Pendleton inmates set hunger strike (Oregon)

[JJT]

Pendleton inmates set hunger strike


Thursday, May 13, 2004

Inmates at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution said they plan a hunger strike and other measures to protest "inhumane and unconscionable treatment," according to an e-mail statement released Wednesday afternoon.

The inmates said they planned to stop buying items at the canteen and using the collect-call phones.

The inmates complained of excessive force by staff and officers at the prison in Pendleton. They also cited inadequate medical and mental health care; high disciplinary fines; expensive phone calls; and racial, religious and political discrimination.

"Unless our concerns are given timely and serious consideration, we will continue to engage in further escalation of direct action designed to shut down the daily operation of the facility," the statement said.

Perrin Damon, an Oregon Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said she did not know Wednesday afternoon whether the inmates had begun a hunger strike, noting that breakfast and lunch "were fine."

She said Sharon Blacketter, the prison's superintendent, "is always open to listening to anybody's concerns. That aside, we don't negotiate with inmates." -- Stephen Beaven



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[angieandvikki]

i am looking for my sons father that he has not seen and i am wondering if he may be in this prison

[one_luv]

angieandvikki: Welcome! You can at least see if he is in the Oregon DOC by going here. www.vinelink.com, choose Oregon from menu and then enter his name. If it does list his info and SID number, you can e-mail the Oregon DOC at inmate.info@doc.state.or.us and find out where he's located.