This episode will kick off a special series on the history of solitary confinement in California’s state prison system and the movement to end the practice of indefinite isolation culminating in the historic statewide hunger strikes which tens of thousands of incarcerated people participated in between 2011-2013. With the support from Unlock the Box, this series is brought to you by Danny Murillo, co-founder of Berkeley Underground Scholars, Dolores Canales, co-founder of California Families to Abolish Solitary Confinement and the UC Berkeley Ethnic Studies Changemaker.

In this episode, your host, Daniela Medina, is joined by Dr. Jonathan Simon, Professor at UC Berkeley and Underground Scholar Joshua Mason. Joshua Mason is also the principal author of the Underground Scholars Language Guide which is available on our website.

Join us to hear more about the history and emergence of California’s notorious security housing units, the Madrid vs. Gomez case, the expansion of gang validations, and how California state prison administrators continue to find ways to justify the use of modern-day torture chambers. This series serves as a toolkit to help other states follow California’s lead to end long-term solitary confinement.

Opening theme song by Rico Pabon https://www.ricopabon.com/

Narrated by James Carlin

2 mins Kid Frost "No Sunshine"

2:40 Sounds and voices from The Atlantic "The Torment of Solitary Confinement"

11 mins What is Pelican Bay SHU (Solitary Housing Unit)

13:50 Joshua Mason shares the conditions he experienced while held in Pelican Bay SHU

15:30 Overview of 'Gladiator Fights'

29 mins Madrid vs. Gomez Case

34 mins Cell extractions

39 mins Gang validations, gang associates and confidential information

42:50 Lack of due process

43:30 Judge Thelton Henderson and more on Madrid vs. Gomez case

45 mins The need for a social movement

49:30 CDC's lack of clear policy and the use of language to justify solitary confinement; prison gangs and security threat groups

51:30 Judge Henderson's statement on solitary confinement

55:30 Joshua's experience returning to Pelican Bay SHU as a free man

1 hour Professor Simon and Joshua's final thoughts

Closing song William Onyeabor "Body and Soul"

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UC Berkeley Underground Scholars: ON THE TIERBy Underground ScholarsMar 09, 2023