As a past member of the Brotherhood in Canada I have a suggestion.
Here the "Indian Brotherhood" ("Sisterhood' in women's prisons) has been
officially recognized by fed penal authorities for years. (I was 'inside'
during late 70's). They have the same status as the officially recognized
Inmates' Committees and as an organization approved by the warden they can
open up their own bank account, administered by the assoc warden's office.
Each Brotherhood has a prez, vp & secty/treas. Two signatures per cheque
required and all purchases of services or goods have to be approved by
assoc warden office before being bought by prison chaplain/librarian. So
friends & family can make donations to account. (So does chaplain's
church when requested, & we always requested (g)). The Brothers then can
pay travel/honoraria for elders' visits approved by warden, buy
instructional/documentary videos, books, audio cassettes, group-activity
expenses, arts & craft materials, etc.
The wardens (before it became officially mandatory) usually approved the
setting up of Brotherhoods because it gave NA inmates a structure for
grievances, gave the bulls a 'leadership' to deal with to keep interracial
flare-ups from blowing up into riots or worse, etc. What it did for the
Brotherhood members is give back a sense of community and value of each in
that community.
Well, that's my 2 cents worth. Wish I could afford more. For more info
call Natl Aboriginal Policy Coordinator for Solicitor Gen of Canada, Theresa
Nahanni, at (613) 995-2557.
Forwarded by Quixote, 262-5068@wwvnet.ness.com
Submitted by Deanna, 1-5068@wwvnet.ness.com