Today in the jails and prisons of the U.S. bourgeoisie sit well over 300,000 people. This number is rapidly growing as the capitalist system steadily deteriorates. Of this number the vast majority are men and women from the working class. Not only do the prisons of this country reflect the class exploitation but they also reflect the national oppression that exists under capitalism. Approximately 70% of the prisoners are Blacks, Chicanos, Native Americans and Puerto Ricans. Just in Angola Prison in Louisiana alone, Blacks comprise 75% of the prison population.
The prisons of the U.S. are a source of profit for the bourgeoisie. Prisoners are forced to labor in wretched conditions for little or no compensation. Prisoners are paid a few cents an hour in many parts of the country, the hours are long, there is usually little or no safety equipment and there is absolutely no right to organize.
Within the prison walls the most brutal forms of national oppression take place. Members of oppressed nations and national minorities have the worst jobs, are most likely to be in the isolation cells, are at the mercy of racist and often deranged prison guards. They also face the longest sentences.
Women prisoners face extreme oppression as well. Rape and sexual assault by prison officials and guards are outrageously common. Pay for work by women prisoners is often even lower than for male prisoners.
In recent years, these inhumane conditions have sparked many rebellions in prisons across the country. Attica, San Quentin, Reidsville, Angola have all become symbols of the heroic battle of prisoners as they fight for just treatment and basic democratic rights. Many of the best class fighters have learned of the evils of the capitalist society while imprisoned. Every day more and more prisoners are learning that it is the capitalist system itself which is responsible for their brutal treatment and that it must be overthrown.
The Marxist-Leninist Organizing Committee stands in solidarity with the just struggles of prisoners for democratic rights, and humane treatment. We stand committed to fight for the freedom of all political prisoners. We are dedicated to continue to actively take up our responsibility to educate the masses of people in this country about the struggles of prisoners and to assist in the education of prisoners in Marxism-Leninism.
Therefore be it resolved that the Marxist-Leninist Organizing Committee demands:
1. open correspondence, that is, prisoners be allowed to send and receive correspondence with anyone they so desire; that the so called mailing lists be eliminated.
2. the right of privacy for prisoners, that there be no censorship of outgoing or incoming mail.
3. that there be no restrictions on receiving or keeping political or legal materials in prisoner’s cells.
4. that prisoners have the right to open access to the press and media.
5. the right to organize prisoners’ unions and committees.
6. pay at union scale.
7. fair and humane treatment of prisoners, that is, proper working conditions, food, clothing and toilet facilities.
8. that overcrowding of prisons and cells be stopped.
9. a complete end to all forms of scientific experimentation on prisoners.
10. the right for prisoners to receive visits from anyone they desire.