Pontiac Brothers
Featured Content
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Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 13
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Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 10
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Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 1
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Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter
The Pontiac Prison Rebellion:
On July 22, 1978, prisoners at Pontiac Prison (Illinois) rebelled. During the rebellion 3 white guards were killed and millions of dollars of damage was done to the prison. For the next 8 months, prisoners were locked in their cells 24 hours a day while investigators gathered their evidence. Testimony by these investigators during the pre-trial motions revealed that bribery (over $75,000 at that point had been paid to witnesses) and intimidation (reluctant witnesses were threatened with the electric chair) were tools of “persuasion.” Eventually, 31 men, 28 Black and 3 Latino, were indicted for various crimes. Sixteen of these men, all Black, were charged with killing each guard 4 different ways. These men faced a total of 200 charges, any one of which could lead to the death penalty. The Pontiac case is the largest civilian death penalty case in the history of the US.
Pontiac Prisoner’s Support Coalition (PPSC):
The Pontiac Prison Support Coalition was a broad based coalition of community and human rights organizations, working within the larger Coalition to Free the Pontiac Brothers. The PPSC was called into existence by the Pontiac Brothers and other concerned prisoners and acted in accordance with the desires of the Brothers who were consulted in detail on every non-trivial issue. The PPSC and the Pontiac Brothers were unified in:
- Demand the abolition of all inhuman and abusive conditions at Pontiac and other Illinois prisons
- Repeal Class X legislation
- Revoke the Death Penalty
- Expose the investigation and its coercive strategy to scapegoat prisoners
- End the deadlocks
PPSC maintained an office, put out regular publications calling for demonstrations, and challenged the myths about the case put forward by the mass media. They were organized into three committees- Finance, Education and Outreach. They specifically took responsibility for:
- Educating primarily white people about the racist nature of the prison system
- Combating anti-prisoner, racist attitudes and practice
- Winning support for the demands of the prisoners
- Providing political and legal support for the prisoners who will be charged
Documents
Correspondence to Judge Benjamin Miller
Regarding trial of the Pontiac Brothers. Letter of contest to the dismissal of over 400 defense motions before beginning of trial.
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 13
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoners Support CoalitionDate: 12/1980Volume Number: No. 13Format: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
Inside: A Day in Court; Jury Selection: The Frame-Up Continues; SF Demo; Who's in Contempt?; From the Kamps (A Letter from Pontiac Brother Michael Evans); The Good, The Bad and Channel 7; The Pontiac Frame-Up; Who We Are; Victory: Case Dismissed.
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter
State Demands Mass Executions. Inside: Why the Rebellion?; Will You Be a Juror?; Death by Electrocution; The Frame-Up.
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 4
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoners Support CoalitionDate: 4/1979Volume Number: No. 4Format: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
Inside: The Thompson Conspiracy (frame-up in progress); Continuing Harassment; The "Storming of Stateville"; Bulldozer Justice; Who We Are; Act Now!
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 1
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoners Support CoalitionDate: 10/1978Volume Number: No. 1Format: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
Who We Are; Principles of Unity; Press Release - Open Letter From the Pontiac-Stateville Coordinating Committee.
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter
Pontiac Trial Begins! Inside: Racist Attacks Against Black People; Judge Miller Leads Prosecution; Jury Selection; The Pontiac Frame-Up.
The Spark January-February 1978
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoners OrganizationYear: 1978Call Number: Volume Number: Vol. 1-7 January-FebruaryFormat: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
"Apology" explains the internal changes affecting the organization that resulted in a lack of publication for four months. "Class X... Where do we go from here?" discusses the legislation of Class X passed by Governor James Thompson. This legislation aimed at combating crime is just a means for continued repression of Third World people. Concerning Pontiac Prison, the increased number of incarcerations means cells would have to accommodate three inmates rather than two. The article calls for petitions challenging three men cells. "Why they build more prisons" discusses the myths surrounding prisons used to justify their practices in order to continue to receive tax payer money and build more prisons. More people are being incarcerated and more prisons are being built despite the economic crisis which mandates a cut in welfare and education.The article explains how the few rich and powerful who rule this country benefit from the prison system. It urges for a growing consciousness of imperialist tactics and the failures of capitalism. "Resources" provides different literary sources that provide insight to criticisms against the prison system. "What to do about crime" argues that crime is a direct effect of the "disproportionate distribution of wealth, property and privilege" and not caused by heredity, race, or is exclusive to the lower classes. It speaks on the prison cycle in which prisons lack educational programs so prisoners are denied learning and job skills which forces them to fall back on their criminal skills once released. It urges middle class and working class individuals to seek information about prison and criminal legislation.
The Spark July-August 1978
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoners OrganizationYear: 1978Call Number: Volume Number: Vol.1-10 July-AugustFormat: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
"Solidarity: No one is free unless all are free" is a reprint of Errico Malatesta's statement on the importance of solidarity. "Editorial: You have the right to remain silent" musings on the Pontiac prison rebellion and its defeat of the twofold repression and pacification initiated by Warden Pickney. It exposed the underlying unrest at Pontiac Prison. Now that the state is prosecuting these 31 scapegoats, this letter reminds inmates that they do not have to speak with investigators and if they do, they are allowed to have an attorney present. Calls for greater unity and silence. "Letter to the editor" "Subscribe" lists newspapers covering the latest ongoing lawsuits, individual cases and prison conditions. "A Statement From Within the Wall" depicts the Pontiac Rebellion as a result of the abuses within the prison. It lists the growing repression and injustices practiced by the prison that created no other option but rebellion. "Politicians, wardens, media conspire in racist campaign of lies (some samples)" article from the Chicago Tribune in which warden Morris discusses the condition at Stateville and the growing unrest amongst inmates. He depicts the inmates as untamable animals and has decided to end his 27-year prison career. He dismisses any notion that the prison system and living conditions are responsible for prison rebellions. "Thompson to keep cons locked up 'indefinitely'" article from the Chicago Tribune that discusses Governor Thomspon's strategies to "fix" the prison system by increasing the pay of prison guards and looking for alternate forces to help detain inmates. They blame the majority of the prison's problems on the shortage of guards. He and his task force are committed to finding the inmates who killed three guards during the rebellion.
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter No. 10
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoners Support CoalitionDate: 12/1979Call Number: Volume Number: No. 10Format: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
"Illinois Prisons in Crisis" argues that Governor Thompson and the state of Illinois' attempts to 'take back the prisons' and squash any type of prison rebellions are futile as long as the prison system is not reformed. Resistance in inevitable when facing racism and repression. Often times rebellion is the only way in which the prisoner's voices can be heard against prison abuses and the lack of basic human necessities. "The Frame-Up Continues: cases of the 14/cases of the 17" details the cases against the Pontiac Brothers and the courtroom procedures. It urges people to go to the courtrooms and attend the trials of the Brothers. Other cases against the prison system and the growing repression of the criminal justice system are detailed along with the Pontiac proceedings. "The Pontiac Frame-Up" discusses the reasons for the Pontiac Rebellion and the response of the director of Illinois prisons. It discusses the states attempt to find scape-goats by coercing statements through threats and bribery. The state blamed 67 Black and Latin prisoners who now face multiple charges and the death penalty. "Who We Are" explains the Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition's mission and urges community involvement and awareness. They pledge their solidarity with prisoner's issues and aim to educate white people about the racist prison system. "Attend the Hearings!!!" requests the presence of community members at hearings in order to combat the manipulations by the State and their unethical practices.
Pontiac Prisoner Support Coalition Newsletter No. 3
Publisher: Pontiac Prisoner Support CoalitionDate: 3/1979Call Number: Volume Number: No. 3Format: PeriodicalCollection: Pontiac Brothers
Inside: Media Aids State in Pontiac Frame-Up; Prisoners Charge Racism; PPSC Report; Act Now!