Dallas 6: Peaceful Protestors Charged With Riot In Solitary Confinement

This show pertains to an April 29, 2010 peaceful protest against illegal and barbaric conditions created by the Department of Corrections’ prison guards in the “hole” at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas (SCIDallas), including food starvation, mail destruction, beatings, medical neglect, use of a “torture chair” anddeaths of various prisoners. After guards tortured fellow prisoner Isaac Sanchez in a “torture chair” over-night and threatened several Dallas 6 members  decided that they didn’t want to suffer anymore.  Covering their cell door windows with bedding, the prisoners demanded that the abuse stop, and requested access to their counselors, state police, the District Attorney and the Public Defenders’ Office. They had no access to telephones or computers and their incoming and out-going mail were being destroyed to undermine their ability to expose the corruption.  Rather than investigate or attempt to resolve the issues which occurred for over a year prior to April 29, 2010, prison officials staged an armed assault against the unarmed men, who were all locked inside of their ndividual cells, viciously attacking them with electro-shock shields, tazers, fists, and pepper-spray. While all of the guards involved in the incident admitted that they did not suffer any injuries, members of the Dallas 6 were left bloody, naked, with burnt skin, and in pain.  Hundreds of documents were generated, including specific claims of misconduct alleged against the Dallas 6. Not once was the word “riot” mentioned. After civil actions and other complaints were filed against prison guards and officials regarding the events, the prison, state police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office formed an alliance to bring criminal charges against the Dallas 6.