Letter from County Jail inmates to Sheriff Laurie Smith

Sheriff Laurie Smith Office Of The Sheriff 55 West Younger Avenue San Jose ,California 95110

Sheriff Smith,

On August 31,2015 , The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) In a class action suit known as the “Ashker Settlement” agreed to end the arbitrary , cruel and unusual practice of using Solitary Confinement. (Ashker V Brown 4:09cv 05796­CW).

Currently, there are over a hundred prisoners held in Solitary Confinement throughout Santa Clara County Jails. As, a stance in solidarity and indirect response the subhuman and a host of unchanged inhumane conditions , practices and policies here in Santa Clara County Jails; WE, Prisoners’ Human Rights Movement (PHRM) will initiate a hunger strike beginning October 2016.

We will continue our peaceful protest to end this torturous practice of Solitary Confinement and inhumane treatment until there is tangible and meaningful change for all prisoners­ most of whom are unconvicted pretrial detainees; subject to harsh conditions in Santa Clara County Jails.

WE PRISONERS UNITED, Respectfully request / demand the following core issues be granted:

1​.END​: Meaningless Classification Review and biased Appeal process.

SOLUTION​:​(A)​ Incorporate Classification practices of other Jurisdictions (CDCR, Alameda Co. etc.) ​(B)​ Establish Independent oversight and review

of inmate appeal process, Jail conditions, practices and policies.​ ( C) Safeguard all due process protections.

2.​END:​ Placement in Solitary Confinement when there exist no serious rule violation to merit such placement. ​(A) ​Prohibit the use of long term/ indefinite Solitary Confinement. ​(B)​ Prohibit the use of Solitary Confinement based solely on gang allegations , affiliation, validation, etc, SOLUTION​:​(A)​ follow the classification and housing practices of other jurisdictions (CDCR, Alameda Co. Etc.) ​(B) ​Allow all inmates a genuine Opportunity to be down classed and properly integrate into the general population. ​(C)​ Classify / house all inmates based on individual behavior.

3.​END:​ The policy / practice of denying inmates sufficient clothing.

SOLUTION:​ ​(A)​ Establish policy that promotes proper hygiene. ​(B)​ provide two sets of tops/bottom , three sets of under clothes, and sufficient clothing change.

4.​END:​ Jail profiteering and exploitation of prisoners and their families through contract bidding of commissary vendors based on kickbacks and political incentives for campaign contributions.

SOLUTION: (A)​ set commissary prices equal to or cheaper than those set in (CDCR). ​(B) ​Approve more packaging vendors to create a competitive and fair market.

5. ​END:​ Recidivism and misappropriation of inmates welfare funds.

SOLUTION:​ ​(A)​ Expand and provide constructive programming and privileges for all inmates regardless of classification status.​(B)​ Create opportunities to engage in meaningful self treatment work, education and other activities relating to having a sense of being a part of the community in preparation for re­entering society, for all inmates.

(C)​ Reallocate inmate welfare funds toward education and rehabilitation programs in Santa Clara County Main Jails South/North.

Truly, P.H.R.M