Pelican Bay Prisoner Hunger Strikers

In a major victory for prisoners' rights, California has agreed to greatly reduce the use of solitary confinement as a part of a legal settlement that may have major implications in prisons nationwide. The decision on Tuesday, September 2, 2015 came following years of litigation by a group of prisoners held in isolation for a decade or more at Pelican Bay State Prison, as well as prisoner hunger strikes.

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Solidarity With The Pelican Bay Prison Hunger Strikers!,Dignidad Rebelde and Rini Templeton

Solidarity With The Pelican Bay Prison Hunger Strikers!
Dignidad Rebelde and Rini Templeton
Offset, 2011
Oakland, CA

Poster text:

Prisoners in the Security Housing Unit (SHU) at Pelican Bay State Prison (California) are going on an indefinite hunger strike as of July 1, 2011 to protest the cruel, inhumane and torturous conditions of their imprisonment. The hunger strike has been organized by prisoners in an inspiring show of unity across prison-manufactured racial and geographical lines. The hunger strikers have developed these five core demands:

1. End Group Punishment & Administrative Abuse

2. Abolish The Debriefing Policy, And Modify Active/Inactive Gang Status Criteria

3. Comply With The US Commission On Safety And Abuse In America's Prisons 2006 Recommendations Regarding An End To Long-Term Solitary Confinement

4. Provide Adequate And Nutritious Food

5. Expand And Provide Constructive Programming And Privileges For Indefinite SHU Inmates. 

http://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com

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CSPG's Poster of the Week was produced in 2011 after prisoners at Pelican Bay State Prison began an historic hunger strike to protest the cruel and inhumane conditions facing incarcerated people, including the use of solitary confinement. From 2011 to 2013, the prisoners launched a total of 3 hunger strikes, ultimately forcing the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) to enter into negotiations with the prisoners and their advocates. This week, as a result of these efforts and others, a landmark lawsuit settlement was reached between a group of Pelican Bay State prisoners and the State of California. Democracy Now's Amy Goodman summarized the agreement, saying:

In a major victory for prisoners' rights, California has agreed to greatly reduce the use of solitary confinement as a part of a legal settlement that may have major implications in prisons nationwide. The decision on Tuesday, September 2, 2015 came following years of litigation by a group of prisoners held in isolation for a decade or more at Pelican Bay State Prison, as well as prisoner hunger strikes.  California currently keeps nearly 3,000 prisoners alone for more than 22 hours a day in windowless cells. Human rights advocates have long maintained that the practice of solitary confinement is both inhumane and counterproductive. The settlement comes after years of prisoner hunger strikes and sustained protests by prisoners' loved ones.

The Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition posted a detailed press release announcing the victory on Monday.

Additional Sources:

Los Angeles Times 9/1/15

Truthdig 9/2/15

Democracy Now! 9/2/15