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A Message to No New Jail NYC
“A Message to No New Jails NYC.” In September, New York city prison abolitionists organized the coalition known as No New Jails NYC. One of the group’s goals is to promote a vision of a… Full Transcript
Fake News and Dirty Game
“Fake News and a Dirty Game.” I was watching the news for upstate New York when a report was aired about three correctional officers being injured by a prisoner at Greene Correctional Facility in Coxsackie,… Full Transcript
A Smarter Approach To Prison Abolition
A smarter approach to prison abolition. In my last commentary I reported on this new coalition of prison abolitionists called No New Jails NYC. They advocate a vision where incarceration is wiped from the American… Full Transcript
Silencing the Unique Collective Voices of Prisoners
“Silencing the Unique Collective Voice of Prisoners.” A decision and order dated December 5th, 2019, the United States Justice Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed several of my claims raised in my… Full Transcript
Nicholas Feliciano
“Nicholas Feliciano.” Nicholas Feliciano was my baby [inaudible]. I initiated him into UFD on June 22nd, 2019 here at Great Meadow Correctional Facility. He was a young Hispanic kid born May 7th, 2001. Having just… Full Transcript
The Truth is More Insidious and Treacherous
The Truth is More Insidious and Treacherous.” For years the superintendent here at Great Meadow has presided over and condoned some of the worst prison violence in New York state. The Correctional Association of New… Full Transcript
So The Public Will Never Know
“So That the Public Never Knows.” I’m currently litigating in federal court, three civil rights lawsuits on my own because I get no help from any of these so called prison legal services, organizations that… Full Transcript
Prison Abolition vs. Reform
“Prison Abolition Versus Prison Reform.” I recently was asked if I support the abolition of prisons or am I an advocate just for prison reform. My response was pretty unorthodox for a prisoner serving an… Full Transcript
A Big Let Down
“A Big Let Down.” On October 28, 2019, the first ever presidential town hall hosted by formerly incarcerated people was held at Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary. The historic site of the first modern prison in… Full Transcript
Murder of Prisoners and Guard Protest At Great Meadow
“Murder of Prisoners and Guard Protest at Great Meadow.” For the last three days, the guards here at Great Meadow have been protesting for lockout of several of their own who were implicated in the… Full Transcript
Columbus Day, Gang War and Prison Violence
“Columbus Day, Gang Wars and Prison Violence.” Columbus day just passed, and I can’t help but wonder how we have come to celebrate Christopher Columbus with a national holiday. What lies have to be told… Full Transcript
You Paid For It
“You Paid For It.” Every day I watch the district prison guards yell, scream, and throw hissy fits because they lack the simple intelligence to use their authority responsibly, to get prisoners to act accordingly.… Full Transcript
We Got Tablets
“We Got Tablets.” Yesterday, October 1st, we were issued free tablets by JPay, a company owned by Securus Technologies. I remember when the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision first announced in… Full Transcript
If I Were A Rich White Kid
“If I Were A Rich White Kid.” In 84 days, December 24th, Christmas Eve, I’ll be 40 years old. Wow. 40 years old. From 17 to 40, I’ve been in prison. That’s 23 years behind… Full Transcript
Where is Governor Cuomo
“Where’s Governor Cuomo?” New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo once said that New York state will be the progressive beacon for the nation. That’s all well and good, governor. But when it comes to… Full Transcript
99 Days: A Call for Support
“99 Days: A Call For Support.” My clemency application has been pending now for 21 months. I thought Governor Cuomo would have made his decision on it during the holidays last year. Instead, he made… Full Transcript
Kim Kardashian West: The People’s Champ
“Kim Kardashian West: The People’s Champ.”The other day, I saw Kim Kardashian West on The View and couldn’t help but be impressed. Not because she’s a beautiful reality TV star, but because she’s a serious… Full Transcript
“#FreeDontieMitchell: More Clemency.” Once again, Governor Cuomo has passed me over for clemency, and many other deserving men and women who have more than paid their debt to society, but have been in prison excessively… Full Transcript