ABCF Guide to
Political Prisoners
& Prisoners of War

Support

——Jr—-"—“#—.‘_*

How and why to build principled support relationships
with political prisoners and prisoners of war

ABC Federation
PO Box 11223
Whittier, CA 90603
INTRODUCTIO!

What is the ABC, the ABCF? Who are Political
Prisoners?

Beginning prior to 1917 to defend Political Prisoners in czarist
Russia, the Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) became the banner
under which many anarchists did prison support. Since then the
ABC has ebbed and flowed to the present day. In the mid-80's
the first ABC collective began in North America as the result
Black anarchist and then Political Prisoner, Lorenzo Kom'boa
Envin’s efforts. Anarchists in North America started collectives
and, since its origins in the earlier part of the century, the ABC
broadened to cover a wide variety of prison related issues.

U.S. ABCs remained totally autonomous, and therefore were
never really able to unify or grow collectively. As a resul, we feel
it stagnated, became isolated and ineffective, offering virtually no
organized support to Political Prisoners or Prisoners of War
(PPIPOWS)... or anyone. For instance, to the disgrace of the
ABC mission, in December 1986 a New Afrikan anarchist POW,
Kuwasi Balagoon died in prison of AIDS with no support from the
ABC. Though ABC came to support a broad spectrum of prison
issues, the one thing we all agree upon, (in theory at least) is the
defense and support of PP/POWs. This was the very foundation
upon which the ABC was born in the early 1900’s.

Soin 1995, NJ ABC along with New Afrikan anarchist POW,
Ojore Lutalo, proposed the formation of an ABC Federation. As
is required to build a federation, the groups who were uniting
needed a common goal. That common goal was the support and
defense of PPIPOWs.

The first question to be asked before supporting PPPOWs
should be who a Political Prisoner or Prisoner of War is. The
Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) along with many other
groups, individuals and PP/POW supporters from around the
world use the following definitions to determine who we support
for a variety of historical, strategic and practical reasons:
2

Political Prisoner: A person incarcerated for actions carried
outin support of legitimate struggles for self determination* or
for opposing the illegal policies of the government and/or ts
political sub-divisions. (Special International Tribunal on the
Violation of Human Rights of Political Prisoners and Prisoners of
War in the United States Prisons and Jails, December, 1990)

Prisoner of War: Those combatants struggling against colo-
nial and alien domination and racist regimes captured as prison-
ers are to be accorded the status of prisoner of war and their
treatment should be in accordance with the provisions of the
Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of
War. (August 12, 1949, General Assembly Resolution 3103
XXVl

“Self Determination: the right by virtue of which all people’s
are entitled freely to determine their political status and to pur-
sue their economic, social and cultural development. Al peoples
may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth
and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of
international economic cooperation, based upon the principle of
mutual benefit and international law. In no case may a people be
deprived of its own means of subsistence. (Common Article 1(1)
of the International Human Rights Covenants, 1966)

As is evident, these definitions were not our creation. We do
take objections to the term “ilegal” in the PP definition and know
full well that the United States and all capitalist and imperialist
governments have now and will always murder, oppress, and/or
otherwise deny peaple the right to self determination under the
quise and protection of ‘law". We also believe that the POW def-
inition lacks recognition for those combatants struggling against
institutionalized and “legal® economic and class oppression.
However, as accountable members within an international com-
munity of activists, we feel it is our responsibility to respect these.
definitions that were collectively agreed upon at the 1990
Special International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights
of Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War in the United States
Prisons and Jails. We also feel it is our responsibility to develop
our analysis and positions of these objections so as to best artic-
ulate them to this international community for acceptance in an

SUPPORT THE WARCHEST "°

The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly
checks to PPPOWs who have been receiving insufficient, ltle,
or no financial support during their imprisonment. PP/POWSs
requesting funds complete an application of financial questions.
When the ABCF has collected sufficient funds to send out
another monthly check, the applications are reviewed by a rotat-
ing body of PP/POWs called the Prisoner Committee, who make
ajudgement on which applicant is in the most financial need.
There is also an emergency fund designed to immediately send
checks to those PP/POWs in need of one-time or emergency
assistance.

Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consistent and
reliable financial aid, serving a much- neglected comradely func-
tion. Since its inception, the ABCF has raised over $50,000 with
just this one program. All funds raised go directly to the political
prisoners, for which the program is designed. Despite our suc-
cess, our comrades are still in dire need of funds. Endorse this
program by giving a monthly or one-time donation to increase
the number of prisoners being supported monthly. A financial
report is published that documents all money received and the
prisoner it was sent to. The prisoners’ addresses are also print-
ed s0 that endorsers may write and hold us accountable.

Send cash,checks or mos made to
Philly ABCF
P.0 Box 42129
Philadelphia, PA 19101
timABCF@aol.com

m fasnacht to:

“Thanks much for the support
you've been organizing. | really
appreciate it. After not having any
or very little support for so long, it
now seems like people have all of a
sudden realized that | am alive.”

- Sekou Odinga (New Afrikan POW)

18

appropriate, inclusive forum. Changing these collectively agreed 3
upon definitions without any o adequate dialogue or debate
between the activists and prisoners these definitions wil effect is
unaccountable and irresponsible. It would also deny us the
opportunity to hear possible objections or possible improve-

ments to our positions.

While we believe that many people in prison are victims of an
unjust political system, we do not believe that all prisoners are
PP's or POW's. We believe it s a vital struggle for progressive
and revolutionary people to build recognition that there are over
100 prisoners in this country who refused to become a victim of
injustice and decided to organize, and consciously fight back.
The struggle is to build recognition that there is indeed a conflict
in this country in which people are organizing and have organ-
ized themselves to resist. And that of those people, many are
dead, and many are in prison, and that those prisoners are PP's
or POW's. The ABCF acts accountably toward that end.

Being declared a PP or a POW s not an attempt to grant
some great status to people who have struggled politically to
change or create a new society as some try to imply. As Sekou
Odinga, a New Afrikan POW now imprisoned in a federal prison
in Lompoc, CA for his political and military actions to build a rev-
olutionary movement has stated, “Although | consider fighting for
my people a good thing, being declared a POW doesn't entitle
me to any luxury (or great status). You become an enemy of the
state." The poliical reality of being an enemy of the state (such
as a PPIPOW) is much different than that of the victim of the
state (such as a social prisoner). Indeed, as a class war POW
Bill Dunne adds; "Being recognized as a PP or POW comes with
greater liabiliies than benefits and is done more out of responsi-
bility and obligations to ones politics than for any desirabilty of
the status." Social prisoners can and often do change their reali-
ty and imprisonment from that of a social nature to that of a
political nature through their political experiences and activity in
prison. We believe those prisoners who righteously struggle
deserve the support to the extent the outside organizations are
capable of supporting them. But these prisoners are not PP or
POWs.
4 Furthermore, the reason we feel PPPOWS should be priori-
tized by those people claiming to be revolutionaries can be
summed up in the following quote by Anarchist POW Ojore
Lutalo; “Any movement that fails to support ts political internees
is a sham movement!” We feel that PPIPOWs deserve priority
support of the very political movements they came from, helped
and continue 1o help build. We believe that for a movement to
progress and support social prisoners, while its own PP/POWs
are left with insufficient or in this case, virtually no support, is
unprincipled and politically wrong.

While this introduction and the following guide is the position,
and contains policies of the ABCF, we feel that it can be useful
for anyone with the desire to support and defend PP/POWs.
Indeed these positions and policies are not responsible or practi-
cal because they are ABCF policy. They are ABCF policy
because they are responsible and practical for anyone.

ABCF COLLECTIVES CAN BE REACHED AT: 17

Albugquerque ABGF - PO Box 27662 - Albuquerque, NM 87125
Email: abgabet@fastmail.fm

Los Angeles ABCF - PO Box 11223 « Whittier, CA 90603
Email: la@abcf.net

New Jersey ABCF - PO Box 2350 - Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Email: bkemess @afsc.org

New York City ABGF - PO Box 110034 - Brooklyn, NY 11211
Email: nycabc@riseup.net

Philadelphia ABCF + PO Box 42129 - Philadelphia, PA 19101
Email: timabef@aol.com

South Brooklyn ABCF - PO Box 132 - Brooklyn, NY 11218
Email: sbrooklynabef @riseup.net

See the ABCF homepage for new groups and
updates: www.abcf.net
16 represent can not be overlooked. Supporting PP/POWs not only

ulfls a sorely neglected responsibility of our movements, but if
done in the principled manner most prisoners will rightfully insist
upon, it also teaches us the reliability, discipline and accountabil-
ity necessary in our own characters to build a new revolutionary
movement. If you are an outside individual or group, and you
feel like you agree and and can offer this type of support to
PP/POWS, we encourage you to contact us. If you would like to
place a particular focus on supporting PP/POWS and would like
to begin supporting them, consider joining the ABCF. By doing
50 we will all benefit from the collective sharing of each others
ideas and experiences, and the expression of those experiences
in each of our local collectives work. This local work can then fit
into the entire ABGF's struggle to build a federation and new
social movement to not only free PP/POWs, but to effect the
changes needed to create a new society. We hope you find this
information useful, and please feel free to contact us with your
comments or suggestions to improve it.

U.S. ABCs remained totally
autonomous and therefore we
never really able to unify and
grow collectively. As a result,
we feel it stagnated, became
isolated and ineffective, offer-
ing virtually no organized sup-
port to PP/POWs.

PREPARING TO SUPPORT PP/POWs

Itis necessary to have sufficient knowledge of the prisoners
you will be supporting. Not only who they are, but specifically
what they went to prison for, and how those actions were an
extension of the political movements they are a part of. O, if the
prisoner was framed to remove them from their participation in
the outside struggle, what political work they did, and evidence
to indicate they were framed. If you contact, or are contacted by
a prisoner who you believe is a PP or POW, or claims to be one,
it is ABCF policy to request documentation from them. This doc-
umentation must indicate that the prisoners incarceration meets
the definitions listed in the first section. Documentation is essen-
tial before a support relationship can begin. It will enable sup-
porters to be familiar with those they support, and to present
their cases to others while trying to build further support. We
need to be able answer the questions, “Why do you support
them?" or “Why should 1" Itis also ABCF policy to never print
the name of a prisoner as a PP/POW unless one of our offices
has received such documentation from the prisoner, or another
supporter. When requesting documentation, suggest the follow-
ing 4 acceptable forms:

1. Newspaper articles of the prisoners court case that reflect the
polical nature of the charges they were originally sent to prison on.
2. Government documents the prisoner has obtained through
the Freedom of Information Act that reflect the political nature of
the case they were sent to prison on.

3. Validation from an outside revolutionary organization that the
prisoner was of is a part of, or who was aware of the prisoners
activity. This validation must reflect that the charges the prisoner
was sent to prison on had explicit and conscious political ends,
or that the prisoner participated in political and revolutionary
activity, and was framed as a result of that activity. If they were
framed, we must also receive some kind of indication of prose-
cutorial misconduct.

4. Referral from another PP/POW that can provide documenta-
tion of their own case. PP/POW referring other prisoners must
be aware and able to provide sufficient facts about the political
actions and nature of the referrals case.

5
6 These four are not the only acceptable forms of documentation.

They are simply suggestions that can easily be provided by
PP/POWs in most cases. In general, it is necessary that offered
documentation must be something other than a prisoners word,
it must be some kind of impartial factual report.

Further, the ABCF recognizes the subjectivity that may arise in
evaluating prisoners. Our collective judgement will be based on

the prisoners overall personalipolitical history and accountability
in actions. (On the streets and once in prison.)

Finally, there has been much debate on the issue of the ABCF
and the support of Earth Liberation (EL) and Animal Liberation
(AL) political prisoners. The Federation, as a whole, has histori-
cally refrained from formally supporting EL and AL prisoners,
allowing each chapter to provide support if they so choose. In
recent years, the Federation has chosen to revisit this stance
and has expanded its’ support for EL and AL prisoners whose
action have expanded to the larger social focus.

The criteria for support of Animal Liberation or Earth Liberation
prisoners is that their aboveground work or communiqué(s) (for
actions they have pleaded to) must contextualize them as part of
the broader anarchist, socialist, anti-capitalist or anti-imperialist
struggles.

“Because the need seems so

[] orest some supporters teet

compelled to promise way

= | mors than they can do, which
only drives us crazy. Much bet -

ter to be limited, be focused,

be real, be consistent.”
- David Gilbert

SUPPORT IS A TWO WAY STREET: 15

“This piece could not be finished (and maybe it isn't anyway)
without stressing the fact that any principled support relationship
is a two way street. PP/POWs deserve the support their activi-
ties on the street and continued political activism once behind
bars has earned them. Supporters deserve the same type of
support that any principled support work they do has eamed
them. PPIPOW supporters should feel free to ask the prisoners
they support to help them in projects or events they are organiz-
ing. Statements from PP/POWs in support of the event, or proj-
ect- requesting the prisoner solicit further support from any of
their other supporters that you have no contact with etc. are
things the prisoner can do to help you. Your support relationship
may also develop into friendship in which you will not only be
able to discuss politics and leam politically from each other, but
also provide each other with a degree of personal support

Obviously there are many more things than are printed here
that you can do to help the prisoner and the prisoner may be
able to do to help you. As your relationship develops, the sub-
jective conditions that exist between you will better be able to
determine exactly what form the support wil take. But be care-
ful, we often hear that the only time “supporters” contact
PP/POWs is when they want some kind of statement from them.
This type of “support” is not a two way street. By the same
token, it has not been unheard of for PP/POWS to “use” their
supporters who too willingly offer “no-strings attached" support.

Support should not be unconditional, but the conditions that
your support work proceeds under should be based on princi-
ples that usually transcend the various political ideologies that
exist between the prisoners and their supporters. Should mutual
respect, honesty and a solid straightforwardness be attained
between you and the prisoner, you should find that a principled,
two way support relationship wil develop.

This is a simple guide to suggest practical and principled ways
to support Poliical Prisoners and Prisoners of War. The need for
this work is great, and the importance of developing a new revo-
lutionary strategy while tapping into the living history PPIPOWs
14 its without putting much energy into building a support relation-
ship and indeed a friendship. Often this is due to a visitors
romantic ideals about PP/POWS, which can be corrected in most
cases by putting energy into building a relationship first.

FOOD AND CLOTHING PACKAGES:

State prisoners may receive food and clothing packages. If
you can afford to and are able to bring a package with you on a
visit or send one in the mail, check with the prisoner for restric-
tions on what they can receive, and what they would prefer for
you to get. Because prisons usually have restrictions on the
‘amount of clothes or pounds of food prisoner can receive per
month, and at a time, never surprise a prisoner with a packages,
as it may conflict with packages they are expecting from some-
one else. Again, the prisoner may not receive frequent packages
and may tell you to bring them anytime you can, but until they
give you the freedom to do so, be principled, be considerate of
them and their conditions.

“We feel that PP/POWs deserve priority support of the.
very political movements they came from, helped and
continue to help build. We believe that for a movement to

progress and support social prisoners, while its own
PP/POWs are left with insufficient or in this case, virtual
no support, is unprincipled and politically wrong.”

CONTACTING PP/POW:

Contacting PP/POWS is often “hit or miss.” Some prisoners
answer all their correspondences regularly and are interested in
beginning new correspondences and further direct support.
Others may ot answer even repeated requests to begin a dia-
logue and a support relationship for whatever reason. One thing
is certain, if one does not write back, try another, because
someone, somewhere needs and would like to receive and
develop a principled support relationship.

Itis important to maintain a consistent mailing address. We
recommend obtaining a Post Office Box somewhere in the
neighborhood you live. A P.O. Box will remain a stable contact
point between you and PP/POWs even if you move or travel fre-
quently.

Once you have secured a reliable mailing address, there are
several things you might consider before writing. First, date all
your correspondences, and include a return address on the
envelope and your letter as the envelope is sometimes discard-
ed before the prisoner receives it. Always include a list of enclo-
sures when sending items with the letter. Different prisons
always have different restrictions on what can be sent in. If you
send something and do not list it in the letter, it may never be
seen again. If for some reason it is “unauthorized material,” hav-
ing it listed in your letter will offer a better chance of having it
returned to you and/or giving the prisoner the opportunity to
challenge its denial of acceptance.

‘Some PP/POWs receive a lot of mail and can not possibly
afford to answer it all. Do not send stamps as most prisons will
not allow prisoners to receive them, but in your first correspon-
dence ask if they can. Most prisoners are indigent, so in your
first correspondence, be considerate and include at least a $1 or
$2 postal money order. Most prisons will allow you to send only
postal money orders (available at any U.S. post office). Federal
prisons do allow you to send personal checks, but will take 15-
30 days to clear. So we suggest sending postal money orders.
Make the money order out to the prisoner with his/her prison ID
number. These funds will enable the prisoner to purchase
8 stamps to write back. Put your name on the “FROM” space pro-
vided so you can cash it in case the money order is returned to
you for some reason. Some state prisons in TX (and possibly
other mid-western states) will not allow you to send any funds
directly to prisoners. Prisoners in these prisons will have to send
you forms to fill out and include with the money order. Ask them
1o explain the detals.

Instead of simply volunteering your support or asking them a
broad question like “what kind of support do you need,” try to
suggest some things you think you can do to help. PPIPOWS for
the most part need all kinds of support. List resources you have
available, contacts you can offer, or talents you possess that
could be useful. This will help the both of you to more easily and
quickly discover the best kind of support you can offer, and they
need,

The ABCF tries to have all support given to PP/POWS be reli-
able, consistent and stable, some things you might keep in mind
before offering type of support, and then not being able to pro-
vide it in a short while. This is not to say PPIPOWs could not
use short term or one time support of one kind or another.
Whatever the case may be, itis very important to be honest and
up front about what you can, and are prepared to do. If you can
only offer some kind of support on a limited or inconsistent
basis, tell them. If it is a type of support they can depend on reg-
ularly, tell them. At all stages of support try to keep the following
quote by anti-imperialist PP David Gilbert in mind; “Because the
need seems so great, some supporters feel compelled to prom -
ise way more than they can do--which only drives us crazy.
Much better to be limited, be focused, be real, be consistent."

visitors list, (as far as we know, Pennsylvania is the only excep- 13
tion). You will go through a metal detector at any prison you visit.

In addition to this, many state prisons require you to be pat
searched. State prisons also often have much stricter dress

codes.

Confirm visiting days through the mail (or by phone if they call
you). Plan visits ahead of time and allow enough time to
reschedule a visitif your schedules confiict. Try to propose visit-
ing days at least two or three weeks ahead of time if you are
scheduling it through the mail. Work out all the details and ask
all questions with the prisoner through the mail (or by phone if
they call you). Ask about visiting days and hours, dress codes,
maximum number of visitors allowed per visit if you plan on
bringing other supporters, about getting photos of your visit, and
anything else you can think of.

You will not be allowed to visit without presenting valid
photo ID like a drivers license or county ID. Bring enough small
bills or change for the vending machines in the visiting room so
you and the prisoner can eat.

Upon entering, and often after leaving a visit with a PPIPOW,
supporters often feel a sense of depression or some kind of sor-
row for the prisoner. Visits often clearly illustrate to us that these
prisoners are not abstractions, or pieces of history that we read
about in books, but living beings surviving in the indeed virtual
hell of the United States Prison System. However these feelings
often come from subjectiveness and it is important to keep the
objective in mind. As Puerto Rican POW Carmen Valentin
reminds us, “Though our imprisonment is surely form of tor-
ture, and at times very depressing for anyone to fathom, it is
vital for fellow revolutionaries on the streets to be mindiul that
enduring our imprisonment is our responsibility as revolutionar-
ies at this time. Our supporters responsibilty s to build a move-
ment strong enough to offer principled support, and eventually
free us. Any sad or depressing feelings of leaving us here after a
visit should be transformed into this reality.”

Several PPIPOWS have also expressed the feeling of some
visitors being like visitors at the 200 coming to see the PPIPOW
in their cage. This is likely to ocour when supporters jump to vis-
12

VISITING PP/POWs

If geographically possible, you may also consider visiting
PP/POWSs. Some prisoners enjoy visits more than others, some
prisoners receive frequent visits, while others receive few or
none. After you have established a relationship with a prisoner
and you decide to request a visit, here are some things that
could be helpful.

Restrictions and criteria for visiting Federal and State prisons
are different. Generally, it is easier to visit state prisoners.
Visiting conditions are usually better at Federal prisons. Listed
below are some of the different guidelines for visiting
Federal/State prisoners, and some guidelines useful to visit any
prisoner. Because prisons often have restrictions on how many
visits prisoners may receive per month, avoid surprising prison-
ers with visits as it may conflict with visits they are already
expecting. Also, if arranging visils by mail, try to be specific
about the day you will visit. By being vague and saying you'l
visit “some time that week”, you may tie up the prisoners whole
week if someone else wants to visit them the same week. If two
people visit on the same day, one of you will have to be tumed
away at the front desk. Prisons so rarely bend any rules, espe-
cially for PP/POWs, that we might as well say they never do.
Prisoners who receive very few visits may tell you to visit any
time. But until they give you the freedom to do so, be principled,
be considerate.

To visit Federal prisoners, you must first be approved by filing
out a form that the prisoner must send you in advance. In most
federal prisons only people who say they had a relationship to a
federal prisoner prior to their imprisonment are likely to be
approved. They will ask you to describe the relationship you had
and where it began. Usually, the prison will not approve people
who say they visit other prisoners. Once you complete and mail
the form to the prisoners counselor (the address will be provided
on the visiting form sent to you be the prisoner), the prisoner will
tell you if you have been approved or denied. In any case, each
prisoner can tell you specifics of the prison they are held in

State prisons do not require you to be placed on an approved

BEGINNING TO SUPPORT PP/POWs

Once correspondence has been established and you have
sufficient knowledge and documentation of the prisoners, princi-
pled support should be safe to commence. One of the most diffi-
cult realities of being in prison is having to become dependent
on others for almost every aspect of their continued political and
personal life (especially when you consider the reason they are
in prison is for struggling for independence.) No matter what
type of support you offer, from copying documents, to sending
books or magazines, to completing a job for the, it is important
1o keep on top of what you have committed to do and complete
itin a reasonable and timely basis.

‘Some popular ways ABCF groups support PPIPOWs is by
organizing benefits, printing and selling merchandise, printing
and distributing flyers and leaflets, all featuring the PPIPOWS we
support. This raises visibility and awareness about the prisoners,
who they are, the movements they came from and often
explains the very reasons why we do support work. When fund
raising is involved, ABCF groups also use these funds to either
financially support PPIPOWs or to support the work we are
engaged in.

However, it is necessary for supporters to contact the
PP/POWSs who this support work focuses on. It is irresponsible
and unaccountable for groups to start work on behalf of specific
PP/POWS without their knowledge. It is ABCF policy to first
receive sanction from the prisoners who will be featured in these
activities. We cannot proceed until we receive such sanction,
and if they do not offer it, we cannot proceed against their wish-
es.

If prisoners agree, it s also ABCF policy to describe our plans
in detail and ask for input and suggestions. Making sure
PP/POWs are a part of their own support is crucial. Sometimes
prisoners will give you the freedom to proceed without much of
their input. But even stil, it is ABCF policy to keep them updated
on our progress and make them aware of all final decisions
before we begin. Again, if funds are involved, details of what will
be done with the funds raised must also be discussed before

9
10 they are collected. Some prisoners will allow you to use all funds.
raised in your support work without sending them any portion.
But they must be given the right to offer the money that will be
raised in their name, for their commitments, and their sacrifices.
When producing merchandise to be sold, it is customary for the
AABCF to offer a 60% to the prisoner, 40% to the support group
split of the proceeds (funds raised after the cost.) For example,
the proceeds of a pamphlet that costs .25¢ to make sells for $2,
is $1.75. A 60%-40% split of $1.75 would be $1.05 (60%) to the
prisoner, and .70 (40%) to the supporters. These same guide-
lines should be used when producing merchandise for any politi-
cal organization.

“It is vital for fellow revolutionaries on the streets

to be mindful that enduring our imprisonment is
our responsibility as revolutionar -
ies at this time. Our supporters
responsibilities is to build a

movement strong enough to offer
principled support, and eventually
free us”. - Carmen Valentin

PHONE CONTACT "

After you get to know each other, and only if you can afford it,
you may consider asking the prisoner to call you. Just as the
mailing address, and every thing else involved in support work,
consistency is always a great advantage. Offer a reliable phone
number and suggest convenient times for them to call.

Connecting with the prisoner(s) you support by phone can
greatly reduce the time it takes to get things done. Having that
direct line of communication is more expedient than a dialogue
through mail. Details of support work can often be discusses
more easily through phone communication.

Different prisons have different restrictions on calls. Some
control unit prisons offer extremely limited phone time, and this
may prevent this form of connection from occurring. However,
some prisoners have better opportunities to use the phone and
may enjoy the chance to have a more direct form of communica-
tion with their supporters.

Conditions of phone usage vary from prison to prison. Some
are allowed only to make collect phone calls, others are required
to pay for all of their own calls. Some offer both. If a prisoner
can only make collect phone calls, seriously consider the cost
and let them know if it is a financial burden to you if they call too
frequently. Keep in mind that collect calling rates may fluctuate
greatly depending on the time of day/night they call. If prisoners
must pay for their own phone calls, remember that most prison-
ers are indigent and may not be able to afford the “luxury” of
making calls. In this case, consider sending the prisoner a
money order they can use to put on their phone account.