FROM A MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE

This interview was conducted on 4/7/98 with Warrior Queen Mother, Mary L. Johnson, whose son was recently transferred from Menard Correctional Center "Triple Max" to Tamms "Supermax" Correctional Center. Queen Mother Johnson is a woman who has worked, raised four children, and dedicated her life to the struggle, on behalf of her son and other oppressed people, whether they be on death row, or confined in any of the other sections of the Department of Corrections, including the Supermax at Tamms.

Q: What have you experienced since your son’s imprisonment?

A: I’ve experienced many things, but what has been most disturbing is when I see friends and loved ones eventually break all ties with inmates. First, the cost to visit inmates (usually located in rural areas), and the astronomical charges by the phone company whenever calls are accepted from inmates, such as $2.58 and up for the first minute, while calls are made statewide "for a dime". People who care about inmates are dehumanized in every way. They are forced to give up their right to be protected by the constitution, simply because of association with an inmate.

Q: What effects have his incarceration had on the family as a whole?

A: My son’s incarceration has brought my immediate family closer; nonetheless, I am aware of other ramifications. Due to the incarceration of a family member, shame and blame becomes profound. Many stop visiting their family members, rather than deal with the humiliation.

I’ve learned that in sharing my experiences, it helps others to cope with what is happening in their own lives. We don’t have to stop loving our family members or allow the system to brand us for having unconditional love.

Q: What effect has it had on you, personally?

A: It has motivated me to make this struggle a lifetime commitment. In the beginning I was naive. I thought being a good, hardworking, non-smoking or drinking, church-going person would be security enough for my family and me. My struggle has taught me it is not enough to be good, that’s only trying to play it safe. I had to stop being fearful of man, and do what I felt in my heart was right, by fighting against injustice wherever I see it, knowing there will be no peace for the rest of us until there’s justice for the least of us.

Q: Discuss the statistics of your son’s disciplinary reports.

A: My son does not have a disciplinary problem, he hasn’t received a ticket in approximately ten years.

Q: How do you feel about his transfer to Tamms?

A: His transfer to Tamms is another eye-opener-- if they can send him, then 90% of the inmates in the institutions will be going. It’s appalling, this biased system attempts to humiliate inmates by making it mandatory for them to get on their knees every time they’re escorted out of their cell by security guards. Tamms is designed to completely dehumanize the inmate by eliminating all human contact. It’s a sophisticated replacement of the "Hole" that was outlawed years ago, a modern Alcatraz!

Q: Is Tamms just a supermax prison built both above and underground for the specific purpose of totally isolating its victims?

A: Tamms is another way society is looking out for people living in rural areas. It’s a new Welfare Reform Program to provide for people who have no source of income, and no ability to do anything else. They have been blessed with the misery of other poor people, they now have their own penitentiary for their livelihood. All supermax prisons are a selective way to prosecute anyone who dare to stand up for what’s right and the rights of others.

Q; Do you believe that this is a human rights question?

A: No Doubt! Definitely! I see this as a modern plantation. Corporation, and businessmen, all over the world are bidding on penitentiaries and the right to own the commissary, They have a closed shop on anything the inmates purchase--such as toiletries, writing materials, and clothing. Inmates choices are limiting and prices are doubled. Everything purchased at these institutions in the past is being destroyed if it's not picked up in 30 days by a friend or relative--this begs the question, so just what really happens to their property?

Q; What do you feel in rgard to the direction that the Department of Corrections is going in?

A: The Illinois Department of Corrections is going in the direction of COMPLETE CHAOS! Unless the public rises up and demands that inmates be treated like human beings, we will be cosigning this new way of priming slaves. We need to communicate to people of conscience that the old plantation mentality is attempting to bring back slavery, claiming it's to protect the people, knowing this will eventually replace them on jobs. Why pay for labor when you have slaves to work for little of nothing? It's about profit, not people. In some institutions, the sharecropper tactics have already been instituted. These wages would be saved for use sometimein the future. But now, these wages are to be paid back to the plantation for room and board. The plantation owner strips the inmates of hope...any hope for a future.

Q: What would you suggest to the workers in this struggle?

A: With the understanding that prisons are a microcosm of society, the inmates and their loved ones need empathy, not sympathy. This would enable you to proceed with sincere efforts to encourage others to get involved, the same as if you or a member of your family was in prison. And the people can demand that visitors be treated like citizens and that the constitution be enforced. Aim for the masses to educate and organize and agitate people of conscience with any spiritual awareness that instead of trying to be leaders we must make leaders who will share knowledge not flaunt it. Who will not spend too much time talking about how long they’ve been here or there but what have they contributed to make things better for the people they claim to serve. Then when the inmates return to the community you and others can welcome them with open arms knowing you have done your best and our GOD will do the rest. As we are forgiven, we will be forgiven.

**This article was excerpted, with permission, from Connections: A Statewide Newsletter , July 1998, Published by the Prison Action Committee.