June/July - Midnight Express Books

CORCORAN SUN
June/July 2011
ISSN 2162-2779 (Print) ISSN 2162-2760 (Online)
Issue 61
GANGS...TIME...TEARS...AND REASONS.....
T O O U R R E A D E R S : "Bring in the Chickens"
By Danny Simonian
There was a poor farmer who lived with his wife in a small, oneroom shack. The wife's parents came to visit, and stayed...
giving the man no peace. It was crowded, stuffy, and
uncomfortable. Every day, the man would awaken to find his inlaws still there. There was a wise man in the village, and the
farmer decided it was time to go to him for advice. After the
farmer told his story to the wise man, he asked the farmer...
It's easy to do wrong, and come to prison. There are no 'men' in
prison, we are 'so-called' men. When we become a man, we learn to
stay away from drugs and alcohol, and stay out of prison... pick up a
lunch pail and go to work. When we learn to love others and to help
others, then we will become a man. We have been doing wrong for
so long that "wrong seems right." However, nothing will be right if it
is wrong. It is not what happens to us that matters, it is how we react
to it. Remember, much of our pain is self-chosen, and we have given
up the power of choice. We need to stop finding fault and look in the
mirror. Life seems to be hard, that's because we make it hard on
ourselves. Please! Let's examine our thoughts and attitudes, "as you
think, so shall you be." So, flush out all those tired old thoughts. Let
your thoughts be of faith, love, and goodness. God can soften the
hardest of gang member, if we let Him.
"Do you have chickens?"
"Yes." The farmer told him.
"Take all the chickens and put them in the house."
The farmer was confused, but did as the wise man told him. A
few days later, he came back.
"It's not working, they're still there!" He complained.
The wise man thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you have
goats."
MY STORY
"I hate cops, I can't stand cops!" This was said by a 7 year old boy
whose uncle had been killed by the police. His parents were already
in jail (since he was five). His stepfather was serving a 20 year term in
prison, and his mother a 7 year term; both for selling narcotics. He
was afraid they would die in there and never come home to him. He
was rotated from one place to another, along with his two small
sisters for the next 8 years. His aunt was a sort of surrogate mother,
and he worshipped his uncle. He remembered when his uncle found
his mother, who had overdosed on heroin. He told the boy to wait in
the next room. The youngster watched through a crack in the door as
his uncle lifted his mother from the chair, carried her into the shower
and turned it on full force. Then he began slapping her in the face and
body, forcing her back to consciousness. Overdose is very common
among drug users; the potency varies with different batches.
"Yes." Answered the farmer.
"Put the goats in the house also."
The farmer complied, and in a few days, returned.
"They're still there!"
The wise man thought, then spoke. "Do you have pigs?"
"Yes."
"Bring them in the house with the chickens and goats."
Frustrated, but willing to try anything, the man complied. In a
few days he was back.
"It's worse than ever! And, they're still there!"
The wise man thought, then nodded. "Take the chickens, goats,
and pigs and put them back out in the yard."
The boy used to deliver jars of narcotics to neighbors. Later, he
learned to run kilos of marijuana without being detected, wrapping
them up like presents. When he was 13 his teacher gave the class a
list of spelling words for them to learn. They were to be tested the
next day. He had learned the words but had forgotten his pencil. If he
did not have a pencil, he would not be allowed to take the test. Being
brought up on the streets, he was very impulsive and had a bad
temper. He lashed out at the teacher and struck her. When he was
expelled from school he never went back. His education ceased in the
sixth grade.
The man complied and returned the next day.
"Oh, thank you! It's so much better now! You really are a wise
man!"
Next time the lockdowns are too long, the food is too intolerable,
your cellie is too smelly, or your girlfriend is too ugly, bring the
chickens, goats and pigs in.
(Paraphrased from "Autobiography of a Yogi"
by Paramahanssa Yogananda)
( Continued on Page 7)
1
GOODBYE NATALIE Chapter Three
Alan Rassmussen managed a living by digging through garbage cans, peeking in
windows & following unfaithful spouses around. He'd thought that by becoming a
private investigator it would mean an upgrade in lifestyle from the two bit hustler
he used to be, but sometimes he wondered. He maintained a low rent Hollywood
office & picked up occasional work from his office partner, the attorney Burl
Barnes, although he hadn't made it in to the A-I Detective Agency for the past 6
months. He hadn't even met the new receptionist. Barnes said she a real looker
and dependable. He hoped the latter was true because he'd entrusted her with
some very valuable merchandise. $50.000.00 worth to be exact.
He eyed the stack of crisp cash on the table in front of him and his mind raced with
the possibilities of what the windfall profit might mean to his fledgling family. With
Christmas fast approaching he'd agonized over the thought of disappointment on
the faces of his kids when they'd run down the stairs on Christmas morning only to
discover a hodgepodge of dollar store reject toys. With the money he could afford
something special for his wife too, maybe once again see a light in her eyes after
all these years of hardship. The fact that he was selling out one client for another
was something he was going to have to square later. He wondered what the price
would be for his greed. But with $50.000, he figured he could split the pie in half
and still be Jake.
Jake. An old time term for things turnin' out alright. Sitting in tall cotton. Ironic
that Jake was also the name of the client he was screwing. Jake
Barnes. The nephew of his office partner. His real name was John,
but Burl and everybody always called him Jake cause things
always seemed to work out for him.
Jake had come to him a few months back and asked him to look
after a sealed envelope for him. Just a 9x12" manila envelope. But
Alan hadn't heard from him in weeks and he was certain he'd
have agreed to the deal. He looked around the lavish Beverly Hills
home that his most recent client owned. "Man, these actors got it
made" He thought to himself, "Actor, ha. I ain't seen this has been
in a movie in 10 years. He's selling out his tarnished fame for a
payday on a weekly TV series." Another irony, he was playing a
P.I. of some sort.
Alan's attention drifted to the TV star's photo gallery on display.
He focused on one striking picture of his deceased wife. Now, that
was a movie star. Beautiful, talented. sexy...what a tragedy.
Washed up dead near Catalina Island, boating accident. Alan
scoffed, boating accident. Even a two bit P.I. could see there was
more to that story than would ever see the light of day. But that
wasn't his business. He nervously glanced at his watch as his new
client entered the mahogany walled sitting room.
"I really should be going, she'll be there soon."The client poured a
drink, "Is she reliable?" Alan knew he meant discrete. "I was very
clear in my instructions. Don't talk to anyone, don't look in the package, and don’t
be followed."
The client swirled his crystal glass. "And you're certain she'll follow those
instructions to the letter?" Alan attempted a confident smile, "Absolutely!" He
hoped he wasn't over-selling it, afterall, he was going on Burl Barnes’ word that
the new girl could be counted on. The client seemed to be buying it though. Alan
thought, so who's the real actor here'?
"Go with him Jimmy, make sure everything's intact." Alan eyed the hired muscle.
Thick shoulders, no neck. no smile, no soul. The description, bonecrusher, came to
mind. He hoped the receptionist wouldn't be late.
As Fallon Dawn Ilunter drove the twisting L.A. streets to the appointed meeting
place, a barrage of thoughts flooded her imagination. She'd never met the A-1
Detector Agency boss, yet she had followed his instructions over the phone to the
letter. Well, she reasoned, he knew where the key to the office was, and the
location of the hidden safe & combination.
She eyed herself in the rearview mirror. "Get a grip girl, you been reading too
many mystery novels." Fallon Dawn shook it off. "This is a routine delivery. I'm the
logical deliverer cos I was the only one in the office, not a big deal." The self
consolations didn't completely settle her nerves.
As she wound the final turn to the top of the road that lead to the Griffith Park
Observatory, she recognized the building from an old James Dean movie. She
wondered, who was that girl in Rebel Without a Cause? No time for daydreams
now, there was only one other car in the parking lot and as she coasted to a stop a
man stepped from it & crossed to hers. She cracked the window.
The Price of Greed
"Fallon Dawn?" He was an imposing figure. "That's me." The stranger eyed her,
"You bring it?" Fallon Dawn hesitated. "How do I know who you are?" The stranger
cracked a crooked smile & pulled a business card from his pocket. "I'm glad you're
careful, anybody follow you? You talk to anyone?" The card read. Alan
Rassmussen. A-I Detective Agency. Fallon Dawn relaxed a bit. "Nope just like you
said, no calls, nobody followed. What's the safe combo?" The stranger locked eyes
with Fallon, again the smile, "38-22-36, what else?" Fallon Dawn relented & slid
the briefcase from under the seat through the window. The man sat it on the car
hood and dialed the case lock adroitly. He flipped it open and examined the
envelope. His next move made the hair on the base of her neck stand up. He
casually looked around then stepped back towards the driver's window. As he did
so, he reached his hand into his jacket lapel. Suddenly, car lights traced the trees
as a noisy carload of teens pulled into the lot. Fallon Dawn's danger senses were
exploding as she focused on the bulge in the man's jacket. She cranked the
ignition, threw the car in gear and floored the accelerator hard. As she sped away,
the briefcase flew off the hood. Maybe he was just reaching for a tip for her
trouble, maybe not. Better safe than sorry...and she felt anything but safe as she
skidded out of the park.
Back at the mansion the client tore open the envelope and checked the contents.
"It's a copy!" His eyes narrowed on Alan Rasmussen. "This is a photocopy, where's
the original?"
"That's what he gave me, that's all I got! He gave me the
envelope, told me to hold it, I never even opened it!"
Alan felt the hope of a nice Christmas and the 50k slipping
away. Maybe he could bargain for a reduced payment. The
guy 's loaded after-all. Maybe the wife would get a kick
out of an autographed photo of him and the Hollywood
bigwig. And maybe the kids could make do with a new
puppy from the shelter. He was sure that things could be
worked out.
When Fallon Dawn arrived at work the next morning, Burl
Barnes called her into his office. "I've got bad news Fallon,
my office partner, Alan Rassmusson, he's dead." Fallon
Dawn felt faint. "They found him early this morning,
suicide, carbon monoxide poisoning. I have to go i.d. the
body; you can take the day off."
Fallon Dawn was in shock, she couldn't speak. Barnes
stood and stared plaintively at a wall photo of himself and
another man grinning broadly at the camera. He shook his
head. "That poor, poor family." The floor was spinning
underneath Fallon Dawn's feet. "Mr. Barnes. That photo
you're looking at, is that Alan?" "Oh. I forgot; you never
met him, did you? Yes, that's him." Fallon Dawn's throat
got dry and it felt like her heart was stuck in it. Her head felt light and her
breathing was stilted. The man in the photograph was not the man she had given
the briefcase to.
Locked in his car on a lonely road that lead to now here, Alan Rassmussen had
finally learned the price fate charged for treachery and greed. Everything.
(To be continued)
For all exciting, uncensored episodes, go to:
www inmate.com/goodbye-natalie
©2008, Dbabb
P.O. Box 3311, Granada Hills, CA 91394
Best Pen Pal Ads Service Since 1996
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Icicle Bill is not by no means 'high-literary' stuff. It is pure
entertainment, which is what good fiction is supposed to be. Icicle
Bill flows from scene to scene smoothly and effortlessly, which
indicates the author maintained control over his material. Yet at
the same time, Babb allowed free reign to his imagination, which
is what invests the story with a subtle hallucinizer, one that makes
the reader keep reading.
All that being said, Icicle Bill is recommended reading. And it is
rumored that D. Razor Babb has another novel coming out soon Goodbye Natalie. If it's as delightful as Icicle Bill, it'll be worth
waiting for.
(This review first published by Ezines-Articles)
BOOK REVIEW
Icicle Bill
By D. Razor Babb
Reviewed by Christopher Zoukis
Icicle Bill is available for $14.95 plus $3.99 postage at MidnightExpressBooks.com,
Amazon.com and their book sellers as well as other book stores.
Of the many popularly identifiable
genres of literature - sci-fi, romance,
chick-lit, lad-lit, thriller - so-called
'prison writing' is perhaps the easiest to
define. Prison writing is written by
prisoners, and includes poetry, short stories, essays, book
reviews, interviews, op-eds, etc. And novels, of course.
Enter D. Razor Babb, a prisoner in Cocoran, California. Babb wrote
a novel. The novel is called Icicle Bill. And it's a humdinger of a
read. For Babb takes the reader on a loop roller coaster of a ride
revolving around the story's protagonist Icicle Bill, who lives just
over the ragged edge of sanity.
The story goes like this: on a twisted journey of love, lust, hate,
drugs, money and - ultimately - redemption, Bill moves from one
adventure to another like someone slowly descending Dante's
Inferno to the lowest level. Along the way, Bill encounters Molly
the midget, Tommy Two-Head, a number of gangbangers, an
outlaw biker dude, and an enigmatic woman whose tag is
Apollonia Steffanelli.
Apollonia Steffanelli turns out to be not a super-model, as her
name might indicate. Rather, she is the mother of Molly the
midget, who, as it turns out is not really a midget.
The story swirls into action in Los Angeles, where Bill suffers the
indignity of being carjacked by a shot-up Mexican gangbanger,
who goes by the moniker of Gangster G. Vamoosing is what
Gangster G has on his mind. G wants to get out of town. So he
instructs Bill to drive East toward Las Vegas. Gangster G never
gets to Vegas, succumbing to his wounds in the Nevada desert.
Which is where Tommy Two-Head becomes a member of Bill's
crazy crew. Together, Bill and Tommy Two-Head take off on a
mission of mercy - to warn Gangster G's sister, who conducts
business under the name of G Lu, that she might be in danger.
At this point, the story blasts off into the outer limits of NeverNever land, where the author displays his literary talents,
combining artistry, mysticism, and truth into an ethereal tale
shimmering in agitation. Which means you to have to read it to
believe it.
The elements of Icicle Bill coalesce into form when one realizes
that the novel is partially autobiographical. Granted, the story is
fictionalized. Yet there is no denying that in many respects the
author - Babb - is Bill. And vice versa - Bill is Babb. Which means
that the story reflects Babb's transformation from confused
criminal to something else. Just what that something else is, is
unclear right now. But whatever it is, it's something with a future.
GET YOUR OWN COPY NOW
FREE SHIPPING to inmates
Don’t wait for the next installment!!!!
Now you can have your own copy of
Icicle Bill and Goodbye Natalie!
GOODBYE NATALIE - $14.95
ICICLE BILL - $14.95
Send check or money order to:
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS BOOKS
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
http://MidnightExpressBooks.com
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Helping authors
publish books!
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Write or call for details:
Midnight Express Books
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870 210-3772
Thanks to all the supporters and
contributors who made this edition of THE
SUN possible. When you're done, please
pass it on to the next person. Your neighbor
down the tier or a loved one at home might
find something herein that could be of
benefit. Your letters & comments are much
appreciated and inspiring.
Keeping you in touch with the outside world and bringing you new
and innovative ideas. Prisonworld Magazine $4 or 12 stamps for a
single issue $20 or 50 stamps for 1 yr subscription. 1 yr
subscriptions ARE STILL available. Prisonworld Future Entrepreneur
Network - $2 or 6 F/C stamps per report – Prisonworld Acapella
Radio Hour $10 for a 30 second commercial ($5 Business Roll Call.
Inmate Rate Only) no minimum week commercials.
Prisonworld Blogtalk – 5 stamps to have your comments posted
online (200 words or less) PO Box 380, Powder Spring, GA 30127
(678) 233-8286
www.dawahinc.com  www.prisonworldmagazine.com
www.prisonworldrecords.com  www.prisonworldradiohour.com
www.prisonworldradionetwork.com
EDUCATION BEHIND BARS NEWSLETTER by Christopher Zoukis
The Education Behind Bars Newsletter (EBBN), a free bi-monthly
publication that will be debuting in June of 2011, is designed to fill
the glaring void in the world of prisoner publications. Often
prisoners can be heard expressing what a shame it is that their
prison doesn't offer more educational opportunities. Likewise,
prison educators can be heard expressing the difficulty in
conveying conventional academics to those that lack the baseline
of even a high school or middle school education. EBBN brings
these two groups together with the information that each needs to
succeed. EBBN will provide prisoner-students with the resources
needed to engage in formal education, and prison educators with
detailed insight into their academically challenged charges.
further both the discussion on prison education and the practical
aspects of engaging in it. Pieces are to be in the 250 to 2,500 word
range (some exceptions do apply with prior approval) and utilize
endnotes and a references section if needed. Authors are to
include a short bio which includes any academic or professional
accomplishments.
As the debut issue comes near Mr. Zoukis realizes the weight of
such a project. As he says, "This isn't some kind of hobby or pasttime. This is real, this is now, and this is vital to the economic
stability of both our nation and the millions connected to the
current over-bloated corrections system in the United States." He
continues, "The answer is simple: prison education is the single
most cost-effective proven method of reducing recidivism that we
as a people know of." Mr. Zoukis has pledged both his financial
support and the many hours of work needed to make to such a
worthy cause a reality.
EBBN's focus is both practical and altruistic. On the practical level
the focus of EBBN is to provide news of top-notch correspondence
programs, overviews and critiques of current in-prison educational
programs, real life examples of difficult teaching situations and
solutions to overcome them, and success stories, along with both
first-person experiences and scholarly examinations of prison
education in general. On the altruistic level the focus of EBBN is to
improve the lives of both prisoners and their families, the work
environment and success of prison educators, and to benefit
society in general by giving those in the trenches of prison
education the tools they need to succeed. EBBN will be vast and
detailed, knowing and exploring.
With this support comes a lofty goal, the goal of a 300-copy
minimum debut issue circulation which is being distributed for free.
To add to this, EBBN is also being hosted on this site for free. As
Mr. Zoukis says, "An education is an inherent human right that
cannot be assigned a price-tag. Therefore, I will do everything that
I can to get EBBN into the hands of those who need it regardless
of their ability to pay for such information."
Currently, EBBN is in the design stage. It is the brainchild of both
Christopher Zoukis (prison education expert and prisoner at FCIPetersburg) and Linda Huddleston (co-owner/operator of Midnight
Express Books). As Mr. Zoukis and Mrs. Huddleston finish crafting
the layout, EBBN is aggressively preparing for its debut issue. This
includes a direct mailing campaign and an online press release
campaign, along with connections being made to prison educators
the world over. Already several renowned prison education experts
have agreed to contribute to both this project and the sister Prison
Education Blog.
Submissions for EBBN can be emailed to Mr. Zoukis at:
[email protected].
They can also be mailed directly to him at:
Christopher Zoukis
P.O. Box 1000 #22132-058
Petersburg, VA 23804
Any prisoner correspondence or donations must go to:
EBBN is currently seeking support from prison educators and
prisoner-students alike. This support is requested in the form of
articles, essays, studies, and policy papers on prison education,
educational program reviews, and even conceptual ideas that
could be integrated into EBBN. As an altruistic and academic
publication EBBN is very open to well-developed pieces that
Education Behind Bars Newsletter
P.O. Box 69
Berryville, AR 72616
4
WHAT’S SO FUNNY?
CALIFORNIA LIFER NEWSLETTER
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), The FBI, and the CIA are all
trying to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. The
President decides to give them a test. He releases a rabbit into a forest
and each of them has to catch it.
The CIA goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest.
They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of
extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist.
The FBI goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest,
killing everything in it, including the rabbit, and they make no apologies.
The rabbit had it coming.
The LAPD goes in. They come out two hours
later with a badly beaten bear. The bear is
yelling: "Okay! Okay! I'm a rabbit! I'm a
rabbit!"
CLN: A comprehensive newsletter mailed every 6-8
weeks. State and federal cases, parole board news,
statistics, legislation and articles on prison, parole and
correctional issues of interest to inmates and their
families.
CLN also provides services such as copying and
forwarding federal and state cases, articles and news
and materials available on the Internet.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Prisoners $25 (or 80 stamps) per year
(6 issues minimum). Free persons: $90
CLN, Box 687, Walnut, CA 91788
There was a competition between a team of
blondes and a team of brunettes to see who could
catch the most fish ice-fishing. Once the contest
started, it was clear that the brunettes were going to
win -- they kept pulling out fish after fish. Soon, the
blondes got worried and sent over one of their team to
see what the brunettes were doing differently. A few
minutes later, the blonde comes running back.
Prison Surprise
Ingredients

1 Package Ramen (Any flavor will do)

1 Slice of American cheese

1 Can of tuna (Splurge on the White Albacore)

Jalapeños from the jar (to taste)
"A hole! You need to put a hole in the ice!"
Send jokes or other Items to:
MEB Sun, POBox 69, Berryville AR 72616.
Instructions:
Break up the noodles in the package and cook per the directions. While
the noodles are cooking, drain the tuna and dump it into a bowl. Put in
the jalapeño slices and top it all off with the slice of cheese. When the
Ramen is ready, mix in the spice packet and pour the noodles into the
bowl. Let it all steep for a few minutes to melt the cheese and then mix
well. Voila! Prison Surprise.
LIFE LESSON
What you do speaks so loud that I
cannot hear what you say.
Send us your favorite recipe!
Ralph Waldo Emerson
RECIPES
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
To submit stories, etc., to the Corcoran
Sun, send to: MEB Sun, POBox 69, Berryville
AR 72616 Every one is welcomed to submit
or contribute.
To receive a copy of the Sun,
send 6 stamps per issue.
The Sun is seen statewide & across the U.S.
5
I was In shock. Murphy went through his pockets and found $2.43, a
crack stem, an empty baggie.
"I'll be back." Murphy walked out the door,
"Baby, you okay?" I ran to Slick to help him up.
"Yeah, get me a rag."
I ran to the bathroom, grabbed a towel and ran water over it to clean
up the blood. When I got back to the kitchen, I froze in my tracks.
"Don't move or you'll get it too!" Murphy said while pointing a gun at
Slick's head.
I didn't know what to think. There was another man, who I didn't
know, standing behind Murphy with duct tape and plastic wrap. They
had planned this out. After looking the stranger up and down, I
noticed that Slick was twitching. I looked closer and saw he had been
shot in the head! Blood was pouring out all over the floor! Murphy
must have had a silencer, I hadn't heard any gunshot. I was so dazed,
I couldn't even cry, react, or anything. I just stood there.
"Journey!" Murphy yelled, waking me from my haze.
"Get me some towels and some garbage bags."
I did as he said and when I came back, the other man was taping
plastic around Slick's body. Before I knew it, Slick's body was gone
and I was standing in the middle of the kitchen, replaying everything
that had just happened.
"Journey." Murphy said.
"What?" I responded automatically, void of emotion. "No hard
feelings, it's all a part of the game." Murphy hugged me.
It felt strange, but I was comfortable in the arms of the man who had
just killed my boyfriend. For some reason, I didn't want him to go and
I felt no sorrow for what had just happened. Murphy kissed me on
the forehead and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
(...to be continued)
STUNTIN’ IS A HABIT By Laura Shope
Chapter Three
I ran up the steps and into the house, hoping to put Slick out for
good, only no one was home. "This MF'er is still out smoking!" I
thought to myself. So, I went about my normal routine and called
Grandma to tell her I was home so she could bring Elijah back.
“Mommy, mommy!" My baby yelled as he ran inside. "What's up,
little man?" I reached down to pick him up. He was getting heavy.
“How was work?" Gram asked. We carried on with some small talk
and she left. I pulled Elijah's coat & shoes off and he took off running
through the house. I would give anything to have that much energy.
I still hadn't heard from Slick for most of the day, then my cell phone
began dancing around on the table. "Hello?"
"Journey, where's that pile of crap, Slick!?"
(It was Murphy) "I don't know; he'll be home soon." I said that to
reassure myself more than him.
"Well I'm on my way up there; I heard he's been smokin' my stuff."
Murphy hung up before I could say anything.
Something wasn't right. I could feel It In the pit of my stomach. Slick
had smoked up other people's dope before and got away with it, but
there was something different about Murphy. The sun went down
and I was getting ready to put Elijah to bed when Slick cane home.
“Baby, did Murphy call you?" Was the first thing he said; he looked
scared.
"Yeah, he said he was on his way over to get his money. You got it,
right?"
"Well... l’ma get It. I just ain't got it right now." "What do you mean
you don't have it? You had $700.00 and at least a half ounce left
when I went to work!"
I knew where it went. When Slick smoked, he really smoked. I've seen
him go through a whole ounce by himself In a day.
"Don't sweat it. I only owe him a stack. He'll just have to be patient,"
he said calmly.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. SIick ran to the back of the
house and told me to tell Murphy he wasn't home. I was always left
to duck, dodge and cover.
"Who is it?" I yelled through the door.
"You know who it is. Open the freaking door!"
"Why you cussing at me like that?" I said as I opened the door. "I
didn't do anything to you, Murphy." He ignored my question and
asked where Slick was.
"I don't know, I came home from work and he was gone." "Call him."
Murphy commanded.
"He's not answering my calls." I stalled.
"I don't care. Call him again, I wanna see."
I picked up the phone and dialed Slick's number. We both heard his
phone ringing from the other room. That dumbass forgot to turn his
phone off. Slick came walking down the hall, playing it off.
"What's up, playboy? I was just about to call you." Murphy pushed
him up against the wall, "You're a liar. I been callin' you all day."
Murphy was still leaning on Slick. "Yo, fall back. Why you
disrespecting me in my own home?" Murphy let go and calmed
down. "You got my money?" Uh-oh, I thought.
"I’ma get your money. There's something I had to handIe. Just gimme
a couple days, bro. I'll get it."
Murphy punched Slick right in the face, and he didn't stop at that. He
continued to beat him until he lay motionless on the floor, covered in
blood. I just stood there and stared. I didn't know what the hell to do,
Laura Shope, the author of 'Stuntin’ is a life coach, personal counselor,
artist, dog trainer, and body waxing aficionado serving a term In a federal
pen in West Virginia. Chapter Three of "Stuntin' Is a Habit" will appear in the
next Sun and we'll find out what kind of dynamic twists and turns young
Journey runs into then...with or without the unreliable Slick.
PUBLICITY PACKAGES
Are you a SELF Published Author looking to get the word
out about your book or do you have a business or service
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6
We only take select projects. To discuss your project or
for questions regarding the package, send us an email to
[email protected] or inquire by mail.
POBox 380
Powder Springs, GA 30127
My 2 daughters had both their boyfriends killed by gang violence. Both
girls were pregnant, children who would never know their fathers. As my
grandchildren get older, they'll wonder where their fathers are. I don't
want them to follow the same path, I don't want to tell them how their
dads died.
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I get out of here in 1997, and as I sit here, I think about all I've been
through. I'm a third termer (with three strikes), I don't have any more
chances. If I get arrested again, it's 25-to-life. There's more out there for
me than wasting my life in prison. I know drugs can ruin a person's life
and hurt the ones you love most. I've seen people come and go from
prison and heard all there is to hear. It's the same old story...gangs,
violence, drugs. It hit me hard that I was inside, along with my father and
sons. It hurt knowing I was in the same place as my father, walking the
same tiers, doing the same time, heading down the same path... to
nowhere. It's the harvest of the seeds I'd sown; the outcome of being
involved in gangs and drugs.
[email protected]
(206) 324-7373
Gangs continued from page 1
At 15 he fathered his first child; at 27 he had a family of 8 children.
That child, of course, was me. From the age of 9 through 31 I used drugs.
It was a part of my everyday life. I used every drug I could get my hands
on. At 31 I was sent to prison for robbery following a high speed chase.
That was 1987 to 1989. I was only out 2 months before I went back for
the same charge! This time, the chase went for 27 miles. When I got out
in 1990, I only stayed out for 4 months. This time, I got 10 years.
I'm tired of it. It's rough and lonely life. I hope you never have to go
through it.
I hope when I get out, I'll be able to walk away from this hell and never
look back.
While I was inside, I lost my mother behind drugs, money and love. I
believe she died of a broken heart. The cops wanted my kids to plant
microphones in my mother's house and my father overheard what was
being asked of them. He decided to give my kids up to the court rather
than be worried about which of my 8 children might do what the
undercover police were asking them to do. When I called my mother
from prison she was crying, telling me she would give me money to buy a
house so I could get my kids back from foster homes. After that, my
mother went into a deep depression, she was heart-broken. My father
had done that to get back at my wife for cooperating with the police. She
didn't even have a home for our kids. My mother's health deteriorated
from not being able to see her grandchildren. She would not eat, talk to
anybody, and became very ill. She was hospitalized and went into a
coma.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I met Danny Simonian about 15 years after he wrote
that. We're in the same cellblock. He wants to write a book on gang
intervention to help kids; maybe keep them from following the same path.
I hope I can help.
A boy noticed that his grandfather would be in a happy mood one day,
but grumpy and mean the next. He asked him about it. "Grandfather,
why are you happy one day, but not so the next?"
The grandfather told him, "I have two wolves fighting inside of me.
One is good, the other is bad."
The boy asked, "which one will win?"
I went to see her, from prison. She was still in a coma. When I got back to
the pen, the Sergeant called me into the office. I knew what he was going
to tell me. I felt it in my heart. I lost my mother. Two months later my
grandmother died also.
The grandfather replied, "Which ever one I feed."
My wife left me because nobody wanted her around because she was
involved with the undercover cops. Everything I loved was swept out
from under my feet. My father started drinking heavily. He was driving on
the freeway and caused an accident where the other people got hurt, as
well as himself. He got 8 years for that. I came back to prison soon
afterward. My son soon followed in my footsteps, as I had followed my
father's.
JENNY KISSED ME
Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in.
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in!
My oldest son was sent to prison for kidnapping, robbery, car-jacking,
and possession of a deadly weapon. He was looking at 25-to-life and
wrote me a letter explaining everything. As I was reading it I felt tears
coming out. I knew I would never see my son again. He wrote me back
and said they offered him 13 years: I wrote back and told him to count his
blessings and take the deal. While he was in county, he was jumped by
gang members and stabbed in the face, arms, chest and back. My other
son was in the same unit, watching from another cell. He could do
nothing. I also felt helpless, and guilty. This was my fault.
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me.
Say I'm growing old, but add:
Jenny kissed me!
-- Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)
The Inmate’s Friend
My other son, who had watched his brother being attacked, got 5 years
for 2nd degree robbery. He has been shot 3 different times (on 3
separate occasions). My youngest son is in prison also. He got 6 years.
Prior to that term, he had been shot by gang members in the liver. His
girlfriend went to the hospital and told him that she didn't want to live
like that anymore and ended the relationship. As she left, he pulled out
the IV's and tried to go after her, but collapsed.
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7
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PEN PALS OF THE MONTH
IN THE NEWS
Charlotte White, 1455463, Texas female writer, poet, artist seeks
interesting people to correspond with. Crain Unit, 1401 State
School Road, Gatesville, TX 76599
U.S. Supreme Court Reinstates $625,000 Judgment
for Prisoner Sexually Assaulted
Patsy Montowski, #58686-083, (28 yrs. old) looking for someone
to correspond with that's open and fun-loving. Include a picture if
you have one. Write: P. Montowski, #58686-083, SFF-Hazelton,
POBox 3000, Bruceton Mills, West Virginia 26525.
(Sources: Ortiz v. Jordan, 131 S Ct. 884, 562 U.S. (2011); Prison Legal News, 3/11;
AP On-line)
In January, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a jury verdict that
awarded Ohio prisoner, Michelle Ortiz, $625,000 after being
sexually abused by a guard. The case was in front of the court in
order to rule on a procedural issue regarding the timing of a
defense motion for summary judgment.
Celine Piccar #30347-068, SFF-Hazelton, POBox 3000, Bruceton
Mills, W.V. 26525. Blonde hair, blue eyes, 150 lbs., currently a
college student and dog trainer, 1/2 way through a 70 month term.
Looking for someone to kick it with.
The above are in a Federal pen., so use an Intermediary when
writing. Please be polite and use discretion when responding.
Ortiz was groped by guard Douglas Schultz, who grabbed her
breast from behind as she was washing up in her dorm living
quarters. Ortiz reported the incident to her case manager, Paula
Jordan, who advised not to report the event, as Schultz was
transferring from the unit (it was his last day). After Ortiz fell
asleep in her dorm, she woke up to find Schultz fondling a breast
and fingering her vagina. When she complained, prison
investigator Rebecca Bright had her placed in solitary confinement
(allegedly to prevent her from talking about the investigation with
other prisoners). Ortiz claimed retaliation for the complaint.
If you would like to be listed as a pen pal, send your info to:
MEB PenPal
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
Please include six stamps for postage, forwarding, and handling.
FASTING FOR RIGHTS
She sued Bright and Jordan under a civil rights violation (42 USC
1983) for failing to protect her from Schultz's assaults. Schultz
resigned and fled. In jury trial, Ortiz won verdicts of $350,000
against Jordan, and $275,000 against Bright. The Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals reversed, finding the district court should have
allowed a qualified immunity grant to the defendants; and that
the jury verdict was "against the weight of the evidence."
In January, about 1,000 prisoners at the California Men's Colony
protested increasingly harsh conditions by refusing to eat meals
served by the facility. Approximately 90% of the prison population
participated. Policies that led to the protest included
implementation of "rolling lockdowns" where prisoners are
confined to their cells for 8 hours every other day, and visitation
policies. The peaceful protest was followed by the filing of legal
writs seeking relief from repressive confinement, many times
imposed without due process or legitimate need.
The Supreme Court reversed the Sixth Circuit on the question of
proper timing for the qualified immunity motion, and reinstated
the monetary award.
The glaring question not broached in the case, is how the guard,
Schultz, escaped prosecution. And, the bigger issue of prisoner
mistreatment and assault remains a very real problem for the
incarcerated. It's common knowledge within prison walls that to
complain about misconduct by staff (while performing 'official'
duties) means to open oneself to retaliation and further abuse.
The prison system vigorously defends their own and has a
battalion of attorneys to go up against lowly prisoners. Many
times, the initial assault is only the beginning of the torment and
suffering.
LARGEST INMATE SHOPPING GUIDE
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8
TYPING SERVICES
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Midnight Express Books NOW offers typing services.
Please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with
your project details for a quote.
MEB TYPING SERVICES
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
http://MidnightExpressBooks.com
-
BE-UP strives to restore dignity in individuals, while encouraging them to
leave a positive legacy. We're passionate about helping people improve
their quality of life. This is why parents, pastors, teachers, social workers,
and correctional personnel need to look at making What Makes The Great
Great as an integral part of their services. Youth group leaders will also
discover how it will help them in reaching hard to reach youth. Colleges
will find that What Makes The Great Great can be used as an elective to
supplement business or human services courses, too.
This book is not just inspirational; it is powerfully motivational, too. If
you want to grow and develop a life-long vision for your life, this course is
definitely what you've been waiting for.
Teacher’s manual for this course available June, 2011.
CORCORAN SUN
Prison Yard Monthly
News  Entertainment  Resources
Featuring Goodbye Natalie
Send $11.95 + $3.99* check or money
order to:
Send 6 stamps per issue to:
MEB Corcoran Sun
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
http://MidnightExpressBooks.com
Midnight Express Books
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
870 210-3772
Discounts available
for multiple copy purchases for classes
WOMEN, THE FASTEST GROWING PRISON
POPULATION
There are more women in prison now than any other time in
U.S. history. Since the introduction of mandatory sentencing for
federal drug laws in the mid-1980's, female imprisonment has
jumped by 400%. The percentage of women incarcerated for
drug crimes now surpasses that of males. The U.S. houses a full
one-quarter of all the people imprisoned in the world, it's no
surprise that this epidemic has spread to the female population.
Women prisoners are often survivors of domestic violence and
sexual assault, and once inside, they are all too often targeted
for similar attacks.
Women experience prison as a place of abuse, violence,
psychological deprivation and physical harm in more cases than
should be allowed. Institutionalized abuse takes the form of
rape, verbal assault, improper groping during pat-downs,
improper visual surveillance during showers, and "consensual"
sex for protection and condition improvements. In 2003, the
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed by Congress,
calling for the development of binding national standards for the
prevention, detection, response, and monitoring of sexual
violence inside. This act has not been implemented to this date.
RESOURCES: ACLU Slog of Rights, 915 15th St., N.W. #700,
Washington DC 20005; Just Detention International, 3325
Wilshire Blvd., Suite 340, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (213) 384-1400.
www.justdention.org
9
Original art by Larry Huddleston, #04147-010
Texarkana, TX
A blonde, wanting to earn some money,
decided to hire herself out as a
handyman-type and started canvassing
a wealthy neighborhood. She went to
the front door of the first house and
asked the owner if he had any jobs for
her to do.
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"Well, you can paint my porch. How
much will you charge?"
The blonde said, "How about 50
dollars?" The man agreed and told her
that the paint and ladders that she might need were in the garage. The
man's wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her
husband, "Does she realize that the porch goes all the way around the
house?"
The man replied, "She should. She was standing on the porch."
For a limited time only! Space is limited.
EDUCATION BEHIND BARS NEWSLETTER, free
Send SASE to: EBBN % MEB, POBox 69, Berryville AR 72616
Girl wanted to assist magician in cutting-off-head illusion. Blue
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Toaster for sale. A gift that every member of the family
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A short time later, the
blonde came to the door to
collect her money.
"You're finished already?"
he asked. "Yes," the
blonde answered, "and I
had paint left over, so I
gave it two coats. "Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the
$50. "And by the way," the blonde added, "that's not a Porch, it's a
Ferrari."
Looking for someone to do yardwork. Must have a hoolahoop.
000-555-1234
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1 MAN, 7 WOMAN HOT TUB – $850/offer
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Free Newsletter from International Legal Network. Send SASE to:
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WORD SEARCH Anatomy
TURKEY for sale. Partially eaten. Only 8 days old. Drumsticks still intact. Call
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HOODCHILD PRESENTS
FEDERAL NIGHTMARE featuring DRIVE-BY
by James Hairston, Street Lit.
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Send $14.95 check/MO to MEB POBox 69, Berryville AR 72616
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GREETING CARDS
Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight
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anklebone
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heart
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for the prison environment. It speeds up communications,
improves security, and helps the prison population to keep in
touch with the technologies and customs of the world outside of
prison. One can only hope that such forward-thinking
technological implementation will continue not only in the Bureau
of Prisons but also in the various state prison systems too.
BOP Update: Fingerprint Indentification System
By Christopher Zoukis
In a memorandum dated March 14, 2011, the population of FCC
Petersburg was alerted as to a new electronic system being
installed in the commissary building. According to the
memorandum, "Beginning on Monday, March 21, 2011, FCC
Petersburg will begin utilizing the Fingerprint Identification
System,” when conducting commissary sales at all institutions.
Inmates will no longer be required to provide their inmate
identification card before initiating the sale. Instead, inmates will
be required to provide their fingerprint using the fingerprint
identification equipment that will be located at each sales
window. In addition, it will no longer be necessary to provide a
signature when the sale is complete."
The implementation of such a system is considered both good and
bad by the prison population. Those for the Fingerprint
Identification System say it will reduce risk. They say the risk of
forgetting one's identification card while attempting to purchase
items from the commissary is eliminated. Also, the risk of one's
identification card being stolen and used for fraudulent purchases
will be eliminated; something that happens even though the clerk
selling the commissary items is actually a prison guard.
Those against the Fingerprint Identification System have a
number of concerns. The top concern is cost. Such a system
cannot be inexpensive and many want to know where the money
came from to purchase such a system. The worry is that the
system was paid for by the profits of the commissary, funds used
for the prison population's direct needs. They are concerned that
this is a waste of funds needed elsewhere, such as in the
Education Department or in the Recreation Department.
Others are concerned about the health and safety risks of such a
communal system. They worry that this system will help spread
germs and other communicable diseases; much like the
computers and telephones do. This concern appears to be
partially validated because of recent reported cases of both
scabies and MRSA; not to mention the regular occurrence of staff
infection in the prison population.
The final group question why the Fingerprint Identification System
is being implemented. Their concerns are both practical and
conspiratorial. On the practical side, they wonder why we need
such a system when the scanning of a bar code on the individual
prisoner's identification card works just fine. They are also
concerned with potential hidden applications of the stored
fingerprints. They worry that these scanned prints will be shared
with a third party for some hidden agenda. While they understand
that the Department of Justice already has their fingerprints on
file, they are concerned that the new scanning of both their left
and right thumbs will be used to further track them.
Regardless of if the implementation of the Fingerprint
Identification System is a good idea or not, it does show a Bureau
of Prisons which is motivated to bring up-to-date technology into
its prison system. This is further shown by FCC Petersburg's recent
installation of a computer system, called TRULINCS, which
contains a monitored email service; a service first implemented
around 3 years ago in select prisons during pilot programs. All-inall, technological innovation and implementation is a good idea
Sources: Bureau of Prison's Memorandum
(First published in The Update: Federal Criminal & Immigration Law)
Christopher Zoukis is a writer and the editor of Education Behind Bars
Newsletter and is housed at FCI-Petersburg. He is the published author of
numerous book reviews, articles, essays, and poems. He is a New York Journal
of Books authorized book reviewer and a Blog Critics authorized writer. He is a
member of the Society of Professional Journalists, National Writers Union, PEN
American Center, and the Correctional Education Association. His works have
appeared in Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, Blog Critics, Midwest Book
Review, Basil and Spice, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, Wopular, Rain Taxi,
Ezines Articles, and many other publications. His content has been syndicated
internationally by the Associated Press, Google News, and Yahoo News.
Currently, Christopher is a staff writer at State and Federal Criminal Law
Review and The Update: Federal Criminal and Immigration Law . He is the
Associate Editor of Corcoran Sun and he is a contributing writer at Blog Critics.
He recently completed his first book, Education Behind Bars; a 652 page
reference guide to distance education for the prisoner-student. To date five
publishers have requested the full manuscript to review and send out for blind
reviews. Besides Education Behind Bars, he is working on his debut novel,
Practice Electra.
Christopher can be reached for comment, collaboration, or
assistance at: Christopher Zoukis, P.O. Box 1000, #22132-058,
Petersburg, VA 23804 or http://www.christopherzoukis.com.
FREE
INMATE AUTHOR BOOK CATALOG
To receive your free book catalog featuring books by
inmate authors, please
send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS BOOKS
POBox 69
Berryville AR 72616
http://MidnightExpressBooks.com
870 210-3772
AMOR IMMUTABILIS (UNCHANGEABLE LOVE)
I still behold you, all in white,
Your golden hair, your radiant smile,
Unsullied by this world so vile...
I still behold you all in white.
This thought preserves me through each night.
This hope sustains me through each trial:
I still behold you, all in white,
Your golden hair, your radiant smile...
V. W. Smith
11
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% Midnight Express Books
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870 210-3772
is a simple and inexpensive way for inmates and others
with no access to the internet to access the huge markets
available to those in the “free world.” Whether you are
interested in the latest best seller, or something hard to find,
IbS will locate it and advise you of the cost and shipping options.
Texas inmates may order paper and envelopes from Staples.®
Your order will be placed with the online supplier as soon as
your payment and authorization are received.
The Cocoran Sun is published monthly. Subscriptions are
$25.00 a year or 6 new, unused postage stamps per issue.
Editor in Chief............................................Dave Babb
Contributing Writer................................. Christopher Zoukis
Contributing Writer................................. Laura Shope
Contributing Writer ................................ V. W. Smith
Advertising .......................................... Victor Huddleston
Layout & Design ...................................... Linda Huddleston
How to use Inmate Book Service (IbS)

Send your request to IbS

IbS will advise you of available
copies, retailers, and prices.
HERE’S WHAT I THINK......
Send your order with payment* or
Establish a deposit account and your
purchase will be deducted after each
transaction
This is my simple religion.
There is no need for temples;
no need for complicated philosophy.
Our own brain, our own heart is our temple;
the philosophy is kindness.
*The cost of this service is $1.50 per
item. We accept money-orders, all
checks, and postage stamps. Send
SASE for complete details and order
forms to:
Dalai Lama
From the upcoming book of inspirational quotes compiled by
Victor Huddleston, Editor-in-Chief, Midnight Express Books,
http://MidnightExpressBooks.com
IBS
Box 58221
Oklahoma City, OK 73157
12