From inside a Minnesota prison cell, an incarcerated worker in the state\u2019s Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) is demanding the Department of Corrections (DOC) allow him to pay his taxes. Kashaun Pierce Sr. said for the last seven years he\u2019s been trying to pay his taxes but the DOC has been listing him as an independent contractor. <\/p>\n
After a federal crackdown<\/a> on two people who filed fraudulent tax returns from Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Faribault prison in 2009 and 2010, the DOC stopped allowing deductions on paychecks. <\/p>\n Pierce Sr. has worked in Rush City and Faribault prisons since the tax change and has a release date coming up in 2026. With this policy, that Pierce Sr. and other incarcerated workers didn\u2019t choose, they end up owing the IRS back taxes when they get released. Furthermore, he said it will make it harder for him to \u201cget a bank loan for the business I want to open up, it will affect my credit score for the property I want to buy, [and] it will affect my social security fund in the future.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Pierce Sr. said he believes the DOC \u201cmust reverse their decision, correct the error they caused, repay the back taxes that many of the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated owe, and follow the law that Congress enacted.\u201d<\/strong> He called on the Congress and the IRS to investigate and Minnesota\u2019s Governor Walz to \u201cestablish an oversight committee for the MN DOC.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n Other News From MCF-Faribault<\/strong><\/p>\n A man named Michael Henderson attempted to escape from Faribault on August 7, getting as far as the final ring of the barbed wire. His motivation was to protest his \u201cwrongful conviction\u201d and recent denial of work release and the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA). The Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) held a zoom presser<\/a> focusing on Henderson\u2019s story and interviewed his father. Henderson had previously made the news for escaping from the Hennepin County Government Center in 2016. He was auditioning<\/a> for the TV show American Ninja Warrior American Ninja near the time of his original arrest, according to IWOC<\/a>, and was \u201cwrongly convicted of attempted murder for a first ever crime, an armed robbery were no one was hurt, and no gun was fired.\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is the fourth in our periodic \u2018Letters from Prisoners\u2019 series and the second from this particular person imprisoned in a Minnesota Correctional Facility \u2014 read Pierce Sr.\u2019s first here: Minnesota Inmate Calls on DOC to \u2018Value Us as Human\u2019<\/a> [June 2023]. See our most recent entry: \u2018Prisoners Face Retaliation for Protest at MCF-Stillwater\u2019<\/a> [September 2023] and read our first: \u201cPhiladelphia Three\u201d Political Prisoner Khalif Miller Languishes Pre-Trial in Federal Prison<\/a> [August 2022].<\/p>\n The following text is was sent to Unicorn Riot via a family member of Kashaun Pierce Sr., currently incarcerated in MCF-Faribault<\/em>. The text is a commentary reflecting lived experience and\/or perspectives of the author. The views and opinions expressed don\u2019t necessarily represent those of Unicorn Riot.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLet me pay my taxes! \u2014 That\u2019s what I\u2019ve been saying for the past seven years inside of Rush City and Faribault Prison. Ever since the Minnesota Department of Corrections came up with this new policy, I have become very apprehensive about my future once I am released in 2026.<\/p>\n The reason I am very concerned is because a memorandum that was issued on April 5, 2016 by then Deputy Commissioner Terry Carlson. The Deputy Commissioner and many other MN DOC staffers implemented a new compensation procedure that took effect on January 1, 2016 for the incarcerated who work for the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP). In the memorandum, the MN DOC decided that it would eliminate the deductions of federal and state taxes from my\/our pay check and force me\/us to work as an independent subcontractor.<\/p>\n When I learned of these unlawful acts of the MN DOC, I decided to educate myself on industrial prison jobs. When the PIECP began in 1979, there were laws that were put in place by Congress and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, or LEAA) that the prison had to follow (including Minnesota) in order for the PIECP to move forward. Two of these laws were created to make sure that for individuals like me, involvement was voluntary and deductions from my wages were limited to four purpose[s] only in following the order of priority: 1) Federal and State taxes, 2) Family support, 3) Victims\u2019 compensation\/restitution, 4) Room and Board. Moreover, these deductions could not exceed 80% of gross wages.<\/p>\n However, in 2016 the MN DOC introduced a new policy indicating that it will no longer be deducting federal and state taxes from it\u2019s PIECP workers even though it is stated under title 18 U.S.C.S section 1761 (c), (2), (A), in the Minn. Stat. section 243.23 Subd. (1), (2), and (3) that they must deduct federal and state taxes. I even took the opportunity to look at MN DOC policy and it clearly states in policy 300.100 1 (d), (c) and 2 (a) that they are to abide by these laws \u2014 which they have completely ignored. I personally believe that since the MN DOC has been getting away with this, they believe that they\u2019re above the law.<\/p>\n Prior to this scam that I believe the MN DOC is orchestrating, I was given a W-2 form, I paid federal and state taxes, I filed taxes, and I received a tax return just as free workers do. But after the MN DOC stopped deducting my taxes, I started receiving a 1099-MISC form for the previous year, which does not show that any taxes were withdrawn for that fiscal year.<\/p>\n To me as a former PIECP [participant] and as a man who has had a job before, being told that the MN DOC will be eliminating all tax deductions and forcing me to work as an \u201cindependent subcontractor\u201d sounded very distrustful \u2014 especially when it came to the independent subcontractor part because I\/we don\u2019t control my work schedule, my hours, or my pay rate as independent subcontractors do.<\/p>\n The seriousness of my concern has led me to ask them, \u201cWhy the changes?\u201d<\/strong> I was told because individuals were providing fakes names and social security numbers. But if that\u2019s the problem, then those individuals shouldn\u2019t be allowed to work in the PIECP. Why make me suffer for someone else\u2019s actions when I\u2019ve provided a valid name and SSN? Just think if a big corporation like Walmart was refusing to deduct taxes out of their employees wages because a few individuals gave fake names and SSN\u2019s. There would be an uproar. <\/p>\n The MN DOC is a big corporation just as Walmart and has multiple partnerships [and] million [dollar] contracts with MinnCor and Anagram who are contributing to these unlawful acts. I believe that if the MN DOC, MinnCor, and Anagram can\u2019t correct this issue they need to discontinue this program until they can find someone who can uphold these laws and policies.<\/p>\n What the MN DOC is doing to the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated is setting me up for more legal problems when I am released. I have been working on plans and goals for my future since my incarceration began. Now with these new obstacles in my way, it will contribute to more problems that will affect me in many ways. It will be harder for me to get a bank loan for the business I want to open up, it will affect my credit score for the property I want to buy, it will affect my social security fund in the future, and also it will affect me as a person who is on the road of change. But it\u2019s hard to do all of that when the MN DOC is having the incarcerated commit tax evasion. This is [supposed] to be the department of corrections where they correct your behavior. This ain\u2019t rehabilitation; this is continuing criminal behavior with the assistance of the MN DOC. Instead of fixing this problem and doing what the law says, the MN DOC would rather have me face future charges and be [indebted] to the government. The second question I asked was, \u201cDoes the government knows about this?\u201d<\/strong> The answer I was given was that the change was \u201cthe result of a compliance check initiated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS),\u201d<\/strong> and so \u201cthe changes were made to comply with IRS regulations.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n After that response, I decided to follow up on that answer I was given. So I decided to write the IRS about these changes. I never received a reply. Then I decided to have my family contact the IRS and they were told that the IRS would never tell the MN DOC to stop deducting taxes from my wages.<\/p>\n So, I would like to know: Who approved this? <\/p>\n According to a report I read by the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) cited in a 2012 program history of the (PIECP) by Barbara Auerbach, \u201cPIECP workers have contributed approximately $57 million to victims compensation funds, $171 million to cover some cost of incarceration, $36 million in family support and $75 million in taxes.\u201d<\/strong> These deductions that the MN DOC was supposed to be taking were meant to ease the burden on tax payers. But now since the MN DOC has stopped deducting taxes from my wages and many others, how will this affect funding for the State of Minnesota and especially the Twin Cities? This tax revenue could be helping so many communities in the Twin Cities. Look at what\u2019s going on with the homelessness problem in the Cities \u2014 those extra tax dollars could be used to build homeless shelters, open community centers for troubled kids, to build affordable housing for single mothers, to help fund more educational programs for low income families, and help people with job training skills throughout the Twin Cities. There are so many things and so many ways that the people of Minnesota can benefit from this tax revenue. And this situation would need to be resolved and it would need to happen immediately to prevent further damage to my life.<\/p>\n What I believe needs to happen is the MN DOC must reverse their decision, correct the error they caused, repay the back taxes that many of the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated owe, and follow the law that Congress enacted. The Congress and the IRS need to investigate what the DOC are doing and how they\u2019re destroying my life and many other\u2019s, and the Governor need to establish an oversight committee for the MN DOC and hold someone accountable. All of this comes from me wanting to pay my taxes, for me to stop working as an independent contractor, and not wanting to continue in criminal activities. You won\u2019t find many working people like me in America let alone in prison who are demanding to do something I am fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n #NoKidsInPrison Art Installation Highlights Youth Incarceration Driven By Target<\/a> <\/strong>[Oct. 2023]<\/p>\n The #NoKidsInPrison traveling art installation highlighted artwork from several cities across the U.S. along the theme of abolishing youth imprisonment. We were given a tour of the Saint Paul exhibit.<\/p>\n Be Their Voices Presser: \u2018No More Jail Deaths!\u2019<\/strong><\/a> [Oct. 2023]<\/p>\n At least 15 people have died this year while inside Minnesota jails and at least 65 since 2018 and several have died this year. Five years after losing her son Hardel Sherrell<\/a> to medical malpractice and improper care while in a Minnesota jail, Del Shea Perry leads another protest against in-custody deaths.<\/p>\n Family Seeks Answers Months After Cristian Rivera-Coba\u2019s Death in Anoka County Jail<\/strong><\/a> [Sept. 2023]<\/p>\n Cristian Rivera-Coba died in the Anoka County Jail in July. Months later, his family and advocates are still left seeking information about the circumstances surrounding his death and demanding an investigation into the jail where, only weeks before Cristian died, 24-year-old Miles Jackson was also found dead in a cell.<\/p>\n Report: Prisoners Strike at Oak Park Heights Canteen<\/strong><\/a> [Sept. 2023]<\/p>\n Incarcerated workers at the nearby \u2018level 5\u2019 MCF-Oak Park Heights prison canteen have staged a work strike, according to activists who regularly stay in touch with prisoners.<\/p>\n Prisoners Face Retaliation for Protest at MCF-Stillwater<\/strong><\/a> [Sept. 2023]<\/p>\n An email sent to the media on the morning of Sept. 12 from a person housed in B East details some of the retaliatory actions by corrections officers and the \u201caggravated\u201d<\/strong> charges that those demanding humane treatment inside Stillwater now face for their actions.<\/p>\n Latest Unicorn Riot newsletter focusing on related stories<\/a> <\/strong>[Sept. 2023]<\/p>\n A peaceful protest in a Minnesota prison and prisoners in Georgia and Alabama have been taking stands. We take the reader through some of our recent coverage of prison related stories.<\/p>\n Civil Disobedience Inside Minnesota\u2019s Stillwater Prison<\/a><\/strong> [Sept. 2023]<\/p>\n Men housed in Stillwater Prison\u2019s B East unit refused to go back to their cells on Sept. 3, protesting no air conditioning, no clean or cold water and whole units intentionally being locked down with no recreation time nor showers because a staffing shortage.<\/p>\n \u2018I Can\u2019t Take This Shit No More\u2019: Alabama Prisoner Takes a Stand<\/strong><\/a> [Aug. 2023]<\/p>\n Derrol Shaw\u2019s attempted escape from Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama speaks to a wider human rights crisis in the state\u2019s corrupt, neglectful and deadly prison system.<\/p>\n Limited Funds Stunt Minnesota\u2019s Conviction Review Unit \u2014 Families Want Expediency<\/strong><\/a> [July 2023]<\/p>\n Created to prevent, identify, and remedy wrongful convictions, Minnesota\u2019s first-ever Conviction Review Unit had completed only one official investigation in nearly two years. <\/p>\n Minnesota Inmate Calls on DOC to \u2018Value Us as Human\u2019<\/strong><\/a> [June 2023]<\/p>\n Unicorn Riot received a statement from Kashaun Damon Pierce Sr., a man housed at MCF-Faribault. Pierce provides a short glimpse into the state prison system and calls out what he calls the dehumanization of prisoners as a fundamental issue.<\/p>\n The Case of Marvin Haynes \u2013 An Investigative Series & Film<\/strong><\/a> [2023]<\/p>\n Despite no evidence tying Marvin Haynes to a 2004 murder and Marvin\u2019s consistent claims of innocence, Haynes has remained in prison for nearly two decades based off of coerced testimony of jailed teenagers. We examine his case in our investigative series.<\/p>\n \nFollow us on X (aka Twitter)<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Vimeo<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Mastodon<\/a>, Threads<\/a>, BlueSky<\/a> and Patreon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Prison Strike 2018: Tipping the Scale of the Conversation<\/a> The post \u2018Let Me Pay My Taxes\u2019 Says Incarcerated Industry Worker<\/a> appeared first on UNICORN RIOT<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From inside a Minnesota prison cell, an incarcerated worker in the state\u2019s Prison Industries Enhancement…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":13082,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1973],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-unicorn-riot"],"yoast_head":"\n\u2018Let Me Pay My Taxes\u2019<\/h2>\n
Recent Unicorn Riot Prison Coverage:<\/em><\/h4>\n
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help sustain our horizontally-organized, non-profit media organization:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Unicorn Riot’s 2018 Prison Strike Coverage<\/strong>:<\/h5>\n
\n \tPrison Slave Labor: A Driving Force in 2018 Prison Strike<\/a>
\n \tMCF-Stillwater: Prison Officials Create \u201cHumanitarian Crisis\u201d<\/a>
\n \tHarsh Conditions, Violent Repression: Stoking the Flame of the 2018 Prison Strike<\/a><\/p>\n