I visited Mumia Abu-Jamal at Pennsylvania's new SCI-Greene
Supermax yesterday, January 18, 1995. He was moved here from
SCI-Huntingdon on January 13. About 70 of this state's 185 death
row prisoners have been transferred to Greene as of this writing.
Most were moved in groups of 14-20. Mumia was one of only two
prisoners transferred from Huntingdon on Friday; special
treatment for special people! Jailhouse lawyers are also among
those being targeted for this supernal prison.
Basic Features:
One hour a day, 4-5 days a week, in an outdoor exercise
cage. At Huntingdon he got two hours. Shower twice a week. Law
library for two hours once or twice a week. (They have 2
typewriters in the law library.) The remaining time is silent in
the cell.
Utter isolation, from other prisoners as well as from
outside, is the goal. The cells are arranged in such a
configuration that it is much more difficult to see across the
block. It is possible to hear prisoners directly above or below
(there are two tiers) or directly adjacent through the air vent.
The food slot is unlocked 4-5 hours a day. The door is solid
except for a thin window. Silence prevails, acutely aware that
every sound is monitored.
All doors are electronically controlled, with guards at
control monitoring stations. Not everything is painted white as
in some sensory deprivation units, but the overall atmosphere is
one of complete sterility and lifelessness, clearly designed to
break the spirit and destroy one's sense of identity.
SCI-Greene is located In Waynesburg, PA, an area well-known
for its racism and heavy Klan infestation. Although over 60% of
the population on PA's death row are from Philadelphia and
surrounding counties, this prison was deliberately located an
9-hour drive from the state's largest city. Prisoners on A.C.
status (including death row) are allowed only a two hour visit
once a week, although I was informed that they may be able to
successfully petition for a longer visit on occasion. Those in
D.C. (Disciplinary Custody) get only one hour.
Visits are, of course, non-contact. They are conducted in an
area rather deep within the bowels of this beast, closer to the
cell block. His handcuffs are shackled to a belt around his
waist. This contraption prevents him from scratching his nose,
giving the power sign, talking with his hands, or pressing his
hands up to the glass, which was the closest thing to physical
contact he got with his visitors at Huntingdon. The stool
provided for him during visits is bolted to the floor, with a
ring on it apparently enabling the guards to shackle a prisoner
to the stool.
TV is virtually non-existent because prisoners on Mumia's
side of the cell block can get only one station, and the
reception is poor. There is no cable. There is no VCR. Prisoners
have TV and radio only if they can afford to buy one.
Action Alert
This place is a real bad trip. Please help us expose it
right up front for exactly what it is. Please feel free to write
or call me with any questions or comments:
Western PA Committee to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.O. Box 10174
Pittsburgh, PA
15232-0174 U.S.A
Phone/Fax: 412-361-2989
Please, write Mumia, and use some colored stationery,
pictures or whatever to help brighten up that place (not that
he's allowed to have anything on his wall).
Mumia's standing strong, like he always does. His new
address is:
Mumia Abu-Jamal #AM-8335
SCI-Greene
1040 E. Roy Furman Highway
Waynesburg, PA
15370-8090 U.S.A.
Prison Administration:
James Price
SCI-Greene
1030 E. Roy Furman Highway
Waynesburg, PA
15370-2902 U.S.A.
Phone: 412-852-2902
Fax: 412-852-2909
We urge you to call or fax Governor Tom Ridge now to say
free Mumia Abu-Jamal and abolish the death penalty! His phone
number is 717-787-2500. His fax is 717-772-3155.
For more information about Mumia's case call International
Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal at 215-476-8812.
