| Description | Track 1: Silence 0.13 mins
Track 2: Introduction by narrator. He explains the context for the interview material, recorded in various locations in Soledad Correctional Facility at an 'open house' for the press, 25 August 1970, organised because of political pressure on the prison authorities resulting from the publication of a document prepared by the Black Legislative Caucus focusing on prison conditions, the result of an investigation carried out at the request of the families of three black prisoners shot after a fight between black and white prisoners in the prison yard in January 1970 2.47 mins
Tracks 3-6: Interview with prisoners in the O wing of the prison. A prisoner, Marvin McIntyre, discusses the political posters he has on the walls of his cell, the provocation of racial tension in prison by the authorities and the intimidation of black prisoners, and the extent to which political campaign work can flourish in prison. He talks about the censorship of printed material and his attempts to educate himself. Another prisoner, Otis Tugelay, begins to talk about the poor health treatment he has received in prison, his political education and his views about the widespread racism in American society and institutions
Tracks 7-10: Interview with a white prisoner in Soledad prison. He discusses the formation and activities of groups of black prisoners in Soledad and his view that white prisoners have lost privileges and are discriminated against by prison officials. Other prisoners join the conversation and express their opinion that there ought to be racial segregation in the prison. These views are contradicted by another interviewee who thinks that there is extensive racial prejudice in the prison and that the only race is the human race. He talks about being called a hippy for his views and thinks that there needs to be a change in attitudes in society before things will improve in prison. Further prisoners join the conversation to express their opinion that the conditions in the prison on the press 'open day' have been cleaned up and improved for the occasion, and that the prison officers exacerbate racial tensions
Tracks 11-13: Interview with prisoners in the wood products factory. A prisoner discusses the allocation of different jobs to specific prisoners, the lack of training that black and Mexican prisoners receive, and their treatment by prison officers, and his belief that political leaders are not interested in conditions in Soledad prison. Another prisoner begins to talk about his experiences in Soledad prison, his view that both black and white prisoners are treated badly and are given limited work and educational opportunities, and his experiences of violence by prison officials against individual prisoners
Tracks 14-15: Interview with prisoners in the printing shop. One prisoner talks about the censorship of KPFA radio broadcasts in the prison and the heavy repression of prisoners in general. Another prisoner discusses the differences in the treatment of prisoners during the open day and the relative lack of harassment, his resentment of petty rules and the parole board
Tracks 16-19: Interview with prisoners in the exercise yard. A prisoner discusses his reasons for lifting weights, the pressures he feels he is under, the existence of tensions between black and white prisoners, and between inmates and staff, and the poor food and medical conditions at Soledad. Another prisoner discusses the poor medical treatment and unhygenic catering facilities and poor food in more detail. He goes on to describe the punishment of inmates for petty breaches of rules, and the high levels of suicides at the prison.
Tracks 20-22: The interviewer raises the issue of the treatment of prisoners by prison guards and questions a prison official about this issue. The prison official describes the training process that new recruits go through, and addresses the issue of allegations that prison officers agitate racial tensions between different groups. He also talks about the events surrounding the shooting of a prison officer in January 1970.
Total: 1.00.59 mins
Dubber's reference number: PLA KF571E0012980 |