I’m really lucky. Since people know that I am interested in prisons, friends and acquaintances often send me items that they think I’ll like. A couple of years ago, a friend’s mother who was a prison abolitionist in the 1970s sent me some old issues of a feminist anti-prison publication titled “Through the Looking Glass.” I put them in storage but recently I pulled out a couple of copies for an exhibition that I am planning. As I flipped through one issue, I came across a statement published by Women Against Prisons in 1978. It’s incredibly relevant to what is currently happening around prison issues in California so I am republishing it. [Notice that Jerry Brown plays a central role here in 1978 – unbelievable]

STOP NEW PRISONS

Once again the law and order forces in California are pretending to solve the problems of poverty and crime by building new prisons. This year there are two separate actions pending in the legislature that would authorize millions of dollars for the construction of new prisons.

LAST YEAR’S VICTORY

Last year strong pressure from individuals and groups throughout the state stopped the allocation of nearly $100 million for 4-6 new men’s prisons and 1 new women’s prison. Two years ago similar pressure forced the closure of a behavior modification unit at the California Institution for Women (the state’s women’s prison). WE HAVE STOPPED THEM BEFORE. WE CAN AND MUST STOP THEM AGAIN!

THIS YEAR’S STRUGGLE
Despite last year’s widespread opposition to prison construction, the California Department of Corrections (CDC), Governor Brown, and certain right-wing legislators remain firm in their commitment to lock up more people. As part of his strategy for getting votes in the upcoming gubernatorial campaign, Governor Brown has proposed that $100 million be allocated to build 5 new men’s prison (to be located in Southern California) and one new women’s prison (to be located in Northern California), a total of 2400 new beds. Additionally, Senator Robert Presley of Riverside has proposed the spending of $130 million on facilities for 3600 more prisoners. Both the Governor’s proposed new prison budget and Presley’s bill, SB1342, have to go through subcommittees and committees of both the Senate and Assembly this Spring (April or May 1978). If approved, they will then move on to the entire legislature for a final vote. The Presley Bill has already passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislature is moving faster than anticipated. It is important that we apply public pressure at every step. We must act now!

The CDC claims that new prisons are needed because existing prisons are overcrowded, rundown, and located far from urban centers. But new prisons will not necessarily mean better prison conditions or the tearing down of the old prisons. New prisons will cause more people to be locked up under the same intolerable conditions that exist now. The vast majority of prisoners are low-income, and a disproportionately high number are Third World. Their crimes are those of economic and social survival: robbery, forgery and bad checks, and drug-related crimes are among the most common. Most homicides for which people are in prison are related to family violence, drugs, and car accidents.

WHY MORE PRISONS NOW?

The U.S. economy is in a crisis. As nations around the world such as Vietnam and the African nations win their independence from imperialism, the U.S. economic crisis grows. Unemployment is growing, inflation is rising, and more and more people are becoming angry and frightened. As the ruling class loses its power in other countries it attempts to exert more control over the people in this country. Prisons, an essential part of capitalism, are one means of exerting this control.

The fight against the prison system is part of the long-range fight against capitalism. The construction of new prisons, the refusal of the federal government to pay for Medicaid abortions, the rise of right-wing groups such as the KKK, forced sterilizations, the elimination of affirmative action programs, and the proliferation of anti-gay ordinances are all ways those in power are trying to weaken and divide the people of this country. As oppressed people become increasingly angry, the ruling class seeks more ways of manipulating this anger. By attacking and encouraging attacks on Third World people, poor white people, women and gay people, the ruling class seeks to divide us and turn our anger at them onto each other.

WHO WE ARE

Women Against Prisons was formed one year ago to fight prison construction in California. We were, and are, particularly concerned that new women’s prisons not be built. Our work also includes supporting women inside, and educating people outside about prison issues. We are part of the Women’s Prison Coalition — Western Region and the Committee Against More Prisons. We see our work as part of the larger struggle by people everywhere to take control over our lives to fight U.S. imperialism and to build a socialist revolution. Stopping new prisons is one step in the struggle. Although we do not believe that the legislative process serves the people, the legislators are the ones who will cast their votes for or against new prisons. We must make ourselves heard.