0

0

I have just read an article about how prison’s isolation violate basic human rights. I am pertly sure that this is a real fact. “Think Outside The Box.” A New York campaign for alternatives to isolated confinement. This is a group of activist who have dedicated their time and life to fight against the 22 to 24 hours isolation without any kind of human contact, programming or therapy. This group of activists show with specific examples how cruel and inhuman the inmates have been treating it. 

They also, speak about how inefficient,  counterproductive, unsafe, and inhumane, and it causes people detained in these conditions to deteriorate psychologically, physically, and socially. They pointed out that New York State use isolated confinement at rates well above the national average.

Another idea that resonates with me is how this group of activists is trying to encourage family and friend of the prisoners to protest and speak up about the routine use of extreme and prolonged isolation in New York’s state prisons and city jails.

It seems impossible to believe  that in this new 21 century society (“civilized society”)   this non human practices are still happening. According to the   Campaign for Alternative to Solitary Confinement “New York’s prison and jails use solitary and other forms of isolated confinement far too broadly and routinely, and for periods of time, namely months and years, that far exceed the 15 day-limit recommended by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture”. HUMAN RIGHTS DAY VIGILS WILL CHALLENGE THE TORTURE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN NEW YORK

There is further information about inmates abuses in New York City and some other states at this link: http://nycaic.org/2014/05/05/news-hundreds-lobby-against-solitary-confinement/ 

If you like this post and you interested in helping the world, but in a more “Green” way. Visit my blog  Becoming “Green”  and you will find excellent topics about how to save energy, helping the environment and  how to reduce your carbon footprint from the world. 

0

0

It was a Friday night in Canarsie, Brooklyn around 11:30 pm when I was on my way home from work. Directly across from me on the train was a beautiful lady with long legs. My mystery woman wore a cut off shirt with black diamonds, her hair in a bun, high heels, and tasteful makeup. She must have been heading to a party and I was mesmerized. We got off at the same stop and exchanged innocent silent glances then we went our separate ways.

Walking up the block, blasting my music the summer breeze brushed pass me. It’s about four blocks from the train station to my apartment. In between my apartment and the train station, lies a labyrinth of public houses with a police station inside the main building. Back in the day, there was a lot of crime  in this area and that’s why the police were station inside one of the buildings. Today, cops are always lurking around corners in these projects looking to nab anyone who “looks suspicious”.

After walking for awhile my building came into view. There was a gate between the side walk and the parking lot and sometimes I would hop over  this gate instead of walking out of my way as it was a straight shot from the parking lot to my building. However, on this night as I jumped the gate, out of the blue a car pulled up and cuts off my path.

Three doors flew open and three hulking plain clothes officers charged out their car, flashed badges, strobe lights assailed me as I was overcome.  “Take your hands out your pocket” one roared, “Got any weapons on you” a second one questioned and “Where are you coming from”. Each question was a bullet aimed at me. I ask the detectives why I was being stopped and they replied “Shut-up we ask the questions, do you live over here?” I was worried but I replied, “Yes”. One asked for ID and I handed it over. They said I fit the description of someone who had just got into a fist fight. I pleaded with the officers, “I’m just going home from work and I haven’t done anything.” After searching me for weapons, they gave back my ID,  got in the car and drove off. To this day I wonder how many people, like me, fit their description.  

+3

0

Posting on Chris Brogan 100 Blog Topics: Book Shopping- Buy These Books

1. Black Boy by Richard Wright
2. Under the quilt of night by Deborah Hopkinson
3. To Be a Slave Julius Lester
4. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
5. Day of Tears by Julius Lester
6. The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron 
7. The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson
8. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
9. Beyond Bars Rejoining Society After Prison  by Jeffrey Ian/ Richards Ross
10. Addicted to Incarceration Corrections Policy and the Politics of Misinformation in the United States by  Travis C. Pratt
11. Arrested What to Do When Your Loved One’s in Jail by Wes Denham

12. Ironies of Imprisonment by  Michael/ Clear Welch