The name of this commentary is “We Been Dying.”
Recently, in this month of February, a 24 year old prisoner died at Greene Correctional Facility in Coxsackie, New York, that has gotten the attention of the media and celebrities like Cardi B. and Meek Mill. The death of this prisoner has brought to light the death of another prisoner at the same facility that occurred last year. This guy had markings on his neck. Although DOC said it would be done with its investigation by January 1 into that death, the family of the deceased prisoner is still waiting on answers.
For those of us behind these walls, these deaths of prisoners are no surprise to us, nor are the lack of answers. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is probably the most corrupt agency in the state, and certainly is one of the most incompetent that goes largely unchecked. To be such a progressive state, you would think the New York state prison system would be an example of prison reform and rehabilitation. Well, it’s not. It breeds criminals on both sides, guards and prisoners. People are talking about the deaths in Greene Correctional Facility, but what about the deaths here at Great Meadow?
Guards here beat a prisoner to death in January, and nobody’s talking about that. In fact, the prison uses voice recognition software on the phones to censor discussions about these murders. One guy was on the phone talking about the deaths in Greene, and a call was made to a guard in the area to get him off the phone. In truth, the entire New York state prison system needs to be investigated. There are several deaths of prisoners in various state prisons at the hands of guards that have gotten no attention at all, not to mention the beating of prisoners. When will these deaths and beatings get some attention? That’s my question. This is Dontie S. Mitchell, better known as her Mfalme Sikivu, reporting to you from Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, New York. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram at Free Dontie Mitchell, share your questions and comments. Thank you for listening.
These commentaries are recorded by Noel Hanrahan of Prison Radio.
