In Contempt #5: Anarchism & Solidarity on Trial in Texas, Free the Prairieland Defendants, Free Them All!

from In Contempt

[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]

Intro

“Through our ability to help one another articulate our suffering, we help one another to act. And in helping one another to act we help to demonstrate to those around us that something different, something other than what currently is, is possible. When we unabashedly grieve, fully, publicly, without reservation, we invite other to do the same. Every act of resistance sows the seeds of its own replication. When we resist as part of daily life, we sow the reproduction of a daily life of resistance. “

(From “If We Go, We Go On Fire”, a zine presented as evidence during the Prairieland Trial)

We return, our hearts inflamed for our companions in struggle enduring the worst of state repression, with the latest In Contempt, a roundup of repression news, political prisoner updates, and prisoner rebellions. While repression may be inevitable for any movement for freedom, the future of the prison world is not. Until the day the cages are empty and the prisons are ashes, we must support those fighting inside for freedom.

A zine and pamphlet of this column will be available in the coming days to print and share with friends, comrades, and loved ones behind bars.

As always, we welcome contributions at in_contempt @ autistici . org.

NO ONE WAY WORKS,
it will take all of us shoving at the thing from all sides to bring it down.
— Diane di Prima, Revolutionary Letter

Political Prisoners / POWs

Casey Goonan

Casey Goonan has posted a Bookshop.org Wish List where people can purchase books to be sent to them at their new location at FCI Allenwood. Among many other topics, they’re interested in Palestinian history, political analysis, and literature, Black philosophy and critical theory, Autonomous marxisms, Analysis of the George Floyd Uprising, and books by anarchist historian Paul Avrich.

If you purchase books through other outlets please be mindful of the mail rules for Casey’s facility. You can send them as well as letters to:

Casey Goonan -511
FCI Allenwood Medium
Federal Correctional Institution

P.O. Box 2000
White Deer, PA 17887

George Floyd Uprising Prisoners

As far as we know, the current prisoners––welcome home Margaret!––from the George Floyd Uprising and their addresses to write letters of support are:

David Elmakayes -066
USP Lee
U.S. Penitentiary
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 644
Jonesville, VA 24263

Smart Communications/PADOC
Khalif Miller
SCI Forest
PO Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

As always a printable letter writing zine is available to distro.

At The Gates: Fighting Detention Centers

The floorplan of the proposed Social Circle ICE detention facility, a dystopian vision of their fascist future if we do not stop it

As the DHS hopes to continue expanding its network of detention centers, community resistance, legal efforts, and Kristi Noem’s departure as secretary has stalled several proposed developments.

Project Salt Box has been investigating ICE property acquisitions: according to their current data, ICE has purchased warehouses for large-scale immigrant processing and detention facilities in Romulus MI, Tremont PA, Socorro TX, Hamburg PA, Salt Lake City UT, San Antonio TX, Social Circle GA, Flowery Branch GA, Roxbury NJ, Surprise AZ, and Williamsport MD; and is currently eyeing locations in  Durant OK, Starke FL, McAllen TX, Port Allen LA, Holtsville NY, and Orlando FL.

Birthdays

Mumia Abu Jamal

Birthday: April 24

Mumia is an award winning journalist and was one of the founders of the Black Panther Party chapter in Philadelphia. He has struggled for justice and human rights for people of color since he was at least 14 years old––the age when he joined the Party. In December of 1982, Mumia, who moonlighted by driving a taxi, happened upon police who were beating his brother. During the melee, a police officer was shot and killed. Despite the fact that many people saw someone else shoot and then run away from the scene, Mumia was convicted and sentenced to death by what can only be called a kangaroo court. During the summer of 1995, a death warrant was signed, which sparked one of the most effective organizing efforts in defense of a political prisoner ever. Since that time, Mumia has had his death sentence overturned, but still has a life sentence with no opportunity for parole. More information: freemumia.com

Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu Jamal
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 3373
3

As PADOC is a digital mail scanning state, please use single sided letters; books must be sent to Mumia Abu Jamal / 268 Bricker Road / Bellefonte, PA 16823-1667

Casey Goonan

Birthday: April 24

Casey Goonan is an anarchist/anti-imperialist political prisoner incarcerated for actions carried out in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide in Gaza and response to the repressive actions against the pro-Palestine student encampments in the United States. In January 2025, Casey pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously damaging or destroying property used in or affecting interstate commerce by means of fire or an explosive for the arson attack on a campus police car. As part of a plea agreement, Goonan took responsibility for the other attacks but pleaded not guilty to the additional charges and was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison. More information: freecaseynow.noblogs.org

Casey Goonan 511
FCI Allenwood Medium
Post Office Box 2000
White Deer, Pennsylvania 17887

In Contempt #3: RICO Charges Dismissed, Palestine Action UK Prisoners Hunger Strike Ends With a Win, New Prairieland Arrest, & More

from In Contempt

[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]

Though with a delay, we return with the monthly news roundup of analysis on prison rebellions and imprisoned freedom fighters that is IN CONTEMPT! Once again, the US has seen unprecedented authoritarian repression confronting determined community resistance. As we enter another insurrectionary moment, we are reinvigorated by the relentless struggles of political prisoners worldwide who continue to inspire collective action through words and deeds.

Following the closing of It’s Going Down, a new collective will continue publishing monthly “In Contempt” updates on this noblogs. We hope this publication helps develop networks of inside-outside solidarity – over 100 copies are mailed to people behind bars each month! Please submit any updates and calls to action to the new email in_contempt at autistici dot org.

“Escalation means that you trade your banner for a sledgehammer, you lock on and get in the way of business as usual.” – Sean Middlebrough, escaped Palestine Action UK prisoner

11 Charges Against the Northumberland 2 Dropped

In December 2025, Philly ABC announced that the judge overseeing the case against the Northumberland 2––Cara and Celeste, accused of freeing hundreds of minks from a fur farm in PA––dismissed ELEVEN charges total between defendants Cara and Celeste—including one count of ecoterrorism and several misdemeanors.

The next step is a pretrial conference in February. After that will come trial.

While this is big and exciting news, the case isn’t over yet. Cara and Celeste still have many charges to fight. Trial will come with extra costs on top of the other legal fees.

Thank you for all your support!

To donate: Venmo @phillyantirepression (note “for cc”)
For more updates: tinyurl.com/we-support-cc

George Floyd Uprising Prisoners

As far as we know, these are the current addresses of political prisoners from the George Floyd Uprising:

David Elmakayes -066
USP Lee
U.S. Penitentiary
P.O. Box 305
Jonesville, VA 24263

Smart Communications / PA DOC
Khalif Miller /
SCI Forest
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Visit https://uprisingsupport.org/ for more ways to support.

And print the January 2026 Uprising Support zine:

uprising-support-1-26-imposedDownload

Deaths in ICE Custody

The year started off with a sharp rise in deaths in federal custody as the feds expand network of immigrant detention centers, seeking to repurpose industrial warehouses, a new “Panhandle Pokey” in Florida, and re-opening the scandalous FCI Dublin. A new report shows Homeland Security is incarcerating people than ever before; there are 70,000 people in DHS custody, expected to increase as their detention budget exceeds even that of the Bureau of Prisons.

Birthdays

Joseph “Joe-Joe” Bowen 

Birthday: Jan 15

“Joe-Joe” Bowen is a Black Liberation Army (BLA) Prisoner of War, serving two life sentences for the assassination of a prison warden and deputy warden, as well as an attempted prison break which resulted in a five-day standoff after his initial arrest.

Joseph Bowen -4272
Smart Communications/PADOC
SCI Fayette
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

As PADOC is a digital mail scanning state, please use single sided letters; books must be sent to Joseph Bowen / 268 Bricker Road / Bellefonte, PA 16823-1667

 

In Contempt #2: Imam Jamil Al-Amin Presente!, Saying Goodbye to Yorch Libre, Prisoners for Palestine 35+ Days on Hunger Strike, & More!

[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
We return with another monthly roundup of news and analysis on political prisoners and prison rebellions.This past month has a lot of love and a lot of loss. Our hearts are enflamed in revolutionary memory of the past that isn’t past but is what drives our struggles forward.

Following the closing of It’s Going Down, a new collective will continue publishing monthly “In Contempt” updates on this noblogs. People can submit updates and calls to action to the new email in_contempt at autistici dot org. Look out for monthly printable zines!

We’re also interested in providing more up to date roundups about international political prisoners, so please contribute if you can, whether updates or translations.

So much is happening so let’s jump right in!

March for Mumia

The 12 day march for Mumia, which began in Philadelphia on November 28 will end outside SCI Mahoney on December 9, demanding freedom for Mumia, freedom for all political prisoners, and justice for revolutionary elders.

As always you can hear Mumia’s words on Prison Radio, recent broadcasts of which include “Palestine Amid Colonial War” and “Imam Jamil Returns to the Source.”

Write to Mumia:

Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu-Jamal
SCI Mahanoy
P.O. Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Uprising Support

As far as we know, these are the current addresses of political prisoners from the George Floyd Uprising:

David Elmakayes -066
USP Lee
U.S. Penitentiary
P.O. Box 305
Jonesville, VA 24263

Smart Communications / PA DOC
Khalif Miller /
SCI Forest
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Visit https://uprisingsupport.org/ for more ways to support.

And print the December Uprising Support zine.

Birthdays

Muhammad Burton

Fred Burton is one of the Philly 5, a group of men accused of an alleged attack on a police station that left one officer killed. He was sentenced to a life term for murder. Burton has maintained his innocence since his arrest. His preferred name is Muhammad, but envelopes should be addressed to Fred Burton.

Pennsylvania uses Connect Network/GTL, so you can contact him online by going to connectnetwork.com, selecting “Add a facility”, choosing “State: Pennsylvania, Facility: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections”, going into the “messaging” service, and then adding him as a contact by searching his name or “AF3896”.

Birthday: Monday, December 15

Fred Burton AF3896
SmartCommunications / PADOC SCI Somerset
P.O. Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Alejandro Rodriguez-Ortiz

A former Vaughn 17 defendant. While the state has now dropped its attempts to criminalize Alejandro in relation to the uprising, all Vaughn-related prisoners continue to be targets for retaliation. Years later, these prisoners are still being abused for staying in solidarity with one another against the state.

Birthday: December 17

Address:

Alejandro Rodriguez-Ortiz, SBI 515700
Delaware DOC – 1101
P.O. Box 96777
Las Vegas, NV 89193

Jonathan Rodriguez

A former Vaughn 17 defendant. While the state has now dropped its attempts to criminalize Jonathan in relation to the uprising, all Vaughn-related prisoners continue to be targets for retaliation. Years later, these prisoners are still being abused for staying in solidarity with one another against the state.

Pennsylvania uses Connect Network/GTL, so you can contact him online by going to connectnetwork.com, selecting “Add a facility,” choosing “State: Pennsylvania, Facility: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections”, going into the “messaging” service, and then adding him as a contact by searching his name or “NU0434.”

Birthday: December 31

Address:

Smart Communications / PA DOC
Jonathan Rodriguez – NU0434
SCI Rockview
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL, 33733