Many white supremacist and anti-Semitic groups reach out to prisoners by offering them heavily discounted or free copies of their publications; other readers of these racist magazines and newspapers are encouraged to write to these "prisoners of war." In 1991, the North Carolina Department of Corrections banned copies of the racist World Church of the Creator's The White Man's Bible, fearing it might trigger race riots. Jubilee Newspaper, a bi-monthly Identity-affiliated newspaper published in Midpines, California, has its own "Jubilee Prison Ministry," which sends reading material to imprisoned subscribers. In addition, Tom Metzger has championed the causes of white supremacist prisoners on his "WAR [White Aryan Resistance] Hotline," often providing listeners with their addresses so they may write letters of support.

There are even racist publications written by and for prisoners. Operating out of Portland, Oregon, Thule calls itself a "journal of philosophical, spiritual, historical and political folkish-tribalism, dedicated to the enlightenment and progression of our prisoners." In fact, Thule articles idealize Nazis, advocate the racist "theology" of the Identity Church movement and are replete with racist and anti-Semitic propaganda and conspiracy theories. The February 1998 issue of Thule, which drew submissions from prisoners around the country, features an article commenting on the conspiracy theories surrounding the Oklahoma City Bombing. Its author was Richard Scutari, one-time member of the terrorist group The Order, who is serving a 60-year sentence for racketeering and robbery. Thule also supplies its readers with the addresses of other racist organizations and publications, including Aryan Nations, World Church of the Creator and the NSV Report.

Prisoner of War, a sporadically produced magazine directed at white supremacist prisoners, is published by the editors of Storm Watch, an Owensboro, KY, neo-Nazi publication. A recent issue of Prisoner of War featured an editorial by WAR leader Tom Metzger, a history of skinheads and a biography of Ben Klassen, the deceased founder of the Church of the Creator. In addition, Storm Watch dedicated the bulk of its December 1997 issue to a tribute to The Order, including pictures of its jailed members and inmates and essays written by some of them. In one essay, an unrepentant Scutari reflects on his role in The Order and asks himself whether he might have done things differently: "I truly believe that our culture and the survival of our Race are in jeopardy. As a man who holds the virtues of honor, loyalty and duty as the core of my soul, I was duty bound to do no less. In fact, I am amazed that others have not picked up where we left off."

These prison "outreach" programs fill a central role in the life of their target audience: while the prisoners' community has shunned them for their criminal activity, racist groups engage them with white supremacist rhetoric, thereby fostering in them extremist beliefs.

Next: Treated as Heroes