Stateville: IDOC's refusal to approve inmate newsletter

[Brena]

Through an email list, I received a message about the refusal of IDOC to approve an inmate newsletter at Stateville prison. I don't want to copy the complete mail, since I was not able to reach the originator for approval.
Fact is though, that some activism is needed in order to help our guys to inform and express themselves. Here is basically what the message is saying:

"I am writing about the DOC's refusal to approve an inmate newspaper at Stateville prison and to elicit your help in getting decision reversed. Please forward this message to your email lists.
A group of inmates, including several former death row men, requested DOC approval to publish an inmate newspaper four times a year. This request was intiated by former death row inmate Renaldo Hudson after a very successful inmate essay contest. In November we were told Director Roger Walker, Jr. had approved the newspaper and January was established as a target date for first edition. Later there were concerns expressed and this week I learned the newspaper was disapproved.

Anyone who would like to support the idea of an inmate newspaper may do so by contacting Governor Blagojevich at 312-814-212, email Governor@state.il.us or by mail at James Thompson Center, 16th floor, 100 W.Randolph, Chicago, Il 60601

Director Roger Walker, Jr. can be reached at 217.522.2666 fax 217.522.9583 mail P.O.19277, Springfield, Il. 62794

You also are encouraged to contact state legislators and write letters to a newspaper or contact other media.

A newspaper will provide valuable learnilng experiences for inmates involved in publishing the paper and a morale boost for all. A newspaper could be one small way to serve as a vehicle to promote positive attitude and educate inmates. It has to be more productive to be composing essays and poetry, reviewing books and writing and reading about relevant issues within the prison environmaent that sitting is a tiny cell with a cellmate doing nothing.

The DOC will have the opportunity to review and reject every single word that is written, computers for the newspaper have been donated, money has been donated to offset financial costs, journalists have volunteered to conduct seminars, there is more than adequate unused space at Stateville and security is in place. This is a win, win for all concerned!!!!

Yet, the DOC administration has disapproved the newspaper project. I had a discussion with Sergio Molina, appointed Chief of Operations to replace Ian Oliver who favored the newspaper.Sergio is very much opposed to a Stateville newspaper. Frankly I did not understand Sergio's opposition as he seemed to be saying a newspaper in some way could result in some sort of a problem at some point at some time in the future.

Thanks you very much for your consideration of this request."

It would be great if you could support this campaign. My man was asked to be one of the writers and was very much looking forward to participate. Please help!

Thanks!
Brena

PS. Hope posting the contact information of Dir. Walker and the Governor doesn't conflict with the posting rules. If so, sorry!

[Rostonhall]

I've also had this message, Brena, and I also know that this newsletter isn't all it seems. There are some people involved with it who are on the outside and who are activists. Now, I've been an activist all my life so I'm not condemning this, it's just that they are well know within Illinois DOC and, as such, they wouldn't be allowed, under any circumstances, to be given access to ALL prisoners in the State, and that's what would have happened had this been given the go ahead.

I also know that one person associated with this project has already tried to get a newsletter into the prisons from the free world and has had it returned, lock, stock and barrel.

Just wanted to put the record straight, not everything that comes our way is factual and I'm always sending emails to this organization because I think their agenda is very one-sided. If you want to know more PM me and I'll explain.

Rose

[jude]

I too have had a copy of the email you mention and I am surprised by what you have said about these people not being what they appear. As far as I was aware they are reputable people who worked very hard to help get our men off the row for which me and my partner are very grateful.

[Rostonhall]

My man was also on the Row and I'm afraid I've had many issues with them since then, especially lately when they took full credit for Lisa Madigan not winning her law suit to get Tony and 31 others back on the Row. They didn't start their campaign until just weeks before the verdict. It would have already been decided by then and we all knew it was extremely unlikely she'd win. They jumpedf on the bandwagon when it was, to all intents and purposes, all over. There are many other things I'm upset with them about, least of all their lack of support for those ex Death Row inmates who are innocent but still faced with serving L.W.O.P. Yes, if the inmate was beaten into a false confession they'll back him to the hilt but anyone else can go to hell, even though they are just as innocent, in some cases more so. It's only the high profile cases they are interested in. Ones that will bring them all the kudos imaginable. The others don't seem to matter and the person running this organization hasn't even replied to a letter Tony wrote her explaining how he felt. That, to me and him, is extremely rude and there's no excuse for it.

OK, so if I sound a bit bitter then I'm sorry, but I think after spending 19 years on Death Row and now imprisonment for the rest of his life for a murder he didn't do someone has to be a bit bitter and angry. Tony isn't but I'm beginning to be. As you well know, now they aren't on the Row most of them have lost their legal teams. For those innocents that's a really big blow and NOBODY is trying to help.

Yes, they helped to get them all off Death Row but they aren't following through and helping ALL those who need it. And let's face it, the more who are proved innocent the further along the road we all are to total abolition.

Rose

[Brena]

Rose, I hear what you're saying and yes, there might be people who have their own hidden agenda about why they are doing what they're doing but I couldn't care less if the result of what they're doing has a positive effect on the guys in prison. As far as I'm informed, the idea of creating such a newsletter was actually born by Renaldo, who in fact is someone living on the inside. The other writers would have been prisoners too. And I'm not in the position to blame anyone on the inside about taking whatever chance he'll be given from the outside.

I understand your bitterness about missing support by some of these individuals or activists but I see why they are mainly focussing on the high profile cases. They would never have gotten the required public attention if they wouldn't.

What makes me sick at times is that we seem to be back to the same question that Ryan was facing when he had to decide whether to commute all sentences or to pick and choose. I strongly believe that they are more innocent guys now with LWOP who shouldn't be in prison at all, but it's not only the innocent Ex-DR prisoners who lost their legal support. Also there are people locked up who were straight sentenced to LWOP without ever having any of the legal or activist support our guys had. I at least haven't yet heard of any organization in Illinois which would fight LWOP for people accused of violent crimes. And who in fact is innocent? I admit my husband is not and what he did was terribly wrong but does he deserve to rot in prison for the rest of his life for something he did when he was 18 years old, 18 years ago? I don't think so.

But back to the point. In the end, for me it comes down to the question, where my man would be without activists and I well know the answer. Just because there might be some activists involved who are not welcomed by IDOC, it should not stop us from fighting for the freedom of thoughts and expression (which will be censored anyway) because this is all what our guys actually have. We should be grateful for every support we're getting regardless from which direction it's coming.

I hope nobody feels offended by my posting. I didn't mean to harm someone.

Brena.

[Rostonhall]

It's because of the activists involvement that they aren't going to have this newspaper. I agree, they should have the chance to publish such a thing but, when the activists start getting computers donated, then it's very obvious there is no way they are going to be allowed to proceed with this project. Nobody is going to sanction the use of computers by inmates in a maximum security prison!! We all have to be realistic in this, they will not get it up and running, there's too much at stake. There's also the added staff problems, not enough staff to go around now, so where would they get the manpower to cover this venture. And think of the jealousy a project like this would create in others within the prison, they would be accused of favouritism. It could cause far more problems than you think.

I agree totally with you about all people who don't have access to the right legal level. It should be available for all. I have to say that in Tony's case he has NOTHING to thank these people for. He didn't ask for clemency, his petition was put in against his wishes by people he didn't know and who didn't even consult him, His own lawyers respected his decision not to apply, I didn't like it but it is his life and I had to respect thaty, I wouldn't and couldn't have changed his mind. But those people who insisted on going against his wishes didn't even ask him why he wouldn't apply to Ryan for mercy, and since the commutations they've never bothered to contact him. I know they can't help everyone, and I understand why they take the high profile cases, they're the ones that bring them the most recognition. But I'm angry that they've just ignored those who are now faced with L.W.O.P. because of THEIR actions, and THEIR actions alone. I think they have a duty to those inmates, in fact it should be an obligation. It's their fault Tony and people like him are now in this situation. As relieved as I was when Tony left the Row I now see just why he didn't want that. He's being ignored and forgotten and it hurts me terribly to see this happening.

Rose

[Brena]

Well, to me the disapproval seems to have nothing to do with the activists involvement in that project. I tend to think that's it's more the inconvenience caused to IDOC by monitoring access to the computers, additional censoring work etc etc. In the past, IDOC gave a $§%§$ about any activist actions and I personally don't have the feeling that this changed. Just like they don't give a $§%§$ about neither physical nor mental health of inmates. There are so many examples for that favoring of denials. Higher education. Suggestions made by prisoners to decorate those rotting walls in the visiting room at Stateville by painting murals on it - response: "we'll come back to you..." One of these days...

Actually I have only one time experienced a change to the positive, and that was when they put back the vending machines into the DR visiting room in Menard, after they made them unavailable for us because Pontiac's visiting room had none either. But then, think about the cutting down of Menards visiting hours after some people complained about the shorter hours in Stateville. Instead of stretching them too, they preferred to cut the hours at Menard down.

But maybe I'm just complaining too much. On the bottom line we're just talking about the scum of society anyway. Inmates. Hell, guess now I'm sounding bitter too.

[Rostonhall]

It gets us all that way, Brena. But I have to say we'll have to agree to differ on this one, the newspaper, that is. As I said, they will NEVER give inmates access to computers and those who gave the inmates hope along those lines are the ones who are at fault. Yes, we do agree that this newspaper would never have got off the ground. The prison system is there to make life as impossible as can be with absolutely no rehabilitation. Anyone who gives an inmate hope of something better is responsible when they are let down.

As for cutting of Menard's visiting hours, the person or persons who reported that Menard had longer hours than Stateville didn't do it to get extra, she knew exactly what would happen. The rules say 2 hours for visits, Menard's 3 shouldn't have happened, that's why Springfield sent out a directive to bring Menard back into line. And I'm not sticking up for the prison service, I above anyone have a lot of reasons not to like it but rules are rules, whether it's a uniform 2 hours for visiting or allowing inmates to run a newspaper. We all know what the answers are going to be and anyone who thinks the situation has changed since the film 'Brubaker' is very much mistaken.

Rose

[jude]

I have to agree with you about the computers. Don't know any state that has them either, but Cooke County has its own internal newspaper, or they did when my guy was there a few years back. Don't know about the visiting, but I do know a friend whose hubby is in Pontiac, recently got cut back to 3 hours, instead of all day, but that is for those in p.c. But then some of the inmates there have only short term sentences so it's not so hard on them as their men will be home in a few years.

[deena]

Hi
Im new here and Im a bit confused, you are saying that one visitor mentioning that the visiting times were longer in one prison than another was enough to get the visiting put into line?That seems a bit odd to me, Normally they take no notice of anything anyone says and just carry on doing their own thing. So if he has this much power how about suggesting he asks to have vending machines in Stateville and Pontiac? I m sure they would be appreciated by the guys in there.
Deena

[Rostonhall]

I think this was a concerted effort by just one person. A woman not a man. She would have got others to complain as well, as that's her way of doing things. Stir up as much trouble as can be but sit back and watch it all happen. This one person is known to me and she told me she was going to do this when she found out Menard had longer visiting times than she was given when visiting Stateville. She wouldn't do anything to actually help anyone. She said to me that it wasn't fair that I got 3 hours when I visited Menard and she was going to complain and make sure we got the same as Stateville. Now, I didn't take too kindly to that and I used a few choice words but she went ahead anyway. It's sad that someone can be so nasty that they can't allow others to have a little bit more than them.

And sorry, Deena, where are my manners, welcome to PTO and to the Illinois forum. Hope to hear from you often.

Rose

[deena]

Hi Rose
thanks for the welcome. Here in Oregon we were following the news stories when Gov Ryan commuted the guys on the row in Illinois. I cant see the same happening here but we live in hope. How are the guys coping with being in general population? Things must be very different for them.
Its sad that the visiting times were cut like that. Are the prisons run as totally seperate units? Here the guards get moved around regularly so they dont get too friendly with the inmates. Im suprised that doesnt happen in Illinois too. You would think that the wardens would meet up from time to time to discuss how they do things and what does and doesnt work.
talk to you soon
Deena

[Rostonhall]

I can only talk for those who were on the Row and are still at Menard, but they found it very difficult coping with general population at first. They are also having to cope with the resentment felt towards them by staff who think they should be dead. There's a lot of bad feeling and the COs, some of them, try to goad the Row guys into retaliating so they can turn around and say they knew this would happen and these guys aren't fit to be in with other prisoners and should never have been given clemency. They all have to be twice as careful and watch their backs at all times.

I'm sure staff aren't changed around from prison to prison. Menard is staffed, in some cases, by whole families, brothers , sisters, aunts uncles, etc., etc., which isn't at all good as I can see. And I doubt if even the wardens run the prisons in Illinois. They probably don't know and don't want to know what's going on. I've said before, and I'll say again, there's not a lot of difference to the film 'Brubaker', or, at least, that's the way I see it.

Rose

[deena]

Hi Rose
We kinda figured things might be like that. While you are on the Row theres always hope whenever theres an appeal but LWOP is totally another ballgame.It sounds like IL is a hard place to be doing time.
I dont know anything about a film called "Brubaker" is it new or has it been around a while? If you have time sometime could you please tell me more about it.
Deena

[jude]

Hi Deena,
and Welcome,
Is your guy on the Row too? How long do you get for your visits and is the Row all together there or in split up into several areas like here in Ilinois?

[Rostonhall]

Like it was, Jude. There's only one male Death Row in Illinois now, and that's in Pontiac.

Rose

[jude]

Ofcourse. It was 3 and is now 1. It just feels like they are still on the row at times. I always thought it just might be better off the row, but it seems no different, except they don't have the same help legally or otherwise now.

[Rostonhall]

How right you are, Jude, plus they are dealing with all the prejudices of those around them. In some cases they're treated like lepers. Yes, a lot of the time they were much better off on the Row and that's a dreadful thing to say.

Rose

[deena]

Hi Jude
Thanks for the welcome. People around here sure are friendly.
The Row here is all in one place.We get 2 visits a week for a maximum of 2 hours depending on how full the visiting room gets. We have to kinda second-guess when other people are planning to visit as we have to call in advance to schedule the visits. This means my man is ready and waiting for me and I dont need to wait while he queues for the shower and that kind of thing.
Luckily I work from home so I can schedule my appointments around visiting.

Deena

[jude]

So no surprise visits for your guy then Deena.
I was thinking about doing a surprise visit, but I don't know. Need to get extensions coming from so far. Maybe not such a good idea?

[Rostonhall]

I've just applied for extended visits to see Tony. Menard are usually very good with this but you just never know. He applies at the same time jusr to make sure.

Rose

[deena]

Hi Jude
I guess you have a good point there but how long do you have to sit around waiting for your man to get ready if you do suprise him?I mean he could be asleep or out on the yard. We have visiting between 7-15 and 10-15 or 12-30 and 3-45 in the afternoon so when I visit Im as early as possible so we get all the time we can have. how does visiting work in Illinois?

Deena

[jude]

Well it says it opens at 7.30am, but they don't let you in until 8 usually. Then you have to be processed as they call it. (makes us sound like peas!) We can wait up to 2 hours to get shook down. Generally it is an hour.But if you go later by the time they have collected about 30 visitors to shake down and taken us through, if you arrive late at the prison, then you have to wait for the last lost to come out and then you only get 10 mins visit. If he is out on the yard, they have to stay there until their time is up. So I guess we would have to wait 3 hours if he had to have a shower etc. If I go as surprise, I suppose I would not then get the extended visits(which cause aggro amongst some of the other visitors anyway) I would just be causing trouble for myself with a surprise visit I guess. I don't really understand why some visitors (and inmates) resent the extra time given, because most people are able to visit weekly, or even monthly, wheras coming from so far, I can't. Ordinary visits are just 2 hours and 1 hour at weekends. 5 visits a month.

[Rostonhall]

You certainly have to wait around a lot a Stateville. I'm glad to say I've never had to wait that long at menard. Visiting there starts ant 8am and I can be in the waiting room within an hour, that's all the processing from the time I enter the building, through shakedown and into the prison to wait while they fetch Tony to the visiting room. He's usually ready and waiting for me and I've never had anyone hget annoyed that I have extended visits. They're usually really happy that, coming from England, I've been given some concessions and they think it's great that we get extra time together. Perhaps it's because Menard is so far away but there's not usually a great number of visitors during the week, weekends get a bit crowded but I don't get to the prison before 11am on those days, that was I can still get the extended times as it's not so busy during the afternoon. We now get the same time as Stateville, but we used to get 3 hours during the week.

Rose

[Waysplusmeans]

Could you please give a current update on this topic.

Thank you.