Announcement from prisoners in Robert Presley Detention Center (Jail) Administrative Segregation (Solitary Confinement) Download pdf here
The following is in regards to a peaceful protest in the form of an organized hunger strike in the Riverside County Jails. Said hunger strike will begin at breakfast April 13, 2017 and end at breakfast May 1, 2017 a total of 17 days.
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 is a peaceful request/call for action to all, regardless of race, creed, and classification. This pertains to all prisoners held in Riverside County Jails. We all serve to benefit from any success that may transpire as a result of our collective efforts.
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 in order to bring about meaningful forms of change. We respectfully ask anybody that is not taking part in the strike to respect our efforts and show other forms of support by not accepting extra county food. We all have a stake and common interest. In preparation we encourage you to inform and involve your friends and family, have them show their support by calling the jail during our hunger strike to voice their concerns, ask that they get our message out to social media and traditional media and by reaching out to prisoners support organizations to help further push and inspire our efforts.
It is truly in our best interest to see this through. If you are unable to hold out for the entire 17 days that’s ok, just do your best. But in order for your sacrifice and supportive efforts to be acknowledged as a hunger strike you must refuse 9 straight meals over a course of 3 days so we ask that, at the very minimum, you hold out for at least 4 full days.
Familiarize yourself with the compiled list of demands and core issues. That way if you are asked why you are not eating, you will be able to explain that a hunger strike is a peaceful protest and the reasoning behind it. The administration cannot call off our hunger strike or punish us for our protest so don’t allow them to use intimidation and harassment tactics to discourage or mislead. Remember, we are doing the right thing. With that said please get the word out.
Respectfully with strength and solidarity,
Riverside County prisoners
–Number to reach Riverside County Sheriff:
(951) 955-2400 PRESS OPTION 4
–Number for Robert Presley Jail:
951. 955.4500 press 1 then 8
–For more information about the hunger strike:
Nancy at 951.456.1431
–Email for Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition (PHSS):
prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity@gmail.com
Phone number for PHSS: 510.426.5322
–Updates on the hunger strike will be available on instagram:
#Riverside County Prisoners
Our specific goals/purposes are reflected in the following list of demands/core issues.
1. End: Frivolous and irrelevant policies.
Solution:
A. Cease and desist enforcing frivolous policies limiting phone access due to state change.
B. Issue and or display random dayroom list in ad-seg.
C. Increase ad-seg dayroom time to one hour.
D. Remove no-see tint from cell windows.
2. End: Placement in solitary confinement when there exists no serious rule violations 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. Determine classification of housing based on individual behavior.
B. Allow a genuine opportunity to be down classed and integrated to general population through a modified group and dayroom program.
C. Jail officials read Ashker v Gov of California Settlement Terms.
3. End: Denial of adequate clothing to inmates.
Solution:
A. Establish policy that promotes proper hygiene.
B. Provide two sets of all clothes.
4. End: Jail profiteering and exploitation of prisoners and our families through commissary and trust accounts.
Solution:
A. Waive the fee associated with putting money on a prisoner’s account.
B. Set commissary prices equal to or cheaper than those set in CDCR e.g. 97 cents for a top ramen soup is outrageous.
5. Provide opportunities for religious services, self help, and educational programs.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE DEMANDS
1. End: Housing mental health prisoners with regular prisoners.
2. Establish accountability for each grievance to catalog the concern.
Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity 