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Maroon Prevails
Russell Maroon Shoatz, a Black Liberation fighter since his youth, after many years of struggle, has prevailed in his action to bar the Pa. Dept. of Corrections (DOC) from ever holding him in isolation again.… Full Transcript
What to a Prisoner is the Fourth of July
Solitary: Arthur’s World
His name is Arthur Johnson, and he has lived in his cell, in the ‘hole’, for 37 years. You heard me right: 37 years! He was first cast into the Pa. Dept. of Corrections version… Full Transcript
Guilty Until Proven Innocent
This is Wilbert Sanders as Jazz the Poet with “Guilty Until Proven Innocent.” As a means in protecting the innocent From criminals with bad intent, Torture chambers, in prisons, are built To confine and punish… Full Transcript
The Invisible Man
My name is Wilbert Sanders, known as ‘Jazz the Poet,’ with a piece I call “The Invisible Man.” As I anticipate and impatiently wait To be discharged from these walls of hate, There are many… Full Transcript
The Hardest Time
This is the hardest time to be in prison. At least it is for me.bIt starts with Thanksgiving with all its appeals, the family gatherings and reflections on all we should be grateful for in… Full Transcript
Centuries of Struggle Big House Prison Blues
‘Plus ça change …’ say the French; or ‘The more things change, of course, the more they stay the same.’ That thought, with all its despair and wisdom, resonates with particular power when we look… Full Transcript
The Representative or the Represented?
Recently, a Black congresswoman from Florida revealed that white legislators from the state’s redistricting body changed her district to include the states overcrowded but under represented prisons, thereby insuring her defeat when the next election… Full Transcript
From Katrina to Ferguson
It’s been 10 years since the watery carnage of Katrina, and 1 year since the fiery rage lit the night skies of Ferguson Missouri, and between the two harrowing events lay the state of Black… Full Transcript
The Dark Side of American Exceptionalism
This country likes to pride itself on its exceptionalism; on how America is the shining city on the hill, on how this is man’s last best hope. This sentiment swells our hearts with pride and,… Full Transcript
Execution in Oklahoma
He tossed, he turned, he moaned, he burned. Clayton Lockett, on the death gurney of Oklahoma’s DOC, spoke words, struggled and reportedly kicked his legs for 43 minutes after a toxic cocktail was administered to… Full Transcript
POCC Block Report with Mumia Abu-Jamal (2009)
J.R.: This is another edition of The Block Report with the Minister of Information J.R. and West Coast Chairwoman Rashida of the Prisoners of Conscience Committee. Today we’re talking to political prisoner and a prolific… Full Transcript
33. Judi Bari Speaks
Mujah Shakir: Talk about rebellious, I’d like to bring up Judi Bari. Judi is an environmental activist with Earth First! Judi Bari: One of the things that Mumia has overcome is the incredible dehumanization as… Full Transcript

On the white card above his cell door, the name Arthur Johnson is typed, followed by his prison number. Johnson has been held in solitary confinement in half a dozen PA prisons, since 1979, late… Full Transcript