Tweet
As some of our good friends marinate in the DC Jail environment this weekend, for peacefully being present and speaking at the Tar Sands protest, I thought it might be appropriate to touch on a few considerations for folks who have never been in such a position.
First of all, I visited Prison Talk, a supportive forum for friends and family, and typed in “DC Jail,” but found so many threads (more than five hundred) that I finally decided to present the d-o-c-dot-gov site, and I found it interesting, as an aside, that the jail is partially privately owned:
Treatment and conditions vary, of course, but in general, please consider:
-There will be a delay before you can make a phone call, and during that first call, arrange for the person on the other end to obtain a jail telephone calling card. Alternatively, outgoing calls are collect. There are no incoming calls, and, all calls are recorded. Also, they really do listen to these recordings.
-If you have pets (as Jane does, I see), make arrangements for their care prior to attending a peaceful protest, just in case.
-Do not carry a lot of cash. Many jails simply take all of the cash you have on you, and keep it.
-If you are on medication or if you have a medical condition, have your medications and the schedules with you, and know that many jails simply deny all medication outright, unless you lapse into some sort of diabetic coma.
-Do not expect to be read your rights or know your charges or be provided with an attorney: Those days are gone, except in the movies.
-Tell someone else who you wish to be notified, if you are arrested and taken to jail.
-It might be good to have a meeting place, a group of friends, or some sort of gathering schedule, to check on each other during a protest. If someone goes missing, think hospital and then think jail.
-You may or may not be allowed to have glasses. If you use reading glasses, assure the jail staff that they are prescription, and that you cannot function without them.
-You may or may not be “dressed out” in jail attire. One way or the other, expect to be cold. If you protest during the colder months, wear something loose and warm, that will be relatively comfortable, on a cement floor.
-Get plenty of sleep before you protest. You won’t get any in jail.
-If you are claustrophobic, come up with a plan to handle close, overcrowded quarters.
-Do not expect any recreation times in the beginning.
-Women: You can use Kotex pads to make your own eye coverings. This helps with the light torture. You can also use the stuffing to make ear plugs.
-If you have never been to jail, expect a cold delousing shower (if you are headed to population) and a humiliating body cavity search, in front of total strangers. A note on the body cavity search: Spreading ass cheeks and labia in front of an onlooker actually reveals nothing. Perhaps someone else can weigh in on this practice, but I am not even sure if it is regulation. It has been described as pure humiliation.
-At the protest site, and even in the jail, do not be surprised if you encounter pepper spray, tear gas or other harmful deterrents. Pepper spray causes nausea, vomiting, coughing, and even nosebleeds.
-If the handcuffs are too tight, mention it. Do not allow cuffing to lead to palsy.
I left these suggestions in a comment a while back, and worried that they would be viewed as over dramatic at the time. Now I think otherwise, but even if it is the former, better safe than sorry.
Finally, a shout out to our friends who stepped up to the plate peacefully: (((HUG))) We need many more like you guys!!
26 Comments
All women get the body cavity search, but not all men.
It is done for the sexual pleasure of the Torturer and of the Voyeurs, same reason they do Pervert Pats at the airport. (Of course, the Pervert Pats do also make money for the former head of Homeland Security, Chertoffd.)
Yes, I suspected as much, and I actually later read about it. My understanding is that the squat and cough part of the search actually releases loosely concealed contraband in some cases, but the visual inspection serves no purpose.
I have also read that for the men, an xray is sometimes ordered, in USP Supermax facilities- to reveal concealed weapons- but men are also routinely required to lift up their privates in front of an onlooker- and I am not sure how productive this is.
All of these practices are humiliating, particularly for someone such as a peaceful demonstrator who may not be expecting it.
Thank you.
You the “man”.
I’m so glad you finally posted this.
There’s a lot of stuff that most people do not know.
And it is far outside their reality.
I’m not saying this is out of their “comfort zone”. Way beyond that. It’s outside of most people’s reality.
When I read danielikessler’s post I was shocked: Close to a hundred people ended up in jail? What is that? The men still there as a deterrent? Crazy!
The whole world’s gone crazy.
Wish I was surprised.
One more thing to remember.
Seek out those of us who have been arrested multiple times. You will be frightened to all get out. We will assure you that things will be OK. You will discover that getting arrested is no bid deal.
Then the next time you get arrested, you can be the one calming the “new kid” down. Being arrested for your beliefs is an exhilarating experience and you WILL have some deep political discussions on things while in lock up.
See you all October 6th in DC.
Thank you so much for this Michael!
It is great to know that no one is alone, and that you will be there for people during the October event.
Thanks Crane-Station. A good primer for the coming activities!
Bring a soft cover book to read hard cover might be considered a weapon. Bring a lefty book or two and give it away if people are interested in reading it don’t expect to get it back but hey educating people has a cost and its worth it there is nothing to do but read tv channel selection sucks.
Bring a deck of cards and or a chess and checkers board it might be let in make sure the deck is new and never been opened.
Was arrested by the park police on the same charges as the Tar Sands demonstrators and I will tell you one thing about the park police. If you complain that your cuffs are too tight they are likely to do nothing for you. One woman near me complained and was recuffed — only this time it was tighter. We got the message: don’t complain about your cuffs. Just keep your hands as motionless behind your back as possible, breathe deep, and stay calm.
Thank you Carolyn, this is really good to know. My husband and I discussed this because I have read cases where, basically the judge said, “Well, you never mentioned to anyone that the cuffs were too tight.”
However, my husband pointed out to me that even if you say something just for the record later on, there will be no record later on, because they will, of course, deny it.
BTW, What are the charges, exactly? We were wondering about this as well.
Thank you for this, C-S.
Jane’s post on this is here: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/08/21/tar-sands-action-are-you-discouraged-or-a-flaming-firebagger/
Thank you, Crane-Station. It’s hard to look at that list and see My America for what she’s become.
Shame on you, Barry Obama.
Thank you Phoenix Woman, and I hope everyone reads Jane’s post.
To the organizers of such peaceful protests, I say, get good publicity.
The people peacefully protesting the closure of St Vincent’s Hospital in New York only got “police blotter” coverage during their arrest.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_blotter/nypd_daily_blotter_WtlpzoQyjMD0WHhr1tT8eK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcToWCh5VhU
Finally, after many peaceful protests of many kinds as well as numerous “Town Hall” meetings (for lack of better phrase), it looks like an investigation may very well be underway.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/da_eyes_st_vinny_go_for_broke_plan_fvDtudcbAWyxqqiQnhbzaI
I know this post may be seen as a bit of a tangent, but I wanted to give an example of how peaceful protests can go, both in the short and long run.
Thanks for posting, C-S. I keep thinking of you while this is happening. How’re you doing?
I was charged with “failure to obey a lawful order.” I was with a group who did not disband when the park police ordered us away from the White House fence, during the Veterans For Peace demonstration in March 2011. Daniel Ellsberg, Chris Hedges, Medea Benjamin, Coleen Rowley and others, 113 in all, I believe, were arrested. It is the same charge, I gather, as the one made against those who refuse to disband in the anti-Tar-sands Pipeline demonstration. I hope to join those who have so courageously taken a stand against the proposed pipeline, which will ensure the end of homo sapiens existence on earth, at least as we know it.
Good post CS.. Something else to consider is because jails are kept a nice toasty 62 degrees to “keep down on germs” make sure you’re wearing WHITE long johns and a WHITE thermal shirt even if it’s 100 degrees out there and you’re sweating like a pig.. Once inside you’ll want to wrap toilet paper around your limbs to stay warm..Even if they dress you in those pile of plastic straw they call a mattress and the thin wool blanket won’t help so make sure you have your long johns on.. Most jails will let you keep them but ONLY if they’re white with no markings or designs on them.
Most practical post —- thanks. Probably should recycle this once a month.
Funny that you would mention the toilet paper wrapping, because that is just exactly what I did!
I thought I was a freak, now I do not feel so alone.
The cold. You are so right.
I think Jane also mentioned it, in her post.
I agree, lechero, and I hope that peaceful protesters bring cell phones, cameras-at-the-ready, and Twitter!
Thank you, Crane-Station, and you as well, Michael Calvan RN.
Being prepared is nine/tenths of maintaining one’s “cool”.
Be prepared, be ready, be calm, and be certain.
‘Tis a grand jouney we are all embarked upon, have no fears, no worries, and no doubts, your sacred being is inviolate.
Keep your mind serene and your eyes and ears open.
Keeping your wits about you is a wonderful good experience.
Such experience strengthens, confirms, and inspires.
Embrace the moment, for it is yours, in ways which you cannot imagine until you have been “there”.
To understand the weakness of institutional “power” you must be present to the experience of self. And to the strength and companionship of others.
It is a very good place to make real and genuine friends.
DW
The cold is a constant …
And “wrapping”, among them what knows.
DW
Thank you everyone who contributed. If this gets recycled, I will include everyone’s suggestions, as well as some inspirational comments!
A friend got a funny mattress once in jail it was doused in delousing chemicals he got headaches weird dreams if you get a mattress with a weird chemical smell don’t use it I think he also got a rash.