JUNE 2020, A NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN OF ALL FEDERAL PRISONS WAS IMPLEMENTED BY THE BUREAU OF PRISON AS RETALIATION FOR HISTORICAL PROTESTS ON THE STREETS IN RESISTANCE TO THE USA'S VIOLENT POLICE STATE. COVID IS RAMPANT. PRISON IS NOT IMPERVIOUS TO WHAT GOES ON BEYOND THE WALLS. PLEASE WRITE TO USA INMATES AND OTHERS HELD HOSTAGE DURING THE PANDEMIC.
Please scroll to find their mailing address and what to expect when writing to political prisoners:
RedFawn was transferred to a federal halfway house and is no longer incarcerated at FCI Dublin federal prison. They have transitioned to federal surveillance on probation. Their PO Box address must now be updated.Michael Little Feather Giron was transferred to a ND halfway house July 2019 to await approval from probation to live with family in New Mexico. He is no longer incarcerated at USP Hazelton federal prison (June 2018). He spent the entire time before trial incarcerated in ND. BUT the struggle continues: He has been struggling with sobriety and mental health while on probation with family in New Mexico. He was sent to lock up in Cibola County Correctional Center for months during COVID, had entered into a treatment center and was with immediate family. His situation and behavior has complicated any further advocacy. Public updates are pending indefinitely. Michael Rattler Markus was moved to a BOP halfway house January 2021, after receiving a 3-year sentence incarcerated at FCI Sandstone in November 2018. He was released from the Burea of Prison halfway house April 2021 to begin three years of federal surveillance on probation. November 3, 2022 Rattler was granted a motion for "Early Termination of Supervised Release". BOP and the probation office, as well as sentencing jurisdiction, forced Rattler to live in Bismarck, where locals are still openly hostile to water protectors and indigenous. Rattler, loved ones, and legal team are working to have him housed closer to family and to start community land projects. An updated mailing address is pending due to safety concerns. PLEASE SEE HIS SUPPORT PAGE ON FACEBOOK FOR CORRESPONDENCE www.facebook.com/freerattler Dion Ortiz was transferred to a NM halfway house April 2019 while transitioning to federal surveillance on probation and is no longer incarcerated at FCI Sandstone federal prison (November 2018). Dion was incarcerated in ND during most of the time leading up to trial. BUT THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES: He was incarcerated since January of 2021 for a petty, nonviolent probation violation. His family is still enduring stigma from federal charges, causing issues with employment. Due to privacy concerns while incarcerated and harassment during release on probation, his family has not publicly released his mailing address, but they are in need of financial support for longterm housing/transportation needs. (Please see the donation tab) James Angry Bird White was not sentenced to federal prison, but for years was consistently surveilled while on probation and years of house arrest. Please consider writing our elder letters of support. Caution regarding contents of letters must be used: James White
PO Box 755
Ft. Yates, ND 58538
PLEASE READ THESE EXTENSIVE GUIDELINES BEFORE SENDING MAIL TO INCARCERATED WATER PROTECTORS:
No glitter of any kind inside or on the letter.
Letters can only be written in black or blue ink.
Letters must be on white paper.
Letters can be typed (we assume in mostly black ink).
Drawings must be scanned in order to be mailed; the originals cannot be sent directly to prisons.
Books, newspapers, and magazines must come directly from the publisher or with a subscription. Brochures, 'zines' or 'alternative literature' and some booklets can be mailed. Fliers from grassroots and other organizations can be mailed.
Stickers with return addresses cannot be used; the addresses must be written on the envelope. (Sandstone prison gives inmates mailing labels to use, but stickers from outside the prison are not permitted)
No decorative stickers inside the letter or on the envelope.
No lipstick, perfumes, herbs, or essential oils inside the letter or on the envelope.
Only white envelopes can be used, unless using official envelopes from the post office.
DVDs cannot be mailed to the prison.
Care packages cannot be mailed to the prison.
Sacred plants for ceremony cannot be mailed. They must be purchased by our incarcerated family through their prison commissary. Sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and sinsasa could possibly be sent to prison chaplains through nonprofits.
Art supplies must come from a retail provider (Amazon, etc.) and be approved unless provided through prison stores in commissary.
Nudity, excessive violence, or materials deemed to "risk the safety and structure of the prison" are prohibited and/or confiscated.
Postcards can be sent only if they are written on.
20-25 pictures at a time can be sent, but no polaroids. Pictures merely printed onto regular printer paper may be accepted, but may not; prisons have not been consistent.
Cards with electronic devices that makes sounds or music are rejected. Padded cards are rejected. Decorations glued onto or threaded through the card itself will be rejected. Cards with glitter will be rejected. Home made cards will be rejected. The only cards accepted are store bought, single-open, and flat in white envelopes.
Languages other than English sometimes have to be translated depending on how lengthy the correspondence is. Unfortunately Supreme Court rulings for inmates that speak indigenous languages and Spanish to family members that don't speak English didn't consider it to be a constitutional violation to prohibit correspondence.
All letters sent to inmates are read and checked for "contraband" by prison officials. Names and addresses are logged. Photo copies can be taken by prison staff of any sent mail; sometimes original copies of the mail may be saved, meaning only the photo copy could be given to inmates. Only the attorneys have confidential correspondence, so the content of letters MUST be written with EXTREME caution.
The "official" notice from BOP, very lacking in detail:"For the safety and security of staff and inmates, effective November 5, 2018, please note the following changes to incoming mail procedures at this institution:
- All incoming general correspondence envelopes and paper must be white in color, this includes greeting card envelopes. All other color envelopes and paper will be rejected.
- All incoming general correspondence utilizing an address label or sticker for either the recipient and/or sender will be rejected. The recipient and/or sender information must be completed either in ink or through address stamp.
- Commercial greeting cards need to be a one-fold card. Any card with glued items or glued folds will be rejected. All "homemade" greeting cards will continue to be rejected.
- Envelope flaps and stamps will be removed from incoming correspondence prior to delivery.
- Some general correspondence may be photocopied, providing only the copy to the inmate.
- Incoming general correspondence including books and magazines containing materials such as, but not limited to: glitter, stickers, lipstick, crayon, marker, perfume, cologne, bodily fluids, etc., will be rejected.
- All incoming general correspondence to include books and magazines sprayed with fragrance, such as but not limited to perfume or cologne, will be rejected.
- Envelopes from incoming special mail, legal mail, or certified mail may be photocopied with a copy of the envelope provided to the inmate, not the original.
Rejected correspondence will be treated consistent with the applicable provisions of federal regulation and BOP policy. Please provide your friends and family with this information."
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