We'll be sharing that as soon as possible.
Prison Abolitionists in Ohio.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Breif Update on Cornelius Harris
We'll be sharing that as soon as possible.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Cornelius Harris Trial from the Perspective of the Jury Box.
Patricia Vernucci was selected as an alternate juror for the trial of super max prisoner Cornelius Harris. She watched the trial and wants to share her experience, in hopes that the public will support Mr Harris and protect him.
Cornelius Harris represented himself and beat many of the charges against him, while on a 38 day long hungerstrike. He was facing 9 charges, ranging from aggravated attempted murder to felonious assault to possessing a weapon in a correctional facility.These charges stemmed from incidents of violence between Harris and correctional officers that occurred in 2009 and 2010.
Cornelius Harris represented himself and beat many of the charges against him, while on a 38 day long hungerstrike. He was facing 9 charges, ranging from aggravated attempted murder to felonious assault to possessing a weapon in a correctional facility.These charges stemmed from incidents of violence between Harris and correctional officers that occurred in 2009 and 2010.
During his opening statements Mr Harris informed the court that he had not eaten anything since January fourth. He was on hunger strike, but was not allowed to explain his demands or his reason why. The trial lasted three weeks, during which Mr Harris did not eat.
Hunger Strike Suspended After 38 Days
Feb 15th, 2013, Youngstown Ohio-
"I did break my hunger strike, with none of my issues satisfied" said Cornelius Harris, in a message to supporters sent on Monday. He says he "felt it was better to come off and do some ground work rather than risk my overall health". Mr Harris had been on hunger strike since January 4th, making him the longest known hunger striker at Ohio's super max prison, Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP).
While on hunger strike, Mr Harris also went to trial, defending himself against criminal charges stemming from incidents of violence with OSP correctional officers. He was facing 9 felony charges, including two counts of aggravated attempted murder. He represented himself, arguing that the fights were self-defense against guards who were systematically harassing him and regularly threatening his life. A jury found him not guilty of the most serious charges, but the judge sentenced him to 32 years for the remaining assault and weapons possession charges. The maximum sentence Judge Maureen Sweeny could have given Mr Harris was 36 years.
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| Cornelius Harris, at trial. |
"I did break my hunger strike, with none of my issues satisfied" said Cornelius Harris, in a message to supporters sent on Monday. He says he "felt it was better to come off and do some ground work rather than risk my overall health". Mr Harris had been on hunger strike since January 4th, making him the longest known hunger striker at Ohio's super max prison, Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP).
While on hunger strike, Mr Harris also went to trial, defending himself against criminal charges stemming from incidents of violence with OSP correctional officers. He was facing 9 felony charges, including two counts of aggravated attempted murder. He represented himself, arguing that the fights were self-defense against guards who were systematically harassing him and regularly threatening his life. A jury found him not guilty of the most serious charges, but the judge sentenced him to 32 years for the remaining assault and weapons possession charges. The maximum sentence Judge Maureen Sweeny could have given Mr Harris was 36 years.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Fundraiser Solidarity Showcase for RedBird Prison Abolition
Variety
Show at Kafe Kerouac March 7th at 8pm!! Come enjoy the shows, learn
more about what we do, and maybe participate in open mic! We'll have
poetry, music, circus acts, and lots of prisoner art to see and purchase
if you feel so inclined.
Even better, if you'd like to be in the variety show, please email us at redbirdprisonabolition@gma
Donations go to RedBird Prison Abolition to help us continue supporting Ohio prisoners!
And what do we spend money on, anyways?! Books for prisoners, stamps, envelopes, copies, hosting workshops, phone calls, art supplies for prisoners, visiting costs (gas, etc), rent (for books to prisoners basement), and legal materials. whew!
Visit our website at redbirdprisonabolition.org
Please CONTACT US if you're interested in performing, or know someone who would be.
Even better, if you'd like to be in the variety show, please email us at redbirdprisonabolition@gma
Donations go to RedBird Prison Abolition to help us continue supporting Ohio prisoners!
And what do we spend money on, anyways?! Books for prisoners, stamps, envelopes, copies, hosting workshops, phone calls, art supplies for prisoners, visiting costs (gas, etc), rent (for books to prisoners basement), and legal materials. whew!
Visit our website at redbirdprisonabolition.org
Please CONTACT US if you're interested in performing, or know someone who would be.
Monday, February 11, 2013
TODAY IS A CALL-IN DAY FOR SOJA
TODAY IS A CALL-IN DAY FOR SOJA
[UPDATE: Soja has ended his hungerstrike on the evening of Feb 11th We do not yet know the terms. More information will be forthcoming.]
Soja (also called Cornelius Harris) is an Ohio State Pen prisoner who's now been on Hunger Strike for 36 days.
He is wagering his health and life for two basic demands.
Please voice your concern today and encourage the warden to meet Soja's two basic demands:
Phone: 330-743-0700 ext 2006
An assistant will answer first, ask to speak with the Warden, David Bobby.
[UPDATE: Soja has ended his hungerstrike on the evening of Feb 11th We do not yet know the terms. More information will be forthcoming.]
Soja (also called Cornelius Harris) is an Ohio State Pen prisoner who's now been on Hunger Strike for 36 days.
He is wagering his health and life for two basic demands.
Please voice your concern today and encourage the warden to meet Soja's two basic demands:
- A reliable security step-down procedure. (It's how prisoners have the opportunity to show good behavior. Warden Bobby granted this to other inmates last year.)
- An end to harassment and violence from guards. (Basic Safety)
Phone: 330-743-0700 ext 2006
An assistant will answer first, ask to speak with the Warden, David Bobby.
Example:
"Hello, I'm calling about an inmate named Cornelius Harris NUMBER 525-945. It's my understanding that he's been on hunger strike for 36 days now. I'm concerned for his health and want to urge you to meet his demands. I would also like to request that, given the increasing pain and risk of organ failure Mr. Harris is facing, that he be transferred to Corrections Medical Center (CMC) BUT NOT force fed.
I would also like to request that a number of items (30 items) that have gone missing from his cell be promptly returned.
Thank you for taking my call and I trust that you understand your responsibility to meet his requests as it says something when an inmate under you supervision is willing to wager their life for their greater well-being. Thank you again for taking my call and I will be keeping tabs on the outcome of this strike."
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Super Max Prisoner Represents Himself in Court while on Hunger Strike and Wins
[UPDATE:
Soja has ended his hungerstrike on the evening of Feb 11th We do not
yet know the terms. More information will be forthcoming.]
Friday, February 8th, Mahoning County, OH-
The jury largely sided with hunger striking super max prisoner Cornelius Harris in his criminal trial this week. Harris was facing nine felony charges stemming from fights with guards at The Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP). Harris has long maintained that these fights were actually initiated by guards who have targeted him for harassment and abuse. Earlier this week, a jury found largely in Mr Harris' favor.
Mr Harris initiated his hunger strike on January fourth, and went to trial later in the month. He represented himself, and part way through the trial he was transferred to Franklin Medical Center (FMC) because of his deteriorating health due to the hunger strike. Mr Harris says he has lost about fifty pounds, and is experiencing sharp pains in his legs. Doctors report that he is close to suffering serious medical problems like organ failure because he has refused food for so long.
On Tuesday February 5th, the court Judge Maureen Sweeney ordered Mr Harris return to court to complete his trial, against the wishes of doctors at FMC. Harris was transferred back to OSP and appeared in court, ending the jury phase of trial on Friday, February 8th. Mr Harris was charged with two counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of felonious assault, and three possession of a dangerous weapon while in detention charges. He was found not guilty of the attempted murder and felonious assault charges. Both attempted aggravated murder charges were reduced to felonious assault.
Mr Harris represented himself, with no assistance from lawyers, while his health was seriously compromised by the hunger strike. He says he is confident that under different circumstances, or with legal representation he would have also beaten the remaining charges.
As of Friday evening, Mr Harris is still on hunger strike. He was threatening to refuse water as well as food, a decision that would risk ending his life within 72 hours, but after the trial results and a meeting with the warden, he decided to drink water at least through the weekend. Mr Harris is making two main demands. First, an end to this harassment from guards and second, an improved procedure for security level review.
In June of 2012, Mr Harris released a statement, posted to RedBird Prison Abolition's website detailing this abuse. In this statement he names correctional officers Timothy McVay, James Burns, Kieth Hawn and Waylon Wine as abusers. Mr Harris is concerned that these or other guards may escalate harassment and violence against him because of the results of the trial.
Mr Harris has been incarcerated at OSP since being transferred from Southern Ohio Correctional Institution (SOCF) in Lucasville five and a half years ago. The incidents producing these criminal charges occurred in 2009 and 2010. Mr Harris says he has not had any incident reports for the last three years, but has been kept on level 5 with severely restricted access to visitors, commissary and programming. Under these limitations, there is very little any level 5 prisoners can do to demonstrate good behaviour and reduce their security level.
In June of 2012, a death sentenced level 5 prisoner at OSP named Jason Robb went on a nine day hunger strike which ended with modifications to security review procedure and privileges for him and other death sentenced prisoners at OSP. These changes include limited congregate recreation, full contact visits, and increased frequency of security reviews. These changes allow the death sentenced prisoners at OSP to demonstrate ability to be housed on death row in Chillicothe. Mr Harris is demanding that these changes also apply to him. Mr Harris says Warden David Bobby is unwilling to meet these demands because he would have to apply the same changes to all level 5 prisoners.
Prisoner advocates say that these step-down procedures should be applied to all level 5 prisoners. Prisoners on level 5 at OSP spend 23 hours a day alone in their small cells, often for years on end. They have no human contact other than guards. These conditions are common in US super max prisons, but violate international human rights standards and are widely considered a form of torture.
Supporters are requesting that people call OSP Warden David Bobby on Monday, demanding that Mr Harris be kept safe from retaliation and have his hunger strike demands met. Warden Bobby can be reached at 330-743-0700 ext 2006. People are also encouraged to contact central office and demand oversight and changes to the security review system for level 5 prisoners. The number for Central Office is 614-752-1159.
Write to Mr Harris:
Cornelius Harris
OSP 525-945
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd
Youngstown OH 44505
Example: "Hello, I'm calling about an inmate named Cornelius Harris NUMBER 525-945. It is my understanding that he has been on hunger strike for over 30 days.
I am calling to request that you meet with Mr. Harris as soon as possible and see to it that his very basic demands are met... (They are: an end to violence and harassment from guards, and a reliable security level step down procedure).
Thank you for taking my call and I trust that you understand your responsibility to meet these two legitimate requests as it says something when an inmate under you supervision is willing to wager their life for their basic safety. Thank you again for taking my call and I I will be keeping tabs on the outcome of this strike."
Friday, February 8th, Mahoning County, OH-
The jury largely sided with hunger striking super max prisoner Cornelius Harris in his criminal trial this week. Harris was facing nine felony charges stemming from fights with guards at The Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP). Harris has long maintained that these fights were actually initiated by guards who have targeted him for harassment and abuse. Earlier this week, a jury found largely in Mr Harris' favor.
Mr Harris initiated his hunger strike on January fourth, and went to trial later in the month. He represented himself, and part way through the trial he was transferred to Franklin Medical Center (FMC) because of his deteriorating health due to the hunger strike. Mr Harris says he has lost about fifty pounds, and is experiencing sharp pains in his legs. Doctors report that he is close to suffering serious medical problems like organ failure because he has refused food for so long.
On Tuesday February 5th, the court Judge Maureen Sweeney ordered Mr Harris return to court to complete his trial, against the wishes of doctors at FMC. Harris was transferred back to OSP and appeared in court, ending the jury phase of trial on Friday, February 8th. Mr Harris was charged with two counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of felonious assault, and three possession of a dangerous weapon while in detention charges. He was found not guilty of the attempted murder and felonious assault charges. Both attempted aggravated murder charges were reduced to felonious assault.
Mr Harris represented himself, with no assistance from lawyers, while his health was seriously compromised by the hunger strike. He says he is confident that under different circumstances, or with legal representation he would have also beaten the remaining charges.
As of Friday evening, Mr Harris is still on hunger strike. He was threatening to refuse water as well as food, a decision that would risk ending his life within 72 hours, but after the trial results and a meeting with the warden, he decided to drink water at least through the weekend. Mr Harris is making two main demands. First, an end to this harassment from guards and second, an improved procedure for security level review.
In June of 2012, Mr Harris released a statement, posted to RedBird Prison Abolition's website detailing this abuse. In this statement he names correctional officers Timothy McVay, James Burns, Kieth Hawn and Waylon Wine as abusers. Mr Harris is concerned that these or other guards may escalate harassment and violence against him because of the results of the trial.
Mr Harris has been incarcerated at OSP since being transferred from Southern Ohio Correctional Institution (SOCF) in Lucasville five and a half years ago. The incidents producing these criminal charges occurred in 2009 and 2010. Mr Harris says he has not had any incident reports for the last three years, but has been kept on level 5 with severely restricted access to visitors, commissary and programming. Under these limitations, there is very little any level 5 prisoners can do to demonstrate good behaviour and reduce their security level.
In June of 2012, a death sentenced level 5 prisoner at OSP named Jason Robb went on a nine day hunger strike which ended with modifications to security review procedure and privileges for him and other death sentenced prisoners at OSP. These changes include limited congregate recreation, full contact visits, and increased frequency of security reviews. These changes allow the death sentenced prisoners at OSP to demonstrate ability to be housed on death row in Chillicothe. Mr Harris is demanding that these changes also apply to him. Mr Harris says Warden David Bobby is unwilling to meet these demands because he would have to apply the same changes to all level 5 prisoners.
Prisoner advocates say that these step-down procedures should be applied to all level 5 prisoners. Prisoners on level 5 at OSP spend 23 hours a day alone in their small cells, often for years on end. They have no human contact other than guards. These conditions are common in US super max prisons, but violate international human rights standards and are widely considered a form of torture.
Supporters are requesting that people call OSP Warden David Bobby on Monday, demanding that Mr Harris be kept safe from retaliation and have his hunger strike demands met. Warden Bobby can be reached at 330-743-0700 ext 2006. People are also encouraged to contact central office and demand oversight and changes to the security review system for level 5 prisoners. The number for Central Office is 614-752-1159.
Write to Mr Harris:
Cornelius Harris
OSP 525-945
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd
Youngstown OH 44505
Example: "Hello, I'm calling about an inmate named Cornelius Harris NUMBER 525-945. It is my understanding that he has been on hunger strike for over 30 days.
I am calling to request that you meet with Mr. Harris as soon as possible and see to it that his very basic demands are met... (They are: an end to violence and harassment from guards, and a reliable security level step down procedure).
Thank you for taking my call and I trust that you understand your responsibility to meet these two legitimate requests as it says something when an inmate under you supervision is willing to wager their life for their basic safety. Thank you again for taking my call and I I will be keeping tabs on the outcome of this strike."
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Hunger Striker Sent Back to Super Max, Refusing Water.
[UPDATE:
Soja has ended his hungerstrike on the evening of Feb 11th We do not
yet know the terms. More information will be forthcoming.]
Feb 7, 2013- Cornelius Harris (also known as Soja) sent an email last night stating that he is going to begin refusing water when he is transferred back to Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP). He expected to be transferred today. Mr Harris has already been refusing food since January 4th. He is demanding an end to harassment by guards and improved the security level reviews.
Feb 7, 2013- Cornelius Harris (also known as Soja) sent an email last night stating that he is going to begin refusing water when he is transferred back to Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP). He expected to be transferred today. Mr Harris has already been refusing food since January 4th. He is demanding an end to harassment by guards and improved the security level reviews.
After 35 days without food people risk serious health problems, like organ failure. It is rare for anyone to survive more than 72 hours without water. More information about Mr Harris' demands are available online at RedBirdPrisonAbolition.org.
Supporters can call OSP Warden David Bobby 330-743-0700 ext 2006.
Demand that he meet Mr Harris's two very legitimate and very basic demands.
1) AN END TO VIOLENCE & HARASSMENT FROM GUARDS. (basic safety)
2) A RELIABLE SECURITY-LEVEL STEP DOWN PROCEDURE. (it's how prisoners have the opportunity to show good behaviour. Warden Bobby granted this to other inmates last year.)
________
Example: "Hello, I'm calling about an inmate named Cornelius Harris NUMBER 525-945. It is my understanding that he has been on hunger strike for over 30 days.
I am calling to request that you meet with Mr. Harris as soon as possible and see to it that his very basic demands are met... (They are: an end to violence and harassment from guards, and a reliable security level step down procedure).
Thank you for taking my call and I trust that you understand your responsibility to meet these two legitimate requests as it says something when an inmate under you supervision is willing to wager their life for their basic safety. Thank you again for taking my call and I I will be keeping tabs on the outcome of this strike."
Demand that he meet Mr Harris's two very legitimate and very basic demands.
1) AN END TO VIOLENCE & HARASSMENT FROM GUARDS. (basic safety)
2) A RELIABLE SECURITY-LEVEL STEP DOWN PROCEDURE. (it's how prisoners have the opportunity to show good behaviour. Warden Bobby granted this to other inmates last year.)
________
Example: "Hello, I'm calling about an inmate named Cornelius Harris NUMBER 525-945. It is my understanding that he has been on hunger strike for over 30 days.
I am calling to request that you meet with Mr. Harris as soon as possible and see to it that his very basic demands are met... (They are: an end to violence and harassment from guards, and a reliable security level step down procedure).
Thank you for taking my call and I trust that you understand your responsibility to meet these two legitimate requests as it says something when an inmate under you supervision is willing to wager their life for their basic safety. Thank you again for taking my call and I I will be keeping tabs on the outcome of this strike."
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Update on Cornelius Harris- 32 Days Without Food
Warden Bobby refused to say anything about the situation when contacted.
Cornelius' demands are to be given greater opportunity to "step-down" or reduce his security level and an end to targeted harassment and violence from guards. Specifically, he is looking for more frequent security reviews, congregate or at least paired rec time, contact with visitors, more time out of his cell. All these things would allow him to prove that he is not a danger to himself or others and can eventually get off of 5A, the highest security level in Ohio.
Please call warden Bobby and demand that he meet with Cornelius, allow him this most basic treatment and assure him that harassment and violence from guards will stop. OSP Warden David Bobby 330-743-0700 ext 2006
--
Phone: (614) 704-4699
InsurgentTheatre.org
RedBirdPrisonAbolition.org
RedBirdPrisonAbolition.org
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