May 2012 Graterfriends

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

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 5 www.prisonsociety.org  www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaPrisonSociety May 2012

Disadvantaged Children to Disadvantaged Adults
by John F. Nole, AF-0346, SCI Graterford

Many juveniles who came through the Juvenile Court Too many children of the indigent remain low priority
system, were bound to stand trial as adults, and received on the scales of equal treatment, most particularly when
life sentences, may have experienced abuse by the sys- they are the children of the disenfranchised.
tem without their knowledge. Violations of their consti-
tutional rights may have been the primary reason they If equal justice is being graded on a curve, it appears to
entered into an adult criminal system while still chil- be downward, where unprotected children are not so-
dren. Many, due to the introduction of illegally obtained phisticated enough to understand what rights they are
confessions, became witnesses against themselves. Often forfeiting without adult guidance.

Children, who, under the law are in infant status, may
Too many children of the indigent never have been provided the protection of being a child.
remain low priority on the scales Behind closed doors, away from the public eye, with the
of equal treatment. courts in consort, attorneys and prosecutors are allowed
to perpetuate judicial rape.

ignorant of juvenile procedures and law, attorneys were Failing to champion equal justice for all children, even
ill-prepared to provide adequate and meaningful repre- those who commit serious crimes, only fuels a fire of dis-
sentation to their child clients, and waiver proceedings of parity and widens the gap of unfair and unequal protec-
the juvenile courts merely went through the motions. tion. Can we continue to allow the constitutional protec-
Lawyers were allowed to abandon their clients before tions of our most vulnerable citizens, our children, to be
hearings even began. Abandonment by counsel left ap- ignored? The answer should be NOT AT ALL.
peals of procedural and statutory violations routinely
unchallenged and unpreserved.

Equal protection of the law is supposed to require judges
to adhere to and apply the principle of the law to every- In this Issue
one fairly; however, this is not the reality. Where chil-
From the Editors, News ................................................. 2
dren are at issue, they are often taken into custody, in-
terrogated by police, and statements taken and used Our Voices, Spotlight ..................................................... 3
against them. In far too many instances there are no Mrs. GE-6309 Time, Birthdays, Crossword Solutions.. 4
adults or legal guardians ever present. In instances of Legislative Highlights .................................................... 5
children being arrested, parents are supposed to, and
should always be contacted, yet such treatment and Legal Chat ...................................................................... 6
practices remain visibly absent in the treatment of mi- Mailroom .....................................................................7-9
nors accused of serious crimes. How to Return to State Prison from County Jail ..10-11
Think About It, Pass the Word .................................... 12
There are no advocates to retrieve these children’s
rights against such abuses. For those who were disad- Literary Corner ............................................................ 13
vantaged by the legal process, the care is in spirit, but Graterfriends Order Form, Announcements ............... 14
produces nothing in practicality. LWOP (Life Without Crossword ..................................................................... 15
Parole) has been the fate of too many children. Are those
“The Last Word” by William DiMascio........................ 16
poverty stricken youth the exception to equal justice and
equal protection?

1
The opinions expressed are of the authors and not necessarily those of Graterfriends or The Pennsylvania Prison Society.


From
the Editors News
While we at the Prison Society have been busy plan- PUBLIC HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
ning our 225th anniversary of advocating for social jus- ISSUES OFTEN INTERSECT
tice, we continue to offer help and programming to those
who need it — prisoners, former prisoners, and their by Mindy Bogue, Graterfriends Managing Editor
families and communities.
“If we don’t provide ex-offenders with the opportunity
We recently held an informative public forum about to have housing, how can we expect them to succeed?”
the intersection of public health issues and criminal jus- asked John Wetzel, Secretary of the Pennsylvania De-
tice issues. It’s not a subject that is often talked about, partment of Corrections at the recent public health pan-
but we found that without help from public health insti- el: The Nexus Between Public Health and Criminal Jus-
tutions, ex-prisoners can find reentry into society very tice. Along with Secretary Wetzel, the 200 attendees also
difficult. Some of the findings from that forum, where heard from Estelle Richman, Acting Deputy Director for
Secretary John Wetzel was a keynote speaker, may be the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
found in the article to the right. ment. A panel of five specialists on the subject of public
Dante Overby of SCI Rockview has written a very help- health also made remarks based on the keynote speeches
ful pamphlet for people who were sent to county jails and answered questions from the audience. The event
from state prisons. He is one of a few who was able to file was presented by the Public Health Initiative of the
the correct paperwork to allow for his return to a state Pennsylvania Prison Society.
institution. We have reprinted the information on pages Public health and criminal justice are rarely mentioned
10-11; perhaps it can also help some of you. in the same sentence. However, Amalia Isaa, Ph D, of the
The Pennsylvania General Assembly was in recess when University of the Sciences stated, “Criminal justice in
this newsletter was published, but recently a hearing took the manner it is currently carried out is a health issue in
place regarding Senator Greenleaf’s SB1153, tackling its own right.”
changes to the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA). See Facts that were highlighted in the session include:
Legislative Highlights on page five for details.
 25 percent of former offenders are homeless upon
Don’t miss Executive Director William DiMascio’s col- their release Their death rate is highest in the first
umn on page 16. He writes about the evolution (or devo-
lution) of the commutation process in Pennsylvania. (See Public Health, continued on page 13)

Letters more than a page in length (200 words) will not be
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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
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2


Our Voices Spotlight

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AT SCI MUNCY DECARCERATE PA MARCHES ON PHILADELPHIA
by Dana Lomax-Williams, OP-2743, SCI Muncy
by Cory Clark, Occupy Philly Media
I wish to expose some of the overlooked sexual violations
and injustices that we at SCI Muncy endure every day. One
issue is how we are searched by one of the male instructors On April 5, Decarcerate PA held a series of marches
(who also is a supervisor) in the dietary department. It’s and rallies in Philadelphia. Decarcerate PA was formed
understandable that policy mandates that we be searched in 2011 in response to the proposed $685 million expan-
upon leaving the kitchen. However, for him to touch us in sion of the Pennsylvania prison system.
inappropriate places is completely unacceptable. Many
women were fired after complaining about him. Most wom- SCI Graterford near Collegeville is set to have two new
en already have pre-existing sexual abuse issues, and this state-of-the-art maximum security prisons built on the
just makes them feel violated again. We complained to his grounds of the old one, with another scheduled to be built at
supervisor, and she concluded that it was appropriate. Are SCI Rockview — each costing about $200 million. Former
you serious? I would love to see her searched — or perhaps Secretary of the Department of Corrections Jeffrey Beard
her daughter. Maybe then her views would be different. initially proposed the expansion before he left the office.
Why can’t the female officers search us?
Not all staff are disrespectful in this manner. Most are Beginning at 2:55 p.m. in front of Governor Corbett's
very respectful, but there are a few who are like the man I Philadelphia office at 200 South Broad Street, members
mentioned. If we file a grievance, procedure demands that of Decarcerate PA announced their Three-Point Platform
we are placed in the hole or lose our bed date. If a prisoner is that calls on the governor and the state legislature to stop
on pre-release, it’s doubtful she will go that route. It is also a building new prisons, reduce the number of incarcerated,
well-known fact that officers and high officials have had and reinvest that money into communities and schools.
sexual relationships with the inmates, and some still are.
After successfully working in the dietary department At 3:30 p.m., they marched toward Philadelphia City
twice, I refused to be sent back there, explaining why I Hall. Continuing on to the Criminal Justice Center at
did not want to work there. I was denied the opportunity 1301 Filbert Street, they met up with a rally for the re-
to work anywhere else. I wrote our programs coordina- lease of Mumia Abu- Jamal. Pam Africa was speaking
tor, our major, and our lieutenant — no one responded. about the activist/journalist’s recent release from death
So, I wrote our Executive Deputy Secretary of Correc- row and calling for his life sentence to be commuted.
tions, Mrs. Shirley Moore-Smeal at Camp Hill. Miracu- Members of several advocacy groups then spoke out
lously, I was called down to the security office by Cap- about prison conditions, juvenile life sentences without
tain Powley. He told me that I made a lot of paperwork parole (JLWOP), and mandatory sentencing policies.
for him. REALLY! I asked him what he suggested I do if
I wanted to work. He told me to go back to the dietary
“Mandatory Sentencing doesn’t allow for any mitigat-
department, and excused me from his office. I wrote our
ing circumstances,” said Atiba Kwesi, Executive Director
employment officer and was scheduled two different in-
of And Justice for All, a program that helps former of-
terviews. Both were cancelled. The supervisor said he
fenders get their records expunged. “Prosecutors have
was told NOT to hire me. So, does it really pay to exer-
the power to impose mandatory sentences on people to
cise your chain of command? You be the judge.
pressure them in to taking deals they otherwise would
Editorial note: We have received other complaints of not have taken.”
misconduct at SCI Muncy, and have discussed them with
Nancy Giroux, Superintendent of SCI Muncy. We recently The day ended with a march to Love Park at 4:45 p.m.,
received a letter from her in which she says: where they called for a “housing-first” policy so that
"The origins of these recent complaints surround a re- those without a home can be placed in an apartment re-
cent change to policy that subsequently led SCI Muncy to gardless of their mental state or addiction situation. The
hold training on proper pat search technique for all per- reasoning is that it is easier for them to get needed treat-
sonnel who conduct searches. In addition to the proper ment if they are in a stable living environment.
pat search technique staff is acutely aware that the popu-
lation they serve are often subjects of abuse." Ironically, America has the highest persons per capita
We hope that, due to the proper training mentioned, the incarcerated in the world – more than countries that are
number of these incidents have decreased. considered to be the worst human rights violators.

3


Mrs. GE-6309
Time
DEATH ROW
by Reesy Floyd-Thompson
May Birthdays

SUPER SPOUSE SYNDROME Michael Bardo Manuel M. Sepulveda
CP-9596, GRN FH-1368, GRN
In the beginning of my husband's incarceration, I wrote
two to three letters a day. Anything he could have, I sent Richard S.Baumhammers Raymond Solano
in abundance. I sat by the phone and stalked the mail ET-8465, GRN FK-6135, GRN
carrier. I drove ten hours round trip every two weeks for a Stephen Edmiston Andre Staton
one-hour visit. I ate, breathed and slept commissary, vis- BC-7886, GRN GR-3024, GRN
its, calls. I forwarded calls to my cell. I promised I would
always be there and doing so meant never missing a call. Leroy Fears Patrick Jason Stollar
One Sunday morning, I ditched my commitment to CQ-7760, GRN HM-3365, GRN
lead worship to go home to retrieve my forgotten phone. I Harve Johnson William Wright, III
missed a call soon after this. I was devastated. My ve- JG-7444, GRN DV-2181, GRA
neer cracked. I was always on the edge of a meltdown.
The proverbial “S” on my chest faded. Reginald Lewis GRA = SCI Graterford
AY-2902, GRA PO Box 244
I was in the advance stages of “Super Spouse Syndrome.”
Graterford, PA
I overcompensated to make up for lost time and worse, to Noel Montalvo
19426-0244
keep up with the Joneses — prisoner wife edition. FH-9391, GRN
Super Spouse Syndrome is easy to cure. Here’s what Albert Perez GRN = SCI Greene
you can do if you are trying to leap tall prison sentences JB-2916, GRA 175 Progress Drive
in a single bound: Waynesburg, PA
William Rivera 15370-8090
1. Talk to your partner. Ask about expectations. You
DN-4295, GRA
may find you are doing far more than what he/she
requires. If two letters a week are acceptable and you
are writing five, let go of three. If you seek to do more
than what is necessary, examine the reasons why.
2. Learn to say, “No.” Stop creating impossible ide- If you do not want your name published, send a letter to
als; have a relationship not powered by incarcera- Graterfriends each year you do not want it to be included.
tion. Ask yourself if it is realistic to do everything. Be sure to note your date of birth.
Don’t equate volume with love.
3. Push back peer pressure. People love giving ad-
vice. Keep the inner workings of your relationship
to yourself. (Note: The wives you are emulating
are probably in the midst of the syndrome and in
case you haven’t heard, the Joneses are faking it.) CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS
4. Take a day “off”- Spend the day doing nothing.
Pamper yourself. Decompress from all things
prison-related. Below are the solutions to crossword puzzles printed in this
Today, I write whenever I feel the need, whether one issue and the previous issue of Graterfriends.
letter a week or a month. I visit when finances allow and
our calls are more manageable. As a Super Spouse, I April 2012 May 2012
tried to cram years into minutes. Now I use minutes to
create moments within the years. I cannot erase the ef-
fects of incarceration; therefore, I work within my limits.
However, I am not any less super. Ask my husband.

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

4


Legislative Highlights
Ann Schwartzman
Policy Director, The Pennsylvania Prison Society

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is on recess for the holidays and then later for the upcoming elections. They are
considering several criminal justice bills and holding numerous hearings as the list below describes.

BILL NO. DESCRIPTION CHIEF SPONSOR PPS POSITION
PRINTER NO.

HB 1994 Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylva- Rep. J. Preston Support
PN 3326 nia Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of D-Allegheny County
Probation and Parole, providing for the reduction of
sentence for certain minors under 18 when the crime
was committed and sentenced to serve at least 10 years
in prison, or received a life without parole sentence and
served up to three years on that sentence. (Referred to
House Judiciary 4/2/12.)

HB 2187 Rep. W. C. Thomas Support
Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania
PN 3066 D-Philadelphia
Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, estab-
County
lishing the Pennsylvania Interagency Council on Inmate
Reentry. (Referred to House Judiciary 2/8/12.)

HB 2256 Rep. R. Waters Support
Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of
PN 3228 D-Delaware and
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing,
Philadelphia counties
providing for consideration of race in sentencing in capi-
tal cases. (Referred to House Judiciary 3/16/12.)

UPDATE ON SB1153: THE POST CONVICTION RELIEF ACT
A hearing on March 30 to hear testimony on SB1153 was sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 1153 was
authored by Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery County). It provides for changes in the timeframe of filing for
post conviction relief. The deadline would be changed from 60 days to one year from the date of the claim. If there is a
miscarriage of justice leading to a conviction of an innocent individual, there is no deadline. Some of the witnesses testi-
fying included: Marissa Bluestine, Esq, (Legal Director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project), James McCloskey
(Founder and Executive Director, Centurion Ministries), Vincent Johnson (a former prisoner who was found to be inno-
cent of the crime for which he was imprisoned), and others.

UPDATE ON THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL INCARCERATION ON CHILDREN:
NEEDS AND RESPONSIVE SERVICES
Another hearing on March 30 was sponsored by the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee to discuss the
report about children of incarcerated parents, based on SR 52 (sponsored by Senator Stewart Greenleaf) and HR 203
(sponsored by Representative Cherelle Parker). Members of the Committee were joined by other House and Senate
members, and City Council Member Marian Tasco. Witnesses included: Ann Schwartzman (Policy Director, Pennsylva-
nia Prison Society), Ann Adalist Estrin (Director, National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcer-
ated Family and Corrections Network), Kathleen Creamer (Staff Attorney, Stoneleigh Foundation Fellow, Community
Legal Services), Keeva King (child of an incarcerated parent), Reuben Jones (Founder/Director, Frontline Dads and a
former offender), and several others.

5


he stated that Kidd had done so “in his passion.”

Legal Chat
Surely, had the Crown’s tyrants been compelled to com-
ply with Brady vs Maryland (Supreme Court – [U.C.
1963]; Pa.R.CR.P #573[B]), and disclose these prior in-
consistent statements, the outcome of Kidd’s trial would
have been different. He probably would have been found
guilty of manslaughter, not outright murder.
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBT PRISONERS In his subsequent trial for piracy, Kidd’s exculpatory
evidence — two French passes taken from the ships at
I first would like to say “Hi” to all my fellow inmates. issue — were misfiled. Kidd complained of the unavaila-
My name is Juicy. I’m 25 years old. I am sharing some bility of these passes, to no avail. These passes were later
information with my fellow LGBT inmates that will discovered in the wrong file —TOO LATE, then. Captain
help you if you need to file a grievance against staff for Kidd was dead, his corpse hanging in irons at the mouth
abuse, harassment, or discrimination. This is known as of the Thames river.
sex-stereotyping under 18 USCA Section 249: Hate
Crime Motivation. You can press charges because you An additional bit of stark irony:
can get jail time on the street for acting out against us.
“In 1670, William Penn, future founder of Pennsylva-
Next is under 42 USCA 1514: Harassment. That’s nia, along with anther staunch Quaker, Henry Mead,
another constitutional right you can use in your claims. was charged with preaching to an unlawful assembly at
You can use 5 USCA 556: Due Process in your miscon- Friends Meeting House in Grace Church. The judge grew
duct appeals for being denied a fair hearing. All inmates so infuriated at Penn’s legal arguments he threatened to
can use this information if they believe they are being have his tongue cut out. Against all odds, the jury came
discriminated against. You must use this information back with a verdict of not guilty for Mead and found
for yourself if you proceed to file in federal court against Penn guilty of preaching, but not of the much graver
state and federal officials. charge of holding unlawful assembly. The Lord Mayor
The next issue is that we all need to come together as ordered the jury locked up overnight without meat,
one to fight for our rights because if we don’t fight for drink, fire, or candle, ‘We will have a positive verdict or
them, nobody will. Keep strong and don’t let anyone you shall starve for it,’ he threatened. The jury was kept
discourage you from doing what’s right and best for you. an additional day and night but refused to change their
verdict; they were ordered locked up in Newgate until
William “Juicy” Coward they each paid a fine of forty marks (thirteen shillings).
JS-6508, SCI Huntingdon (The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd by
Richard Zacks, 2002 Hyperion Books, Page 357.)

CAPTAIN KIDD COULD HAVE USED A LITTLE It is most ironic then, that 340 years later the trial
courts here in “Penn’s Woods” systemically DENY with-
BRADY VS. MARYLAND out reasoned opinion, every pro se defendant (as Penn
surely was) who petitions or motions the court. Anyone
Captain William Kidd, the purportedly notorious pi- who has taken the time as a pro se defendant to study
rate, was ultimately found guilty by jury for his alleged and fashion a meritorious legal argument (as Penn’s
crimes. He was sentenced to death by hanging in Eng- surely was) in an attempt to vindicate his rights on his
land, 1669. A little known fact is that Kidd was first in a own behalf — (after court appointed counsel has complet-
succession of trials where he was found guilty of mur- ed his purposeful tour of duty) has experienced this type
der. In his murder trial, an eyewitness testified to have of tongue cutting by the trial court.
seen Kidd pacing the deck of his ship before deciding to
strike the victim with a bucket. However, in a previous
deposition, this same eyewitness had stated that he was Randy Carl Hinckley
below deck when Kidd struck his blow; and, moreover, GE-9649, SCI Coal Township

When submitting a letter or column to Graterfriends
for publication, please remember 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.
6


here, we notice many are still with us; but we also realize
that many have passed away. Some of them are some-

Mailroom where sick and looking for better days to come their way.
So, I pray for those who are still around and I say, “Keep
teaching and putting men and women on the right path.”
A lot of us are losing brothers and sisters in here. To be
straight with you, I cry, and tears fall from my cheeks. I
have constant thoughts and prayers for those precious
ANOTHER THOUSAND DOLLAR FIX FOR A lives lost. We must keep in mind that they were fathers
HUNDRED DOLLAR PROBLEM and brothers and sisters and mothers. And, some were
more than that, you feel me?
For just over five months (at least 150 days) the food
cooler at SCI Greensburg was out of service. It broke So, I say to you: eat right, exercise and stay healthy so
down again; it’s over 25 years old. The DOC rented a 48- you can have a shot at getting back to your family and
foot refrigerated trailer box that ran on diesel fuel. loved ones. If you can help it, do not die in prison. To the
Maintenance staff put 15 gallons of diesel in the tank others who already met this terrible demise, I say, “So
each and every day. Even if the DOC got the fuel for $3 long, my friends.”
per gallon, multiplied by 15 gallons, that’s $45 per day. Vincent Boyd
Multiplied by 150 days, that comes to $6,750, Plus, the AM8121, SCI Albion
cost of the rental truck box. (These figures were very con-
servative, as it was closer to 169 days and $4 per gallon).
Within a week of my writing a letter to the editor of the PUNISHMENT ALONE IS NOT THE ANSWER
Harrisburg and Greensburg newspapers, repairmen
came and fixed the cooler, which I was told cost about Editorial Note: Below is a copy of a letter that Mr. Lusik
$450. This money could have been better spent providing sent to State Senator Stewart Greenleaf. Mr. Lusik re-
us with better programs and/or maybe a little more food quested that we reprint it here in Graterfriends.
on our trays. I ask as many of you as possible to clip this
story and send it to the governor. As an inmate of the Pennsylvania Department of Cor-
rections, I believe it is time for someone to investigate
Darren R. Gentilquore the complete failure of the DOC to make pro-social indi-
GX-1572, SCI Albion viduals out of the current 51,000 incarcerated inmates.
The cold, harsh reality of the matter is that the state
and county prison systems are bursting at the seams
SO LONG, MY FRIENDS with parole violators and inmates who are being held
beyond their legal minimum sentences for lack of pro-
This is for all the men and women who come to prison gram completion.
looking good and healthy but never make it back to their
loved ones. So, I say, “Farewell, my friends.” This matter has reached the point of being beyond all
hope. Let me be more clear. Inmates are placed on year-
It’s been nice knowing you and the wise and strong long waiting lists to get into yearlong programs and then
words you have always found time to share with me. You are often expelled for petty violations, clogging the entire
helped me see things in the right light, and along the system. Parole violators are mandated to do these pro-
way you have always told me the real deal about every- grams on the street and are being likewise sent back to
thing. So again, you will be missed. prison for petty violations. (i.e. having a cell phone, late
I heard the bad news, and the pain hurt me deeply; curfew, etc.)
but, in life we all understand that we are born to die and As a former District Attorney, you know well that an
everyone has a turn. Just now it was yours. For those inmate needs to be given a fair chance to grow under
who knew you and took the time to understand you and circumstances that help create a positive change in atti-
the wisdom you had to share, they received something tude. When inmates see their peers successfully complet-
invaluable. I say to you, “Thanks, my friend.” ing programs and making parole, that encourages them
Some would say that you’re at peace, but I will say to do the same.
your journey has just begun. The Lord will take you from The addiction to the punishment mentality of the 1990s
here, so walk tall like you did here and you will be fine. must come to an end. Nationwide polls have found that
It’s sad to see so many people we call friends dying in the public does not support a “lock ‘em up and throw
prison, but it’s happening at a fast rate in Pennsylvania away the key” mentality.
and across the country everyday. It’s so sad to come to David Lusik
prison young and die old with nothing. It happens daily CA-3760, SCI Albion
in these warehouses.
When we as prisoners sit back and think of all those
who helped us along the way while we’ve been stuck (See Mailroom, continued on page 8)

7


WHEN DO LIFERS GET A SECOND CHANCE? opportunities in legitimate enterprise. But we still often
talk about starting a business or investing for our fami-
lies’ futures. A business channel such as CNBC not only
Free your mind and heart of all the preconceived and
offers information about markets, but also has program-
manufactured ideas about lifers. Lifers are misunder-
ming about starting one’s own business, financing one’s
stood, underrated, ignored, and basically relegated to
goals, saving for the future, and planning for retirement.
being carried out of these institutions in body-bags due
to old age, loneliness, snuffed-out spirits, fatal diseases, Business channels also discuss economic trends and
homicides, suicides, abandonment, and a lot of people’s developing job opportunities. Even though watching a
wishes for lifers’ instant and constant sufferings. This business channel may not always be your first choice, it
goes against God’s will, especially for those lifers who is hard to argue against having the option of one that
have made it a point to rehabilitate. allows us to set more informed goals and objective for our
Lifers have accomplished much and still contribute economic freedom. An additional advantage with CNBC
much as facilitators, leaders, mentors, and teachers to as a choice is that they also have Olympic Games cover-
many of the young and old lost, convicted souls. age as well as travel specials.

Free your mind and heart of all preconceived and man- I would hope that you would take the time to write and
ufactured ideas about lifers and come talk with us. Come voice your support for these two channels. Please try to
and see for yourself, why you should be advocating for include honest reasons (such as those listed above) as to
parole for lifers and not having them wasting tax dollars, why they would be important to you. If you agree with this
adding to these overcrowded institutions, and eventually position, write. Just agreeing will probably not be enough.
perishing inside these razor wire fences and sandstone
walls. Subramanyam Vedam
AK-7129, SCI Huntingdon
Deserving lifers should get that proverbial second
chance since there are 5,000 plus and counting. SE- Editorial note: We recently received a memo from Mr. Jef-
COND CHANCES! When do lifers get theirs? Especially frey Witherite to include in Graterfriends. The text is below.
when lifers are less likely to recidivate?
To all state prison inmates:
Thanks for hearing us out. may God bless and keep you.
Ronald L. Smith, aka Baye Camara The current cable TV channels that you receive are
AP-0580, SCI Coal Township what are contracted to the DOC. We understand that you
may have suggestions about channels you would like to
see added or deleted; however, at this time there are no
plans to change the current services that are of-
WRITE LETTERS REQUESTING IMPORTANT fered. Prior to any changes to the system being made, you
CABLE CHANNELS will be notified of the changes and of any price changes.
If you have further questions about the current cable TV
Recently, there was a letter in Graterfriends stating system line up or prices, those issues should be directed
that the Pennsylvania DOC Staff Assistant, Mr. Jeffrey to your prison administrators.
Witherite, had said, “We will take into consideration
inmates’ requests for changes to the channels provided
and will discuss possible changes when the contract is
renegotiated.”
VISITS FOR PROFIT
I encourage all inmates to request that two channels —
i.e. PCN and a business channel — be included in any In January 2012, I wrote to the Prison Society concern-
new package. I realize that these two channels are not as ing an article about the privatization (for-profit) of pris-
popular to us (myself included) as sports, music and movie on video visitations. Since the Prison Society has been a
channels, but they are still important to us nonetheless. bellwether in virtual visitations (creating its own pro-
PCN covers our state’s legislative sessions and commit- gram in 2001) I was seeking some firsthand information.
tee hearings. It provides us knowledge of upcoming legis- The Prison Society was aware of JPAY’s focus on corner-
lation and concerns that directly affect our present situa- ing the virtual visitation market but felt that for the
tion, our future, our families, and our communities. It short term, at least, the present system was safe.
allows us to have the awareness to be an active part of
To my dismay, I read in the recent edition of Correc-
Pennsylvania’s concerns, and thus be positive members
tional Forum that after a brief expansion of the virtual
of change in our society. An added benefit is the coverage
visitation program, the Prison Society was forced to dis-
of state sports championship games in which many of
continue the service due to a lack of funding.
our family members, friends and neighbors participate.
A business channel can be equally beneficial. Many of My concern is not so much the possible privatization of
us here already have an entrepreneurial streak. Unfor- the virtual visit service at all Pennsylvania State Pris-
tunately, in the past this may have manifested itself in ons by JPAY or some other enterprising profiteer, but
something illegal because of a lack of knowledge of the that the very real possibility exists that contact visits

8


could easily become a thing of the past as these would prisoners and their families and continuing to punish in-
compete with the “for-profit” venture of the contractor — mates for crimes that happened 5, 10 or even 20 years ago.
not to mention the guaranteed “kick-back” for the Penn-
When is there going to be positive change that benefits
sylvania DOC.
all: victims, society, and the prisoners who want to change?
Of course this hasn’t happened yet, but the stars cer- Jessie Keith Blough
tainly seem to be lining up for it to occur. I’m just saying! HQ-7572, SCI Albion
Preston B. Pfeifly
AK-7971, SCI Rockview
IN RESPONSE TO: MOTHER MARY
(FEBRUARY GRATERFRIENDS)
FORGOTTEN FAMILY VALUES
I agree with you, and I’m certain that there are many
Everyone is quick to get the dollars together for pris- other men and women within these institutions as well
ons. Everyone knows just how to build communication to as outside who want to take action to alleviate the extor-
get talks together about housing inmates in other states. tion that has been taking place with the phone system in
We don’t focus enough, though, on family values. Welfare Pennsylvania. The DOC receives a 44.4 percent kick-
is a loss if there’s no one to collect the check! Family val- back, which amounts to $7.5 million! Where is this mon-
ues are all but forgotten. Centers for Disease Control ey going, anyway? Anyone interested in this just cause
help families keep from being created by giving birth should write to:
control to women. People help keep families from being Michigan Cure
created by abusing drugs and committing crimes. P.O. Box 2736
What happened to the home? Where did the care for the Kalamazoo, MI 49003-2736
family go? Supporters for more prisons don’t see the trou- They will take some basic steps for achieving this goal.
ble with forgetting family values. All they see are the If anyone else has any information to help this cause,
dollar signs. “Who is the mother, and who is the father?” please provide it.
It doesn’t matter. “Who is an inmate” is what the ques- Michael Santiago
tion is. Now that we have a prison, who will support the DW-6270, SCI Albion
broken family? The parent is the inmate and the child is
the victim. It doesn’t matter who’s to blame. The focus
must return to family values or there will be no children. ATTENTION VETERANS
Everyone will be inmates. Everyone will be victims.
RAS-I ALL-JAH-NOOH We are now making preparations for our operations in
HK-9886, SCI Chester 2012. We have completed an organizational chart which
depicts what services we will all benefit from. However,
we must get more people involved and we need more
COMMISSARY donations. We are asking you to ask a friend or relative
to help us build and serve the incarcerated veterans, who
It is nice to hear you support us on the commissary have criminal cases with merit, and need to be reviewed
issues, soups which went up from 24¢ to 28¢. This seems by the Department of Justice. The time bar prohibits
a bit much when on the street you can buy 10 or 12 for a veterans from appealing their cases.
dollar at some stores, and $2.97 for 4 oz. of coffee. I un- We need to hire attorneys to represent the seventy-two
derstand they have to cover costs, but the DOC is mak- veterans who are on our mailing list. One veteran has
ing pure profit off the prisoners and their families, when already told us, “Your best bet is to free a vet.” As you
the DOC is supposed to be a non-profit agency. It makes already know, we must help ourselves, pull everyone
me wonder how much of the price increases go to over- together and be committed to the mission — FREE A
head costs and how much goes to pure profit for the DOC VET. We need your help. Your five or ten dollars can
administration’s pockets. help hire an attorney to look into these cases. If everyone
I feel a happy medium can be achieved. Collect in- pitches in and sends a donation, we will be that much
mates’ dollars while encouraging free enterprise in Penn- closer to getting a criminal defense/appeal team to repre-
sylvania, giving work and tax dollars back to Pennsylva- sent the seventy-two veterans.
nians. We don’t need to rely on out-of-state companies to We will be addressing eight critical areas of operation:
provide commissary to our prisons. When jobs, tax dol- legal research, transitional housing, transportation, VA
lars, and fair pricing are kept in-state, everyone wins. claims/benefits, finances, public relations, recruitment
If the DOC can spend $500 for office chairs for the and a mail clerk. We will attempt to fill these positions
COs, why can’t they afford to provide things like good, at our next meeting. Until then, please have your family
fair commissary prices, corrective programs and educa- members or friends contact us. And you can send your
tion to the inmates who are truly committed to bettering donation to help with the operational expenditures. Ask
themselves, not committing any new crimes and being yourself, “What can I do to help?”
productive, law-abiding citizens? Melvin Dill, President
But no, the DOC wastes dollars in making money off of Veteran Legal Foundation Incorporated

9


HOW TO GET BACK TO A STATE PRISON AFTER BEING SENT TO A COUNTY JAIL
By Dante Overby, GZ-5437, SCI Rockview

If you are a state inmate whose maximum sentence is monwealth Court, asking the court to encourage the warden
more than five years, and you’ve been sent to a Pennsylva- to “commit you to the Department of Corrections for confine-
nia county jail to serve that sentence, these step-by-step ment,” as mandated by § 9762 (a) (1). You must do the exact
directions can help you get back to a state prison. By fol- same thing for the state grievance, but use the name of the
lowing these steps, I was allowed to move back to a state Superintendent of your state prison name as respondent.
prison after I was sent to a county jail. In your mandamus, you must explain:
1. What Commonwealth Office or Officer (i.e. the DOC or
A. Understanding why you should not be committed one of the Wardens)
to a county jail to serve your state sentence:
2. What duty did they fail to perform (i.e. failed to commit
If your maximum sentence is more than five years, you you to the DOC for confinement)
must serve your time in a state facility. For example, I was
sentenced to 11½ to 24 years. My “maximum term” (or my 3. What right do you have to the performance of this duty
max) is 24 years, and that’s way more than five years. 42 (i.e. 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 9762 (a) (1), which states…[see sec-
Pa. C.S.A. § 9762 (a) (1) states that “(a) all persons sen- tion A of this article])
tenced to total or partial confinement for the following 4. And what remedy you are seeking (i.e. to be committed
terms shall be committed as follows: (1) maximum terms to a DOC facility “for confinement”)
of five or more years shall be committed to the Depart-
ment of Corrections for confinement.” C. What to do if your grievance is not answered in a
Further, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that, “in timely manner:
Allegheny County 1, we held that the DOC must accept and More than likely, both the warden of the county jail and
confine all persons committed to its custody pursuant to 42 the superintendent of state prison will try to impede this
Pa.C.S. § 9762 (1), which encompasses persons receiving a grievance process by failing to respond in a timely manner.
maximum sentence of five years or more, such persons are If this happens to you, like it happened to me, your next
committed to the custody of the DOC. In these cases, there move is to file a writ of mandamus to the Commonwealth
is not discretion to be exercised by the DOC; rather, the Court, asking the court to encourage whomever has not an-
legislature has directed where custody is to be vested and swered your grievance in a timely manner to do so immedi-
the DOC has no choice but to provide placement in one of ately. Again, you must address the four points that I de-
its facilities for confinement.” (see County of Allegheny v. scribed at the end of Section B, but in the grievance context.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 544 A2D 1305, 1307-1308 For example:
[Pa. 1988], citing County of Allegheny v. Commonwealth of
1. What Commonwealth Office or Officer is failing to re-
Pennsylvania, 490 A2D, 412 [Pa. 1985]). So I was not sup-
spond to your grievance
posed to have been “committed” to a county jail to serve my
state sentence. 2. What duty did they fail to perform—they failed to an-
swer your grievance on time
To reiterate, if your max is more than five years 42 Pa.
C.S.A. § 9762 (a) (1) applies to you, and you should not 3. You have to state what policy entitles your to a timely
have been committed to the county. response to your grievance
4. The remedy you are seeking is for the respondent to
B. What you must do to get back to a state jail: answer your grievance immediately, otherwise your 1st
and 4th Amendment right to petition the court will be
In order to address this issue, you must use both the
state and the county grievance systems. Both grievances impeded, in that, in order to seek court intervention, I
should state (using Clinton County Jail as an example): must exhaust my administrative remedies, and I can’t
do that if the respondent doesn’t respond.
“My commitment to the Clinton County Jail violates 42
Pa. C.S.A. § 9762 (a) (1), because § 9762 (a) (1) states that: Note: When filing your writ of mandamus, be sure to send a
(see Section A for what § 9762 (a) (1) states)—REMEDY: copy to the respondent and a copy to the court via certified
Please commit me to the Department of Corrections for mail, and keep one copy for yourself. This is to prove that
you sent it in case the copies get lost.
confinement as mandated by § 9762 (a) (1).”
Note: In the contract between the DOC and Clinton The address for the Commonwealth Court is:
County Jail, section 13 (B) states that “the County shall Commonwealth Court
forward to the Department [of Corrections] all such griev- 601 Commonwealth Ave.
ances that pertain to the legality of the inmate’s detention, Harrisburg, PA 17120
sentence, transfer or alleged prejudice due to the inmate’s
incarceration at the county. The Department shall be re-
D. Challenge the conditions of your confinement:
sponsible to further process and respond to such grievanc-
es. The County shall forward such grievances to the De- I’ve been there and I know that everything from the law
partment within one business day of the time that they are library to the living spaces is nuts! You must file another
received by the County.” Be sure to mention this obliga- county grievance to address the conditions of your
tion in your county grievance! confinement.
Once you successfully complete the grievance process, Because I know that the law library in my county jail does
your next move is to file a writ of mandamus in the Com- not allow you access to 3rd Circuit case law (or any other

10


Circuit Court case law, for that matter), I’ve included the you are housed in a dorm doesn’t mean that you are not
conditions I’ve witnessed and complained about, and the entitled to “the evolving standards of decency.” (see
relevant case law that you should quote concerning those Tillery, supra.)
conditions in your attachment to your grievance (because
 Inadequate Ventilation: One block at my county jail
everything won’t fit on the official grievance form). See
had no ventilation inside the cells. “Insufficient ventila-
Appendix A.
tion, which undermines the health of the inmates and
Immediately after you file the county grievance about the sanitation of the institution, itself violates the 8th
these conditions, three people should be contacted: amendment.” (see Tillery v. Owens, 719 F. Supp. 1256,
1. The county commissioner responsible for overseeing 1271 [W.D. Pa 1989])
the your county jail. Send him a letter via certified  Unsanitary Showers: The shower floors at my county
mail, putting him on notice about the conditions of your
jail, if they have not been fixed, have a dip in them
confinement just in case you have to go to court. Keep
which allows water to puddle up over your shower
a copy for yourself.
shoes, subjecting your feet to the germs and bacteria
2. Mr. Angus Love, Esq., from everybody that showered before you. This is un-
The Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project sanitary, and “sanitation is one of the basic human
718 Arch St., Suite 304 S needs guaranteed by the eighth amendment.” (see Till-
Philadelphia, PA 19106 ery v. Owens, 719 F. Supp. 1256, 1271 [W.D. Pa. 1989],
Explain to him the conditions you’re living in, see what citing Union County Jail Inmates v. DiBuono, 713 F2D
kind of assistance he can offer, and request a copy of 984, 984 [3rd Cir. 1983])
the Prisoner’s Rights Handbook and the Jailhouse
Lawyer’s Manual. You’ll find all the case law you need Appendix B: Document Formats:
in them. 1. Grievance Attachments:
3. Graterfriends. The address is on page two of this news-
letter. The attachment to your grievance should begin like this:
For the three months that I was in the county jail, I did ATTACHMENT TO COUNTY (OR STATE) GRIEVANCE #
not receive one Graterfriends newsletter, and I’ve been
a member for at least four years. If this is the case with -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
you, contact Mr. William DiMascio at Graterfriends A. Mandamus
and let him know that this is happening to you.
The beginning of your mandamus should look like this:
E: In closing: IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Please see the following sections for a few document for-
mats for those who are not familiar with legal writing. PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
In case you don’t know, there’s strength in numbers, so Now comes YOUR NAME, Petitioner, to this Honorable
get as many people as you can to join you, even if that Court seeking a writ of mandamus, encouraging a Common-
means that just one of you will do the paperwork and just wealth Officer to perform a purely ministerial duty of his/
one of you signs it. That’s what I did, and it worked for me hers.
and everybody that signed.
MR. YOUR NAME attests to the following in support of
being granted a writ of Mandamus:
Appendix A: Case Law About Conditions
Your second county grievance should address substandard (and then explain the four points from Section B)
conditions. Some I have encountered are listed below: PROOF OF SERVICE
 Inadequate Law Library: My county jail law library Your proof of service should look like this:
did not have case law from any of the Federal Circuit
Courts, and there was no “assistance from legally B. Proof of Service
trained persons” to file papers. (see Tillery v. Owens,
I, YOUR NAME, hereby certify that I am this day serving
719 F. Supp. 1256, 1281 [W.D. Pa. 1989], citing Bounds
a copy of the forgoing document upon the below named Par-
v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 828 ]1977]). This amounts to a
ties via certified mail:
violation of your 1st and 4th Amendment right to access
to the court. (The court and the respondent’s names go here, one on top
 Inadequate Cell Space: A survey of the case law on of the other, along with the type of mail service you used next
this issue reveals that 60 to 70 square feet per cell con- to their names, then sign and date the bottom of the page.)
stitutes the present ‘evolving standard of decency’ re-
garding cell space per inmate.” (see Tillery v. Owens,
719 F. Supp. 1256, 1270 [W.D. Pa. 1989], quoting In-
mates of the Allegheny County Jail v. Wecht, 699 F.
Supp. 1137, 1144 [W.D. Pa. 1988]). The two main cells
at my county jail are not 140 square feet, which is the Thank you Mr. Overby for taking the
standard amount of space required for a two-man cell,
according to the above cited case law. time to put together this information
However, if you live in a dorm style setting, there is not and send it to Graterfriends so that we
60 to 70 square feet of space per inmate. Just because may share it with others.
11


Think Pssst…
About It Pass the Word

WILL PA. INMATES WORK TOGETHER TO JUST CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER
DECREASE THE PRISON POPULATION BY by David Allen, AP-9132, SCI Greensburg
BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION?
by Allen Ross, AJ-1152, SCI Greene With the addition last year of a new CAS at SCI
Greensburg (a transfer of staff from SCI Albion), the
facility’s Activities Department has undergone many
It was a cloudy, melancholy, dark day coupled with the
changes. Of note is the development of a rowing program
ambience of SCI Greene’s chow hall, silent and filled with
resulting in the construction of the first rowing room in
inmates eating breakfast. I was waiting in line to receive
an area of the prison that had been the home of the pris-
my breakfast tray while I was conversing with an inmate
on’s music instruction classes and various inmate treat-
about how the prison system has changed during the
ment programs. Later this year the Activities Depart-
past couple of decades.
ment opted to relocate its rowing program and renovated
Essentially, only if inmates can stop being judgmental a second rowing room in an abandoned classroom space.
toward other inmates can we alleviate animosity toward The program, which I assume is somewhat costly (the
each other. Then we can come together as a collective renovation of two separate rooms, eight rowing ma-
whole to focus on the real problems of Pennsylvania’s chines, air-conditioning, stereo system, television, furni-
over-crowded prisons. ture, etc), is relatively limited and can only accept eight
of the facility’s inmates in its single class enrollment (a
In the late 80s, the prison population was half of the per class participation of less than 1 percent of the pris-
current prison population. Yet in the late 80s there was on’s 1100 inmate population), causing some contention
unity among inmates as opposed to today. There is no among the residents of the institution, as funding and
unity among inmates in Pennsylvania prisons, where staff availability for other programs has been reduced.
over-crowding conditions and other germane issues exist.
“So what if it costs them a lot,” some of the men have
Pennsylvania has 26 state correctional institutions argued, “it doesn’t cost us anything!” Sadly, the truth is
that currently house 51,336 prisoners, which really ex- that it has cost the men dearly in ways they haven’t yet
emplifies Pennsylvania’s problem with over-crowded recognized. As president of the facility’s inmate organiza-
state prisons. tion I field daily complaints as to why one program and
We inmates, held in captivity in these state prisons, event after another is either closed, canceled, or post-
have an arduous job ahead of us: we must convincingly poned, and I must explain that the staff is no longer
relay the adverse effects of coming to prison to young available to oversee those things because they have been
people and adults in the general public. This task is not reassigned to supervise rowing classes now. “But,” the
easy to accomplish because of the rhetoric the populace men bemoan, “they are taking everything from us,”
receives from the mass media and government officials. pointing to the reduction in monthly envelopes, elimina-
tion of inmate overtime wages, discontinuation of some
State government officials have not alleviated prison of the treatment programs and the closing of the prison’s
over-crowding problems in Pennsylvania. visiting room on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Crimes in Pennsylvania occur every day, and our Undoubtedly, the men have not yet understood that the
young people are coming to prison with long sentences, building, re-building, equipping and staffing of a rowing
in addition to adults becoming wards of the state. Crime program requires a great deal of both time and money
victims are suffering the indelible effects of crime. This that has to come from some other places (i.e. other things
will continue if we inmates do not set aside our differ- have to be cut or reduced). “Now they’re taking our
ences to unite as a collective whole to decrease Pennsyl- morning and afternoon recreation times and giving us
vania’s prison population. Each and every inmate in more stupid rowing instead,” the men lament as they
Pennsylvania must get involved to change things in our begin to see more of their favorite events gobbled up by
correctional institutions, to decrease the prison popula- the rowing agenda, and I can only look at them in pity
tion by keeping our young people and adults out of pris- and disbelief as I try again to explain, “You men (not the
on, and to stop them from ruining their lives and becom- staff) are the ones who keep signing up for the rowing
ing wards of the state. program; you men are the ones who thought that the
rowing program wasn’t going to cost you anything; you
So, let’s make reducing the prison population a reality men are the ones who made the prison’s Activities De-
in Pennsylvania. We can lessen the burden on the tax-
payers by becoming part of the solution. (See Choose One, continued on page 15)

12


Public Health, continued from page 2

Literary two weeks after their release, often due to having no
home and no access to health care.

Corner  A large percentage of Pennsylvania’s current prison
population is nonviolent, behind bars for misde-
meanors.
 In Pennsylvania’s prisons, 17 percent of men and 48
BIGGER BROKEN HOME percent of women have diagnosed mental health
by Zechariah “True” Thompson, HV-3696, SCI Forest issues.
 A specialty court helps determine VA benefits avail-
In this cell I lay again to witness the time,
able for veterans so that they may better cope with
and time I have spent…in a cell and in my mind.
PTSD and other traumas suffered due to battle con-
My thoughts race at a pace I can’t maintain,
ditions.
my sanity in question, because I’m too numb to complain.
It becomes so loud here, so I drift into a zone,  Five years ago 60 percent of the prisoners in the
only to be disturbed by the man on the speakerphone. Philadelphia Prison System were tested for HIV;
today 80 percent are tested. Twice as many cases of
My pictures are bitter memories, of a once existed past, HIV are now being identified and treated in jail.
now nearly ten years later, those photos are only ash.
I’m so afraid to change, because mistakes happen fast,  Prisoners leave the Philadelphia Prison System with
so I try to fight the future, to rectify my path. at least five days of medication, plus a 15 day pre-
I’ve become obsessed with metaphors, to avoid talking long, scription – if they can pay for it. Out of 5200 pre-
addicted to relief, from a poem or from a song. scriptions last year, only 37 were filled.
 The incarceration rate for women has grown by 800
I’m so used to chaos, I sleep better in madness,
percent over the past twenty years. Most of these
I wake up in this tragedy and write this rhyme in sadness.
women are in their 30s and 40s and in prison for
I try to test God, to seek the proof of his wrath,
drug infractions and other nonviolent crimes.
so I can believe and say, “I’m sorry” to the people at once
I laughed.  Nearly 80 percent of the women entering SCI Muncy
Maybe this is it. This sentence could be his will. have suffered various forms of abuse. A high propor-
For a kid that killed a man, is given time to kill. tion of women enter prison suffering from PTSD and
various addictions.
But I’ve labored for them, and shown my growth, but
never is it noted, Ms. Richman, focusing on public housing, said, “If
just bias looks and unjust treatment, shows the system’s we’re going to make an impact on those coming out of
motive. prison, we have to offer safe and affordable housing…If
Easy to find what’s wrong, harder to find what’s right, we don’t spend now but spend three times as much in
that’s what we live in. the future, are we really saving taxpayers’ money?”
Motions denied, too empty to cry. Not hard to fail, not It was concluded that public health and criminal jus-
easy to win. tice professionals must use science – empirical data and
How long is long enough, for a man or woman who wants theory – to determine who goes to prison and who may
a chance? qualify for alternatives to prison; the issue must be
to prove they’ve changed, to show their love, and teach looked at in a holistic manner.
their children how to dance?
In addition to the Prison Society, the University of the
This is how it feels, when you’re sentenced to be alone, Sciences in Philadelphia and LaSalle University’s Mas-
far away from family, in an even bigger broken home. ter of Public Health Program sponsored the event.

We need to correct some errors found in the March “Our Voices” column. The article entitled "Changes
Needed at Muncy" by Jessie Alexander had the following errors (in bold italics):
The second paragraph should read: What is offered within this institution is offered to those with an ex-
pected release date and not offered to the inmates serving life.
Part of the sixth paragraph should read: There is help from one long-time doctor's assistant but there are
always constant new ones who do not show concern nor bring relief from pain and illness.
We apologize for the confusion, and thank Jessie for letting us know.

13


Solitary Confinement: Torture In Your
Backyard is a 20-minute film created by The Nation-
al Religious Campaign Against Torture as a resource for
Announcements congregations to learn about the destructive use of pro-
longed solitary confinement and to engage people of faith
to call for an end to prolonged solitary confinement in
their state. The film features several former prisoners
discussing the mental harm they endured as a result of
Preserving Your Claim Under the Prison being held in solitary confinement. Sarah Shourd, one of
the three American hikers captured in Iran, who spent
Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) is a new docu- 14 months in solitary confinement also describes her ex-
ment that was recently sent to all of Pennsylvania’s state
perience. Additionally, the film highlights how the reli-
prison libraries. It was written by Alex Rubenstein, 2012 gious community in Maine helped secure a drastic reduc-
Candidate for J.D. at Rutgers School of Law-Camden. It tion in the number of Maine prisoners held in solitary
is intended to provide some background information on confinement. The film is available online and DVDs can
the PLRA, and also explain how the law impacts court be ordered for $5. Faith-based discussion guides are also
claims filed while in jail or prison. Additionally, this
available on the website. Go to www.nrcat.org/backyard
pamphlet explains how to properly follow the grievance
for more information and to view the film.
process employed by the Pennsylvania Department of
Corrections, in order to help protect any claims you may
bring relating to prison conditions from being dismissed Life Support for Women with an
for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Even for Incarcerated Loved One will not be meeting
claims that are not affected by the exhaustion require- in May, but will meet again on June 12.
ment, this pamphlet should serve as a helpful tool for
correctly filing grievances. This is a support group for women looking for a safe
place to share feelings and concerns about incarcerated
If your law library does not have this pamphlet, please family members. The group usually meets the second
contact Graterfriends (address on page 2). 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,
Beccaria: A Chapbook Anthology across from Hahnemann Hospital).
by Aja Beech is once again available, for a limited time.
To order a copy, prisoners may send a check or money Please note:
order for $5 to:
For more information:
Aja Beech Mason Barnett, 215-564-6005, ext. 106 (Prison Society)
2445 Coral St. Desiree Cunningham 215-758-5877 (Support Group
Philadelphia, PA 19125 questions only)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Support our mission and become a member!
Receive Graterfriends and Correctional Forum for: Make a check or money order payable to
$5 Prisoner $200 Patron The Pennsylvania Prison Society
$10 Prisoner Family $250 Sponsor 245 North Broad Street, Suite 300
Student $500 Founder Philadelphia, PA 19107
$40 Regular Membership $1,000 1787 Society
$100 Friend of the Society Prisoners may pay with unused postage stamps.

Are you a prisoner who just wants Graterfriends? You may
subscribe just to Graterfriends for $3.

Name _________________________________________ Prisoner Number ______________ Institution _________________________________

Address ______________________________________________City _______________________________ State _______ Zip ________________

Payment Amount _____________________________________ Payment Method _____________________________________________________

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

14


Oink, continued from page 16

Nowadays, however, it has become routine for the
Board of Pardons to reject clemency applications for indi-
viduals who have served 35 or 45 years or more, who
have earned endorsements from their prisons, who have
developed marketable job skills to support themselves
and who have put together positive home plans.
In the case of 70-year-old William Smith who has been
in prison for 44 years for his part as an unarmed accom-
plice in a robbery where a check cashing agency owner
was fatally shot, his appeal met a quick end. Smith has
spent his years studying and earning an associate’s de-
gree in business and a journeyman license as an electri-
cian. Currently he is studying to become a minister. He
might have a better chance of becoming the pope than he
does of convincing certain members of the Board of Par-
dons to support his plea for “early” release so he can live
out his years with his brother, a retired Philadelphia
police officer.
Interestingly, no one from the victim’s family was pre-
sent at the hearing to suggest that Smith be kept in pris-
on. No one from the office of the state Victim Advocate
Across Down spoke against him either. Nor was anyone there from the
1. "__ Doubtfire" 1. Motel employee District Attorney’s office. Usually at least one of these
4. Crescent point 2. Ethnicity parties speaks against clemency.
8. Flight formation 3. Go by air?
11. Battery size 4. Grand, e.g.
Smith’s appeal was supported by the psychologist, the
corrections expert and the victims representative on the
12. Away from port 5. Employ
Board. The attorney general was absent. But the lieuten-
13. "See you later!" 6. Stitch up
ant governor gave a resounding, if totally incomprehensi-
14. Here, in Quebec 7. Cut and __
ble, defense of his rationale for voting no. It only takes
15. The latest 8. Element of many Bruce one negative vote to deny a commutation appeal and it
16. Warning device Willis films
almost always is the lieutenant governor and/or attorney
17. Hold up 9. It may be pierced general – the two elected members of the Board – who
19. Peacock's pride 10. Many, many moons cast the no votes.
21. Worried 13. Most populous country
18. Behave How truly ironic it is that amid such lushly appointed
25. Sidekick
20. ___ de Triomphe
surroundings mercy can be denied by the stingiest and
28. Light-weight boat
most politically motivated spirits. Perhaps this temple
30. Award bestowed by 22. Not pos.
needs one more mural: one that depicts the values of
Queen Eliz. 23. Come down hard
humanity crushed by the gods of personal ambition.
31. Roam (about) 24. Completed
33. Larry King employer 25. Group of whales Regardless how you dress it up, it’s still a pig.
34. Transfer 26. Lincoln and Homer's dad
37. Achieve 27. Simple wind instrument
40. "__ Over The Rainbow" 29. Close Choose One, continued from page 12
42. Charge 32. Expected
43. Church leader 35. __-see event (It's not to be partment staff think that all of us would rather have row-
47. "The __ Must Be Crazy" missed) ing classes instead of the other things — by signing up for
36. "___ Miserables" rowing, you have not simply lost the other programs, you
49. __ fixe (obsession)
38. Moves slowly
have traded them away for the rowing program.”
52. Altar vow
53. "Leaving On __ Plane" 39. Animation frame Men of SCI Greensburg, hear me one last time! Com-
Peter, Paul & Mary hit 41. "__ My Guitar Gently plaining to me does not do any good. Believe me, for over
54. Genie holder Weeps" a year I have consistently pleaded on your behalf — I am
55. Back then 44. Radio tuner just one voice and they have grown weary of listening to
56. Lith. or Ukr., once me. But there is a simple solution to your problem: If you
57. "The Dukes of Hazzard" like the way things are going, then by all means, row on
spinoff brothers, row on! But if you want different events and
58. Court call programs instead of rowing, just stop signing up for the
rowing classes! The choice is yours; all you have to do is
Easy Crossword #16 by Dave Fisher (puzzles.about.com) For solution, see page 4. just choose one or the other.

15


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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107

THE LAST WORD

Oink, Oink!
by William M. DiMascio

I kept thinking of that expression made famous in the its powers granted in a revised state constitution; under
last presidential contest: You can put lipstick on a pig, this version of the charter, the governor could only grant
but it’s still a pig. clemency if a majority of the Board agreed to recommend
it in advance.
In this case the sty was the Supreme Court chamber in
the main capitol in Harrisburg. Compared with the legis- The awesome power that resides with the Board was
lative halls, the courtroom is relatively small, but inch- changed again in 1997 when a statewide referendum
for-inch it is one of the most opulent spaces in a struc- made it a requirement that a unanimous recommenda-
ture estimated to be worth some $2 billion. The chamber tion of the Board was required in the cases of life or
is trimmed in gold leaf, paneled in lush mahogany and death sentenced prisoners seeking commutation before
adorned with ornate chandeliers. Above the paneling is a the governor could consider a commutation.
series of sixteen murals by Violet Oakley entitled ‘The
This change has reduced the number of commutations
Opening of the Book of the Law” and depicting the evolu-
to a trickle. In a state where all first and second degree
tion of legal and moral codes that she believed would
homicide convictions carry a mandatory sentence of life
lead ultimately to world peace. And the centerpiece of it
without possibility of parole, the result has been devas-
all is Alfred Godwin’s magnificent green and gold, opal-
tating. With more than 4,300 men and women serving
escent stained glass dome consisting of twelve wedge-
life without parole, Pennsylvania ranks second in the
shaped panels.
nation to Florida which has some 6,400. Included in the
What a fitting repository for the wisdom of Pennsylva- Commonwealth’s number is the world’s largest concen-
nia’s founding father, William Penn, whose words adorn tration of individuals given this sentence for crimes com-
the rotunda in the main portion of the capitol: "That we mitted when they were juveniles, and approximately
may do the thing that is truly wise and just." 1,000 lifers never killed anyone but were convicted as
accomplices during commission of felonies.
This is the place the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons
elects to dispense its version of clemency! Pennsylvania’s harsh sentence structure has evolved
within a context that included the possibility of commu-
And why not? An almost palatial setting for a near
tation once state authorities were convinced that clemen-
God-like act of mercy – how fitting!
cy or mercy should be applied. That used to be extended
The power to pardon offenses goes back to the original after 17 years or so, which is close to the national aver-
charter given to Penn by the King of England in 1681. age of time served on a life sentence.
And until 1872 governors of the Commonwealth enjoyed
unfettered discretion in dispensing clemency. But suspi-
(see Oink, continued on page 15)
cion of abuse led to creation of the Board of Pardons with

16

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