Shane Punished for Prison Blogging (by Shane)

Shane - Denied psychiatric medication by ValueOptions, Shane turned to illegal drugs financed by burglaries. For stealing a few hundred dollars worth of goods, he was sentenced to eleven years. Shane is the author of the blog Persevering Prison Pages. 

Sorry it took so long to write. Arizona Department of Corrections (ADOC) is coming down hard on me because of my blogging.  I’ve been moved around a lot. From Eagle Point to Barchey to Buckley to Stiner detention to Rast Unit. I suspect I’ll be here until Nov 15^th, my release. Despite all of the disciplinary sanctions, moves and lack of blogging, I’m OK. 

The blogs that upset ADOC are the ones about former Senate President Russell Pearce’s son, Josh Pearce and the one about the murder of Shannon Palmer.  

Josh Pearce ended up at Eagle point. I asked him questions and showed him the blog about his dad. Shortly after that, a CO4 warned me about blogging inmates. A few weeks later, the same CO4 accused me of dealing/financing drugs, and I was moved to Barchy Unit. 

Around the same time, I blogged the murder of Shannon Palmer and did an interview with the Phoenix New times for their article. Every disciplinary ticket I received I was found guilty, and given maximum punishment by the Disciplinary Captain. For the drug paraphernalia ticket, an inmate claimed possession and stated he committed the violation, yet I was still found guilty with maximum punishment. 

ADOC can do whatever they want, I will be blogging soon. It is a violation of my freedom of speech for them to try and stop me like this.

Shane’s original blog about Shannon Palmer, a prisoner Shane was helping get his story out until his cellmate murdered him by slashing his throat and castrating him: 

Another Unfortunate Death

  
This week I learned that a mentally ill inmate who left Eagle Point Unit a couple of weeks ago was murdered while in a lock-down detention unit.

I knew the guy. Sharing first names, we had spoken on occasion. Shannon Palmer appeared to be a normal, polite person. Somewhat stand-offish, but harmless.

One day Shannon asked me if I would help him get his story out to the public. I agreed to listen and sat in my cell with him for nearly two hours as he told me his entire story, which he also told me he had written down and kept in his cell.

It was an extremely far-fetched conspiracy, which he told me I'd think it was. It involved the MCSO, Center for Missing and Exploited Children, CIA, US Military Black ops, and various other agencies who were after him. Men in suits of shimmering armor that cloak a person making them invisible. He believed these invisible assassins had been following him and were waiting outside the prison fence to kill him. He also believed he had been given an implant in his thigh by the CIA.

A couple of weeks ago he was just removed off of the yard here. Rumor has it that he was moved to detention for a "Psych Watch".

Based on news reports, and comments I heard from brown & orange shirts, Shannon's cellmate (another guy I know from Tucson's Manzanita Unit) cut his throat and castrated him.

I don't know exactly what happened, but I do know that there are multiple things that trouble me about this.

Shannon Palmer seemed severely paranoid and delusional. He needed psych help. He was put in detention, which is generally used for discipline or protection. He was put in a lock-down cell with another prisoner. He DIED! A horrible death...

Is ADOC so over-crowded and under-staffed that severely mentally ill prisoners aren't receiving adequate mental health care, protection from other prisoners and themselves, and simply ignored until blood is spilled?

I'm fairly certain Shannon Palmer was a minimum security inmate. I also suspect that his cellmate was not. Why did Mr. Palmer have a cellmate, let alone a higher security one?

How did he get his throat cut in a lock-down unit that doesn't allow shaving razors to be possessed by prisoners and is supposed to be a highly secure unit?

These are all questions that should be asked. Who will investigate this preventable murder?  

Shane’s original blog about corrupt Senate President Russell Pearce’s background and sinister links to the prison-industrial complex:

Arizona Senator Russell Pearce 

Born June 23, 1947, Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce represents District 18, which covers most of Western and Central Mesa, and a small portion of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Previously, this Republican lawmaker also served in the Arizona House of Representatives, and is widely known for sponsoring legislation seeking to stop illegal immigration. Senator Pearce favors a strong border security policy. In January 2011, Sen. Pearce became the President of the Arizona State Senate.

Pearce grew up in a troubled and impoverished home. His father was an alcoholic. At times he would come home from school and find that the neighbors had left groceries for his family. However, his mother would always put the food aside, not accepting charity.

Initially, Pearce wanted to attend medical school, but his family wasn't able to afford it. Russell Pearce joined the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department. In time he became a highly decorated peace officer and even received the Medal of Valor for his 35 years of service. Pearce rose to the level of Second in Command, Chief Deputy Sheriff, under Joe Arpaio. Interestingly, Pearce claims credit for one of the most publicized and controversial actions of MCSO, under Arpaio's cruel reign, that of housing jail inmates in military-type tents. During his tenure with MCSO, Pearce investigated many violent crimes and was also the victim of a violent crime when he was shot in the chest while on duty. In 1994, Russell Pearce was appointed to the position of Director of the State Highway Safety Department.

In 1995, Pearce became the Director of the Arizona Motor Vehical Division. Two notable accomplishments he had as such were: 1) Bringing in IBM to create the first version of servicearizona.com, on online resource for Arizona citizens to update the MVD info and 2) Pearce enrolled Arizona in the then optional National Drivers Registry program, making collection of Social Security numbers for driver's licenses mandatory at the state level to comply with the federal program. According to Chris Moesor of the Arizona Republic, in his August 21, 1999 article, Russell Pearce was discharged from that position in 1999 after an investigation revealed he had been complicit in tampering with state driving records.

Russell Pearce is an advocate for the following positions:

1. Smaller and more efficient government
2. Using ID cards that link to Social Security numbers
3. Eliminating abuse of eminent domain
4. Tightening border security
5. Supporter of 2nd amendment in the context of US gun rights
6. Supporting private property rights
7. Improving education and discipline
8. Supporting Boy Scouts of America in their moral leadership goals
9. Supports traditional family values
10. Promoting pro-life views
11. Amending the Citizenship Clause of the 14th amendment to limit who can a citizen by birth on US soil
12. Supporting the Taxpayers Bill of Rights
13. Against judicial activism
14. Improving transportation

Additionally, Russell Pearce was a lead sponsor of Arizona's Senate Bill 1070 (SB-1070), which attracted nationwide attention after the Obama administration challenged the law, resulting in a federal court ruling that most of the law was unconstitutional. Pearce told gathering activists, "when you talk about jihad, that is exactly what Obama has against America, specifically the State of Arizona" (Los Angeles Times, January 17, 2011). It's also important to note that Russell Pearce has been criticized for drafting SB-1070 as a way to provide income for private prisons by incarcerating illegal immigrants. Pearce was linked to the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) through a December 2009 meeting with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC. It was at this meeting that Pearce and ALEC members, including CCA officials, wrote the document that would later, almost word for word, become SB-1070 in Arizona. This according to National Public Radio (NPR), October 28, 2010.

Russell Pearce now lives in Mesa, Arizona with his wife Luann. He is the father of five children, Dodi, Sean, Colten, Justin and Joshua. In February 2011, Mesa police arrested Joshua Pearce on two outstanding warrants connected to probation violations and failure to appear in court. Joshua Pearce had previous run-ins with the law and was granted probation for DUI. Recently he was taken into custody again.

With Senator Russell Pearce's extensive background in Arizona law enforcement, history of supporting Arizona's ineffective and arguably detrimental sentencing and corrections statues, and his oppositional stance on sentencing and corrections reform legislation in recent years, I'm curious to see whether his son receives the same treatment by the powers that be in his criminal justice travels or if Joshua will avoid the same "justice" the rest of us get and which his father supports, because of his father. I'm even more curious to know whether the recent changes in DUI laws in AZ got Senator Pearce's vote of approval. 

Click here for Shane's previous blog

Shaun Attwood

Question Time

Nav wrote: 

Hi, I've seen one of your talks in one of my citizenship lessons at school about your experience in jail. I just wanted to ask you if American prisons are different to U.K prisons, and in what way, and ask how people cope in there. If prison actually is as daunting as it seems, and if people come out more violent or if they look at life differently. I've got to say I admire the way you've blogged your experience and stayed strong! It’s really nice how you've visited schools and shared your stories too. 

My response: 

Thanks for the questions. All prisons are different, but most are daunting. I have blogged the UK prison experience from the perspective of a young man, Chris: 

http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/going-to-prison-by-chris-chris-is-young.html 

http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/prison-food-by-chris-chris-is-young.html 

And a woman, Andrea:

http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.co.uk/2008/10/09-oct-08-women-in-prison-from-andrea.html 

I'd say the major difference is that in the US the prisons are run by gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood and the Mexican Mafia divided by race. We are seeing some of that in the UK now, but not like in America. There seems to be more education and rehabilitation in the UK, whereas in America the emphasis is on punishment.

Some people come out of prison more violent. They join gangs. Violence and injecting drugs become a way of life. Some prisoners use the time wisely. They educate themselves and do good when they come out.

People have different ways of coping. For me, I read, did yoga, meditated, worked-out and wrote. Religion plays a big part for many people, such as T-Bone who turned to Christianity. 

Click here for the previous Question Time 

Shaun Attwood

Dawn of a New Adventure (Part 12)

With my schools talks tapering off for exam time, I’m making fast progress on my third book, Prison Time, which picks up where Hard Time left off, and features my unforgettable friends such as Frankie, Two Tonys, Xena, T-Bone… I’m drawing on the blog, letters, memory and input from prisoners. I’m using stuff I wrote that I couldn’t post while in prison that range from fights to details of Frankie’s sex life. 

The prequel to Hard Time, Party Time, is going to be published by Mainstream Publishing (Random House). It’s slated for spring 2013 in the UK, not Christmas like I earlier thought.

Webpage for Party Time

Facebook page for Party Time

If I finish Prison Time before the end of 2012, I can submit it for publication for Christmas 2013, thus completing the English Shaun Trilogy.

I’m also working on T-Bone’s life story, and I’m going to explore my parents’ attic for the draft of Two Tonys’ life story that he dictated to me in his cell.

I did my first talk to Rotarians at the Rotary Club of Sutton Nonsuch, Chipstead Golf Club, Coulsdon, where there was much ringing of bells and toasting Queen Elizabeth. I had an excellent veggie dinner with business gentlemen who help the community, and told them my story. It was all quite Masonic. I now know the secret handshake to get out of police trouble, and if that doesn’t work what to say to the judge, “Is there no help for the widow’s son?”

Thanks to the heat, I’ve discovered a correlation between the amount of words I write and my consumption of Nobbly Bobbly ice-lollies. My Polish dentist won’t be pleased.

The trick to not damaging your keyboard while typing furiously with a Nobbly Bobbly stuck in your gob is to lean backwards slightly, so the hundreds and thousands that the Nobbly sheds don’t get jammed in the tiny gaps at the sides of the keys.

This Saturday, I’m signing copies of Hard Time at the O2 Centre Waterstones, London from 2pm onwards. Click for further info.

Click here for Dawn of a New Adventure (Part 11)

Shaun Attwood

Online Article

Russell Brand, Shaun Attwood, talking drugs to Stoke Newington students

Question Time

A student emailed: 

I would like to ask you questions on your time in prison and how drugs got you there. In your DVD, it says that you were sent to prison for talking on the phone to someone about drugs. Is that 100% true?  Another thing, you said you went to prison and some of your bouncers went to the same one. What happened to them? You said you didn’t need their protection later on because you had people from the Mafia and others protecting you. Did your bouncers have a hard time or do bouncers immediately go straight up the prison ranks? You said you wrote your blog on a wall. How did you get it put onto paper without anyone knowing? My dad was in prison, and as soon as he went in he was in the higher ranks, and no one said anything to him. He said there were a couple of people trying to steal his back, but he sorted it by giving them turbo laxative and clean-filming the toilets. He had a couple of fights, but not like the violence you describe at the jail.

My school hasn’t watched your DVD yet, but I saw it when I was in inclusion because the ‘drugs and prison’ tittle caught my eye. I really enjoyed watching your DVD, and I’m ashamed to say that I have smoked drugs in the past, but now I’m completely clean. Thank you for bringing the video out to schools, and I’m now going to buy your book. 

My response:

I was convicted of talking about drugs on the phone. By the time they caught up with me, I had stopped the Ecstasy business. They didn’t have much evidence of the bigger deals, but I broke numerous drug laws over the years, so it was time to pay the price for my life of crime. Sooner or later it catches up with you.

For the first year of my incarceration, there were lots of people in Arpaio’s jail who were arrested with me, including a best friend from my hometown, Wild Man, who the gangs respected for his fighting skills. He looked out for me, and we all looked out for each other. I was split from my codefendants after the first year, so then I had to rely on my people skills, Englishness, education… to avoid trouble. Writing blogs about other prisoners enabled me to make some powerful alliances, including with Two Tonys, a Mafia mass murderer, and the mighty T-Bone. 

Bouncers have better fighting skills than most people, which makes it easier for them to move up the prison ranks.  

I started the blog by writing with a tiny pencil sharpened on the wall and door of the cell. Parts of the door usually worked best. I wrote on paper that my aunt smuggled out of the jail. Click here for how this blog started or watch this video.

Click here for the previous Question Time

Shaun Attwood

Home

The sun finally came out in England. My bedroom feels like an Arizona jail cell. But without cockroaches, just occasional wasps. Insects are much friendlier here. Even the mosquitoes hardly bite. These days, I love “lights out” because I get a good night’s sleep with no guards shining flashlights in my face and prisoners arguing, snoring and singing Spanish love songs. No sound of water leaking from a shower shared by hundreds of men, its drains blocked up with pubic hair, and semen swirling around my feet in a puddle.

Shaun Attwood

New Pics

These were taken by the brilliant Libi Pedder after she read Hard Time. Libi works with many big names such as Keira Knighley as you can see at her website.

Shaun Attwood

Medical Issues (Part 12 by Lifer Renee)

Renee – Only a teenager, she received a 60-year sentence. Sixteen years later, Renee is writing from Perryville prison in Goodyear, Arizona, providing a rare and unique insight into a women's prison.

Around 1pm, I was called back to Medical, where officer G gave me the story, “I have to write the disciplinary ticket because if I don’t write you up I have to let others off.”

I just ignored him.

I was weighed and had my blood pressure taken.  I waited, thoroughly frustrated.

Finally, I entered the cramped doctor’s office.

“Well, we have your MRI results. C1 vertebrae…”  He continued in medical jargon I couldn’t understand all the way down to C7.

I looked at him, “Can you give it to me in layman’s terms?”

The doctor turned and looked me dead in the eyes, “Your neck is fucked up!”

My jaw dropped. “Really. What’s wrong?”

“You have bone spurs growing on your spine and two permeated disks.  I need to send you for a surgery consult to see what your options are, but for the pain you’re having down your arm and the thinning of your nerves, I want to make sure there’s no nerve damage.”

I signed a release form and again waited for another medical appointment.

The next day the disciplinary officer came into work and gave me a verbal warning for my ticket.  Thank goodness there were no sanctions.

Clickhere for Medical Issues Part 11 

Shaun Attwood

St. Catherine's (Bexleyheath) School Visit

Had a fantastic reception from the girls at St Catherine's today. After the bell went, they stayed for their entire break, asking questions. They also signed up for almost 100 autographed copies of Hard Time, almost breaking the record set at Maricourt Catholic High, Liverpool of 120 copies. My two brilliant readers below are Simi and Pelumi.

Shaun Attwood

T-Bone on Helping Strangers

Gang Mayhem in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Jail

The YouTube video is a call from a black inmate describing the present state of gang warfare in Arpaio's jail. The majority of the gangs, led by the Mexican Mafia controlled gang, have been instructed to kill any and all black inmates on sight, causing a two week lockdown of the jail to prevent mass murder.
The YouTube video was put out by Sheriff Joe Arpaio - the architect of one of the most gang-controlled and dangerous jails in America - in an attempt to take credit for saving the lives of the black inmates by ordering the lock-down. My question for Arpaio: how about running a safe humane jail where murder and mayhem and gang violence aren't going on in the first place?




Aryan Brotherhood murder video and book about the gangs in Arpaio's jail: http://shaunattwood.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=...

Jail survival tips: http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.com/2006/02/31-jan-06-fish-survival-guide-fis...

Jail survival guide: http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.com/2008/05/07-may-08-how-to-survive-sheriff-...

Shaun Attwood

Medical Issues (Part 11 by Lifer Renee)

Renee – Only a teenager, she received a 60-year sentence. Sixteen years later, Renee is writing from Perryville prison in Goodyear, Arizona, providing a rare and unique insight into a women's prison.

Weeks pass by before I went to Medical again. I knew the results had to be bad. The saying on the yard is, “If you get a test and they do not call you back in, your test is negative. If they call you in before you request to go to Medical, there is something wrong.”

Today was testing that theory.

My appointment was for 9am. I went to work, and busied myself with the tasks at hand. Planning for an upcoming new hire. Finishing the first of many distance manuals I will create over the course of this year. Needless to say not much was accomplished. I thought the world was going to end when they called me for Medical at 9am. I rushed to lock my computer and get to Medical.

When I arrived there was already a line of 10 individuals. I really did not feel like waiting in line. All of my antisocialism came out. I entered the medical office, and asked Officer G, “Is there any way I can wait until the doctor is ready? I’m working right over at Televerde.”

“No. Who are you?” he barked. “Go sit on the bench. We’ll call you when we’re ready.”

Great, I thought. A whole 24 hours to sit and worry.

I noticed the pill call nurse was there, and I did not have my cup, so I walked to Televerde, not even three doors down, and grabbed my cup. I was gone for 45 seconds maximum.

Officer G saw me and screamed my name. “You’re getting a ticket for being out of area!” he barked.

“What?”

“9:10am, you’re on report for being out of area!” he yelled even louder.

I hadn’t said anything and he was shoving my ID at me.

“Go back to work and you’re on report at 9:10am for being out of area!”

I wanted to get to the pill call window and get back to work before I exploded on this officer.

One more time he yelled, “9:10 am, you’re on report…”

I cut him off.  “I got it, but I have to get my medication.”

“You’re on report…”

Under my breath, I muttered, “God help me”

I took my medication, and returned to work with a disciplinary ticket.

Click here for Medical Issues Part 10

Shaun Attwood

Meeting Zen

After the talk at Stoke Newington School with Mum, I met Zen in London. Long-term readers of Jon's Jail Journal may be familiar with Zen. He has been reading this blog since its inception 8 years ago, and posting regular comments. I found his profound advice inspirational while incarcerated.

With Mum and Zen at Indian Veg Bhelpoori House, London

 
 Shaun Attwood

Stoke Newington School Visit

After Mum's emotional talk and the Q&A, students rushed to the front to hug Mum. Never have I shook so many hands at a school.

At Stoke Newington School

 

Shaun Attwood

My Mum Cries at School's Talk

About once a year, my mum speaks at one of my talks. The video is at Stoke Newington School to almost 300 students. Some of the students started crying, and dozens gave my mum a hug at the end.

Shaun Attwood

World Book Night Guildford

About 150 people braved the rain to attend World Book Night at Guildford Library. Almost 30 Surrey authors were present, answering questions from the public. I met lots of interesting people, and the atmosphere was great. The hours flew by as I told jail stories, and answered questions such as why I started writing and how I managed to get published. One lady said she could see an aura around me, and asked if I did yoga and meditation. I answered yes, but the aura's probably just the gleam off my head. A big thank you to Kay Hadwick, Senior Team Officer at Surrey Libraries and all of the library staff for organizing such a successful event, and for working way past their bedtimes.  

With author, Felix Riley

Surrey Authors

 

Shaun Attwood

King Edward's School Visit (Witley, Godalming)

With Gemma and Nathan

Shaun Attwood

Question Time

Mark Jago finished Hard Time, and emailed these questions.

How was prison after jail?

Although the prison conditions weren’t as extreme as in Arpaio’s jail, I still experienced plenty of ups and downs. I made friends with some interesting people – Two Tonys, Xena, T-Bone… – all main characters in Prison Time, the sequel to Hard time, the third book in the English Shaun Trilogy, which I hope to finish by year end.

What did you do after prison?

I spent the first year at my parents, readjusting to society. After that, I moved down south. Speaking and writing have become my full-time job.

Are you still in touch with any of the old crew? cellys? friends? family? loves?

Yes, quite a lot of them. They’ve been helping with the books, contributing to their parts.

What of your crusade for justice in the corrupt American system? or was it just the whining of someone in a bad spot and instantly forgotten once you were out of Dodge? Did you contact Congress? President Obama? Are you still campaigning with Human rights organisations?

The blog continues to expose injustice. Prisoners send me letters and I post them to Jon’s Jail Journal. The publication of Hard Time in the US is bringing the corruption to a wider audience. I get emails from outraged Americans who’ve read Hard Time. I’m working with Mike Stauffer, the politician running against Arpaio at the next election, to get Arpaio booted out. My Mum sent Hard Time to Obama and Oprah with a letter about the human rights abuses. I work with various organisations that help prisoners, including the Koestler Trust and Prisoners Abroad. Some of the proceeds from Hard Time went to them. I do regular interviews, speaking out about the conditions in Arpaio’s jail system. I’m sharing my story with tens of thousands of students yearly in the hope they won’t make the same mistakes I did. Every week, I get emails from students with positive feedback.

How have your experiences changed your outlook on life? Are you bitter? Forgiving? More or less optimistic for humanity?

It changed me completely, forever. It changed my value system, and sent my life in a whole new positive direction. I’m not a bitter person, nor do I blame anyone other than myself for my incarceration. Because of jail, I wake up with a smile on my face, knowing I’m free and in the west where we have it so good. I take full responsibility for everything I’ve ever done in my life. There's good and bad in most things, but I try to see the good in humanity.

Do you believe the system can be changed by you or me? or will those with power always use it to their advantage with complete disregard for low net worth individuals who, after all, are just flies on dog shit?

People in power have always used the masses to their advantage, but there are times when the unified masses can make changes and topple the people in power. There are many good people working to make changes in the system. From time to time, changes are made, like the closure of the maximum security Madison Street jail. But it’s a never-ending battle.

What are you up to these days? (note: my choice of words is deliberately ambiguous)

Resting with two broken fingers and bruised ribs from karate. I need to work on my blocking skills! I’m immersed in two major writing projects, Prison Time, and the life story of my friend T-Bone, a former Marine who used his fighting skills to prevent rape in prison. He served over 20 years and was released recently.

Claudia? (I was almost hopeful at the end there (in court) that you and she might get back together again? What became of her? Is she OK?)

She’s fine. She’s in the next book to be published, Party Time. Click her for an update on Claudia.

Wild Man?

Wild Man got married last year, and has calmed down a lot. His wife has worked wonders.

Your parents/sister?

My mum, dad and sister are fine. They’re happy that I’ve turned a negative into a positive, especially the talks to young people. My mum has talked at a few schools with me. Video 1. Video 2. My sister is pregnant with her second baby in two years.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio?

Up for re-election this year, Arpaio has moved further to the right politically. Accused of racial profiling, he’s more famous than ever in America, and at war with Obama. The abuses continue in his jail system, and I recently posted a video of his guards murdering an inmate.



Here's more of Mark's email:

You signed a copy of your book for my wife : "To Mark Happy Christmas 2011!" in a Guildford book shop. Remember?

You also gave her your business cards and said I should write and let you know what I thought of it.

So here goes ...

When anyone is asked for their opinion the temptation is to opinionate about EVERYTHING.

Like a monkey in a cage waiting for someone to take an interest, so he can fling all his saved up poo.

If you would like my views on everything I will be happy to tell you (let me know).

However, for now, I will try to stick to the point.

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS and thankyou for AN INTERESTING BOOK. It was very claustrophobic and quite nerve racking.

HOWEVER, if there is one major criticism I must level it is that ... IT IS UNFINISHED.

A book is a work of art (infact so is everything we do in life).

There I was getting more and more emotionally invloved with all the characters (not to mention the politics of the justice system) and suddenly it stops !!!

Maybe I could find out more by doing an internet search; but I don't expect to have to do this after reading a book.

I think (just my opinion only) that a final page is required.

I need closure. I want to know what happened next.

The road goes ever ever on and I know one has to stop somewhere, sometime. I just feel this book ended too abruptly, with far too many lose ends. And for that (and no other reason) left me with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

I hope to hear from you maybe?

If not, no big deal. I know we all have busy lives.

I did my part, for what it's worth.

Wishing you good luck and a happy life Mr Attwood !

Mark Jago


From my response:

Mark,

Thanks for taking the time to email so much. I'm working on the answers to all of your questions.

I'm glad that you found HT to beAN INTERESTING BOOK. It was very claustrophobic and quite nerve racking. The maximum security Madison St jail was shut down 2 years after I started the blog, but Sheriff Joe just opened a new high tech house of horrors down the street, and he is the boss of 6 jails in his system, so this stuff is still going on.

Here's a video of an Aryan Brother murdering another inmate at the jail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba_vGzkcdHQ

Here's a video of guards murdering an inmate at the jail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=K9PJE2wx2tA

That you were left wanting more at the end of Hard Time was intentional. My life story is coming out as 3 books. Party Time, the prequel to Hard Time, will be published in late 2012. The sequel, Prison Time, will cover the time after Hard Time in the state penitentiary, and my return home.

If you want to read some of what happened in the prison system after Hard Time, here’s a link to some of the best stories at my blog:

http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.com/2008/07/11-jul-08-meet-prisoners-this-morning-i.html

Here are some blogs about my release:

2007 in England shortly after my release
My release December 2007 part 1
My release December 2007 part 2

Facebook page for Party Time: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Party-Time-Shaun-Attwood/211408465606796?sk=wall
  
All the best from Guildford!

Shaun Attwood

BBC Radio Interview

BBC Radio Surrey is interviewing myself and Chris Tappin, the British businessman accused of selling bomb parts. Charged with arms dealing, Chris was extradicted to Texas. Today, he was freed from a county remand jail on $50,000 bail. The BBC want my perspective on what it's like in a US county remand jail.

Click this link to listen to the interview: http://audioboo.fm/boos/774523-shaun-attwood-from-guildford-was-jailed-in-one-of-the-most-notorious-prisons-in-the-us-for-drug-dealing-and-money-laundering-hear-his-story

Sunday Mirror article about my jail experience

Shaun Attwood

From Long Island (Letter 1)

Long Island - Promising young cellmate I taught to trade the financial markets. Released on the 11th of December '05 and rearrested February ’08. Alleged to have committed forgery and hit an officer with a car. Recently sentenced, he’s writing from Buckeye prison.

How are you? Sorry it’s taken so long to write. I honestly didn’t expect to be unsentenced for so long. I get out next month on the 22^nd. I must say, not a damn thing has changed. Same people, same food, different prison, but the yard is identical to the one we shared. It makes it strange being here sometimes.

I was assigned to the Special Projects Crew last month. Trust me it sounds much more glamorous than it is. Last time we worked we were pulling weeds in the perimeter between the outside fences. I think we’re going to start painting the buildings next. It keeps me busy.

We had a really warm winter. By the end of Feb it was already in the 80’s. Ridiculous. However, I think I’m going to enjoy my first summer out of county jail in 4 years. I can’t believe I held out for so long. At least I won’t have to spend the summer in here. Hopefully, I’ll be going from an air-conditioned can to an air-conditioned work place.

Speaking of work. They lowered the unemployment rate from 9% to 8.6% last week. They said it added approximately 250,000 more jobs nationwide. I don’t know how many Arizona got. That’s one thing that scares the hell out of me about getting out. They say the economy is still horrible.

I know this might sound odd from someone sitting in prison, but I’ve had a great deal of good fortune bestowed upon me in the last year. The plea bargain being the greatest, but then landing here. I’ve had no problems at all, and have been embraced by a really good group of guys in the pod. Jobs are scarce, yet I got one of the best on the yard. Then there’s all of the little things that happen everyday that prove to me how blessed I am. Unfortunately, I live with this looming feeling of dread that something bad is coming.

From the information I’ve gathered from people that knew TwoTonys, it seems that I missed his death by over a year. I’d like to think he’s in a better place, but you know as well as I that he lived a brutal life with others on the losing end more often than not.

My mom and sister found an apartment in central Phoenix for me to move directly into when I get out. Mom’s offered to take care of the bills for a couple of months until I get on my feet. My family is investing a lot in me this time and I’m going to run with it. I think that if I can just get a job as the economy gets back to normal, I’ll be able to do better and better.

I made a great discovery last week at rec. There’s a guy in the other pod that gets Barron’s, and has back issues from Dec on. He got out of the Marines with a little money, and trades from in here with the help of his sister. He’s smart and a refreshing break from the usual conversation. 

If you write back please send your e-mail address, and I’ll write as soon as I get out. Hopefully this letter makes it to you. I’m looking forward to hearing your latest successes. If you have any questions or need any information about how it is in here now, let me know, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Take good care my friend.

L&R

Long Island

Click here for Long Island’s previous blog

Shaun Attwood   

Guildford Library World Book Night Monday Apr 21st

This Monday I'm at Guildford library from 7.30pm to midnight with almost 30 authors from Surrey, meeting readers and answering questions. I’ve been paired up with Felix Riley, author of The Set Up, a tale of murder and mayhem set against the backdrop of the financial crash. Reading Felix’s novel, I was gripped by the pace and twists and turns. The event is free and all local people are welcome.

Click here for further info about World Book Night at Guildford library

Shaun Attwood

T-Bone Dreams of Talking to Students

Medical Issues (Part 10 by Lifer Renee)

Renee – Only a teenager, she received a 60-year sentence. Sixteen years later, Renee is writing from Perryville prison in Goodyear, Arizona, providing a rare and unique insight into a women's prison.

ADOC Medical and I are at a standstill with my earaches, headaches, sore throat…  They are still insisting it is allergies. I received two rounds of antibiotics finally, but I still have the same symptoms.

I’ve also been fighting with Medical about the severe pain in my neck, left shoulder and back. Finally, when I was one step away from beginning the grieving process, I was sent out for an MRI. The wait was slow. Sitting at the V-gate, a million thoughts rolled through my mind. Stripped out then searched before I was loaded up into the transportation van, I realised it’s been 17 years since I’ve been outside of the prison gates for anything.

For the MRI, I was to be transported to a doctor’s office in Mesa.  I do not even know where Mesa is. At the Northgate, the officers checked my face to ID one last time. The van pulled up to the front of a building. The officers got out of the van. It seemed as if all my senses were at their height. The officers returned from the building, loading guns, counting bullets. My mind had visions of a cheery B-rated prison movie. All you could do was laugh. The drive was approximately 50 minutes. I watched the cars, taking in all of the scenery as if it were something magical.

We finally arrived at the doctor’s office, and I realised there was no back door to enter. I had to step out of the van in orange prison clothes, belly chains, handcuffs and shackles in front of everyone as mothers pulled their children closer and people gawked with disguised looks on their faces.

Nice, I thought to myself.

I was shuffled to a small room, asked to fill out paperwork, and waited quietly.

Finally, they called my name. My first name: Renee. It took me a moment to digest this as I’m so used to being referred to by my last name. The technician extended his hand to shake mine. Again, I was startled as prison Medical staff would never do that. The technician advised the officers to remove the shackles and belly chains in order for me to have my MRI.

I was scared. I knew it was not going to hurt. I just knew something was wrong and I was about to find out. As the technician was telling me about the MRI, “You have to lay completely still, and if you need to come out squeeze the ball,” was all I heard. I continued to look at the officers standing so close to me and the MRI machine it was ridiculous.

The technician placed earplugs in my ears, headphone-type things on my head, and put me in the head restraint. My head was pounding wildly. They slowly slid me into the machine. The last thing I saw were the officers watching me. I listened to the beeps, blasts and whirling machine noises for God knows how long.

Periodically, the technician asked, “Rene, how are you doing? We’re almost done.”

Around the time I was about to freak out, the technician began to slide me out. My first sight was the officers. As soon as I was up and out, I was again placed in restraints. Emotionally, it was too much.  The technician was not permitted to give me any results. Again, the results had to be sent to ADOC for the prison doctor to give me them.

I was shuffled back to the small waiting room. As soon as everything was complete, they paraded me in front of the public again. I was loaded back into the van, and drove back to the prison. I returned to my room emotionally spent.  Again, I waited…

Click here for Medical Issues Part 9

Shaun Attwood

Prison Murder Video



Every now and then, someone asks me, "How do we know the gang violence and murder you describe is really going on in US prisons?" I always tell them to go to derickatt's YouTube channel, and look at the videos of gang members and guards murdering prisoners. This new video is one of the most sickening yet. Two White Power inmates are murdering a black inmate out of racial hatred.  

Tags: murder violence stab shank inmate prison gang "aryan brotherhood" kill racism "white power" "white supremist" Police Cops Crime Gore "shaun attwood" "jon's jail journal"

Illegal Everything (John Stossel)



This video shows how behaviour is being increasingly criminalised to benefit prosecutors, detectives, private prisons... Arizona just passed a law whereby anything posted to the internet deemed "offensive" can be criminally punished, a law that could even apply to someone posting a status update on Facebook.

Shaun Attwood

T-Bone on Kicking Cocaine



Click here to join the T-Bone Appreciation Society

Shaun Attwood  

Obama Gives Sheriff Joe a Federal Ultimatum (KTAR news)

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has stood up to an ultimatum handed down by the federal government.

According to a press release from his office, Arpaio was told by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Roy Austin of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division that his agency would be required to have an outside monitor in place or there would be no point to holding meetings concerning alleged racial profiling by MCSO.

The release stated that, generally, the use of an outside monitor of an agency such as MCSO would remove power from the elected sheriff and give control to a person or group selected by the federal government. Essentially, Arpaio claims that the use of an outside monitor would be tantamount to allowing the federal government to control the county's sheriff office and would nullify the will of the people of Maricopa County and Arpaio's elected office.

"I am the constitutionally and legitimately elected Sheriff and I absolutely refuse to surrender my responsibility to the federal government," said Arpaio in the release. "And so to the Obama administration, who is attempting to strong arm me into submission only for its political gain, I say, ‘This will not happen, not on my watch!'"

Sheriff's Deputy Director and Attorney Jack MacIntyre said that a federal monitor is an extreme idea and that the federal government has failed to produce any evidence that would show Arpaio's office committed racial profiling.

"We have never agreed to a monitor replacing the duly elected Sheriff," said MacIntyre in the release. "We have always been open to negotiating these issues raised by the DOJ, but never the appointment of a monitor."

Prison survival tips: http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.com/2006/02/31-jan-06-fish-survival-guide-fis... 

Jail survival guide: http://jonsjailjournal.blogspot.com/2008/05/07-may-08-how-to-survive-sheriff-...

Shaun Attwood

The Art of Forgiveness (Part 2)

In Feb, I mentioned an article by my friend, Charlie, an ex-prisoner who is an outreach worker in a UK prison called Wormwood Scrubs. Charlie has posted a second article with a focus on Sue Hanisch, an incredibly brave woman who lost her leg during an IRA bombing.

Here's the link: http://lifeafterhate.org/2012/03/the-art-of-forgiveness-part-2/

Shaun Attwood

Godalming College Visit

I ended the term at Godalming College, only 15 minutes from where I live. I did two talks for three days in a row, speaking to almost 1000 students. Now I've got two weeks off schools talks, I'm concentrating on writing T-Bone's life story. So far I've got 100 pages down, but need 200 more.

Kate and Max

Lucy

Kelvin

 Shaun Attwood