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My name is Jamil Pirant. I'm 27 years old and I've been locked up going on 11 years. I've been locked up since 2008. I started my case in the juvenile center in Lake County, and they was- and they waived me, I went through the juvenile waiver process. They rode me to adult court after like seven, like seven or so months. But, the waiver itself was, was bogus But, the incident I was worried bout I was sent to adult court with a sentence of 35 years. Which was a whole different world of its own. But since I've been locked up, I came in contact with like juvenile law and the process- going through the regular process. So, I finally get my evidence from the juvenile courts that they- they feel confidential with their records. So, now that I just got the, um, the records and the evidence and the hearing transcripts, it just, I felt liberated even though I know I gotta go through a whole different process. But I did the records back. It's saying that, it shows it- everything that we're saying is just proof to every

Man, I find myself in another situation in here again. I've been locked up almost 11 years now. I ain't been to no fight, I ain't been no nothing. These people find a way to always mess with you. I done had a write-up because they done try to make me pee on myself for [inaudible]. I done had a write-up 'cause I had cleaning supplies in my cell during rec time when I'm supposed to clean my cell. That- through all this I know that you must become one without trial, without tribulations in order to have peace on your journey. I mean, what soldier isn't called to war? Meaning like, once the moment of struggle arrives, we gotta become content with struggling. On the way to the battlefield, when we get to the battlefield. They know and believe that every hardship is a test and every test is a stage before the elevation of man, so it must be met with patience and faith. Every test is a stage before the elevation of man. Let a student walk across the stairs without a [inaudible] test being passed. So I know that once

I've given all of myself to the cause that be, and with that I'm comfortable and content. I've presented myself to the fact that death comes with life. Everything ever created must perish and that I joyfully accept. This life is only so long so I prepare for its ending by giving the best in me to the creator, my parents, to believers, my child, my neighbors and myself. Because I'll be judged accordingly on the day I'm held accountable for my deeds and because it is our strife. Islam, boy. Islam [inaudible]. I believe [inaudible]. (Sound of a cell door closing.) These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio. 

The Raids Cometh (2:14) Mumia Abu-Jamal

The last few weeks, there have been a number of violent incidents here at Great Meadow. Today in the yard, there was a two man fight with one of the guys being cut on the face. A few days before that, two bigger guys were jumping a smaller, younger guy, who too had been cut and was bleeding badly. What's so upsetting to me, is that in most of these cases, the guys involved were under 25 years old. I often wonder how much more of a positive impact UFD could have in intervening in the lives of young prisoners, such as these, if only the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision would recognize and approve UFD. I simply don't get it. What does the department have to lose? As it stands now, the department seems not to have a clue how to stop the violence. Or do they? There are evidence-based solutions to the problems with gangs, drugs, and violence in prison. It's hard to believe New York state prison officials aren't aware of these solutions. I think the real truth is that they fear chan

My nephew Shakeer Mitchell was hit by a car two days ago and suffered a serious head injury. He's only 22 years old with his whole life ahead of him. I pray to God he recovers, doesn't suffer any lasting damage. He doesn't always make the best choices, but he has a big heart. He's a hard worker. Please get better, Shakeer. Your uncle loves you very much. (Sound of a cell door closing.) These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio. 

Holiday Peals and Nightmare Groans (2:36) Mumia Abu-Jamal

This is Spoon Jackson at Solano prison. Feel free to write me, get lonely in here and your feedback is good for inspiration. This poem is titled "Question." Education is a friendship. You treat it with respect, love, and passion it prospers.  Never let a question burning in your soul die unwatered. It is an apple tree that keeps its secret, that it's a Rose. Never let hatred get in the way of your loving. Never let politics get in the way of your dreaming. Never let walls get in the way of your freedom. Never let a foul word spoken out of fear dampen your spirit.  Mark Twain said it best, "Never let schooling get in the way of your education." (Sound of a cell door closing.) These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio. 

Walking in the Dark (2:35) Mumia Abu-Jamal

In my commentary entitled "My Life Is Worth Just As Much As Yours" I spoke about a 21-year-old young man I took under the wing because of how bad he wanted to change and better himself. He was doing good until members of his former gang forced him back into the gang. I was ready to step in to help him get out, but he was afraid. None of you know how delicate such a situation can be. This is a perfect example of the research that shows how vulnerable young prisoners are to the negative and corrupt influences of the adult prison environment. This kid wouldn't have rejoined the gang if not for the fact DOCCS has no gang intervention program that works. As I said before, the gangs run the prison yard. But when prisons like- prisoners like me who know how to deal with these guys propose programs like UFD, DOCCS opposes us. I have warned prison officials what might happen to this young man if nobody intervenes, but nobody listened. Yesterday he was involved in a gang fight.  What pisses me off is how Governor Cuomo

Eddie Africa, Free (2:00) Mumia Abu-Jamal

"Paws For Life 2." The new group of dogs have come and gone. There were 10 dogs this time. All 10 with their own way of doing things. All 10 just wanting to be loved. Randall came back because he could not stand to be alone in a room where all life moved around him. This time he has been adopted out to a better place—a bonanza. Then there's Sunshine. Whatever happened to her before she came to prison pinned her soul. She could only dream of relaxing. There was Atticus, the mango, dark stripe, hyena looking hound, that walked on his paws, like a dancer, head held high. From afar, Atticus may appear mean. Up close, he is all love, and rolls on his back and closes his eyes for as long as you choose to rub his belly and neck. There was Bores, the little general who walked like a tank, unafraid of anything. And looks like the dog Little Rascals. There was Barrister, the part golden retriever. When he left today, and everyone patted him and said goodbye, he knew he wasn't coming back. So, before he left the main ga

"Stricken" by Spoon Jackson. I remember that Sunday morning tune, you snapping snap beans for dinner while rock doves cooed in the Oak trees. I thought you were the strongest person ever. I thought you were an ancient Redwood protected by a loving light from some heaven. My mother, I knew you would live forever like the goddesses and mothers of Ethiopian, Greek, Roman, Asian, and Indian tales. I thought you were immortal, like love, indestructible by time and pain. Then I came to prison, even after you told me not to carry that knife that held my faith. My brother Abe told me tales of how some disease with sugar ruthlessly consumed your body. He told me something called a stroke had stricken you twice and laid you, helpless and bedridden for years. How you could not speak anymore. How the goddess mother, you are had left. How life before everlasting in eternity, is a cruel snake wrapping about the throat. Heaven must have been that morning on the porch beside my mother as she snapped, snapped beans. (Sound of

I was recently in the law library getting copies of the federal lawsuit I prepared to challenge, among other thing, doctor's decision denying my request for approval to form a prison chapter of my UFD organization. Which I use to positively organize, motivate, inspire, and educate young prisoners and to steer them away from gangs, drugs, and violence. I was only able to make the copies I needed because of the donations of another prisoner I used to mentor 15 years ago. If not for him, I couldn't afford these copies without going deeper into debt. I only make $14 every two weeks in prison wages, 40% of which was collected to pay off two court filing fees, totaling $855 for my last federal lawsuit and the pill in that case. In that federal lawsuit I argued that juvenile and youthful offenders should have a constitutional right to rehabilitation. That lawsuit was meant to hold New York state accountable for placing youthful offenders in prison settings that corrupt and damages them, graduating them deeper into c

Toxic Prisons (4:03) Mumia Abu-Jamal

Keep Striving (2:27) Jamil Pirant

A'oodhu Billaahi min al-Shaitan ir-rajeem. Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Maaliki Yawmid-Deen. Iyyaaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta'een. Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem. Siraatal-latheena an'amta 'alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen. Ameen. (Recitation of the opening verse from the Qur’an: Al-Fatiha). At all costs, I strive in the name of the creator. At all costs, I strive in the one that made my soul, fixed my body, fixed all of creation. So in his cause, I stay firm. Thank you. (Sound of a cell door closing.) These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio. 

Fourth annual convergence. "Fight Toxic Prisons." North Central College. I'd like to start off by saying that it is a great pleasure and honor to share in the fourth annual Fight Toxic Prisons convergence in Gainesville, Florida. My hope is the fourth annual Fight Toxic Prisons convergence is jam-packed with social environmental justice activists, alongside with the guardians of the planet from numerous denominations and multiculturally diverse backgrounds that have joined us to participate in the fourth annual Fight Toxic Prisons convergence. I strongly believe that we are at the end of times, witnessing the corporate destroyers poisoning and destroying our natural resources mankind inherited which were created to protect the planet, simultaneously safeguard the human element. This issue doesn't seem to have cut so cleanly right through the heart of the only utility we human beings ingest, that is enshrined in our state constitution, which the corporate raiders have exploited at the expense of the human popu

This is James Ward again, AKA J. The last time I was on here I spoke on my project called "Decarcerate Us" and other things I've been going through since I've been in here. So, I'd like to take this time now to explain a little more about the Decarcerate Us project. I want for people to understand that the nature of Decarcerate Us isn't to disregard all other projects and what they do. But I've reached out to many, without getting your help. And it's- it's many of us that been through the same or just don't know where to go. So, the goal for Decarcerate Us is to make a change to that. For all people to come together, showing no discrimination to race, gender, sexuality, or crime, cause we're all in the same boat. The focus is to expose present issues and show people on the outside, how they can really help instead of not getting involved. Many people really don't know what to do and already feel defeated. And that's the same for prisoners due to the lack of outside help. This project will only be made possibl

Uh, this is called, "Death." I feel like, for so long, we've been taught the fear of dying. For whatever reason, I don't know, everybody's scared to die, and I feel like it's the one thing that's certain. The only thing that's for sure, is inevitable, is going come. I can't teach or condone the teaching of death being something to fear because I know better. I know people who died from a leg wound and I know ones who survived getting shot in the head. I know ones who died from little allergic reactions, and those who survived big boy cancer. I mean when it's all said and done, when it's that time, it's that time. Nobody can escape that moment. We shouldn't fear death or dying, we should put [inaudible] it, by only fearing the curator of life and death itself. It's only a sin to denier of his mercy, his heir, his reign, his fruits, his vegetation. The things that he produced on earth. I mean we should prepare for our death by fearing the moment that his wrath. Be prepared for the one thing that's certain, whic