Urgent Phone Zap 11/1-11/2: WVCF Secure Housing Unit Prisoners on Hunger Strike!

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Update 11/4/2021

We have some good news. There has been progress on the hunger strike at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. As of now we have learned that at least two hunger strikers have started taking meals again. The prison has returned some items to one striker that had been taken in the recent raid on Administrative Segregation. The prison has also communicated to inmates through their tablets stating that the issues with scheduling in-person visitation are being resolved.

This is not to say that the concerns of the strikers have been completely addressed. The IDOC has passed responsibility for communications problems to GTL in the past, taking months or even years to resolve basic issues. We will need to stay vigilant to ensure that in-person visitation is available as soon as possible. Additionally, the wider issue of revoking privileges to inmates on Administrative Segregation remains. Returning items which were already in the possession of inmates before the policy change does not meet the demand of revoking the new policy altogether.

Nevertheless, progress has been made and that is thanks to all of you who have been calling and emailing. Thank you so much for your support. We will continue to update everyone on the situation and please feel free to ask us any questions.

Solidarity!

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"Families Against Solitary Confinement!"

As of Friday, Oct. 29 2021, at least 20 people incarcerated on the maximum security solitary confinement unit at Wabash Valley CF in Carlisle, IN, were on hunger strike to demand the reversal of recently imposed policy 02-01-111, which removed access to commissary food and hygiene purchases for people held in Administrative Segregation, or indefinite long-term solitary confinement. Several people remain on hunger strike as of this writing, and are refusing to eat until their families are allowed to visit them.

Policy 02-01-111 was imposed through a shock and awe style attack by over 100 police on the SHU a little over a month ago, wherein the police robbed the people in custody there at gunpoint, putting them all on strip cell and confiscating many property items that they had purchased legally and within policy from the IDOC’s own commissary system! Read more about that operation here.

The hunger strikers are also protesting the Indiana Department of Correction’s obstruction of their communication with the outside world, and demanding that online scheduling for in-person visitation be reinstated immediately, that they be allowed to receive printed from their families and friends, and that Wabash Valley CF cease its censorship of literature critical of the carceral system.

On Friday, families and supporters held a rally at the IDOC headquarters in Indianapolis in support of the hunger strike

Please call Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and IDOC HQ to support the hunger strikers demands! Phone numbers and demand list in the graphic above.

In addition to calling the Governor and Commissioner, please email and call the following people with the specific demands of two of the remaining hunger strikers:

Warden Frank Vanihel: fvanihel@idoc.in.gov

Deputy Warden Keith Vinardi: kvinardi@idoc.in.gov

Counselor Ashly Gonthier: (812) 398-5050 ext 4301

Scott Snyder #250761 is demanding proper hygiene, cold showers, and visitation.

Michael Joyner #149677 (Kwame Shakur) is demanding to have in-person visits and video visits reinstated before he will come off hunger strike.

Listen to New Afrikan Political Prisoner Kwame “Beans” Shakur speaking on the motivation and progress of the hunger strike, below.