Santa Clara, CA: Update on Jail Hunger Strike

From Prison Hunger Strike Solidarity

Oct 19, 2016 UPDATE:  The Hunger Strike in the Santa Clara Main Jail is on- more than 300 people are participating, many of them in solitary confinement.  The classification system in Santa Clara Jails must change, and solitary confinement must end!  Please note this correction in the Sheriff’s number.  The correct number is 408.808.4611.  Additional numbers to call: 408.299.8770 and the Public Information /Public Relations Officer- 408.808.4905.  Read the below statement regarding the Hunger Striker’s Demands and, when you call, express your support for those human and civil rights demands and for the hunger strikers. Don’t be discouraged by staff responses.  State your concerns and support and keep the pressure on. Sheriff Laurie Smith has failed to respond so far.

Previous Post- Oct 17, 2016 Hunger Strike Announcement/More Information: http://wp.me/p1BB1k-2Ot

Statement from Prisoners

All the respect across the board! Now onto the following at hand.

The following will consist of an open letter addressed to all prisoners contained within all three facilities of Santa Clara County Jail, in regards to a peaceful protest in the form of an organized hunger strike.

First off, allow us to stress the fact that by no means is this to be considered an attempt to promote or benefit any form of gang, nor is this to be considered gang activity. This letter and its request/call for action is an attempt to enlighten and remain inclusive regardless of race, creed, or color of top/shirt due to classification. The content of this letter does not simply pertain to any one group segment, nor any isolated issue, but instead it pertains to all prisoners within the three facilities of Santa Clara County Jail.

We all have a stake at hand, and we all serve to benefit from any success that may transpire as a result of our collective efforts. Therefore, it is important that we try and visualize the impact and full potential of strength and power behind our force as united prisoners for a valid purpose and common beneficial interest. With this in mind, we are now reaching out to all like-minded prisoners who are willing and interested in banding together in a united stance of solidarity under the name of Prisoners’ Human Rights Movement (P.H.R.M.) in order to bring about real meaningful forms of change.

Our chances of success will be greatly increased and will largely depend on our willingness to step up and participate in one form or another. Some positive changes within these facilities have been made due to litigation, the assistance of Prison Law Office, Silicon Valley De-Bug and other helpful agencies. But we must also be willing to help ourselves as it is actually us, the prisoner population, who have the most to gain.

Aside from preparation and unity, proper timing is also a key component to our success. These facilities along with Sheriff Laurie Smith are currently under heavy legal pressure and community scrutiny. Therefore we must recognize this opportunity in order to truly seize the moment. As briefly mentioned, our goal is to bring about meaningful, long-standing forms of change by shedding light on and challenging the misuse of authority and abuse of discretion within the administration which translates to violations as well as harsh and unfair conditions for us prisoners.

Our further and specific goals/purpose are reflected in the following list of demands/core issues which will eventually be served to Sheriff Laurie Smith and other agencies:

l. End: Meaningless classification reviews and biased appeal process.

Solution:
A. Incorporate classification practices of other jurisdictions (CDCR, Alameda County, etc.)
B. Establish independent oversight and review of inmate appeal process, jail conditions, practices and policies.
C. Safeguard all due process protections.

2. End: Placement in solitary confinement when there exists no serious rule violation to merit such placement.
a. Prohibit the use of long-term/indefinite solitary confinement.
b. Prohibit the use of solitary confinement based solely on gang allegations, affiliation, validation, etc.

Solution:
A. Follow the classification and housing practice of other jurisdictions (CDCR, Alameda County, etc.)
B. Allow all inmates a genuine opportunity to be downclassed and properly integrated into the general population.
C. Determine classification/housing of all inmates based on individual behavior.

3. End: Policy/practice of denying inmates adequate clothing.

Solution:
A. Establish policy that promotes proper hygiene.
B. Provide two sets of tops. and bottoms, three sets of underclothes, and sufficient clothing exchange.

4. End: Jail profiteering and exploitation of prisoners and their families through contract bidding of commissary vendors based on kick-backs and political incentives for campaign contributions.

Solution:
A. Set commissary prices equal to or cheaper than those set in CDCR.
B. Approve more packaging vendors to create a competitive and fair market.

5. End: Recidivism and misappropriation of Inmate Welfare Funds.

Solution:
A. Expand and provide constructive programming and privileges for all inmates regardless of classification status.
B. Create opportunity to engage in meaningful self-help treatment, work, education, and other activities related to having a sense of being a part of a community in preparation for re-entering society for all inmates.
C. Reallocate Inmate Welfare Funds toward education and rehabilitation programs.

Now, our plan of action is to inspire, enlighten, and unite as many Santa Clara County prisoners as possible in order to engage in a peaceful protest in the form of an organized hunger strike. In addition, we are reaching out to Prison Law Office, Silicon Valley De-Bug, and other outside agencies and individuals for assistance and support, so we are not alone and we have a voice from the outside.

We also encourage everyone to inform and involve friends and family members by having them flood Sheriff Laurie Smith and this administration with calls of concern during said hunger strike. Encourage them to use social media to get our message out. We will also attempt to utilize traditional forms of media (newspaper, news, etc.). It might take traditional media a minute to focus on us, but let’s not be discouraged. It is truly in our best interest to see this through.

Said hunger strike will begin at 12 midnight on October 17, 2016 and will go on for two weeks/fourteen days. It will end on October 30, 2016 at 12 midnight. This strike is not mandatory, but instead it is highly encouraged to all who are concerned, willing and able. We especially reach out to those who are healthy and influential. We lean upon you and ask that you utilize your influence to help further push and inspire this movement through your words and actions by leading through example.

For those who might not be able to hold up for the full fourteen days, it’s okay—just do your best. But this county does not acknowledge a hunger strike until you refuse nine straight meals through the course of three days, so we ask that at a minimum you hold out for four days so that your sacrifice and efforts are acknowledged.

Familiarize yourself with the five demands—this way when staff ask why you/we are not eating, you/we can tell them it is a peaceful protest hunger strike and why. We ask those who participate to truthfully not eat and don’t store food in your area, as that will only provide staff with a reason to undermine the integrity of our sacrifice and efforts.

For those who do not physically take part in the strike, we respectfully ask that you respect our efforts and show other forms of support and solidarity by not accepting extra county food, nor going to canteen for the two weeks that many of us will be striking/not eating. After all, any success we have will not only benefit us all here now, but also those who will eventually come, as we are seeking meaningful, long-term change.

Let’s not allow the system/administration’s harassment and manipulation discourage nor mislead us. That should only seek to inspire us and enforce the fact that we’re doing the right thing. Administration/staff cannot call off our food strike; only we can. There may be a need for a second wave/strike approximately two months later, as we are serious about our efforts and our purpose is valid.

For now though, let’s prepare and unite under the Prisoners’ Human Rights Movement, so that our power is felt and our voices are heard in order to help ourselves bring about positive change! With that said, please keep this open letter circulating. Our respects across the board!

With strength and solidarity,

P.H.R.M.

Phone numbers for Sheriff Laurie Smith:
(408)808-4611
(408)299-8770

pdf of this open letter/ statement:
https://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/phrm-statement-end-solitary-in-santa-clara-county-jails_corrected-number.pdf

pdf of the demands/core issues:
https://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/5-demands-santa-clara-county-jails.pdf