Author Archives: mongoosedistro

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that reasonable doubt is a fundamental requirement of due process.1 And it is reasonable to believe that there is a universal consensus here. But many courts, for a variety of reasons, declare that reasonable doubt should not be defined.2 One judge in fact said to the jury, “who areContinue reading “The Ever-Elusive Reasonable Doubt – by Steven McCain”

One key element to understanding what a nefarious actor is truly up to is motivation: why the hell did you do that? Why would an entity, be it a person or a government agency and the henchmen therein, go to what sometimes amounts to extraordinary lengths to obliterate liberty? Why would they bend the rulesContinue reading “The Great Disappearin’ Machine, Case Study Three: “When the Dog Bites” – by Ronin Grey”

I received 44 years to life for several attempted murders I did not commit. I was just 16 years old when I went to adult court. One thing that stood out was the word NIGGER in my trial. The one word that is so controversial was how I was identified. I mean, the main andContinue reading “N-Word Hill – by Joadanus Olivas”

Kristopher Storey 26731-018Federal Medical CenterPO Box 14500Lexington, KY 40512

I’m grateful there’s people out there like mongoose, I dug and reached and succeeded in finding something I longed for in prison. Companionship. Its just not the same talking to prisoners all the time. You have a high volume of mental illness in prison, so seeking good conversation is iffy at best. I’ve once spokenContinue reading “Mentally Disabled Prisoners Placed in Harm’s Way at TDCJ – by Comrade Z”

For as long as I can remember America has had a fixation – bordering on a compulsive obsession – with what television, the media, politicians, and other similarly situated loud, influential, profit-oriented voices call ‘justice.’ JUSTICE: the quality of being just, impartial, or fair; the principle or ideal of just dealings and right action. JUST:Continue reading “The Great Disappearin’ Machine, Case Study Two: Justice, or Just Vengeance? – by Ronin Grey”

To surmount the situation of oppression, people must first critically recognize its causes,so that through transforming action they can create a new situation,one which makes possible the pursuit of a Fuller humanity. — Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire I had been B-Line for months now, and people would come visit me and fieldContinue reading “Death by Medical Neglect on Darrington Unit – by Comrade Z”

Brian “Hakiym” Simpson is a Black father, firefighter, community leader, and poet who was imprisoned in Oregon for defending himself against a racist attack. Hakiym is fighting for his freedom –– join him! Hakiym welcomes all correspondence from supporters! Address envelopes to: Brian Simpson* #27433390Snake River Correctional Institution777 Stanton BoulevardOntario, Oregon 97914-8335 To put moneyContinue reading “Poems from Prison – by Hakiym Sha’ir”

At nine A.M. in the Correctional Training Facility’s Rainier building the buzzer blares for the hourly unlock. I meet a fit middle-aged man in the day room who isn’t shy about showing off his personal flair. Today Danny sports tailored blue jeans embellished with colorful beadwork that matches his hat. He smiles, then leads meContinue reading “Atascadero Sojourn: An Interview with a Survivor of the State Hospital System – by Ronin Grey”