Update from Menard Hunger Strikers
The hunger strike at Menard Correctional Center lasted 6 days, from September 23-September 28. Twenty-one prisoners participated. It seems like the administration has begun to cave to some of the strikers’ demands. The disciplinary reports filed during the strike have all been cleared from the prisoners’ records. However, they are still facing some amount of […]
Noise Demonstration in Solidarity with Hunger Strike at Menard Correctional in Illinois
On September 23rd, prisoners in the administrative detention unit at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois declared a hunger strike in response to the administration’s continued unwillingness to respond to their demands for relief from their conditions of long-term solitary confinement. See below for their list of demands and description of their conditions. This strike […]
Despite Retaliation, Menard Inmate Urges Further Solidarity
The following is a letter from one inmate at the High Security Unit (HSU) at Menard Correctional, encouraging continued acts of solidarity despite retaliation. I am sorry to report that the guys here at Menard, HSU have again been subjected to oppressive, retaliatory acts at the hands of these evil, sadistic pigs. On April 12, […]
Retaliation Against Hunger Strikers at Menard–Windows Blocked, Strikers Beaten
The following consists of excerpts, lightly edited by Alice Lynd, from letters by eight men in Administrative Detention at the Menard Correctional Center in Illinois, dated April 12-14, 2014. Windows covered On the morning of Saturday, April 12, 2014, maintenance workers drilled big metal boxes on the outside of our windows. We can no longer […]
Feedback from Menard Hunger Strikers on Noise Demonstration
The following excerpts are from people locked-up at the High Security Isolation Unit at Menard Correctional Facility in Illinois, responding to a noise demonstration by outside supporters during the hunger strike there last month. To the Drum Beaters, …I have been in Administrative Detention for 15 years without ever being charged. I’ve seen a lot […]
Menard hunger strikers refusing water until face-to-face hearings begin
From: The San Francisco Bay View The Menard hunger strikers have apparently decided to go without liquid as well as food as of February 6th, and their physical condition could deteriorate rapidly. Before the end of January, the Menard hunger strikers presented a proposal to the warden. “Once the informal face-to-face hearings begin, we will […]
Menard Hunger Strikers’ Response to Noise Demonstration Outside the Prison
From: The Facebook Page of The Uptown People’s Law Center An update from the #Menard Hunger Strike was just released by Alice Lynd, an attorney in Ohio who has been in regular contact with several of the men. The men have won some local support. One of the prisoners wrote: “Yesterday, on Monday Jan. 27, […]
Report back on Solidarity Action with the Menard Correctional Center Hunger Strike
From: Maosoleum Guest post by St. Louis-area collaborator and comrade Ben Lind. Comments and questions are welcome in the comments section or at maosoleumblog@gmail.com. The Menard Correctional Center was built in 1878 and is the largest maximum security institution in the Illinois state prison system. Menard is grossly overcrowded and the prisoners suffer from all of […]
Westville, Indiana: Update on Hunger Strike
The following update is from a hunger strike that happened at a prison in Indiana just a week before the ongoing hunger strike at Menard Correctional Center in Illinois. From: Rififi Received and transmitted: Saturday January 25 Please man the phones on Monday, January 27,2014. Westville Correctional Facility (SUPER-MAX Prison) is retaliating against the inmates […]
Menard hunger strikers endure beating, threats by nurses but vow, ‘We will not let them break us’
From: The San Francisco Bay View The following information is drawn from letters received from prisoners in Administrative Detention at Menard Correctional Center in Menard, Illinois, and compiled on Jan. 25 by Attorney Alice Lynd. Menard Correctional Center, built in 1878, is the largest maximum security prison in the state of Illinois. A 2011 report […]