Biography
Eugene Teagle, also identified as Ahmed Asim Hashim, was a Black prisoner at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. In January 1975, The Black Panther named him among ten prisoners charged in connection with the October 19, 1974 fire in the Rock maximum-security unit. The report quoted his letter about alleged medical neglect, abuse and the death of prisoner Bobby Forsythe, and described retaliation against prisoners protesting the conditions. It reported that many prisoners confined in the Rock were activists in Indian, Black and other prison groups. Teagle’s letter is evidence of his prison advocacy; its allegations about officials are attributed to him and the newspaper. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for January 24, 1975, but this source does not establish whether it occurred or its outcome. His underlying conviction, initial admission, release and total time served remain unresolved. Source: The Black Panther, January 18, 1975, p. 9 (Hearing Set for 10 Black Inmates in McAlester Prison Fire).
