Struggle for Human Rights in California Prisons Continues (part 2)

While the historic prisoner strike that began at Pelican Bay on July 1 and joined by thousands of inmates across California may have ended the struggle for humane policy in California prisons, and prisons across the country continues. This heroic action has exposed the torture and abuse that these men and women face on a daily basis. The US who is so arrogant and self righteous in its condemnation of human rights abuses in other countries is now being challenged for what is happening right here at home.

The focus of the struggle now has to be to build a broad movement of support and solidarity by raising the five core demands that unified the strikers to take action. They are:
1. End Group Punishment & Administrative Abuse
2. Abolish the Debriefing Policy, and Modify Active/Inactive Gang Status Criteria -
3. Comply with the US Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons 2006 Recommendations Regarding an End to Long-Term Solitary Confinement
4. Provide Adequate and Nutritious Food
5. Expand and Provide Constructive Programming and Privileges for Indefinite SHU Status Inmates.
A coalition of groups that organized the protest in Sacramento included the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition, Critical Resistance, ANSWER, All Of Us Or None, United for Drug Policy Reform, World Can’t Wait, California United for Responsible Budget, California Prison Focus, California Coalition for Women Prisoners and others.