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Friday, December 17, 2010

Televise the Revolution: A Prison Strike is Going on Now

Televise the Revolution: A Prison Strike is Going on Now

Yes, you heard me correctly. The inmates in Georgia prisons have gone on strike in what is being reported as the largest prison strike in American History. I know you didn’t know about it. Apparently, the media has taken a break to report  Mariah’s twins or WiKileaks foolery but the reality is inmates in Georgia prisons have united for a good cause. The cause is to gain attention to some of the inadequacies in their prison system. My question to you is could there really be inadequacies in prison. The purpose of a prison system is for punishment. Therefore, inmates according to the public (my opinion of the public) should receive at best standard living conditions: food, housing, and clothing. What about the rehabilitation aspect of this process? Well, I believe that’s the crux of the inmates’ arguments.  They’re demanding wages for their work (citing the 13th Amendment-Slavery), educational opportunities beyond a GED, as well as vocational and self-improvement opportunities- to name a few.  According to the article, “wardens started triple bunking prisoners in response to budge cuts- squeezing three prisoners into cells intended for one.”  I think they don’t have a bad argument. If some inmates will be returned to society, then I believe they should be provided a plethora of opportunities while in prison. I am not at any point advocating that they receive down mattresses and plasma televisions but they are humans. Humans that are being given an opportunity to reflect on their misfortunes and possibly change themselves. The most ironic part of this strike is the unity being shown by the inmates. One of their leaders stated “We have the Crips, we have the Bloods, we have the Muslims, we have the head Mexicans, and we have the Aryans all with a peaceful understanding, all on common ground.” Truly beautiful! But before I sing Kumbaya, My Lord, I urge with all sincerity and respect that individuals would gain such unity prior to entering the prison walls.

Now, here’s the link:

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/41235/the-largest-prison-strike-in-american-history-goes-ignored-by-us-media/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackernewsyc+%28Hacker+News+YC%29&utm_content=Yahoo!+Mail
and let me know what you think (Post some comments). And as always keep the pages turnin’ –EG

Note: The article cited above is The Largest Prison Strike in American History Goes Ignored by the US Media by Joe Weber.
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3 comments:

  1. Kelvin M. RodgersDecember 29, 2010 at 11:40 AM

    I really don't know what the whole argument and fuss is about. We have people that are in prison talking about their rights being violated. They gave up their rightd when they committed whatever crime that landed them in prison. My first year of law school, Prof. North made us read an article by a guy named Hart. Hart said that prisons were built for punishment and rehabilitation. However, Hart stated that the rehabilitation would come through the means of punishment. Meaning that because of such bad treatment, being given the bare necessities, and living in unflattering conditions that people would make the choice to never return to jail. I know that life is not fair. However, I feel that it would be improper to allow a 19 year old go to jail and come out 10 years later with a Master's Degree that has been paid for by the state, while I get the same education and have to repay loans!!! If you want a better life and better conditions DONT GO TO JAIL!!!

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  2. turningreenDecember 29, 2010 at 11:52 AM

    Well spoken, Kelvin. I had to agree at the end.

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  3. Flora PowellDecember 29, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    Wow, I could not have said it better, Kelvin. I don't know how you can go on strike in prison. You're in prison! This is not a job or the union. You committed a crime. Therefore, you have to suffer the consequences. It's terrible to see the prisoners get the prison mentally i. e. they get used to prison and it becomes a way of life. Then, they do not know how to function in the world when they get out. However, we don't want to increase this process by giving them so much that it seems prison is the place to be. There are people in there that have raped, killed, stole, and other terrible crimes. There are plenty of them that do not regret what they did and would do it again. Although, I admit there are a few in there who are innocent and I truly believe in redemption.
    But for the topic of the article, let's look at prison ammenities. In prison you get 3 meals a day, a workout area or the yard, chores, sometimes libraries and computer rooms, an expense account so your family can purchase items, FREE medical treatment, possible counseling, GED program AND now you want a master's degree, wages, less cellmates (I agree that can become a hygiene problem) and more self improvement programs (I agree to a certain extent). Most of this is really strange to me.
    This reminds me of our illegal immigrantion situation. You have ILLEGAL immigrants demanding their rights. What rights? You came into this county illegally. Then, you have the nerve to protest about your illegal status. OMG. Let me do that in any other country. I would be deported that day or under the jail.
    But back to the topic. Its prison not the Ritz. We don't want it comfortable for them. We don't want them to want to stay. When they get out, they are suppose to remember prison and never want to go to that place again. I don't mean to sound mean or harsh but go back to your cells, get your yardtime, and continue to focus on not dropping the soap.

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