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Oral history interview with Albert Brown, who who served as a board member for the National Prisoners Reform Association (NPRA) and Black African Nations Toward Unity (BANTU) in MCI Walpole in 1973. In this interview, Brown provides a detailed…

The night is quiet, there there are a few loud radios and televisions.

Guards tend to unlock cells "when they got around to it."

Prisoners have concerns such as not getting enough meet and cell doors still being shut at 5:20.

Prisoners complain of guard treatment; guards notably tense and hostile

Buchanan tours the printing and sign shops, where guards are friendly to prisoners.

The prisoners are running Walpole well, but the guards are to return soon, which will test the effectiveness of their program.

Two Black trainee guards have been held back and attribute it to racial harassment. Prisoners feel positive about the future, though one feels that his application to be sent to a forester camp has not been heard. Another prisoner is on the…

Prisoners and guards alike are agreeable and cooperative.

Prisoner complaints about delayed medication were cleared up by an NPRA representative.

Bulkeley notes tension between guards and prisoners; guards feel threatened. Moreover, many prisoners seem to be "spaced out" on drugs like Vallium. One prisoner is using his time to read, and Bulkeley advocates for building a rehabilitation program…

A typed observer report written by Morrison Bump in March 1973

Not much to report. Spoke briefly with prisoners.

Breakfast was delayed.

Observer Report from April 21, 1973; Shift 11-7; Maximum blocks 3 and 5. Butler spoke with an NPRA officer who voiced several demands that they aimed at negotiating.

A prisoner has not received his insulin, which seems to be a consistent problem; the system for medicine disbursal is also inefficient. Butler also visits the vocation shops, where he notes the poor ventilation and the risk of resulting illness. He…

Lockup occurred so guards could take a count of the prisoners

Prisoners are glad that they are not locked in and can move through the corridor. One prisoner has an infection and needs further treatment.

A prisoner feels that drugs and medication are being used as "behavior modification" to pacify the prisoners. Another prisoner is distrustful of the observers.