Vol.64/No.3 January 24, 2000
Working-class 'prison reform'
{editorial}
It was another refreshing look back at revolutionary journalism to find the article published in the Militant on the prisoners' rebellion at New York's Attica prison in 1971. Its explanation of the nature of this society, crime under capitalism, and why the "prison reform" we are fighting for is "the fundamental reorganization of society" helps point the way out of the framework put forward every day by liberal and conservative pundits, by Democratic and Republican party politicians, and by representatives of every state institution that exists.
Part and parcel of the wealthy rulers' offensive against the unions, working farmers, and democratic rights is their effort to sow greater divisions among working people, both in the United States and internationally. Criminalizing whole layers of the working class and scapegoating others for the problems created by capitalism are weapons to that end.
Taking on the government's "anticrime" campaign as does Mary-Alice Waters in her article, and answering their propaganda about prisons is essential for working-class fighters today.
The road Washington is traveling and the reality of what capitalism has to offer is graphically demonstrated in the chart of the skyrocketing number of working people behind prison walls. In addition, not only are executions hitting record levels —President William Clinton's administration has overseen the largest number of any president since the death penalty was reintroduced in 1976 —states are moving to sharply limit the ability of death row inmates to contest the frame-ups and injustices upon which their sentences are based.
It was not accidental, then, that around the same time the proposed $8 million settlement of the Attica prisoners' lawsuit against New York state was announced, several articles appeared about the suppression of inmates in New York jails who were "plotting [a] prison strike." The New York Times reported that "prison guards have reported widespread organizing of inmates in at least three state prisons in preparation for a work stoppage."
Some 85 prisoners accused of involvement were transferred to other prisons. Others found in possession of a letter entitled "Wake Up" were punished or placed in isolation. Another 3,900 inmates were locked down for eleven days —forbidden to leave their cells except for visitors, emergency medical situations, or food preparation jobs.
"Such revolts will recur so long as men and women are put behind bars for disobeying the inhuman laws of this society and struggling against its inequities," Waters writes, "that is, as long as capitalism remains intact."
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