Update on Harold Gonzales, Michigan Prisoner Facing Retaliation

Earlier this week, a phone zap targeted the warden of Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility in Michigan, where Harold “H.H.” Gonzales has faced stepped up retaliation. H.H. wrote that he has been singled out for even worse retaliation than others accused of participating in the strike and protests at Kinross Correctional Facility last September. After seven months with no misconduct tickets, he has recently received false tickets in order to justify keeping him in segregation (solitary confinement) indefinitely.

Thank you to the 40 or more supporters from across the country who called the facility on Monday and Tuesday. In addition to registering the message of support with the warden, some people spoke with the counselor in H.H.’s unit. We hope and expect that he heard about the phone zap and is aware of our support.

H.H. also wrote that if there was no change, he would begin a hunger strike on Thursday, April 20th, and continue until he is released from segregation. We cannot confirm at this time whether he is on hunger strike and are waiting for reliable information on his current condition and wishes.

Meanwhile, the office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman has opened a case on H.H. and is looking into the retaliation. The Ombuds office is not part of MDOC and there is no need to make more calls to the Ombudsman at this time while they begin to investigate. Also, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is reaching out to H.H. to begin the process of advocating for his transfer to general population.

While these investigations get underway, we can support H.H. by sending him cards and letters following these guidelines (scroll down to Michigan for H.H.’s address). If necessary, we will engage another phone zap targeted at both Baraga Max and at the MDOC. Please watch for further updates. If anyone hears current news of H.H. or would like to coordinate on this solidarity campaign, please contact MAPS (Michigan Abolition and Prisoner Solidarity) at [email protected] or http://michiganabolition.org.

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