A prisoner who encouraged fellow Muslim inmates to begin documenting instances of mistreatment by guards did not violate rules against inciting violence or disorderly behavior, the Appellate Division, Third Department, has ruled. The panel agreed with inmate Sir Jules Murray that he was erroneously charged with rules violations and improperly assigned to a special housing unit for 24 months.
Officials said Murray, an inmate at Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone, was taped during a meeting of inmates who belonged to the Nation of Islam saying that inmates needed to do something about alleged acts of violence against Muslim prisoners. He specifically mentioned "starting a paper trail" by filing complaints against officers who mistreated inmates, the court noted.
