Statement From Hunger Striking Prisoner Soja [UPDATE]

(thanks to ohioprisonwatch.org)


UPDATE: Just got word that Soja has ended his hunger strike.

I ended my hunger strike Nov 1, 2013, after a long discussion about my property and the harassment, I agreed to come off strike if my property was brought to me, which was given to me a short while later. However, my issues with the harassment wasn't taken too serious in my opinion. I was only told that he would keep his attention on the issue and be fair if something was to happen. At that point  his attention won't stop something happening to me if that's what is planned.

Soja on Hunger Strike Against Continued Torture and Retaliation

Cornelius "Soja" Harris, the supermax prisoner who endured multiple extended hunger strikes early in 2013 is again refusing food. Harris requested a transfer to a safer facility, where he wouldn't be targeted for retaliation by staff, as he had been at OSP for years. The prison administration refused to transfer him in-state, but approved a transfer to a prison in Maryland. Harris initially accepted the transfer, but requested more information about the prison he'd be going to, what conditions were like and whether or not he'd be on 23 hour a day solitary confinement as is the case for prisoners at OSP. 

Ohio State Penitentiary Hunger Strike Demands

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP)- Cornelius "Soja" Harris' second hunger strike reaches 24 days. Less than a week after Soja suspended his 38 day hunger strike, he resumed refusing food. He is ready to come back off hunger strike if five simple demands are met.

He initially suspended the hunger strike he started on January 4th, with assurances from OSP Warden David Bobby that his missing property would be returned or replaced and that an institutional inspector to interview him. A few days later correctional officers at OSP interfered with a scheduled visit from Soja's partner and threatened to destroy more of his property. On return from that visit, they refused to give Soja his morning meal. This harassment combined with the fact that Warden David Bobby had not taken action on his assurances prompted Soja to go back on hunger strike.

Soja states that he is willing to come off this hunger strike if five simple demands are met.

1. Return or reimburse for property guards destroyed during Soja's first hunger strike.

2. Immediate transfer from segregation back to Sojas regular cell.

3. Lift restrictions from petty and fabricated conduct reports filed against Soja in retaliation for his hunger strike and the success at his trial.

4. End to harassment from Correctional Officers.

5. Opportunity to call outside supporters to make up for visits that guards cancelled or interfered with.

Hunger Striker Targeted for Harassment by OSP Staff.

 
Monday March 4th, Youngstown- After only five days with food, the man who endured a 38 day hunger strike at Ohio State Penitentiary (OSP) resumed not eating on Wednesday February 20th. Soja (also known as Cornelius Harris, prisoner number 525-945) has resumed his suspended hunger strike in response to continued harassment by correctional officers at OSP. While Soja was in court in late January, correctional officers lost, stole or destroyed over 30 items of his personal property, valued at over $300. Upon his return to OSP, Warden David Bobby agreed that Soja's property would be returned or replaced. Soja claims the property has not been returned, and that there is video evidence of all the property that was in his cell before he left for court.

Warden David Bobby refused to comment on the situation.

Since resuming his hunger strike, correctional officers have resumed harassment. Last week officers Austin, Kish and Burns repeatedly threatened that they would destroy more of Soja's property while he was on a scheduled visit this Sunday. Supporters called OSP Sunday morning and requested the Shift Captain Sanders supervise any search of Soja's cell while he was on that visit. Soja has not been able to report back on whether anything happened with his property while he was on that visit.

Cornelius Harris Is Back on Hunger Strike

Soja (Cornelius Harris) has resumed his hunger strike. He is demanding that his missing property be returned or replaced. Warden Bobby has previously agreed to do that. I do not know details about which property is still missing, but Soja does not believe the warden has made good on this agreement. We think he resumed his hunger strike on Tuesday or Wednesday, but have not heard from him since. Another prisoner in his pod has confirmed that Soja is on hunger strike, and has been transferred to the infirmary.

There is also reason to believe that JPay's email system went down for a number of days last week. Soja's daily emails stopped abruptly, other prisoners who write frequently have also been silent. When asked JPay customer service said they had a technical problem, and then put the caller on hold for 20 minutes. I got the first JPay email in a while today, it was sent out on Feb 19th.

Supporters can call OSP on Monday 330-743-0700 ask to speak to Warden Bobby, and demand that Mr Harris's property be returned. Cornelius Harris' prisoner number is 525-945.

Breif Update on Cornelius Harris

We got a call from Britney, Cornelius Harris' partner today. She was able to visit Cornelius on Sunday. She says he has been eating and is doing well. Prison officials "found" about half of the property which had been "lost". There have been no incidents of harassment or attacks by officers since the last update. Cornelius is writing the story of his experience out and will send it to us. He will also be sending us video from the discovery from his trial.

We'll be sharing that as soon as possible.

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.

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-

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.

Update on Cornelius Harris- 32 Days Without Food

Cornelius Harris (also known as Soja) has been on hunger strike at Ohio State Penitentiary since Jan 4th. He is at Correctional Medical Center in Columbus. They haven't force fed him, but they warned him his organs may fail if he doesn't come off hunger strike soon.

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


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