Prisoners Have No Choice But to Drink Arsenic-Laced Water
Charles Davis

WASHINGTON, 15 Feb (IPS) - When Kern Valley State Prison opened in 2005, the 379 million dollar facility in Central California was hailed as "state of the art". But within weeks of opening, a major problem was discovered: its water was poisoned - containing roughly twice the federally permitted level of arsenic, a known carcinogen.

And nothing has been done about it.

"Perhaps this young man is sincere. But it is certain that he is “class bound” in his thinking. He is an executive. Not an unemployed factory worker or wet nurse. For the Egyptian revolution to produce the profound changes so needed in our world those elements of Egyptian society must take the lead. Otherwise the U.S., Israel, and ruling classes the world over win. And that was not the intention and will not be the result of this heroic struggle. Stay tuned. Get involved. The Egyptian people have declared that they will remain vigilant.

PLEASANTON,CA -- One stretch of land on Pleasanton's southwest side continues to be a historical treasure trove for archaeologists.

For at least the fourth time in the past decade, Dr. James Allan and his colleagues are working at the area, carefully unearthing the remains and artifacts of Ohlone Indians.

As of Friday, in the most recent recovery effort, Allan and his team had discovered 19 sets of Ohlone remains just east of Interstate 680 and south of Bernal Avenue in Pleasanton. The first remains were discovered there this month.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Truck driver Vertis Williams says he's applied for 80 jobs since last August but can't get an interview anywhere because of one question on the application forms: have you ever been convicted of a felony?

"I believe that is the reason why I've been denied so many opportunities," said Williams.

Williams is an ex-felon who was released last May after serving nine years for car theft and other violations.

Tune in tonight, Thursday at 10 p.m. on KTVU Channel 2 News to see a report on the "Ban the Box" issue.

What is "Ban the Box" ???
The elimination of the questions about past convictions on initial

LA Sheriff Launches Probe Into Alleged Inmate Beating

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES—Sheriff's officials launched an internal criminal investigation Tuesday into the alleged beating of a Los Angeles County jail inmate by deputies that was witnessed by an ACLU staffer last month.

Spokesman Steve Whitmore said the sheriff's office of independent review will look into the incident, in which two deputies allegedly hit and kicked an unconscious man on Jan. 24.

Al Jazeera English television's FAULT LINES program is looking into prisoners with deaf or hard-of-hearing issues.  Please contact them if you have info. on treatment, conditions and situations that you think would interest them.  Send to:  Jeremy Young, producer, Al Jazeera English, Fault Lines, 1627 K Street, 11th Floor, Washington, DC  20006.  202-496-4543  or  Jeremy.Young@aljazeera.net

On Wednesday January 26th, Oakland Police shot and killed 19 year-old Martin Flenaugh near San Leandro Blvd in response to a report of shots being fired. This has been yet another murder of a young member of our oppressed Oakland community.... “Marty”, Raheim Brown, along with “Jody” Woodfox, Derrick Jones, Lovell Mixon, and Oscar Grant to name a few, are not just names you read about in the news. They are connected to us throug...h family and community yet we are killed off and then passed off as some violent thugs by society.

Updates to the prisoners voices blog are now up! Taken directly from letters we receive at the PARC office, these accounts give you some insight into the daily lives of prisoners in America.