From: Mumia <Mumia-AT-aol.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 17:47:50 EST
Subject: HUNGER STRIKE SUCCESS Prisoners on Death Row Win

 
INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
Press Contact Numbers:	215-476-8812 and 203-847-6721 - Pam Africa
Fax:				215-476-7551 and 203-846-1937 - Susan Burnett
Status: O

HUNGER STRIKE SUCCESS
SCI GREENE AGREES TO RESTORE CONDITIONS ON DEATH ROW TO LEVEL BEFORE THE DOC
ORDER OF MARCH 5TH.

DAY 14

 WAYNESBURG, PA March 18, 1998.  It is over!!  The hunger strike is over and
the prisoners on death row have won.

In a prearranged phone call to his lawyers today on another matter.  Mumia
confirmed that the DOC and Superintendent Varner have given in on virtually
all the demands of the Death Row Prisoners.

On the thirteenth day after the beginning of the hunger strike on death 
 row in SCI Greene, super-max prison in south-western Pennsylvania, 
 officials announced the reversal of most of the March 5th directive. 
 The men are now eating normally.

On March 5, at 7.45am the death row men experienced a drastic and 
 massive shakedown. They believe that this was a retaliatory move from 
 the DOC to respond to many suits brought by inmates.

Pierre Sané, Secretary General of Amnesty International, London issued 
 a highly pertinent statement – describing the measures as ‘draconian’. 
 This, along with media and public pressure, has helped to make the 
 Department of Corrections back down. 

Visits have now been reinstated i.e. back to 2 hr personal visiting 
 including weekends and holidays. (March 5th directive allowed 1 hr and 
 no weekend or holiday visiting.)

Commissary items have now been restored.

Property:  this appears to be still in the negotiation stages, but will 
 not be so severe a deprivation as the March 5th directive.  Many men 
 have been able to re-assign their property and re-claim items slated 
 for destruction. 

Clothing:  The brown inmate clothing may be re-instated, instead of the 
 coarse pin stripe jumpsuit.

Superintendent Varner is expecting a final directive by Friday from the 
 head office DOC, Camp Hill.
While visiting prisoners on death row and involved in the hunger strike
members of the Bruderhof community were approached by Superintendent Varner
himself and he announced that the strike was over and all the issues had been
settled.

We will bring more facts to you as we know them.

IT IS THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH OF THESE MEN AND THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE THAT
BROUGHT THIS SMALL VICTORY!!

WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE STILL IN HARMS WAY AND THEIR
LIVES ARE STILL IN GREAT DANGER.

ONA MOVE!!!




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