correctional reports an unknown number. (JLS)
Texas – In solidarity with the national strike, two prisoners in a Gulf prison messaged they are on hunger strike in segregation, as is Robert Uvalle in Michael Unit, Anderson County, who has been in solitary for most of his 25 years inside. (IWOC)
Indiana – Prisoners in the segregation unit at Wabash Valley Correctional Institution began a hunger strike Aug. 27, demanding adequate food and an end to cold temperatures in the unit. (IWOC)
Washington state – Twenty people detained at Northwest Detention Center were sent to segregation on Aug. 30 after they, and eventually at least 30 others, demanded an end to a new requirement that they stand up as the warden enters each pod. NWDC is a private immigration prison located in Tacoma. On Aug. 21, about 200 people at NWDC went on hunger strike in solidarity with the National Prison Strike; about 60 people continue to hunger strike into a second week. (NWDC Resistance)
