United Playaz seek HOPE against HOPE at Chowchilla Women's Prison and more progress.

Chowchilla Valley Women's Prison is some 160 miles away from San Francisco. This time Rudy Corpuz from United Playaz, Abraham Menor, youth director and contributor to the De-Bug magazine and Francisco Da Costa long time activist from San Francisco and Director of Environmental Justice Advocacy made the 160 mile journey to Chowchilla to give the women inmates of Bay Area - hospitality:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157622795430302/show/

Our purpose was simple - get into the classroom and charge the atmosphere with electricity, give HOPE to the women prisoners and encourage them to seek freedom and contribute to society. All of us believe in giving our Mothers, our Sisters, our beautiful family - a second chance.

We, three fully believe that California's incarceration system is the worst ever. Right now three Federal Judges have asked the Governor of California who is a lame duck Governor to release thousands of prisoners and follow the mandate of the three Federal judges.

Our prisoners are packed and what is more stacked. Where two should be there are four. And in many cases six and eight. We cannot afford to treat our inmates like animals - and think that this nonsense can go forever. This country brags about Fair Play and Justice - but in the prisons - you see nothing of that.

The California Prison System is working with the Governor who is beholden to the Correctional Officers - do as little as possible to help the prisoners, that should be released, let go. What is really happening is a lot of pussyfooting, around. Terminator wants fewer folks to go to prisons while holding those in prison to linger for a longer time. This makes no sense.

Incarceration - is all about money and the pay checks linked to the Correctional Officers who all take a big salary most of them making over $120,000 and others taking home over $175,000. Many make $200,000 and there be NO SOUND audit on the corrupt and waste in our prison system. In the California Correction System - anything goes.

Incarceration is a Trillion Dollar business and human beings in authority are trading other human beings - much like the Slave Plantations but this time around everything is like a smooth operation, well greased. The guards are armed and smile - others corner you and screw you galore - yet others will see that you linger in prison - if you stand for your rights.

We heard from several inmates that the Parole Board creates flimsy excuses to keep some inmates that should have been released a long time ago. I know of at least five that have written to me. It is astonishing how some folks think they can use other human beings and treat them worse then animals. It is sad - considering this nonsense is happening in the year - 2009.

Entering the classroom some of the teachers and all the inmates were happy to see Rudy Corpuz who is like a rock star to them.

They have seen me before and respect me - as they do an Elder - I keep to myself and do not exhibit my emotions. The inmates are happy to see Abraham Menor, a young intelligent single man who can talk to them and especially the younger prisoners that love to communicate with some one that understands the happening in the hood, in the rough streets that create so many problems.

All over California the authorities that be do not create "opportunities" for poor folks and especially people of color.

When in the hood some folks do not know how to deal with Law Enforcement. Law Enforcement and the Police stem from the Plantation days - when these so called Slave Catchers - would be sent to capture the escaping Slaves. Nothing much has changed today - the only fact that one sees today, and that is evident - is that Law Enforcement has just got - too sophisticated and complicated. There is little transparency and less accountability.

One has just to read the Police Officers Bill of Rights - and you see the hidden map and how these so called Peace Officers can do as they please.

Often time they will draw their guns and kill. Only in recent times with the Oscar Grant case and some other cases when these renegade police officers have been caught on tape - do they comprehend that they cannot escape justice - and I look forward to the day - when a rogue officer is charged and the other so called rogue Police Officers - understand that the tax payers pay their salaries and they and their families are beholden to fair play, sound justice, and profound service.

That is not to say there are good Police Officers - but these genuine ones are very few. This is fact and my subjective judgment.

As weeks go by the Drug Rehabilitation in the Prison System and that in Chowchilla Valley Women's Prison too will be slowly phased. There is no money that will be given by the Governor of California.

Programs for education and health too will be cut. Most folks who have NOT visited the prisons - be in men or women have NO clue what is happening behind the wall. Some of us that do - know what is it like. Most of those that visit do not have the guts to write about what is happening behind the walls.

Our California Senator and Assembly person are fast asleep busy raking in money and praise. Many of these so called Representative should be ashamed of themselves. In the future I will call them out. This time around - I am giving them a - pass.

It is not as if, all is really lost and very bad - there are a few Correctional Officers and personnel behind the wall that care - but these "angels" are far and between. Most of the Correctional Officers - could not give a rat ass. One has just to read the Chowchilla Report and gather some revelations.

In the prison system if you cannot stand your ground - the vultures will take advantage of you.

At the Chowchilla Valley Women's Prison - there are 8 women to a cell. You can imagine the fiasco and all the dubious activities, chatter, and noise going on. Living with two other women or men can be annoying. Now add two more and go on to add four more - and you have pandemonium.

Chowchilla Valley Women Prison is the largest in the world and houses more then 4000 women. There are other Women Prisons near by and they too - incarcerate - thousands of women.

We have good sisters, all inmates that we know very well at Chowchilla Women Prison that we love and support.

We will give them HOPE, pray for them, and see that when they come out - that they are supported. We will NOT depend on the corrupt STATE system but will establish our own to cater to our own that we LOVE and call FAMILY.

The inmates at Chowchilla Valley Women's Prison have been good to us. No one has treated us unfairly. I know a couple of Correctional Officers from my visit that have been extremely good me. I wear a metal brace and they could - if they want send me through some motions - but the Officers at the Reception Center treat me very well.

I admire the love that Rudy Corpus from United Playaz and his organization have for those incarcerated - both men and women. I admire the work of Abraham Menor who is up and coming photograper, youth organizer, and an all out good brother.

I thank Paul Adams for hosting us at his home and thank his wife and children for bearing with the three of us. I thank my Bothers Rudy and Abe for bearing with me - I can be demanding and exacting with it comes to high standards.

I thank all those responsible for allowing me and my Brothers to enter Chowchilla Valley Women's Prison and giving us the FREEDOM to explain to our incarcerated sisters the difference between Freedom and License. I thank the teachers who allowed us into their classrooms to talk to the may inmates for over 6 and half hours.

I pray to God to give our suffering sisters that are incarcerated - a second chance.

All in all it was a good trip some 160 miles from San Francisco - we took the Amtrak and I must say that I was impressed.


Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy


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