LOCKDOWN: WHERE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COLLIDE
By Valerie Shaw, M.PR

Ed Note: This article was written in 2003, but, with the defeat of Proposition 66, the issue's still hot and although Gray Davis is no longer Governor, the links still work.

Los Angeles - The L.A. Times July 1 "California" section headline ran like it was a fact, "Crips Target of Prison Lockdown." Then, there was that sub-headline; so illuminating. "A link between an expected execution and possible attacks on staff is under investigation." Now there was a tantalizing little morsel of mystery to keep folks reading.

Don't believe everything you read! The facts of the real account lie between the lines of the story reported by Times staffers Jenifer Warren and Dan Morain. According to the story, 1,300 general-population African-American inmates at Corcoran State Prison [making up 35% of the general Corcoran prison population] have been locked down for weeks and for weeks to come while authorities track down the rumor that the Crips are planning a state-wide retaliation on behalf of their San Quentin Death Row hero, comrade and founder, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, http://afronetizen.blogs.com/afronetizen/2004/04/the_resurrectio.html "whose court appeals are winding down…"

"Rumor" is one of the operative words here. According to the times story, [Williams] "`…is a piece of the puzzle, and we're investigating his connection,'" said Lt. Johnny Castro, a Corcoran spokesman. "`This kite is pretty vague…but given the assaults we've had at several institutions, we're taking it very seriously.'" A "kite" is a message passed surreptitiously between inmates, the equivalent of our instant e-mail messages. This "kite," incidentally, was unsigned and anonymous. [Surprise, surprise!]

"Tookie" Williams, says the co-author and editor of Williams' award-winning children's books, Barbara Becnel, "`…has absolutely no idea where such a rumor came from. He is no longer a member of the Crips. He has nothing to do with gang activity."

Now here's the big rub: Because of the alleged plot possibly forming by an anonymous group of Crips http://www.streetgangs.com/history/history.html -in virtually all maximum security prisons from Pelican Bay to Corcoran-the lockdown is in effect until further notice for thousands of Level 4 African-American prisoners, regardless of their affiliation to the Crips or the nature of their crimes. The Times reports that isolating prisoners by race is a common practice and the African-American lockdown is nothing out of the ordinary.

On the chance that being in "lockdown" for a month (or two…or three) doesn't ruffle your feathers, maybe you don't realize what "lockdown" means. If you are unlucky enough to be an African-American male, stuck in a Level 4 California prison today, even if you are not affiliated with any Crip gang, you are restricted to your bathroom-size cell 24-7. You are not allowed to work, receive library privileges, attend classes, attend religious activities or participate in any yard recreation. Some prisoners, at the warden's discretion, are allowed visitors, but no one on lockdown can receive telephone calls. There is nothing to relieve your boredom or frustration while you watch helplessly as others-Latinos and whites, some to most members of the Mexican Mafia or the Aryan Brotherhood, as well as other gangs-welcome weekly family visitations and, throughout the week, go about their usual daily routines. Help me out here: Does that strike you as a little bit discriminatory, just slightly unfair?

Never mind that thousands of families are affected by the lockdown while it is under investigation or that incidents of violence rarely occur in visiting rooms, as prisoners abide by an unwritten code of respect for everyone's family members, most whom have traveled hundreds of miles to spend a few hour with loved ones. Does lockdown sound like a safety precaution to you, or a repressive and retaliatory measure, guaranteed to blow the lid off even the most passive model prisoner?

Never mind that Stanley Williams could be years away from his execution while his case is being appealed, first before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and then, if that fails, to the U.S. Supreme Court. Oh, did I mention that according to the Times article, "There is no deadline by which the appellate court must rule." Does that mean an indefinite lockdown for black prisoners?

Never mind that violence, kites and threats against c.o.'s (corrections officers) is a nearly daily occurrence in America's prisons. And never mind that it is a know fact that there is no single "Crips family," but rather countless factions all warring on each other as well as "outsiders." What makes this kite so special, as to lockdown thousands of black prisoners? Help me out here: what's wrong with this picture?

Does it disturb anyone that the black lockdown was in effect throughout the long weekend in at least four maximum-security prisons: Delano, Salinas, Corcoran, Lancaster and Pelican Bay, and maybe others. Or that prison overcrowding posses an even greater threat in the months to come?

And what about that kite? Could it possibly be that its anonymous author was from within the Department, and not some prison plot to assassinate prison officials?
Hum-m-m. According to one gang specialist we interviewed for this article, "They (the wardens) took it upon themselves to believe it was a growing conspiracy. Lockdowns of particular groups is an instant solution to budget problems and staff shortages." A coincidence? Maybe.

But does it strike anyone that this black lockdown is unjust to the point of being a severe violation of human rights, and in the event of a real riot (as the result of being locked in a cage day in and day out, with no end in sight), a real danger to overall public safety?

Personally, I'd like to see an independent oversight committee that looks into serious matters such as these. An unbiased group of individuals who investigate both (or should I say, all) sides of the issue of ultra-confinement. As my mother always says: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." What are we waiting for, for goodness sakes, a prison riot the likes that we have never seen in this country or anywhere in the civilized world?

If you are as concerned as I am about these issues, you will visit the California Department of Corrections website at http://www.corr.ca.gov/. I just discovered that the only contact information for any of the institutions listed is by calling them at (916) 445-7682. They say that they "will respond to your comments as soon as possible." But just in case they don't, how about sending out a quick e-letter to Governor Gray Davis at governor@governor.ca.gov or Cruz Bustamante, our Lieutenant Governor at http://www.ltg.ca.gov/feedback/index.asp.*

I don't know about you, but one thing I really love about Democracy and our great nation, is that we all do have a voice. And that's exactly what I'm doing today instead of going out to play a few sets of tennis, which is what I'd much rather be doing. But then, I just had to ask these human rights questions before I go on with my day, enjoying my right to be human.

Valerie Shaw 1998 All Rights Reserved

All contents are the exclusive rights of the author and may not be copied, excerpted, nor duplicated without the expressed written permission of the author. For questions regarding duplication of this work, send email to author

Related Articles:
Happy New Year! 365 Reasons Why Freedom Is Better