by Sam Dodson | May 18, 2009 |
Wednesday, May 13:
Yesterday I wrote about the “MPR,” the group of prisoners who work, and specifically the work release program where some are allowed to leave for outside jobs. While I’m sure all of their rules exist for a reason, government involvement typically results in a never ending series of unintended consequences. Despite the best of intentions, government solutions often end up missing the forest for the trees. The MPR is no exception.
The idea is a simple one. Take prisoners about to be released, and acclimate them to a structured work environment similar to what they may encounter once released. Unfortunately, the punitive authoritarian environment makes this objective impractical if not impossible.
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by Sam Dodson | May 18, 2009 |
Tuesday, May 12:
I was reclassified earlier in the week and sent down to the gymnasium, aptly renamed the MPR because housing prisoners in a gym is considered inhumane. There are 27 metal cots, 4-6 of which are typically empty. There’s one bathroom, no shower, a multi-function workout station, and a door that leads to a fenced-in yard. The door is opened sometime in the morning and closed sometime after dark.
The prisoners here don’t seem to care much about the room. They don’t bother cleaning the tables after eating, trash is often left lying around, and the bathroom 20+ guys use is pretty disgusting. The last group had a sense of community. Here the prisoners are primarily in their 20s, many are self-centered, immature, most hold a very negative outlook, and at least two can’t read. The guards (same people) are much more talkative and friendly down here compared to upstairs. The vast majority of their crimes stem from a drug problem exacerbated by the drug war and punitive government system.
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by Sam Dodson | May 14, 2009 |
I would like to extend a special thanks to the Keene District Court, Superior Court, and New Hampshire Supreme Court. My name is Sam Dodson, and on April 13 I was arrested for filming on public property, the lobby of the Keene District Court. Since then I’ve been denied the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to due process of law, and the right to be “formally and substantially” presented with the charges against me (as required by the New Hampshire Bill of Rights).
By order of judge Burke and judge Lane of the Keene District Court, I am currently being held indefinitely without trial. To protest what I believe to be an unlawful and illegal detention, I have refused solid food since my arrest, currently over 28 days ago. Several motions and writs have been filed with the aforementioned courts. They so far have only denied, delayed, and hid behind their procedures despite the clear understanding, from the courts’ own written order, that I am being held indefinitely without trial.
Through their actions, they have demonstrated utter contempt for the oath they swore to uphold, the rule of law, and civil rights fundamental to the founding and history of this country. Essentially, they have engaged in civil disobedience, and for this I thank them. As a voluntarist, I, too, believe in and understand the power of civil disobedience to bring about social and political change.
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by Ian | May 13, 2009 |
Today at the arraignment for Richard, one of the “disorderly six”, (a trial is scheduled for July) Keene District Court security agents had no issues with allowing two videographers into a packed courtroom. No one had to fill out motions to do this, they were just allowed in, like they always should be.
The only question is, will the court continue respecting the free press, or will they arbitrarily change the rules again later? Time will tell, and we’ll be sure to blog about it.
by Sam Dodson | May 8, 2009 |
Wednesday, May 6:
Yesterday afternoon “captain” Mousseau came into the day room to tell us the boiler is broken, and there’s 1-80 gal. H/W heater for the entire jail. He told us the showers would be cold, and it wouldn’t be fixed for a day or two. He asked us to “bear with them” for a few days while they got this fixed.
At the last outside recreation, which we’re given a few times a week, Kelly Pouliot was talking with me. I forget how it came up, but she suggested that I now lived at the jail.
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by Dale Everett | May 7, 2009 |
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