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 81ยข 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 |
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
by Sam Dodson | Apr 27, 2009 |
[I asked Sam in a letter about his mediation, and here is his response. He gave me permission to post this personal letter to the blog.]
Hey Mike,
On the meditation, you have the right idea. I focus on my breathing. When my mind wonders I notice and rerturn my focus to breathing. I do other things as well.
Sometimes I sit and focus on my freedom. I see and feel the joy of my freedom, the feast we are going to have, the return to my life.
Other times I sit feeling joy and compassion for those who have not yet come to understand the ideas of liberty. I feel them coming around and experience the joy of a free world. I experience the healing that begins to take place int he lives of those destroyed by governments.
Yet other times I sit focusing the energy of the universe into my body and radiate it out from within me. I can feel my entire body tingle with positive energy. It courses through me, and I feel peace contentment and conneted to the universe.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to meditate. It’s the result that counts.
I invite everyone to join me in feeling how great it will be when they release me shortly.
Sam
by Sam Dodson | Apr 23, 2009 |
[Sam wrote me a letter and asked that I transcribe it and share it with everyone who wrote him a letter in jail. The words in square-brackets below are my input, not Sam’s. – Mike Barskey]
Mike,
I can’t thank you enough for running Mail-to-Jail. The letters and postcards mean so much. You should have seen the look on the guards’ face the second day I got the bulk of the letters. I’m letting the other prisoners read some of them. They are amazed that letters are coming from everywhere. Around New Hampshire, Florida, California, Israel, the UK, and even Tasmania, Australia. The post cards that come in with the inspirational saying give me hope.
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by Sam Dodson | Apr 21, 2009 |
Ian, Mark, Keeniacs, Friends, and Family,
It’s the first Wednesday after my arrest. I’m writing this thanks to the kindness of the other prisoners here. I haven’t cooperated with the state up to this point. I was completely isolated and cut off from the world until yesterday. I’m sure there are questions, so I’ll do my best to explain.
I was at the court to get a copy of the sign on the wall restricting cameras in the lobby. Lance the court security person had previously claimed it’s an order. Only problem, orders are signed by the issuing judge. This order and the one obtained from the court clerk had no signature. This is clearly an attempt by Judge Burke (or whoever wrote it) to usurp power, in direct opposition to District Court Rule 1.3, which allows judges control over proceedings, and place very stringent guidelines explaining when freedom of the press and the public’s right to open courts may be restricted. What did you expect from a man appointed to a lifetime dictatorship by His Excellency the Governor – a nice little holdover from the days of King George, that remain in the New Hampshire constitution. Talk about isolated from market signals…this must change. Okay, the screaming.
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