Supporting Prisoners: Some Practical Suggestions

[Republished from "Anarchist Black Cross Information and Resources, Second Edition," December 1993, by Nightcrawlers ABC (now disbanded)]

In supporting prisoners, we try to achieve several things. These people are locked in cages and are often kept in control units where they spend most of their time in isolation. We must not allow the state to cut them off from the outside, from the continuing struggle. We keep prisoners informed about and involved in the struggles going on through correspondence and visits. This also does a lot to help lessen their isolation. Besides this, through dialogue you can learn a lot from the prisoner. Supporting prisoners also involves providing them with material aid, such as food packages, clothing, stamps, etc. The prison system exploits the prisoners and makes it difficult for them to get decent food and other things that seem basic to us. We must also act to help defend them against the brutality of the prison officials. When they are harassed we must be prepared to harass back, to let the prison administration know that there are people watching. These are the goals we have in mind when we do prisoner support work.

These guidelines were written with the idea of making it easier to get around the maze of the prison bureaucracy and preparing people for some of the obstacles that we've encountered. A lot of them are very basic but can make your work much easier.

Of course, all of the issues that will come up are not covered here, this is simply what we have learned in he time we have been doing support work. Supporting comrades who have been locked up can be difficult. You should find out about groups in your area that have experience with this kind of work and ask for help if you need it. People are generally very willing to help.

RESEARCH

People should know as much as possible about prisoners they are considering supporting. But, prisoners may not always be able to speak freely about activities they have been involved in, or cases that may still be pending.

• Ask them for documents regarding their case.

• Talk to people who have supported them or worked with them in the past.

• Ask other prisoners about them.

• Talk to prisoner support groups about the way that they do research.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Date all of your letters.

• Make a note in the letter of all enclosures (stamps, photocopies, etc) so that the prisoner can make sure hey all make it through.

• If the prisoner tells you hat anything was not received, write a letter appealing the confiscation, usually to the warden.

• Send postage stamps to help cover the costs of correspondence.

• Either send promptly to the prisoner, or let the prisoner know that you can't send, any items requested.

• Note if you receive a letter later than you should have.

VISITS

• Check with the prisoner beforehand about the date.

• Know the visiting rules and regulations (write to or call the prison for a written list of regulations or ask the prisoner for one), dress code and acceptable forms of ID are two main considerations.

• Be on time.

ITEMS SENT INTO THE PRISON

• Find out what the prisoner wants/likes.

• Know the prison's regulations (get a written copy) about what is allowed in and how much.

• Help the prisoner find out what kinds of things are available to them for free (several publications are, for example).

IN GENERAL

• Be consistent.

• Know as much as you can about the prison regulations.

• Know that prison workers will arbitrarily lie to you.

• Learn from the prisoner, who knows a lot about the prison bureaucracy.

• Be clear with the prisoner about what you can and are willing to do.

• Be open and direct with the prisoner about any concerns you have.

• Be aware that all correspondence and interactions that you have with the prisoner are monitored by prison officials, or that you may attract attention from other state agencies.

• Do not pass on correspondence or packages unless you are fully aware of the contents.

• Know the phone numbers and addresses of the prison administrators so you can harass them about problems (when mail isn't received, when the prisoner is harassed).

• Respond quickly to any situations that arise.

• Discuss with he prisoner any actions that you take; the prisoner will often know the best way to respond, and should be involved anyway.

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