PETITION OPPOSING FOOD AND PROPERTY RESTRICTIONS FOR ARIZONA INMATES

The following petition is in regards to the reforms necessary in SMU II, where inmates are being kept in solitary confinement, some for 8 years, with no end in sight. It is about taxpayers in Arizona being double charged, because ADOC cannot meet its budget, which is because the state continues to lock people away for outrageous amounts of time. It is about the deprivation of food, and even the ability to purchase food to keep from living in constant hunger. It is about extortion of the public, and the torture of human beings.

Note: In April 2002, director of ADOC, Terry L. Stewart realized how strict the diet cut was and authorized the inmates the ability to purchase real food from the inmates stores, however, the inmates in SMU II who are fed a "Lockdown Diet", the most severe, are not allowed to buy food from the inmates stores at SMU II. Only death row may purchase food, not general population. And it has nothing to do with security, or disciplinary issues. It is a matter of willful cruelty towards SMU II's GP inmates.
These changes are about money. ADOC wants society to place more money on inmates' account, from which ADOC collects interest and profits. This is a main purpose of requiring taxpayers to pay double, if they have family or friends in ADOC.

Please sign this petition; it will be sent to the SMU II Wardens, Jeff Hood and Blaine Marshall.
We thank you for your support.
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ATTN: Warden Jeff Hood, and Deputy Warden Blaine H. Marshall - ASPC Eyman SMUII Florence AZ

Subject: Petition Opposing New SMUII Food and Property Policy Changes


We, the undersigned, wish to express our opposition to the new Arizona Department of Corrections policy changes that went into effect in March 2002. According to Inmate Notification #02-02, dated January 29, 2002, inmates in SMU II are served only two meals on Saturdays and Sundays, and have their portions of milk cut in half every day. In addition, due to a change to the DO 909 property policy, went into effect on March 4, 2002, SMU II inmates must pay extra to purchase clothes, appliances, medical and for power.
The Inmate Notification states that these changes are in response to state budget cuts.

We feel that this policy is unduly punitive toward SMU II inmates who may not work or earn wages, and are affected by severe food restrictions and are not allowed to buy it from the inmate store. Food and property are basic human rights. When the state takes on the responsibility of incarcerating a person, they accept the responsibility for providing for that person's needs and rights. If the state has found itself financially unable to meet these obligations, we respectfully request that it investigates the many cost-effective alternatives to incarceration, such as drug treatment programs, community supervision, and restorative justice programs.