by Marcus Howell This interview was conducted shortly before July 1,2000
MH Wow you look really busy are you sure this is a good time to talk?
ML Sure, Um just let me send this to the printer.
MH What is your involvement with the Missouri Prisoners Labor Union?
ML Before answering that question I’d like to say on the behalf of the elected leadership, members and supporters of the Missouri Prisoners Labor thank you very much for taking the time to come and speak with me today. Each one wishes they could be here in person but obviously circumstances don’t allow that. So they sent me in their place and it is with their voice I speak. I hope that I’m true to their feelings and perspectives. If not I’m sure I’ll hear about it.
MH Wow that was quite a lot and you’re welcome. I’m pleased to be here.
ML As to your previous question. I have been designated by President Jerome White-Bey as the National Communications Officer for the Missouri Prisoners Labor Union (MPLU).
MH And what does that entail and are you paid for this?
ML My main job responsibility is to facilitate internal and external communication for the MPLU. Specifically I act as a clearing house for information which helps our organization continue and provide the media and public at large information about the MPLU and that which is sent to me by our elected leadership and members. At this time I am not paid because we don’t have the available funds. You Krew that’s a hint. Seriously though I’m pleased to be able to associate and help out these folks.
MH what are the aims and purposes of the MPLU? When did you get started .
ML The MPLU was organized by Prisoners and supporters, legally chartered by the State of Missouri on August 3, 1998. Our organization seeks to better the living and working conditions of Prisoners primarily in the State of Missouri prison system and to inspire like efforts across the United States. Our immediate goal is to establish minimum wages for all work performed in Missouri prisons and to stop all forms of abuse initiated by prison staff. Simply we provide Prisoners a much needed political forum from which to promote the principles of social justice, and address in a non-violent manner the economic and political issues confronting Missouri Prisoners and workers.
MH What has been the reaction of the Missouri Department of Corrections?
ML Since our inception, members have been subjected to all forms of abuse and harassment propagated by the Missouri Department of Corrections. On February 17, 2000 President White-Bey was finally released from Administrative Segregation (the hole) after being confined there for almost two years. His offense was simply to advocate that as workers we have the right to organize and the Human and Civil Rights of Prisoners must be respected . Several of our members still remain in the hole and are subjected to daily abuse.
MH One of the main reasons I stopped by to talk with you today is that I understand the MPLU is initiating an international boycott of Colgate Palmolive. Can you tell me something about it.
ML Sure On June 6 this year MPLU sent a letter to be Colgate Palmolive asking for a letter of endorsement in support of our organization and /or aims and objectives for three points which are:
The establishment of minimum wage pay for all Missouri Prisoners.
Abolishing all forced labor and abuse perpetrated by the Missouri Department of Corrections in particular and the State Government in general.
Colgate’s active involvement in persuading the State of Missouri Legislature to impose a Bill of Moratorium on all executions of Prisoners in the State of Missouri.
We did so because of the vast amounts of profit which Colgate reaps through our incarceration. This is but the first step in a protracted campaign to win recognition of our Union and end to the death penalty in the State of Missouri.
MH But Colgate didn’t put you in prison.
ML That’s very true but they reap enormous profits from our incarceration and as such they have a social responsibility to use part of that money to benefit society in general and Prisoners in particular.
MH Lets say for the sake of argument you are correct. What is there to stop you from targeting the phone company.
ML Absolutely nothing. Excuse me, they can be pro-active and endorse our organization and its aims and principles.
MH I’m a little confused. How is recognizing your group going to benefit society?
ML First off you have to realize that we are by the nature of our confinement slaves as per the 13th Amendment of the Constitution. As such we are forced to produce goods at less then a sustainable wage in direct competition with non-confined workers. Second Our slave labor is used to depress the living standard for everyone. Third Because our labor is coerced from us, we can and have been used as strike breakers in that we are forced to produce good for companies involved in labor disputes.
So that is the problem. Now what is the solution? The only solution is Prisoners must be allowed and in fact encouraged to form organizations of economic self-defense. We are not lazy or shiftless. But what our central demand is that we be paid at least a minimum wage or one that is comparable to industry standards so as not to lower the living standard for everyone. We damn sure don’t want be used as strikebreakers because that boss is the same one who is eventually come to the institution and chain us to the assembly line. The only way that we are going to able to insure these things do not happen is we must be able to create and maintain an organization such as the MPLU to address such problems as wage compensation and health and safety violations.
MH Isn’t your organization just another violent prison gang.
ML Ah I see who you have been talking to. We are very clear on what our aims and purposes are firmly founded on the principle that we are a forum from which Prisoners may address issues related to Human and Civil Rights violations and those directly associated with labor. You will never hear myself or any of the leadership encourage, promote or condone violence as a way to solve our problems. The reason is that we clearly understand that riots or other activities which threaten the substantive security interests of the institution are ineffective ways of solving the problems related to confinement. We are solidly committed to the idea there is nothing more powerful then a worker with arms folded arms.
We are committed to non-violence and I personally stress over and over this point. Over the years we have proven our sincerity and commitment. For example our President Jerome White-Bey sat in the hole for two years. Every day he was threatened with physical violence, retaliatory transfer, mail interference, theft of property etc. His response was to keep his hands in his pocket, grieve the situation and continue to organize. At any point he could have stopped this abuse by simply agreeing not to promote the MPLU.
We are a completely voluntary organization. You will never see us running around with lead pipes or shanks forcing people to associate with us. Oh no that’s the tactics of the enemy.
MH Come on now this is just a scam to live a cushy lifestyle. To be rewarded for all your crimes.
ML I don’t mean to be rude, but you are misguided in your statement. We clearly state that we are not attempting to build a cushy lifestyle in prison. If we were there are far easier ways to go about it then this. What we striving is simply a fair days pay for a fair days work and a safe, non-abusive work environment.
.MH In your letter to Colgate you demand they become actively involved in persuading the Missouri State legislature to pass a moratorium on executing Prisoners.
ML That’s correct.
MH My question is what does the Death Penalty have to do with the minimum wage?
ML that’s a good point you raise. You have to understand that prison by its very nature is coercive and the main goal of prison administrators is security and discipline. They accomplish this by direct and subtle means which are both legal and illegal. One of the main tools is to create a climate of intimidation. The existence of capital punishment feeds into that climate of intimidation by sending a clearly understood message that if you dare question the power of the state then it has so much power it can legally execute you. As such Prisoners are psychologically intimidated into silence because of that power and are not prone to question policies and regulations which they know to be wrong. Preferring instead to remain silent instead of risking the wrath of staff. Secondly the death penalty is inhumane and uncivilized. solution to anti-social behavior. We see it as a clear violation of human rights. I’d like to finish with this statement because we could spend all day long on this topic. So let me conclude that there is no justification for having the death penalty and in fact if one were to closely examine the issue closely would see that it is a wasteful ineffective method in stopping anti-social behavior.
MH How is the MPLU funded and specifically this campaign.
ML I’m not authorized to say except that it is you the individual who we depend on for our support. How much we receive and who gives it to us I’m not at liberty to say.
MH Do you think you can win?
ML Oh absolutely. We have a very brave, courageous and committed group who form our core leadership. I’m really pleased and proud to be involved with these folks.
MH Future projects?
ML Oh I’m not sure of what we will do next its a little to early to say but knowing these folks we will always stay in the mix. For me personally I’d like to do something fun like maybe create a Union theme song and song book. Organize a sing along on the yard.
MH A theme song?
ML Sure I’ve got a couple of ideas. One is called Knocking on the Warden’s door sung to the old Bob Dylan. Or adapting the old union standard Roll The union on to our circumstance. Another one inspired by the Industrial Workers of the World is Hallelujah I’m a Convict.”
MH Well while I’m not totally in agreement with what you have said or your organization I do wish you luck. Just don’t start any riots.
ML Oh never fear we have no intention of doing nothing except folding our arms. Again I want to thank you for your time. See you on the picket line