Tension at New Folsom between Blacks and guards since assassination of Hugo Pinell

by Corey Sullivan

I am currently in solitary confinement for a “Battery on a Peace Officer,” which took place on Sept. 24, 2015, six weeks after the assassination of beloved political prisoner Hugo “Yogi” Pinell at New Folsom State Prison B-Facility. Prison officials released a statement to the media that several correctional officers were “ambushed” by a group of Afrikan Amerikan inmates on C-Facility, which in reality is far from the truth.

New-Folsom-Prison-fence-guard-tower-by-Rich-Pedroncelli-AP-186x300, Tension at New Folsom between Blacks and guards since assassination of Hugo Pinell, Abolition Now!
This photo of New Folsom Prison illustrates a story in the San Francisco Chronicle about the melee of Sept. 24, 2015. According to the Chronicle, three guards suffered very minor injuries. – Photo: Rich Pedroncelli, AP

On Sept. 24, 2015, at about 10:20 a.m., the incident that transpired between Black inmates and correctional officers was initiated and further provoked by Correctional Officer Chad Darling, Badge No. 50906, ID No. 11112766. CO Darling unnecessarily assaulted an Afrikan Amerikan inmate while responding to a stabbing that occurred on the opposite side of the yard between three Hispanic inmates.

Immediately after committing this cowardly act, CO Darling then stomped over the Afrikan inmate, J. Thomas, G-16732, and continued on to the site of the incident involving the Hispanic inmates without a backward glance. On instinct, inmate Thomas contemplated pursuing CO Darling but was verbally restrained by myself and several other Afrikans in the immediate area.

CO Darling unnecessarily assaulted an Afrikan Amerikan inmate while responding to a stabbing that occurred on the opposite side of the yard between three Hispanic inmates.

With the yard still down, understanding the seriousness of what just happened, we weighed our options as a collective in an attempt to reach a best case scenario instead of acting on impulse. We came to the conclusion to further discuss the situation the following day when we were to have afternoon yard, being that the yard was to be recalled shortly.

Once the three Hispanics were subdued, CO Darling, accompanied by three other correctional officers – Correctional Sgt. Chris Haring, Badge No. 74063, ID No. 11113272, and Correctional Officer Sherman Camp, Badge No. 72083, ID No. 11110321 – made their way over to where we were seated and further provoked inmate Thomas. Still seated, several Afrikans, including myself, attempted to question CO Sgt. C. Haring as to why CO Darling just body-slammed the brother to the ground for absolutely no reason. I was told by CS Haring to “mind your own business.”

Inmate Thomas contemplated pursuing CO Darling but was verbally restrained by myself and several other Afrikans in the immediate area.

CO Darling was speaking in an unprofessional and degrading manner and also advancing towards inmate Thomas. Only then did I stand up and addressed CO A. Pizarro. I told him they need to get control of their officer to diffuse the situation. In response, CO A. Pizarro yelled at me to get back down, and I complied.

At that time inmate Thomas was on his feet and telling CO Darling he had “no right to tackle me from behind” and that he would be “writing you up.” CO Darling then yelled to inmate Thomas to “just shut up and cuff up and once you are in your cage I will tell you why I did what I did.”

Thomas started to cuff up, then hesitated. CO Darling then pulled his state issued OC spray and was shaking the can in a taunting manner, saying, “Don’t be stupid” over and over, taunting inmate Thomas. In response to that last act, the Afrikans – not all – in that immediate area stood up, not only for inmate Thomas, but for our honor and dignity as human beings. The end result was unfortunate for all parties involved.

CO Darling then pulled his state issued OC spray and was shaking the can in a taunting manner, saying, “Don’t be stupid” over and over, taunting inmate Thomas.

Since Sept. 24, 2015, I have been receiving cruel and unusual punishment as different correctional officers been using all manner of malicious ways to provoke me, such as the property officer in Administrative Segregation/Segregation Housing Unit playing with my legal material, Black literature, clippings and stories on beloved Hugo Pinell, personal pictures, food from canteen, books and other personal property that’s allowed in Ad-Seg/SHU, which is just one of many Machiavellian tactics they use.

In response to that last act, the Afrikans – not all – in that immediate area stood up, not only for inmate Thomas, but for our honor and dignity as human beings. The end result was unfortunate for all parties involved.

I have to restrain and discipline myself to not allow no corrupted correctional officer to get me out of character. In order to gain victory, I have to inform the outside world about what’s going on with the brothers behind these enemy lines! I want to thank you, Bay View, for all of your support and let you know that Bay View newspaper is a blessing to all of us.

Send our brother some love and light: Corey Sullivan, AP-3318, CSP Sac STRH-2-G-184, P.O. Box 290066, Represa, CA 95671.