by Sam Dodson | May 2, 2009 |
Saturday. April 25:
Last night I was called down to see Dr. Siegal. He’s a very nice man in his late 40s. Last week was the first time we met. He gave me a physical, and I answered some medical questions. He understood the basics of what I am doing and wished me the best.
Last night when we met he asked, “What are you still doing here?” At our last meeting we discussed my plan to give my name, before discovering that there was in fact no standing in NH law requiring a name to identify someone. That’s why fingerprints and photographs are taken. In fact, the opposite is true, there are to be no penalties for someone who does not provide a name. (more…)
by Sam Dodson | Apr 28, 2009 |
[I received a letter from a fellow inmate of Sam’s, who wishes to remain anonymous. This inmate describes how the jailers are refusing to give Sam food! I have not yet verified that this person is who he claims to be (i.e., whether this account is trustworthy), but the company he says he works (worked?) for does exist. I have not yet heard back on whether this person works there and is currently incarcerated. -Mike Barskey]
26 April 09
Dear Mike –
I am an inmate at the Cheshire Country Jail. I am in the same area of the jail as your fellow protester “John Doe,” “Sam D-.” When we are not locked away in our individual cells, Sam & I share a day room with 24 other inmates. During these time of congregation I have had the opportunity to talk with “Sam” of his politics, beliefs and convictions. I agree with some of his ideals and fully support his efforts to “inform the public” and make changes.
I am writing this letter to make known to the outside some occurrances here regarding “Sam.” As you know “Sam” has been on a hunger strike…I believe, he has been on this strike since his arrest. Recently the correction officers here in jail have started a new strategy against Sam. At various times they are refusing to give him food. During the 3 times a day we are fed in jail, we line up and are each individually handed a tray of food by a corrections officer. Sam has been taking his tray, and after everybody is seated to eat, Sam gives his tray of food away to another inmate. Today, April 25 @11:30am, at lunch, when Sam approached to receive his tray of food he was refused. The corrections officer, officer Anderson, refused to give Sam a tray of food and Sam moved on and returned to his cell, without food while the rest of us sat down & ate. I have witnessed this type of incident happen to Sam several times before. Also, it must be said that this does not occur all the time.
It is one thing for an individual to be on a hunger strike, it is another to refuse them food – regardless whether they will eat it or not. I am no expert in the field of international rights, but I would venture to guess that refusing food to prisoners violates some international lw and would warrant extreme scrutiny from human rights watch dog organizations.
To validate my letter I give you my name. I do not wish to jeopardize myself while in jail, so please to not share my identity. I have not been to trial as of yet and do not wish to have undue prejudice against me from the courts.
I support the cause you represent and look forward to reading more of your exploits in the media.
Veritas
by Sam Dodson | Apr 27, 2009 |
Friday, April 24:
I’m back in population today. I felt very weak. Probably low blood pressure. Vitamins ran out Wednesday, I couldn’t get more from the isolated holding cell, and my commissary order for more never showed. I’ve asked and asked but no answer. I have also not been given access to the law library computer since the first time on Tuesday, for about 3 hours.
Still no access to my lawyer since the 2 initial visits last week. I did get the write of Habeas Corpus in the mail today. Ivy did a fantastic job. Unfortunately, Superior Court upheld, government rights in New Hampshire are only upheld for those that consent and provide a legal name. All this despite being taken Wed. to aKPD for fingerprinting and photographing the first time they even asked.
I also got copies of the charges against me thanks to Ivy mailing them. Article 14 of the NH Constitution says “Every subject of this state is entitled to a certain remedy, by having recourse to the laws, for all injuries he may receive in his person, property, or character; to obtain right and justice freely, without being obliged to purchase it; completely, and without any denial; promptly, and without delay; conformably to the laws.” But again, rights are only for those that consent.
I don’t know where we go from here. I sit in their cages growing weaker by the day.
Carlos Miller is doing a story on the court situation. I spoke with him today. Get this, the call cost $1.50 billing fee, $5.50 for the first minute, and over $3 for each additional minute. In an age where I pay $10/month with unlimited LD, is anyone surprised the jail owns the phone “company?”
It’s almost as brazen as charging 81¢ for ramen noodle pack that sell 10 for $1 at the supermarket. This so called “justice” system is nothing more than yet another way for government to extort money from taxpayers, its prisoners, their families, and friends.
What other company could claim a 5% success rate and do nothing to change?
SamIAm
by Sam Dodson | Apr 27, 2009 |
Thursday, April 23:
I spent last night in “the bubble,” a holding cell with a phone and 3 other guys. It was hot, smelled of sweaty socks, and there was barely room to walk around the mattresses on the floor. We all got along, the other prisoners watched the 15 letters and 7 postcards delivered, and soon realized I wasn’t the average prisoner.
T, a black man from Queens, NY, told me a store. He was waiting on the corner for his friend to pick him up. He had purchased a special kind of cigarette, that’s hand rolled, and was smoking it.
All of a sudden a van pulls up, men jump out,pull guns on him, and tell him not to move. This is how people are robbed, killed, or worse in NY. In this case it was the “good guys.” They demanded to know if he was smoking a spliff (cannabis), patted him down, illegally searched his pockets without probable cause, and then left when they found nothing.
This is what’s coming to a town near you, if we are unable to show people why government doesn’t work.
NYC is a little ahead, but it’s the logical conclusion of any system that grants a monopoly on the initiation of violence, to themselves.
While in the holding cell I read and shared a letter MLK wrote from a Birmingham jail. He brilliantly points out that governments were meant to keep order to ensure justice. When they go beyond this purpose, they become a “log jam that prevents social progress.”
SamIAm
by Sam Dodson | Apr 27, 2009 |
Wednesday, April 22:
I’ve settled into 208, the least restrictive block outside of the work camps at this caging facility.
The other prisoners are taking great care of me. I’ve been given everything I need: vitamins, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, paper, pen, stamped envelopes (a few), etc. Most have been gifts, a few I borrow, and some i traded the meals to get, which are of little use to me.
Having experienced the government’s system first hand, most really understand and appreciate what I’m doing. I let them read most of the letters that come in, and they think I’m some kind of superstar.
Last night I awoke to them talking after lockdown about what they could do to support me. Many are considering joining the hunger strike.
Today I was called down to the nurse to find her, Van Wickler, and a guard. Richard was pissed that I hadn’t taken the TB Test and kept stressing that everyone is treated the same here.
I’ve been reading a great book, Chicken Soup for the Soul. I recently finished The Animal School on p. 95. It’s a great store explaining why treating everyone the same, what government strives to do, is such a flawed idea. I would love for somebody to print it out and send it into Richard Van Wickler with your thoughts.
He was visibly upset that I had not been cranked through the machine like everyone else.
Sad, really, that great men overlook such obvious flaws.
SamIAm
