March 2012 Graterfriends

Graterfriends ― A Publication of The Pennsylvania Prison Society ― March 2012

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The opinions expressed are of the authors and not necessarily those of Graterfriends or The Pennsylvania Prison Society.

A Publication of The Pennsylvania Prison Society Promoting a humane, just and constructive correctional system and a rational approach to criminal justice since 1787

Volume 43 Issue 3 www.prisonsociety.org www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaPrisonSociety March 2012

To My Brethren and Sistas on the ‘Row’ By Mumia Abu-Jamal, AM-8335, SCI Mahanoy

(See Brethren and Sistas, continued on page 14)

In this Issue

From the Editors, News.................................................2 From the “Doc,” Pass the Word .....................................3 Mrs. GE-6309 Time, Birthdays, Crossword Solutions .4 Legislative Highlights....................................................5 Legal Chat ...................................................................6-7 Mailroom .....................................................................7-9 Our Voices ....................................................................10 Think About It..............................................................11 Through a Far Eastern Window, Literary Corner .....12 Announcements............................................................13 Graterfriends Order Form ...........................................14 Crossword.....................................................................15 “The Last Word” by William DiMascio .......................16

It has been barely a week since I departed Death Row, yet I cannot help but look back, for many of you are in my heart.

I may no longer be on Death Row, but because of you, Death Row is still with me. How could that not be so, when I’ve spent more years of my life on Death Row, than in “freedom”? Or, spent more time on Death Row than with family?

I write to tell you all—even those I’ve never met—that I love you, for we have shared something exceedingly rare. I have shared tears and laughter with you that the world will neither know nor see. I have shared your an-guish when some judge shattered your hopes and spat disappointment; or when some politician sought to use you to climb to higher office.

We have seen time and disease take some of our people off the Row.

We have seen several choose their own date to die, cheating the hangman via suicide (Tilley, June).

But, brothers and sisters of the Row, I write not of death, but of life.

If I can walk off, so can you.

Keep rumblin’; Keep fightin’; Keep rockin’; Check out your Mills issue.

But, there is more. Live each day, each hour, as if it is the only time there is. Love fiercely. Learn a new thing. A language. An art. A science. Keep your mind alive. Keep your heart alive. Laugh!

Look at each other not as competitors, but as fellow travelers on the same red road of life.

No matter what the world says of you, see the best in each other, and radiate love to each other.

Be your best self.

If you are blessed to have family, send your love to them all—no matter what. If you have a spiritual family or faith, practice it fully and deeply, for this links you to something greater than yourself. No matter what: Chris-tianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Krishna Conscious-ness, Buddhism or Santeria (or Move).

This broadens and deepens you.

I have been blessed to have many of you as my teachers and my students. Some have been my sons; some have been my brothers. Yet I see all of you as part of my family.

Take heart, for the death penalty itself is dying.

States and counties simply can’t afford it, and politi-cians who run on it are finding fewer and fewer buyers. Juries (especially in places like Philly) are increasingly

You are all far more than others say of you, for the spark of the infinite glows within each of you.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pennsylvania-Prison-Society/152360631500372


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From the Editors

Graterfriends is a monthly publication from the Pennsylvania Prison Society. The organization was founded in 1787 and works toward enhancing public safety by providing initiatives that promote a just and humane criminal justice system.

This issue is made possible through contributions from our readers and funding from Phoebus Criminal Justice Initiative through the Bread & Roses Community Fund.

We reserve the right to edit submissions. Original submissions will not be returned. We will not print anonymous letters. Allegations of misconduct must be documented and statistics should be supported by sources.

245 North Broad Street · Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107

Telephone: 215.564.6005 · Fax: 215.564.7926 www.prisonsociety.org

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: William M. DiMascio

MANAGING EDITOR: Mindy Bogue

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: William Bradley, Danielle Collins, Bridget Fifer

FOUNDER: Joan Gauker

Letters more than a page in length (200 words) will not be published in their entirety in Mailroom or Legal Chat Room, and may be considered for another column. All columns should be no more than 500 words, or two double-spaced pages.

To protect Graterfriends from copyright infringement, please attach a letter stating, or note on your submission, that you are the original author of the work submitted for publication; date and sign the declaration.

If you have a question about Graterfriends, please contact Mindy Bogue, Communications Manager, at 215-564-6005, ext. 112 or [email protected].

(See VVA Resolutions, continued on page 11)

News VVA PROPOSED NEW RESOLUTIONS MAY

ALLOW US SECOND LOOK

from SCI Dallas Veterans Group

To our benefit, in August 2011, delegates from Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) announced 15 New Resolu-tions that will have a direct effect on incarcerated Viet-nam Era veterans who have been overlooked for so long.

These resolutions include: jobs in the public sector, job training, veterans in business, judicial review for PTSD (with support and readjustment counseling), medical treatment, research, benefits for female veterans, and more. The resolutions likely to be most important to vet-erans are listed below:

VIN-3, Parole/Clemency:

Resolve, that Vietnam Veterans of America strongly rec-ommends that the U.S. Sentencing Commission and states that have no parole review for individuals sentenced for life, establish special and specific mechanisms within their respective court systems and the boards of pardons, where such exist, to address the issues of the veterans with ser-vice-connected post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD), who were arrested prior to 1980, and thus have not been af-forded the opportunity to present evidence of the influence of PTSD on their criminal actions.

As you’ve probably already read, the front page article this month is from Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was recently removed from Death Row. We hope his words to those of you who are still on Death Row are encouraging and uplifting.

Stop by the Mailroom section to read the ongoing debate over smoking in Pennsylvania’s prisons. We are currently checking how other states handle this issue and will print an article about our findings in a future issue of Graterfriends.

On page five, you will see suggested actions that came out of the recent report on children of incarcer-ated parents, The Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children: Needs and Responsive Services. The report is a compilation of findings and recommendations from the Joint State Government Commission and an advisory committee that was led by the Prison Soci-ety’s Policy Director, Ann Schwartzman.

One question we’ve been asking ourselves here for a few months: Do you enjoy the crossword puzzle we have started to include every month? No need to use extra pa-per or stamps to just answer that question, but if you are submitting a letter or column, please just let us know. We’re curious if you like it and if you find it too easy, too difficult, or just about right. We try to keep all of you in mind when deciding what to include in each issue.

Finally, be sure to catch Executive Director William DiMascio’s “Last Word” on the back page, where he dis-cusses the difference between justice and retribution, and how there can be no justice without compassion.

http://www.prisonsociety.org/documents/Effects_of_Parental_Incarceration_on_Children_Dec2011.pdf

http://vva.org/

www.prisonsociety.org

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pennsylvania-Prison-Society/152360631500372


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From the “Doc”

by Samuel L. Krakow

Pssst… Pass the Word

ONE SHINING TRIUMPH IN THE WAR FOR JUSTICE

by Lee A. Horton, CN-2067, SCI Mahanoy

Since my arrest several years ago for a crime I did not commit, I have maintained my innocence and allowed two principles to guide me in overturning my wrongful conviction. One is the belief that good men and women can triumph over injustice; the other is that you never give up in a fight to right a wrong, no matter how pain-ful. At times these ideas have seemed like nothing more than useless words, but once in a while a shining exam-ple appears to give substance to their meaning.

Recently, my adherence to these principles has been buoyed by just such an example. A friend of mine, a native New Yorker named Lorenzo “Cat” Johnson, just won a huge victory in his fight to extricate himself from an un-just incarceration. Against all odds, and by sheer determi-nation, he has overturned his wrongful conviction for first degree murder and his sentence of life without parole.

After sixteen painful years of appeals and litigation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cat has suc-cessfully persuaded a panel of Third Circuit Court of Appeals judges that he is innocent. In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that his conviction was patently unconstitu-tional, opining that the evidence against him at trial was non-existent, and therefore, constitutionally insufficient to sustain his conviction. For this reason, they ordered his unconditional release and barred a retrial.

Although elated by the good news, I was far from sur-prised. When I first met Cat he impressed me as being very capable — someone whom prison bars would not be able to contain. His personality and physical appearance reminded me of our champion, Paul Robeson, and what I saw in his eyes was sincerity and a look of raw determi-nation; he would not be dissuaded from his goal, nor de-nied his freedom. Indeed, one of the first things he said to me was, “I am innocent,” and, “I am going to overturn my life sentence and get out.” He convinced me that he would do just what he said. We became fast friends.

Since then, we have shared hundreds of conversations. Innocence, justice, freedom, education, parole for lifers — you name it, we discussed it. What I have learned over the course of our friendship is that he walks it the way he talks it. In the face of the all-consuming possibility of losing his life to the de facto death sentence of life with-out parole, he has never wavered in speaking up and

TACKLING DEPRESSION

Depression is a common mental illness in the general American population, afflicting upwards of 9% of indi-viduals. However, prison environments have a much higher rate, something I suspected when my block emp-tied for evening pill line during my recent incarceration in SCI-Mahanoy. The statistics bore out my observations. Approximately 40 to 50% of America’s prison population has a major mental illness diagnosis, ranging from de-pression to schizophrenia.

Despite depression’s frequency, it remains poorly man-aged even in those individuals in which it has been rec-ognized by the healthcare system. Such knowledge is frightening due to the lethal outcome of this illness, one that comes in the form of suicide.

Why am I bringing up depression in relation to incar-ceration? Simply, this illness is exacerbated by the envi-ronments encountered in jails and prisons. One of the most common symptoms of depression is anhedonia, a feeling related to decreased interest in pleasurable experi-ences, a sensation of hopelessness or decreased self-worth. No single experience in my life brought on this symptom more that the monochromatic, grinding daily sameness of block life. I suppose others let it get to them as well.

There is help for those who suffer from depression. (In case you suspect it in yourself, other symptoms include a change in sleep habits, eating, the ability to concentrate, and the desire to commit suicide.) Medications are avail-able, specifically the SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reup-take Inhibitors) such as Prozac or Celexa. They have few side effects. Equally as effective are various therapeutic techniques, especially talk and cognitive-behavioral ther-apy (CBT). Both methods help to change thinking pat-terns related to depression, i.e. extremes in thought.

I realize prisons push meds much harder than therapy, and understably so. Their therapists are overworked, which sometimes leads to a lack of empathy. As such, I’d support utilizing the various chaplains in the religious department. Many of them are trained in at least minimal therapeutic techniques. Otherwise, consider a spiritual outlet or honest conversations of feelings with a trusted friend.

If you suspect someone close to you is depressed and has expressed a desire to harm him or herself, now is not the time to honor the code of not snitching. Despite the draconian methods the DOC employs with those who are suicidal (i.e. restraints), it’s better than death. Know that depression is an illness rather than a moral failing. Rise above the code of the street and express yourself as a member of humanity. (See Triumph, continued on page 14)


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March Birthdays

DEATH ROW

If you do not want your name published, send a letter to Graterfriends each year you do not want it to be included.

Be sure to note your date of birth.

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

Below are the solutions to crossword puzzles printed in this issue and the previous issue of Graterfriends.

February 2012

Arthur Jerome Bomar DK-1677, GRN Aquil Bond GH-1499, GRA Michael Conforti BQ-0537, GRN Robert Cook AS-0603, GRA Lester Fletcher FB-8882, GRN Darien Houser GL-7509, GRN George Ivan Lopez CZ-3198, GRN Lenwood Robert Mason CY-4048, GRA Isaac Mitchell EG-7580, GRN

Angel Luis Reyes CG-0732, GRA

Don Mitchell Tedford AP-1138, GRN

Donte L. Thomas HF-4745, GRN

Jose Uderra CC-3832, GRN

GRA = SCI Graterford PO Box 244 Graterford, PA 19426-0244

GRN = SCI Greene 175 Progress Drive Waynesburg, PA 15370-8090

DIMINISHED CAPACITY

I’m often asked to categorize the worst part of having an incarcerated husband. My answer has changed over the years. In the beginning, the separation was unbear-able. I was lost in love, stuck on the corner of bitter and sweet. As the sentence moved on, it was hard to stay mo-tivated. I’m a married-single woman. My left ring finger tells the world I’d been through a ceremony, but no per-son appears to claim the rights to me. Today, the worst part of this life is that the relationship is not in real time.

My life with my husband is clearly divided into before prison and after. Before, life happened to us. We made decisions as a couple. We were always a speed dial away from sharing joys and sorrows. After, the person who should be the first to know everything is often the last to know, long after the excitement has worn off or I’ve fig-ured out how to handle the problem. Life happens to me…and I have to wait to share it.

All the other “worst” parts, I can and have overcome. But, this never changes. Our relationship is on a con-stant time delay. I keep a running tally of things I need to say, but reliving excitement is like eating reheated pizza. It satiates, but it’s not as enjoyable as when fresh.

I’m an old-fashioned kind of girl. My husband is head of the family. His location doesn’t negate that, but living with a built-in lag time threatens it. I can’t pick up the phone to ask what he thinks before I make a decision. Knowing him as well I as do, I can confidently speak for him. His power is in communicating for himself, not in me scripting his portion.

If my husband were asked to describe the worst part of this process for me (aside from the obvious), he’d say, his life happens from him, not to him. Confidently speaking.

Reesy Floyd-Thompson is the founder of Prisoners’ Wives, Girlfriends, & Partners (PWGP). For more information about this group, please write Reesy at:

PWGP P. O. Box 14241 Norfolk, VA 23518

Mrs. GE-6309 Time

by Reesy Floyd-Thompson

March 2012

Did you know? Less than one percent of lifers

granted clemency return to prison.

http://pwgp.org/


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Ann Schwartzman Policy Director, The Pennsylvania Prison Society

Legislative Highlights

The PA General Assembly is now in its second year of the 2011-2012 session. Here are several criminal justice bills that may be of interest. Please note that this list is current as of February 15, 2012.

BILL NO. PRINTER NO.

DESCRIPTION CHIEF SPONSOR PPS POSITION

HB 645 PN 3044

Requires that the minimum sentence for all violent of-fenders be not more than 85 percent of the maximum sentence and a consecutive two-year probation. Also makes violent offenders ineligible for pre-release status. (In Judiciary 2/14/2011; amended and tabled 2/6/12.)

Rep. A. DeLuca D-Allegheny County

Oppose

HB 1958 PN 2807

Revises registration for sexual offenders in relation to SORNA and federal stipulations. Certain juveniles who are transient or homeless must register as sex offenders. (Tabled 2/9/12.)

Rep. R. Marsico R-Dauphin County

Oppose

HB 2187 PN 3066

Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsyl-vania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provi-sions, establishing the Pennsylvania Interagency Coun-cil on Inmate Reentry. (In Judiciary 2/8/12.)

Rep. W.C. Thomas D-Philadelphia County

Support

SB 1019 PN 1300

Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "corrections manager"; and, in general administration, providing for salary of corrections managers. (Passed Senate, 45-5, 1/24/12.)

Sen. D. Argall R-Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties

Studying

REPORT ON CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS: UPDATE The recently released, The Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children: Needs and Responsive Services, will be offi-

cially presented to the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee on March 6. The report is a compilation of findings and recommendations developed by the Joint State Government Commission and an advisory committee. This report took two years, and represented agencies from criminal justice, children, welfare, aging, foster care, and more. See the report here.

Recommendations include:

• Enact legislation to establish a statewide arrest pro-tocol for law enforcement and child welfare authori-ties when arresting the parent of a minor.

• Facilitate in-person and contact visitation between incarcerated parents and their children.

• Implement and support methods of regular communi-cation such as videoconferencing, email, tele-phone, and letters.

• Provide training for professionals in all fields serving children of incarcerated parents.

• Enact legislation clarifying that incarceration alone is not grounds to terminate parental rights.

• Provide caregivers with support and information about providing resources for these children.

• Support incarcerated parents in achieving successful reentry and enhanced parenting skills.

• Enhance data collection on these children.

• Encourage cross-system collaboration among agencies serving such children.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0645



http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=1019

http://www.prisonsociety.org/documents/Effects_of_Parental_Incarceration_on_Children_Dec2011.pdf


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Legal Chat

CASE ANALYSIS MADE EASY

Case Analysis involves more than just merely search-ing for words to parse language in support of your propo-sition of law. Those words must be classified — to know what they mean and how to use them. Some words have value and some don’t. Proper case analysis identifies, classifies and only uses words of precedential value.

The core objective of case analysis is the dissection and use of judicial decisions and the ability to distinguish decisive utterances from judicial dicta and obiter dicta, and to distinguish the relevant facts from narrative facts. In analyzing judicial decisions, what must be un-derstood is that not all propositions of law uttered by the court are of equal precedential value. The mere fact that a statement has recently been made by a court does not mean the statement is “the law.” There are three classifi-cations of judicial utterances:

• A decisive utterance is a proposition of law which is in answer to a question of law before the court and is “necessary to disposition” of the case.

• A judicial dictum is a proposition of law uttered by the Court in answer to a question of law raised by the parties which “is not necessary to disposition” of the case.

• An obiter dictum is a proposition of law expressly uttered by the court which is “neither in answer to any question of law nor necessary to disposition of the case.”

Your analysis and objective is to classify the court’s utterances by asking: 1) “Is it necessary to disposition of the case?” and 2) “Does it answer a question of law in the case?” Only decisive utterances have precedential value. Are you “analyzing” a case or just reading it in persua-sive words? Order via I.L.L. from Law Library Goodhart. (“Determining the ratio decidendi of a case” 40 Yale L.J. 161, 1930).

Frederick T. Ray III GF2852, SCI Camp Hill

POLICE USING ILLEGAL CURRENCY AS EVIDENCE IN COURT

The scenario is all too common on "COPS" and various other police shows: Prior to making a controlled drug buy from a suspected dealer, police photocopy their pre-recorded buy money - in its actual size - and then use the

original currency to make a drug buy. Once the under-cover officer makes the buy — usually $20 or $30 worth of suspected drugs — he immediately removes his hat or glances at his watch, signaling a posse of backup officers — wearing leather gloves, bulletproof vests, and armed to the teeth — to jump out, shout “FREEZE (expletive)!,” and then (literally) pounce on the suspect. Once the sus-pected dealer is in handcuffs, some of the police “high-five” each other for a job well done; while others rifle through the suspect’s pockets, ferociously scrambling to find the buy money, as if searching for a winning Power-ball ticket! Once the buy money is matched up to the photocopy, the suspect's fate is sealed! (Or is it?)

According to the Counterfeit Detection Act of 1992, Public Law 102-550, in Section 411 of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations, photocopying U.S. currency is permissible for any non-fraudulent purpose, provided that the items are reproduced in black and white and are less than three quarters or greater than one-and-one half times the size of the currency. In other words, it is a vio-lation of federal law to photocopy U.S. currency in its actual size.

My question is: How can police and prosecutors use illegally-photocopied U.S. currency as evidence against defendants in court? Yes, it's illegal to deal drugs, but, according to federal law, it's also illegal to photocopy U.S. currency in its actual size!

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated!

Rob Boyden Drexel Hill, PA

[email protected]

CALLING ON “THE WINGS OF JUSTICE”

I’m calling on “the wings of Justice,” because state and city public officials have lied, manipulated evidence, and withheld official documents from my trial. I am an inno-cent man under a 30-60-year sentence on two false counts of house burglaries, and had it not been for my trial attorney’s incompetent assistance, I wouldn’t have been convicted on these alleged crimes. I’m requesting an evidentiary hearing to be held so that I can show the court that my jury trial was flawed by poor defense work and illegal tricks by the prosecution in which the com-monwealth’s prosecutor had built his case around lies and fabricated testimonies, manipulated evidence and perjured testimony during the time of trial.

I have official legal documentary evidence of proof to support my claim of being innocent. I know for a fact that this evidence will refute all statements/testimony and allegations made by the commonwealth’s alleged case against me.

Note that the victim and witness in this case had not identified me through their description to the Philadel-phia police on October 28, 1997 and December 5, 1997: the victim in this case was influenced by a police officer who was one of the arrest officers who arrested me on December 5, 1997. (CP #9712-0614)


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The Philadelphia Police and state prosecutor gave the victim and witness the identification of me. I have rebut-tal evidence to the trial court’s testimony statements from two state public officials during the time of my de-fense counsel’s cross-examination on June 15, 1999. This evidence was withheld during the time of trial by the state prosecution office. Also, I have documentary evi-dence that shows my whereabouts on the dates and times of the alleged incidents of October 28, 1997 and December 5, 1997. I have my medical records that cor-roborate claims to my physical conditions at the time of the October 28, 1997 alleged incident of burglary, rob-bery, and simple assault. My conditions make it physi-cally impossible for me to be able to commit the attack on this alleged victim on the above dates.

I am being held in custody in violation of the constitu-tional laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am only requesting that the court re-view my claims of innocence and to thereafter allow me an evidentiary hearing. If the court would agree to an evidentiary hearing, and I cannot show proof through the documentary evidence that I am innocent, then I will waive all my rights to appeal my convictions under case CP# 9712-0613, 0614, 1/1.

Daryl Dushawn Pitts DQ-9998, SCI Greene

HELP REGARDING THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY

I’m writing to ask for help. I’ve been in the therapeutic community for eight months and was discharged for lack of participation and not using house tools. I believe that this is not true and I don’t know what to do. Is there any-thing I can do to be reinstated or be given my golden ticket? I cannot say anything to change the minds of the staff or prison. I want to know if anybody else is having the same problem or has any advice for this problem. Now I might not be able to finish my carpentry class be-cause of being discharged from the program. I also have a problem with group speaking that they don’t see as an issue. Any help please.?

Senator Greenleaf has a bill (#1161). Does anybody know about this bill?

Terry Graham JG-2267, SCI-Fayette

GET INVOLVED!

I just want to give all my brothers/sisters who find themselves trapped behind these walls year after year a word of advice. I want to suggest that we always main-tain our poise and keep our dignity despite being under such dehumanizing conditions. I want to remind all pris-oners to get more involved with the various organiza-tions that have been created to protect our rights. I am also asking you all to seek your family and friends to help support various organizations that are geared to deal with prisoner rights as well as human rights. I am in my 14th year of incarceration with multiple hits de-spite all the programs the DOC has mandated (and many of us have found ourselves caught up in the matrix of the justice system). However, this year, I implore individuals to stand in solidarity, unite, and be of use in turning the system around. We must fight on against mandatory life sentences without the chance of parole, and support juve-nile lifers. Most of all, we must help push to have the antiquated Board of Probation and Parole revamped so that they truly step in line with what rehabilitation is. They need to be able to properly make decisions that are not politically driven and have a system that is not based on partial truths. I also, in closing, want to offer my un-dying support to my brother Mumia Abu-Jamal and let people know his fight is not over. Continue supporting him. We must keep the fighting spirit and oppose oppres-sion at every turn.

Kendrick Pratt DQ-2960, SCI Frackville

THE PIPELINE TO PRISON

The pipeline from urban school districts to the peniten-tiary is now put into motion. With all the recent budget cuts and the already low academic performances at these schools, there’s nothing to be expected but a future of mass incarceration for this segment of society.

It is truly a lack of vision by legislators when the only growth industry that they can come up with is expanding the prison industrial complex to make profits off of hu-man beings.

All students deserve justice with education. Justice in the sense of having their basic needs for good quality education met, to allow them to meet their full human potential, and to advance civilization in a positive way. Denying any child the chance to be properly prepared for a successful future educationally is downright criminal! After spending millions of dollars during the past dec-ades on building new prisons and cutting educational

When submitting a letter or column to Graterfriends for publication, please re-

member to attach a letter (or note on your submission) that it is for publication and that you are the original author; date and

sign the declaration. Thank you.

Mailroom

(see Mailroom, continued on page 8)


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budgets, society does not appear to be any closer to achieving the goals of public safety.

The money spent on warehousing non-violent, geriat-ric, reformed or medically ill offenders should be used for educating our youth. A total of 19 prisons have been built since 1974- making a total of 27 prisons in Pennsylvania- and it hasn’t done anything to deter crime or make neighborhoods any safer.

It must be understood that about ninety percent of all prisoners will be released back into society someday. Some will be in worse shape (morally and educationally) than when they first entered the penal system.

If the bad decisions by those in charge of our children’s education are left unchecked on the front-end, it will cost society big time on the back-end.

Budget cuts to education, plus low performing schools, plus increased spending for the Prison Industrial Com-plex equals: Pipeline to Prison. Reverse this equation and things may get better for everyone concerned.

Larry Stephenson AM 1449, SCI Graterford

RE: “SIGNS OF RACIAL INJUSTICE ARE EVERYWHERE, EVEN ON VANITY PLATES”

Being a black prisoner, confined in the “Super-Max” at SCI Greene in the State of Pennsylvania, I don’t need to see vanity plates or national statistics to know that ra-cial profiling has been and continues to be a serious prob-lem and a form of oppression that blacks and other mi-norities suffer daily.

It’s almost like Mr. DiMascio had an epiphany about racial profiling/racial discrimination. However, Mr. Di-Mascio does not have to look far (or to national statistics) for examples of racial discrimination. Right here in the State of Pennsylvania, at SCI Greene, he can find an overwhelming picture of racial profiling/racial discrimi-nation, where approximately 80 percent (personal obser-vation) of the men locked down on indefinite administra-tive custody (A.C.) are black men, with a general popula-tion of approximately 65 percent black (personal observa-tion). Most black inmates are put on A.C. simply because they are young black men.

So I say to Mr. DiMascio: You don’t need to quote sta-tistics, all you need to do is open your eyes. Come visit some of the black men being unlawfully held on A.C. at Greene and you can have a personal view of racial profil-ing/racial discrimination within the DOC. Or maybe this type of racial discrimination is not important. Hopefully, Mr. DiMascio will take his own advice and look directly into the “eyes” of racial profiling inside the Pa. Depart-ment of Corrections — or will he continue to turn a blind eye and be one of those people who (as he quoted) “refuse to do anything, or refuse to take time to see the signs of injustice all around them”?

When people acknowledge the racial discrimination but fail to directly address the solution, they allow the prob-lem to be perpetuated and are just as guilty as those committing the discrimination

John Shabaka Thompson AM-5557, SCI Fayette

CLEAN AIR ACT SHOULD APPLY TO PRISONS

This letter is in response to Allan Buyna’s letter, “Help for Non-Smokers in Prison” that appeared in the October issue of Graterfriends.

Regardless of what prison you are in, smoking is preva-lent. I’ve been at SCI Huntingdon over a year and have been told by a former unit manager that the jail and my blocks are smoke-free, yet when I complain about getting a smoker for a cellie, that man is told not to smoke when I am in the cell. So much for the Indoor Clean Air Act, which is a LAW and not DOC policy. The DOC has is-sued policies against smoking, but these policies are never adhered to.

I’ve seen guards and higher staff members at SCI Dal-las and Huntingdon walk past a cell that had a cloud of smoke in it because the person inside was smoking.

The grievance procedure, as useless as it is, is the only procedure available to us and it must be used in its en-tirety in order to file any possible lawsuits concerning the smoking issues.

The ONLY way to stop the smoking inside the prisons is to have the DOC remove any and all items relating to smoking. This was already done in Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota. It can be done here, but must be done in a legal and civil manner.

Brian Blaine BG6571, SCI Huntingdon

PEN DIARIES

Pen Diaries (Penitentiary Diaries), is a website that offers prisoners the opportunity to have their online di-ary while incarcerated. This website was created from an idea that was based primarily on bridging the social gap between prisoners and the general public. Having an online journal (while incarcerated) that allows prisoners to continuously log their most intimate thoughts and experiences is an excellent way to assure optimism and compassion from the general public. There is no mone-tary fee for any prisoner who would like to have a diary on the Pen Diary website. However, there are specific guidelines that must be followed before being allowed a diary space.

Pen Diaries is basically a window to which the general public has an unobstructed view of a prisoner’s unfiltered expressions regarding life in prison. Diaries will be ac-cessible worldwide! This is a sure way to create a net-work of enthusiastic supporters. Having a diary on the

Mailroom, continued from page 7


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Pen Diary website allows prisoners to turn their situa-tion into productive resources, pen pal connections, legal advice, family outreach, and much, much more! Each personal diary will have storage space for a photo gallery and other written material. This space will only be avail-able to those who have diaries on the site. Also, Pen Dia-ries will send out a monthly copy of its message board exchanged to all prisoners with a diary on its website.

The experience of living behind bars for any amount of time is one that can only be told by you. This is your op-portunity. Pen Diary is your platform! Speak up and tell the world what prison life is really about by destroying the preconceptions and misunderstandings.

If you are interested, contact:

Pen Diaries: P.O. Box 23543 Philadelphia, PA 19143 (856) 208-7062 www.pendiaries.com

George Rashaan Brooks-Bey AP-4884, SCI Frackville

CHANGE IS POSSIBLE, IF YOU REALLY WANT IT

First, let me say, Graterfriends inspires my circle of Peer Education assistants (and myself) here at SCI Mer-cer. I’ve taken notice lately of the stress in other inmates’ passages in your letters. Well, let me first get a positive word out about our Therapeutic Community Program. Three men and I oversee 61 men and I get the special privilege of seeing positive change seven days a week. I’m 31 years old and on my second state number and have done a total of 81/2 years in our “lock ‘em up” state of Pennsylvania. I’ve always been one of those inmates who never thought that a program would help anyone until I entered this program a year ago. People are changing here. We are getting them to the root of where they went wrong in their path of life and teaching them that change is possible. I see racism take a backseat on a daily basis, and it gets replaced with teamwork and new friendships.

I really want all the readers to know change is possible, but you have to really want it. It’s time to hang the spurs of fellow inmates and help change our lives and the world in which we live. Helping others inside these walls has permanently changed me in a way that is indescribable. Thank you for reading this and know here at S.C.I. Mercer our motto is “Our past will no longer define our futures.”

Matthew A. Maxwell UV-2778, SCI Mercer

INVESTIGATION INTO SCIS

On December 1, 2011 it was reported in the Huffington Post that seven guards from SCI Pittsburgh have been arrested since September and face criminal charges in-cluding rape, assault, witness intimidation and official oppression. The most serious charges were brought

against the ringleader Harry Nicoletti, 59, a guard in-dicted on 94 felony and misdemeanor counts, including 10 counts of institutional rape.

The other guards arrested were Sean Thomas Story, 26; Jerome Lynch, 35; Tory Kelly, 40; Kevin Freiss, 31; Bruce Lowther, 33; and Brian Olinger, 32. Besides the charges cited above, some of these men are also charged with terroristic threats, with at least one charged with criminal solicitation and another with stalking. (The Movement, Issue 13, pgs. 15-16, 33-35).

Correction office officials are also investigating a report that guards and administrators at a third Pennsylvania prison, SCI Fayette, ran a secret “fight club” pitting in-mate against inmate.

The Human Rights Coalition in Pittsburgh has sent out a letter asking that the families of inmates and in-mates themselves offer any information of abuse that may be relevant to the ongoing investigations that may help widen them to cover other prison facilities. There is no doubt that abuse is widespread in Pennsylvania’s prison system. Any relevant information should be for-warded to: Anthony Zisser, Trial Attorney Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Section 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. SPL, 601 D. Street Washington, D.C. 20530

Denise McElveen Philadelphia, PA

MORE ACTION IS NEEDED FOR CHANGE

I would like to update those of you who would like to change the TV stations on our Inmate Cable System.

On November 22, 2011, Mr. Kusick received a response to his letter from Jeffrey Witherite, Staff Assistant, in regard to a request to change some of the stations in the cable contract.

Mr. Witherite said, “We take into consideration inmates’ request for changes to the channels provided and will dis-cuss possible changes when the contract is renegotiated.”

We NEED to request changes, and we MUST contact Mr. Jeffrey Witherite for proposed changes: Mr. Jeffrey Witherite Department of Corrections PO Box 598 Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598

Thank you, Mr. Kusick, and those who are trying to make a difference to our inmate cable TV.

Send more requests for this change to happen! Thank you in advance to those who want to see a

change by taking action in this matter. Dan Spuck

CZ-4825, SCI Mercer


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Our Voices

CHANGES NEEDED AT MUNCY

by Jessie Alexander OO-7361, SCI Muncy

One need that is greatly critical to lifers is to allow voices to be heard on the issues of commutation and what is assisting us in rehabilitation. I often ask, “What is rehabilitation and what is the process of rehabilita-tion?” Recently, a staff member stated that there is none for lifers because of the sentence of life. Yet, commuta-tion is offered. What I desire for myself is to restore my-self back to the absolute perfection of a law-abiding citi-zen. This should be offered (rehabilitation) to all who are incarcerated regardless of the time frame of their sen-tence. My growth is dependent not only on myself but on the staff here at SCI Muncy also.

What is offered within this institution is offered to those with an expected release date and only offered to the inmates serving life.

You may have heard the women express they want to be like the male inmates. I just want the same opportu-nities as the male inmates, not only for myself, but for all female lifers: exposure of our good, and assistance from staff in organizing a committee or association for lifers as the male inmates have. A Lifers Organization should develop knowledge as a whole on the judicial system and legislation which I, for one, have minimal knowledge of;

to speak with new commitments who are sentenced to life as they enter the institution; and to have fundraisers selling fresh vegetables and fruits because of the poor quality we receive in the dining room. Consuming fresh produce could reduce many illnesses, especially as we age. This would reduce and save on the cost of certain medications, vitamins, laxatives, etc. Part of the money could be used to help the lifers who do not have financial help for hygiene and other needs, and those who cannot work due to illness and aging. Medical pay is a measly $10 per month. Also, part of the money can be used for Christmas gifts for lifers grand- and great- grandchil-dren. Angel Tree does not supply gifts for our grandchil-dren; A Lifers Association will be of great encouragement and support to each other.

Guest Speakers: To hear from lifers who were granted commutation and are living successful lives; to hear from women’s organizations, judges and legislators/senators. Far too many women do not know the law (although ig-norance of the law is no excuse) but have had poor repre-sentation and/or were under severe mental strain, men-tal disorder, or heavily medicated.

Medical: Medications and needed surgery are pro-longed or denied to lifers. There is help from one long-time doctor’s assistants but there are always constant new ones who do now show concern, nor bring relief from pain and illness.

Mental Health and Psychotropic Drugs: Comparing the prison population to the number of psychologists and psychiatrists, lifers will also go unassisted in times of crisis, may be prescribed misjudged medications, and are subject to misdiagnosis. I am very fortunate that Psy-chologist Ms. Kling has helped me improve my coping skills and understanding of my diagnosis, along with explaining and answering my questions.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE by Phillip Pratt, DB1830, SCI Mahanoy

In his article entitled “Lifers Find Ways to Give Their Lives Meaning, Even Behind Bars,” Graterfriends editor-in-chief William M. DiMascio sought to applaud efforts made by an organization of lifers at SCI Graterford. The organization originally had the sole purpose of advocat-ing for lifers’ parole, but, confronted with stiff resistance, refocused, seeking instead to help those eligible for re-lease become better citizens. However, this humanitar-ian endeavor by a group of condemned men was over-shadowed by Mr. DiMascio’s attempt to explain the psy-chology behind their selfless act.

Lifers face a long and uphill battle for liberty, Mr. Di-Mascio observed, which often leads to depression, and, “[f]or most of them, the dream of freedom dies slowly; eventually, though, reality proclaims itself. For some, at least, this is a turning point because as the dream fades so too does their depression.”

“Hope,” Mr. DiMascio continued, “is a yearning for something which leads to despair if it is unrealized. But

hope of any sort may be rechanneled to focus not on what is out of reach, but on what is accomplished.”

I disagree. Hope is not linear, as are the minutes in an hour or the

months in a year. Hope is a feeling, desire, or belief; it permeates a person’s very being, providing a reason for living. There is no expiration to it, and no “turning point” at which “reality proclaims itself.” Moreover, for many lifers, hope, along with the efforts made to obtain its re-alization, is their liberty.

Yes, hope in most forms entails disappointment, even depression, but to propose that lifers “rechannel” their hope and not focus on “what is out of reach” does an ex-treme disservice to all. Where would human civilization be if individuals or, better yet, groups of individuals failed to devote their lives to a cause? We once believed that space travel was “out of reach.” Countless human achievements would have indeed been out of reach, had we failed to continue reaching.

Thus, I deeply encourage everyone reading, no matter what your hopes or goals, to never, never stop reaching.


11


Think About It

BUYING INTO THE TRASHCAN THEORY

by John Frederick Nole, AF-0346, SCI Graterford

Parole eligibility for individuals convicted and sen-tenced to Life Without the Opportunity for Parole (LWOP) can be justified on some levels. Where common sense does not prevail, the unjustified expenses related to a life sentence, whether children or adults, should.

The reality being that many of our legislators and law makers have not yet considered… individuals serving LWOP for killing no one. There’s also the burden in-curred by the general public to pay the price for incar-ceration and increased medical expenses for those grow-ing old and for those too sick to commit crimes. There’s no sound strategy for legislators not to consider real changes and to do away with excessive prison expenses, under Pennsylvania’s second death penalty. Applying LWOP to every situation of felony murder is counterpro-ductive to having a healthy economy. There is a need for discretion to distinguish the exceptional circumstances by which felony homicide is inappropriately applied.

Because the common theory is that anyone receiving LWOP must have committed some heinous or unthink-able crime of murder, slipping through the cracks are circumstances of accomplice. Individuals who had no part in the actual crime are, nonetheless, used as statis-tics, to help the general public buy into their theory that

VVA Resolutions, continued from page 2

VIN-4, Restitution of Benefits for Incarcerated Veterans:

Resolve, that Vietnam Veterans of America strongly urges and recommends to the Executive and legislative Branches of the U.S. Government that the Code of Fed-eral Regulations be amended, removing the reduction in payments to veterans with service-connected disability who become incarcerated of felony conviction for more than 60 days. VVA asserts that such payments are in-come-earned as a result of disabilities incurred while serving in defense of their country, and that the regula-tions and policies which create such reductions are pat-ently unfair and discriminatory to disabled veterans. The law and regulations involved in this resolution are: 38 USC §5313 and 38 CFR §3.665.

VIN-5 PTSD Treatment for Vietnam Incarcerated Veterans:

Resolve, that Vietnam Veterans of America strongly urges and recommends to the Department of Veterans Affairs that protocols and programs be established to

Correction

The February issue of Graterfriends incorrectly stated that artist Elizabeth Johnson also wrote the poem "Cora."

In fact, the artwork was from Ms. Johnson, but "Cora" was written by

Reginald S. Lewis, AY-2902, SCI Graterford. We regret the error.

they’re all throw-away lives that cannot, under any cir-cumstances, be redeemed. They are discarded to the trash cans of prison to do LWOP. Without any mecha-nism for evaluating the possibility of being returned to society as productive individuals, they decay away as being insignificant.

The redeeming process for individuals who receive LWOP remains inconceivable to law makers, who hold crime and punishment as their primary ace in the hole; their fall-back propaganda to dupe an uninformed general public, that everyone doing LWOP is exactly the same.

Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in sentenc-ing juveniles to LWOP. This distinction is only shared by countries that America frowns upon as having the worst of worst human atrocities.

It’s time that Pennsylvania’s penal system came in from the cold and began to be reevaluated. Those who have undergone periods of extreme incarceration should be recycled. The continuation of buying into the trash can theory, that these are just throw-away lives, or that we can pay the price for unnecessary incarceration in lieu of funding education and other socially productive treatment programs, is just not good, old-fashioned com-mon sense.

Parole consideration for life-sentenced prisoners is not a “let them all go” deal. It’s evaluating who can function under external supervision of the state Board of Proba-tion and Parole. It’s “Who has changed their life enough to be productive and responsible?”

Parole eligibility for lifers in Pennsylvania is sound economics. It’s practical criminal justice planning and legislatively responsible in creating a workable incar-ceration program.

address the specialized treatment needs of veterans who are incarcerated with PTSD disabilities.

So we urge all veterans to insist that their family and friends write or call their state and national representa-tives to support and pass these proposed resolutions.


12


Through a Far Eastern

Window by Michael H. Fox

Literary Corner

TAKE A LOOK INTO MY LIFE by Hakeem Butler, DW-8032, SCI Fayette

If you took a look into my life, you may not see what I see, because you

haven’t been through what I’ve been through. If you see brutality

don’t cringe or run, I was just misguided. If you see

violence, please don’t fear me; I was only seeking attention.

If you see pain, don’t feel sorry for me. For I don’t request

sympathy. You may view me as a thug, please know that I needed love.

If you see a child, treat him as such. If you see a miseducated man, try to understand or help. Don’t pre-

or misjudge me. For I am like any other human being: I cry,

I laugh, I have fears and doubts, I smile, I have insecurities, I feel pain,

I am a seeker of joy and happiness, I breathe and I made mistakes. Please know

though, that my mistakes are not me. I am much greater than my mistakes.

If by chance you are able to look into my life and see what I see… then you would know that

God has forgiven me.

I FIND LITTLE COMFORT by Bob Clark, JJ-9669, SCI Greene

I find little comfort in the momentarily numbing effect of a cigarette as I ponder my predicament. Sitting cross-legged on my bunk, my feelings have sunk to the pit of my stomach! It’s not everyday I feel this way. Just when I’m homesick. How ‘bout you; do you ever feel this way, too? Tell the truth; I know you do! Sure, tomorrow is another day, and this too will pass; perhaps I need a good kick in the ass! Probably a lot more than one! Ha Ha, but what’s done is done! Prison was not designed to be fun! Anyway, I just wanted to share these thoughts with you, to let you know sometimes we all get to feeling blue...

I hope you find the strength within your soul to under-stand there are some things you’ll never know.

Acceptance, recompense, and forgiveness —then the healing can begin, but first you must find the courage to be true to yourself. I wish you well!

SOCIOLOGY 101: EXECUTIONS AS SOCIAL CONTROL

In any society, when the social order is threatened by an outside force, the masses will cuddle behind their leaders for security and comfort. On the other hand, when the social order is threatened by domestic unrest, leaders will usurp civil rights, expand detainment, and even murder to intimidate the populace.

The tremors of the 2011 Arab Spring continue to rattle the Middle East. Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya have stabilized, but the leadership in neighboring vicinities sleep in anxiety. The leadership of Iran and Saudi Arabia are in turmoil.

Business and commerce in Iran are in stagnation. Its national airline is grounded. The masses have grown disgusted with rule by Mullah, and the threat of a new revolution looms on the horizon.

Saudi Arabia, basking in oil riches, and in possession of Islam's sacred sites, may be one of the few civilizations on Earth without a government. The Saudi Arabian populace are usually quite complacent, but the Arab Spring has offered an alternative vision of the 21st cen-tury. Saudi Arabia hosts a huge foreign workforce, and these workers have the ability to infect the locals with ideas of elections, government and democracy.

How are Iran and Saudi Arabia dealing with the threat of internal eruption? The answer is textbook Sociology 101: intimidate the population with abun-dant and visible executions.

Executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia soared in 2011. Iran carried out 252 executions in 2010, and 600+ in 2011. Saudi Arabia executed 27 prisoners in 2010, but has already executed five in January of this year.

These numbers are startlingly high. But even more shocking is the visibility. Iran has taken to hanging as-sumed criminals in public squares. Each week, new pho-tos are posted on the internet. The accused, often in groups of five or six, in street clothes, are hoisted up by construction cranes. While I have yet to view a full exe-cution on YouTube, close-ups of the executees’ faces are available to anyone with Internet access.

Another disturbing aspect are the faces of the audi-ences who come to view the spectacle. The public are invited to take photos with their cell phones. Little chil- (see Far Eastern Window, continued on page 15)


13


Fight for Lifers West meets every third Saturday of each month at 325 N. Highland Ave. (E. Liberty sec-tion), Pittsburgh, PA 15206. We welcome anyone who is interested in justice for lifers and their families. We are handicapped accessible. There are over 5000 lifers in PA and we hope that some of their family members in West-ern Pennsylvania will come to our meetings and try to make a difference. If you don't think you can, think about a single mosquito in your bedroom when you are trying to sleep. Please join us — WE NEED YOU!

Please check out our website for more information: at: http://www.fightforliferswestinc.com/default.html/ .

Beccaria: A Chapbook Anthology by Aja Beech will once again be available, for a limited time, in April. To order a copy, prisoners may send a check or money order for $5 to:

Aja Beech 2445 Coral St. Philadelphia, PA 19125

The Women's Criminal Justice Network is seeking information about women who have been wrong-fully convicted, or convicted by tangential connection to crimes committed by male acquaintances (“guilt by asso-ciation). For more information, go to www.wcjn.org. If you wish to share your experiences with this group, please write by, April 1, to:

Michael H. Fox 225 Shore Brook Walled Lake, MI 48390

or email [email protected]

Life Support for Women with an Incarcerated Loved One is a new support group for women looking for a safe place to share feelings and concerns about incarcerated family members. The group meets the second Tuesday of every month, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Pennsylvania Prison Society: 245 N. Broad Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (Race-Vine station, across from Hahnemann Hospital).

For more information: Mason Barnett, 215-564-6005, ext. 106 (Prison Society)Desiree Cunningham 215-758-5877 (Support Group questions only)

Training Launched in Philadelphia to Administer Mental Health First Aid What should one do when encountering a stranger mum-bling incoherently or panicking on the street? Most people do not know. Mental Health First Aid is meant to help people understand how to approach someone who is in a crisis situation. Volunteers learn how to listen, assess the situation, and refer him or her for treatment, if neces-sary. As with regular first aid, volunteers will not provide actual treatment.

Twelve-hour courses for faith groups, community organiza-tions, and the general public are expected to begin in June.

For more information, contact Mary Harper at [email protected] or 1-888-545-2600.

Remember to register to vote after you are released! Vote because:

• You are an important piece of the puzzle • Returning citizens need to be heard • Your vote impacts current and future resources for

our children and youth • It’s your right!

Register by March 26, 2012 for the April 24, 2012 Primary

In April, voters will make important decisions leading up to the November 2012 General Election.

Voters will select a candidate to compete against Presi-dent Obama in November, as well as candidates to com-pete for several State and Federal offices.

Register by October 9, 2012 for the November 6, 2012 General Election.

In November, voters will make final selections for impor-tant federal and state leaders. This includes:

• The President of the United States • 33 members of the State Senate, and 203 people for

the PA House of Representatives • A new PA Attorney General, Treasurer, and Audi-

tor General as well as a U.S. Senator and members of the United States House of Representatives

Thank you to Malissa Gamble, Founder/CEO of The Time is Now to Make a Change (Philadelphia), for this information. (215-847-5652)

Announcements

http://www.fightforliferswestinc.com/default.html

http://www.thetimeisnowphilly.org/


14


NEW SUBSCRIBERS: Please allow 6-8 weeks for receipt of your first issue.

Make a check or money order payable to The Pennsylvania Prison Society 245 North Broad Street, Suite 300

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Prisoners may pay with unused postage stamps.

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speaking out to educate the public about the injustices in the criminal justice system.

He participated in the institution’s lifers group and served as one of the group’s committee chairmen, intro-ducing proposals for innocence seminars and justice events. He has also been a frequent contributor to Grater-friends and other newspapers, magazines, and newslet-ters, writing to highlight the disparate treatment of the poor in the criminal justice system. While most people would be thinking about themselves and going forward upon release, Cat is talking about what he can do to make a difference for those of us left behind.

He is a very dynamic brother who has never ceased to be a source of inspiration and amazement. Whenever I asked him how his appeals were going — his case was pending before the Third Circuit for five years — he would reply by throwing punches and exclaiming Mu-hammed Ali’s mantra, “Rumble, young man, rumble!” Feeling his energy, I would respond, “That’s right, brother, stick and move, stick and move; and don’t stop swinging until the fight is won.”

So today I congratulate my brother on his victory. You have faced the warlords of tyranny and scored a shining triumph in the war for justice. All of us who face the same circumstances should be inspired by your success and motivated to fight even harder. As you exit the gates of the prison to recover your freedom, I would ask that you look back and say a prayer for those of us who press on into battle to defeat our unjust captivity. Brother, I hope that the next chapter in your life brings you great success. “Rumble, young man, rumble.”

Triumph, continued from page 3

reluctant to vote for death, even in cases where it ap-pears imminent.

Sisters on the row, while we may have never met, my heart has felt your tears as you are forcibly separated from your children, unable to hold them or kiss them. In many ways, as women, your anguish has been the worst, as your loves and sensitivities are the deepest.

My words to my brothers are yours as well: Keep your mind alive. Keep your hearts alive. Live. Love. Learn. Laugh!

I know you all as few outsiders do. I’ve met artists, mu-sicians, mathematicians, managers, jailhouse lawyers and stockbrokers.

I’ve seen guys who couldn’t draw a straight line emerge master painters (Cush, Young Buck); I’ve seen guys go from near illiteracy to fluency in foreign languages; I’ve met teachers who’ve created works of surpassing beauty and craftsmanship (Big Tony).

You are all far more than others say of you, for the spark of the infinite glows within each of you.

You are on Death Row, but what is finest in each of you is greater than Death Row.

So, care for each other. Not in words, but in the heart.

Think good vibes to each other.

Lastly, don’t rat. (If ratting was so cool, they would’ve beat me off the Row).

Keep rumblin;’ ‘cause your day is coming.

Brethren and Sistas, continued from page 1


15


Justice, continued from page 16

Easy Crossword #13 by Dave Fisher (puzzles.about.com) For solution, see page 4.

Across 1. It might be ticking 5. Fuel for a fireplace 8. Invites 12. Above 13. Go into debt 14. Finished 15. Can be counted on 17. “The __” (daytime show

hosted by women) 18. Goes into 19. Opposite of frowns 21. Parents 23. Fedora, e.g. 26. Pollen spreader 27. Does an usher’s job 31. Matures 33. Uncooked 35. Let go of 36. One for the __ 38. More specific than ‘a’ 40. Plaything 41. Containers 44. Totally up to date 47. Get away 51. Flatten 52. Let go of 54. There’s three in the yard 55. “___ you nuts?” 56. __tone (cell user’s

download) 57. Piece of cake! 58. Where rests the mouse 59. Fill to excess

Down 1. Uninteresting person 2. __ mitts 3. Become liquid 4. Short 5. Shellfish 6. Wise flyer 7. Silly flyers 8. Warned 9. Tiller’s target 10. Santa's seat? 11. Makes clothes 16. United __ Emirates 20. Sra in USA 22. Warms up 23. Pork cut 24. Past 25. Letterman’s list number 28. It's often left hanging 29. Likewise 30. Look through a keyhole 32. “__-six Trombones…” 34. Tired? 37. Affirmative 39. Or __ 42. Part of a seat belt 43. Old soldiers may have

them 44. Vitality 45. District 46. Little piggies? 48. Largest continent 49. __house (luxury digs) 50. Border 53. Baseball stat

opposite of love” and serves to increase and intensify hatred. The fleeting sensation of winning a verdict is not worth the price of one’s individual happiness, recounts the lawyer who had career success in civil as well as criminal law.

“The meager benefits justice affords come nowhere near outweighing the costs,” he says.

Kimmel believes we have been conditioned to pursue victory over our opponents in lawsuits and criminal cases, as well as in international affairs and personal conflicts. It’s an obsessive, winning-at-all-costs philoso-phy that — like a sugar high — evaporates quickly and leads to suffering and anguish.

“Justice is the cruelest addiction of all,” Kimmel writes. ‘The very thing we believe will save us is the very thing that’s destroying us.”

The words of a minister and great civil rights leader, the observations of an award-winning journalist and au-thor, and the reflections of an experienced courtroom practitioner poke holes in the commonly held belief that justice is a black and white issue, that it can be chiseled in stone by technocrats, that it can be mandated by overly ambitious elected officials.

Concepts of justice that are fashioned by legalistic parsings can be illusory and unfair. Righteousness that springs from the mind and the heart constitutes the pow-erful morality needed to address the crises of our times.

dren are also in attendance, watching the bodies sway in the wind.

In Saudi Arabia, public beheading of the condemned is common, and these photos are also viewable on the inter-net. Last year, six Bangladeshi workers were executed for the death of a single Egyptian businessman. Some of the six were innocent, perhaps all. As the national econ-omy depends on remittances from foreign workers, no diplomatic imbroglio ensued.

This recent slaughter is of course more than retribution for a single murder. It is a message to foreign workers to work hard and watch your backs.

Executions are a potent force to scare the public from the political arena. Interestingly enough, the government of Japan, always an ambivalent bystander to the politics of its global customers, has taken note. Alarmed at see-ing its cranes used in public executions, manufacturers have been ordered to stop export. For a country which hangs its own prisoners, it is a bold move.

Far Eastern Window, continued from page 12

http://puzzles.about.com/


16


THE LAST WORD

Justice: Retribution or Doing What is Right? by William M. DiMascio

Executive Director, The Pennsylvania Prison Society

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID CLAYSBURG, PA PERMIT NO. 84

First Class postage is required to re-mail

245 North Broad Street Suite 300 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107

March 2012

(see Justice, continued on page 15)

We can talk about the economics of criminal justice or the politics that drive it. We can argue about the value of rehabilitation or the virtue of frontier justice. All these discussions will take us as far as a dog chasing his tail.

The missing ingredient in most considerations of our justice system is morality – not necessarily religiosity, but the aspect of justice that ensures fairness and embod-ies compassion. It has to do with doing what is right, and no one says it any better than the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. In an address to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, August 16, 1967, he explained:

“What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love imple-menting the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love. And this is what we must see as we move on.”

You have to think about those words for a bit until they sink in and you can appreciate the potency of his think-ing. Too bad this speech didn’t get half the attention of the “I have a dream” speech, or some of his other inspira-tional oratory.

Unfortunately, we have a tendency to take things for granted. We relate justice to retribution, vengeance, and settling scores or getting even. This concept is deeply ingrained in our psyches and reinforced constantly by media seeking to glamorize heroic actions.

We have John Wayne blasting away with a six shooter to avenge some villainous acts. We have Bruce Willis with his pistol and his imagination saving scores of timid hostages from teams of heavily armed bad guys. The sto-ries are always the same; payback is glorified.

In “The Caging of America” (New Yorker, January 30, 2012), Adam Gopnik observes, “The scale and the brutal-ity of our prisons are the moral scandal of American life.” He says we are obsessed with process and procedure rather than principles. This has created an impersonali-zation of our criminal justice system that has led to the U.S. becoming famous for harsh and inhumane prisons.

The strategy of mass incarceration has resulted in more black men being in prisons, on probation and pa-role than were in slavery in 1850, Gopnik notes. Overall, more than 6 million men and women are under correc-tional supervision in America, and that is more than were in the Gulag Archipelago under Stalin. He adds:

“The criminal law should once again be more like the common law, with judges and juries not merely finding fact but making law on the basis of universal principles of fairness, circumstances and seriousness, and crafting penalties to the exigencies of the crime.”

James P. Kimmel Jr., a former prosecutor, in his book Suing for Peace, writes that “justice as vengeance is the

It is precisely this collision of immoral power with powerless morality which constitutes the major crisis of our times. – Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2012/01/30/120130crat_atlarge_gopnik

http://www.amazon.com/Suing-Peace-Guide-Resolving-Conflicts/dp/1571744525

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March 2012 Graterfriends