Spring 2007 This June, the Free Siddique Abdullah Hasan July 9 in Dayton. Contact Sharon Danann for Coalition is kicking off a six-month abolition more information, at [email protected] ++ tour. Contact Saadiqah Hasan if you’d like to On Sept. 26, join thousands of people at the become involved, at: [email protected]. statehouse grounds in Columbus for a rally to ++ Keith Lamar's evidentiary hearing is on end the death penalty. www.acluohio.org Lucasville, The Untold Story of a Prison Uprising: Fair and impartial aggravated By Staughton Lynd, The Columbus taken at least a first step toward contemplate the forthcoming presen- Free Press stopping executions. In Illinois, tation of a play, “Lucasville,” in March 28, 2007 California, Florida, Tennessee, New Portsmouth (April 11), Cincinnati On Friday, March 16, Governor Jersey, North Carolina, and (April 14), Toledo (April 15), Strickland denied clemency to Missouri, governors did more than Columbus (April 21), Athens (April Kenneth Biros. ’s governor saw fit to do. And 22), Cleveland (April 28), and Commenting to the Associated Press, this comes in the context that in Youngstown (April 29). Mr. Strickland said he has no inten- recent years Ohio has been second tion of placing a moratorium on capi- only to Texas in the number of Along with Gary L. Anderson of tal punishment in Ohio. He also said, human beings it deliberately put to American Legends Theatre Works, I according to the AP, “that he is open death. am a co-author of the play. Gary is a to new information on the professional theater person matter, but for now is sat- who does a wonderful one- isfied that Ohio has a fair person show about Clarence and impartial system.” Darrow, who saved 102 defendants from being sen- Profile in Lack of tenced to death. Except on Courage opening night in “No person shall purpose- Portsmouth, at each stop ly, and with prior calcula- “Darrow” will be presented tion and design, cause the in the afternoon before death of another . . . .” “Lucasville” is performed This is the definition of in the evening. “aggravated murder” in section 2903.01 of the After each performance of Ohio Revised Code. Playing the five prisoners in Lucasville are (L-R), Christopher “Lucasville” I will lead a Fidram, Lessley Harmon, Sam Perry, Clyde Holmes and Kunta Kenyatta. discussion with any members An execution is a killing of the audience who are with prior calculation and design. Ohio? Where Clarence Darrow was interested. I will assure folks that the There are approximately 195 men on born (in Kinsman) and John Brown action and dialogue of the play are Ohio’s Death Row. Thus when Mr. grew to manhood (in Hudson)? drawn almost entirely from trial tes- Strickland denied clemency to Mr. Ohio? The red state of the North? As timony, trial exhibits, and affidavits. Biros and, at the same time, appeared if it were not enough to have thrown My wife, attorney Alice Lynd, is to shut the door on a moratorium, the 2004 election to George W. compiling a notebook containing a Ohio missed an opportunity to pre- Bush, the state in which we live now sample of these underlying docu- vent what could amount to as many firmly declines to join the nation- ments. as 195 aggravated . wide trend toward abolition of state- Strickland denied clemency to Biros sponsored aggravated murder. Hopefully at least some persons will at a time when other governors, in pose the question, “What can we other states all over the country, have These questions burden the mind as I do?” For them I have a simple peti-

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LUCASVILLE, continued from p. 1 tion to Governor Strickland used by document banned slavery north of Southerners expected to give them the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. the Ohio River. But it was under- control of the national government) stood at the time to be a “Southwest flowed across the Ohio River into The petition says: Ordinance” protecting slavery where southern Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Dear Governor Strickland: it existed and was expected to Cincinnati became the racist city it We, the undersigned urge you to spread. has been for almost two hundred call for a moratorium on executions years, presently providing one fourth in the State of Ohio. The Northwest Ordinance contained of the men on Ohio’s Death Row. We are opposed to the use of the first national fugitive slave The Indiana towns across the river . clause. When it passed, a number of from Louisville, where my father We deeply sympathize with the men abruptly departed New York to grew up, and Alton, Illinois, where families and friends of the victims of carry the news of the Ordinance to antislavery editor Elijah Lovejoy violent crime. We respectfully offer Philadelphia, where the was murdered, became similar that additional death will not heal or Constitutional Convention adopted hotbeds of violence. resolve these tragedies. the identical fugitive slave clause a few days later. Another tradition also took root in The Compromise of 2007 These fugitive slave provisions were these Ohio River towns. Ripley, As an historian, expected to Ohio, halfway between Cincinnati I have had occa- be imple- sion to try to mented. A see LUCASVILLE, Page 7-8 understand few years where slavery, later, when racism, and the President thirst to kill George Spring 2007 Issue come from in Washington Volume 1, Number 2 this country. was in Philadelphia The Prisonersolidarity newsletter Begin with the (then the supplements our Internet publication fact that in May nation’s capi- and listserv. Subscriptions are $6 per 1787, when the tal), a slave year. Constitutional named Ona Contributors: Gary Anderson, Convention assembled in Judge who helped Mrs. Washington James Conway, Staughton Lynd, Philadelphia, twelve men in London to dress her hair and put her clothes Robert Reed. founded the British anti-slavery on, ran away. The Washingtons Staff: Siddique Abdullah Hasan, movement. The movie “Amazing spread the rumor that Ms. Judge had Saadiqah Amatullah Hasan, Laurie Grace” tells the story, albeit from a been seduced by a French sailor. Hoover, Angela Jancius, Kunta topdown point of view. As Thomas There was no French sailor. Ms. Kenyatta, Daniel Sturm. Clarkson and his friends set in Judge ran away on her own, and left Address: Prisonersolidarity.org, P.O. motion the first-hand investigations to posterity the words that she want- Box 422, The Plains, OH 45780, or and petitions to Parliament that ed to be free and wanted to learn email us: prisonersolidarity- caused the British slave trade and how to read and write. [email protected] then slavery in the British West Internet: www.prisonersolidarity.org Indies to be abolished, the great The Father of Our Country wrote to white men of the gath- the customs collector in Portsmouth, Submission Guidelines ered for a Constitutional Convention New Hampshire, directing him to Submissions should be no more than that recognized and compromised kidnap Ms. Judge and put her on a 2,000 words. We accept essays, with our peculiar institution. I have ship bound for Virginia. Instead, that poems and artwork on philosophical, called it “the compromise of 1787,” man sent Ms. Judge a note, warning political and social topics that are of preceding the better-known compro- her to get out of town. As far as we importance to you. Please send your mises of 1819 and 1850. know she remained in freedom. contribution to: Prisonersolidarity.org, P.O. Box 422, Meeting in New York that summer, The best explanation for Governor The Plains, OH 45780 or email us: the Continental Congress passed the Strickland’s action is that the tide of prisonersolidarity- so-called Northwest Ordinance. This migration to the Southwest (which [email protected] 3 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007 Plays about Lucasville riot, Clarence Darrow spotlight death penalty An Interview with Lucasville director, Gary Anderson

By Daniel Sturm, The Athens News ment of the five prisoners who were accused of being April 16th, 2007 - “What?" responded one Ohio responsible for this crime. George Skatzes, Siddique University student in disbelief after finding out that Abdullah Hasan, Jason Robb, James Were and Keith Ohio still enforces the death penalty. She was shaken Lamar are all currently on death row and pursuing to hear that, since 2004, Ohio has been the second- appeals. The conviction of these five was based on the highest execution state in the country, following snitch testimonies of other prisoners involved in the riot, Texas. Most of the 195 death-row inmates are now and made without any physical or DNA evidence. Were housed at the supermax prison in Youngstown. A day the right men convicted? The play challenges the audi- before the execution, prisoners are transported to the ence to decide. “death house” at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. Called a “Saint of the American Left” by Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman, the civil rights attorney and his- Ohio places most of its death-row inmates in a fancy torian Staughton Lynd has made it his fight to regulate high-tech prison. The Ohio State Penitentiary, in Ohio’s prisons and abolish the death penalty. He and his Youngstown, was constructed in response to the 1993 wife, Alice, live in a small bungalow in Niles, near Lucasville prison rebellion, for a cost of $85 million. Youngstown. In the 1960s, Lynd was the director of the Aiming to lift the veil between the condemned and the Mississippi Freedom Schools and taught history along- outside world, an Ohio civil rights lawyer and a side Howard Zinn at Spellman College. In the late 1970s California theater director have joined forces, to bring and early 1980s, when the steel mills closed, Lynd repre- two gripping plays about the death penalty to Ohio. sented the workers, and then turned to the prison-indus- “Lucasville: The Untold Story of a Prison Uprising” trial complex that had risen in the steel industry’s wake. comes to Athens on Sunday, April 22 (7:30 p.m., Mitchell Auditorium, Seigfred Hall). The exclusive Recognizing the importance of Lynd’s work, Gary L. debut will tour with the nationally acclaimed one-man Anderson, who manages American Legends Theatre in piece, “Clarence Darrow: The Search for Justice” (2 Redding, Calif., decided to join forces with the civil- p.m., same location). The American Civil Liberties rights attorney. He had artistically dealt with the contro- Union of Ohio and the OU Department of Sociology versial issue of the death penalty before the Lucasville and Anthropology are co-sponsoring the double fea- play, in the nationally touring one-man show, “Clarence ture. Darrow: The Search for Justice.” The native Ohio lawyer, Clarence Darrow (1857-1938), is most famous The “Lucasville” play is based on Staughton Lynd’s for his work in the Scopes “Monkey” Trial. Fighting definitive history of the prison rebellion. In April against social injustice and racism, over the course of his 1993, prisoners took over a cellblock in the Southern career Darrow managed to save 102 men from execu- Ohio Correctional Facility. During the riot, nine pris- tion. Despite the serious nature of the subject matter of oners and one correctional officer were murdered. these two plays, Anderson emphasized that both offer About 2,000 law-enforcement officers surrounded the plenty of opportunity for a good laugh. prison in a stand-off that was covered by national media outlets. STURM: What inspired you to direct “Lucasville: The Untold Story of a Prison Uprising”? In retrospect, The Columbia Journalism Review wrote that, “Glaring mistakes were reported as fact and ANDERSON: On the 4th of July, I was in San never corrected. Reporters vied for atrocity stories. Francisco with my fiancee, watching this wonderful fire- They ran scary tales -- totally false, it was later found works display. She’s having a beer, we’re sitting on the -- that spread panic and paranoia throughout the grass, and I am reading Staughton Lynd’s book by the region.” Based on Lynd’s book documenting the true light of the fireworks. I couldn’t put it down! With that events of the rebellion, the Lucasville play aims to set boast of the celebration of American freedom and the record straight. American justice system, that we hold out as an ideal for the world, I was suddenly shaken by the fact that there The play acts out the trial for the murder of correc- was truly some injustice done to these men. It was that tional officer Vallandingham, focusing on the predica- please see INTERVIEW, Page 4 4 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007

INTERVIEW, continued from p. 3 moment under the firework that it do this or that, because they were through the entire production are kind of clicked in my head that I already in prison. So we’re not going uncorroborated snitch testimony, should call Staughton the very next to worry about them getting execut- death-qualified jury, which is when day. ed.” They’re willing to lock them up prosecutors stack the deck and make and throw them away. It’s a very sure that there are not only people STURM: There were three big harsh judgment that we’re getting that are open to voting for the death prison rebellions between 1970 and from the general public. penalty, but are rabidly for it. So we 1995, where prisoners killed one illustrate that. And of course, we’re another: Attica in 1971, Santa Fe in STURM: What about the charge looking for a moratorium at least for 1980, and then finally Lucasville. that the state attained death sen- these five men and a reconsideration What separates Lucasville? tences for four men convicted of the of what happened to the other men murder of correctional officer who are serving long sentences in ANDERSON: For one thing, I don’t Vallandingham almost entirely on the “supermax.” Those are the three think anyone has ever written a play the basis of inmate informant testi- themes that resonate outside of Ohio. that’s toured nationally, the way this monies? one will, about either Attica or Santa STURM: Immediately after the Fe. But what separates Lucasville ANDERSON: Yes, there was a rebellion, a new category of prison- from the other two rebellions is that snitch academy set up. And we ers was created: “high maximum these five men were in prison for intend to expose that scandal here in security.” And there’s some evidence very good reasons to begin with. the state by talking about it in the that the $85 million prison was built for the This is not like an “There was a Lucasville Five, innocence project, correct? where someone is snitch academy innocent from the set up. We ANDERSON: very beginning, or They were the mentally ill, and the expose that scan- first occupants police decide to dal in the state of it. That’s how frame them. These they got the folks were already by mocking it.” funding. We in jail, and four of Gary Anderson, Director of believe that them for good rea- “Lucasville” and “Darrow” Warden Arthur son. That’s why the Tate always Innocence Project, or similar proj- play, by mocking it, by giving wanted to build some kind of super- ects around America, won’t touch excerpts of how these men were max security unit. But they told him these men. Even though they are pressured to give testimony against there was no justification for it. innocent of the crimes that bumped these so-called leaders of the rebel- There had been no escalation of vio- them from being just “bad,” up to lion. And in actuality, of course, lence. Well, bingo! What happens? death row, no one is helping them. these five men were just in the cir- On April 11, 407 prisoners are left cumstances of doing the best they guarded by 15 guards. I mean, gee! STURM: Can you describe people’s could to stop the killing and to get It’s like an invitation to do some- reactions? their negotiated ends out there. But thing wrong. the snitches were coached. They ANDERSON: I talk to people at were taken away for a period of STURM: Did you actually meet Kinko’s, or at lunch. I say, “Hey, months, so each would corroborate with the real life Lucasville Five? have you guys heard of the each other. Lucasville thing?” “Yes, we have.” ANDERSON: I met with Jason “Do you remember what caused the STURM: What themes of the Robb. He’s a captain in the Aryan riot?” “No, we don’t.” “Do you Lucasville riot do you cover in the brotherhood. And I met with remember what happened to the play? Siddique Abdullah Hasan, also guys at trial?” “Well, they probably known as Carlos Sanders. He was an deserved it, even though they didn’t ANDERSON: The themes that go Imam and leader of the Muslims

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INTERVIEW, continued from p. 4

during the prison rebellion. I’m way out of a store, I tested the death penalty? meeting with Keith LaMar. And waters. It was the day after the exe- then I met with George Skatzes. He cution of Kenneth Biros was halted. ANDERSON: Here’s the way I feel was transferred out of the supermax I said to this fellow, “What do you about theater. I’ve done musicals and and is in Mansfield. He developed a think about this whole death-penalty comedy for too many years in my great depression from being in the thing?” And then he said, “I hope life when I don’t think we’ve done supermax cell. It’s only the size of a that bastard suffers. God wants him anything but help people get to sleep compact car. During our presenta- to suffer for what he did to this girl’s better. I think theater should engage tion, we form living walls with 16 family. This is God’s work!” And I and enrage. And if it causes contro- actors that represent the height, just looked at him with my mouth versy, so be it. I think this is what’s width and depth of an actual super- open. I didn’t expect such a vehe- going to happen with this play. max cell. Then we put one of the ment opinion. I asked, “God does? men in it, George Skatzes, to talk Do you know the mind of God?” STURM: “Lucasville” and about what living in a cell this “Clarence Darrow: The Search size is like. The audience has to for Justice” are presented as a see it. Drawing a diagram on double feature. Four hours of the floor is not good enough. deadly serious subject matter - We do a portion of the play couldn’t this be too much for an inside the supermax film. audience to bear?

STURM: What do the ANDERSON: You should make “Lucasville Five” think about no mistake. I love to laugh. The the play? Do they like it? humor in Lucasville comes from the tenseness of the situation. ANDERSON: Oh, yes. This There are natural things that was the one thing that I was occur. For instance, in the dis- worried about, that it would cussion between the state and give them some hope. And it the inmate negotiators. After 15 would put them back in to the or 20 hours of negotiation, peo- headlines again, and might ple are tired. They let their sense make a difference, if the issue is “What the hell is going on of humor come into it. They let taken up by every state. Can you their compassion slip. And they imagine how the state of Ohio there in Ohio?” laugh with each other. It’s almost may react if this thing is touring Gary Anderson, Director of “Lucasville” like breaking bread. If you can the country? And for once they and “Clarence Darrow” laugh together, you found some not only get the pressure com- common ground. Humor is pep- ing from inside the state, but have The guy was just taken aback, and pered throughout the play. 49 other states starting to call them said: “Maybe I went too far, but this up and say, “What the hell is going is a bad guy. I don’t want to hear all But I also have included in on there in Ohio?” We just want to this bleeding-heart stuff. The death “Lucasville” a device that’s called bring it to the public’s attention. penalty is a good thing; it kills and the stage manager. In Lucasville he animals and scum like that.” And he weaves himself in and out the entire STURM: Maryland, New Jersey, got back in his car. People have deep production, keeping the action mov- Connecticut, Illinois, New Mexico opinions about this, and about abor- ing on. He comments in a very and North Carolina are all likely to tion and about gay rights. There are funny way, and he even mocks vari- ban executions. And your own state certain hot-button issues that ous things that he doesn’t agree of California has ordered an investi- Americans citizens are just crazy with. “Ladies and gentlemen, intro- gation of the death-penalty system. about! ducing the negotiator for the What’s your take on the situation in Department of Rehabilitation and Ohio? STURM: Do you think your play Correction, and backed up by 2,000 can make a difference in terms of armed troops outside the wall, we ANDERSON: Yesterday, on my changing people’s minds about the have David Burchett.” We have the

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INTERVIEW, continued from p. 5

actors applauding. “And on in the He was a terrible businessman. He ville” just like they would 7 Eleven, other corner we have George worked pro bono for most of the Walgreens, Rite Aid, Starbucks. Skatzes, currently a guest of the cases during his life. Even when he Every time a community turns state, and backed up by the wall.” was promised $1 million in the around, I want them saying, “What I’m no dummy. I know how to get Leopold and Loeb case, he wound is this play? It’s everywhere!” This laughs. “Lucasville” offers a mix- up with $10,000. is not just a regional play. I have ture of laugh and tears, and of three cities in Florida that want to do course sadness. It should touch you STURM: What would he have to Lucasville, and I have some groups on many levels. say about the judicial system that in Idaho that want this play. prosecuted the Lucasville prisoners? Oklahoma and California are inter- STURM: You have been portray- ested, too. We’re going to assault ing Clarence Darrow, the famous ANDERSON: Darrow would say this nation with the way that these

lawyer who saved 102 men from that it was unfair. It needs a revision. men have been framed. We’re going execution, for three years now. If It needs to be examined. I don’t to really call everyone’s sense of jus- Darrow were alive, would he think he would agree with Gov. tice into play. Now do we tell the defend the Lucasville Five? Strickland saying that the justice sys- audience what to do at the end of tem in Ohio is “fair and impartial,” this play? Absolutely not. Why ANDERSON: Absolutely. Darrow for a moment. should we? Theater is meant to never had a client executed. That’s STURM: What are your plans to inspire, intrigue and engage, and get unheard of in the world of legal take “Lucasville” on a national tour? people to come to these things on history. He was a starch opponent their own. That’s the best kind of of the death penalty. He would do ANDERSON: I want people trip- truth. The truth that comes from it, whether he made money or not. ping over productions of “Lucas- within. That’s what urges you. No Parole Rule Rescinded in Ohio! Many years ago, Staughton Lynd the Parole Board from the chairman longtermers, Judge Gwin made it asked his wife to give him a tea- of the Parole Board, approved by clear that he thought it should be the spoon, so he could start tearing Terry Collins on May 16, 2007, Parole Board (not someone deciding down the Ohio supermax prison. rescinding the rule precluding security classification or length of Now, after many smaller and big- release on parole from Level 4 or stay) that decides whether or not to ger victories, in humanizing the Level 5. release an individual on parole. Ohio prison system, ALICE LYND When we filed the OSP class action The no parole rule was one of the sends Prisonersolidarity the news in January 2001, the no parole rule issues in the proposed findings of of another major success. was one of the issues in our fact and conclusions of law that we Complaint. No parole was one of the were ready to file in court on May [May 18, 2007] Dear all: factors that led the courts to con- 21. But Defendants filed a notice in Effective immediately, prisoners on clude that imprisonment at OSP is an Austin v. Wilkinson on May 17, Level 5 and Level 4 can be recom- atypical and significant hardship. In 2007 saying they are changing the mended for release on parole! February 2007, after hearing testi- Parole Board policy. Attached is a copy of the memo to mony by one of the Level 5A -Alice 7 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007

LUCASVILLE, continued from p. 2 and Scioto County (where the town nals. Prisoners occupied L block for bloodless disturbance. They hoped to of Lucasville and the Southern Ohio eleven days. Ten persons (nine catch the attention of authorities in Correctional Facility are located), inmates and one hostage correctional Columbus and cause them to over- was the scene of an antislavery officer) were killed by the rebelling rule Warden Tate’s insistence on test- movement that began ten years prisoners. The siege of L block ing for TB by injecting under the before William Lloyd Garrison first ended peacefully when Attorney skin a substance containing phenol, a published The Liberator. As Niki Schwartz of Cleveland helped form of alcohol. described in Ann Hagedorn’s book, the rebels to negotiate a 21-point Beyond the River, it was at Ripley agreement. Thereafter, in trials last- Within moments, events spun out of that the most famous incident later ing into 1996, five supposed leaders control. What all witnesses describe recounted in Uncle Tom’s Cabin -- of the rebellion (the “Lucasville as “chaos” ensued. Officers were “Eliza crossing the ice” -- actually Five”) were sentenced to death. severely beaten. The prisoners in occurred.

At that time abolitionist John Rankin had a house on a hilltop above Ripley where he left a lantern on all night. It is said that when Eliza and her infant child reached the northern shore of the Ohio, soaked and freez- ing, they were met by a professional slavecatcher named Shaw who seized escaping slaves and returned them to the South for money. Mr. Shaw is said to have been so moved by Eliza’s bravery that he pointed up the hill to the light from the lantern, and told her to go there for help. I drive attorneys for the State frantic rebellion thought several of the Alas, Governor Strickland thus far by refusing to use the word “riot,” injured officers might die, and went appears to lack the courage of that referring instead to an uprising or a to some risk to take them to the yard slavecatcher. It is really preposterous rebellion. I protest the words of where they could be recovered and that he should find the trials that fol- Judge Fred Cartolano in the trial of receive medical attention. Warden lowed the 1993 uprising at the Siddique Abdullah Hasan: “Riots are Tate had encouraged informants, Southern Ohio Correctional Facility not created by the prison. Riots are even creating a special Post Office in Lucasville to have been fair and created by the inmates.” State v. box to receive their communications. impartial. There was no physical evi- Sanders, Transcript p. 5332. I remind Six supposed “snitches” were mur- dence. Convictions depended entire- readers or listeners that before the dered by fellow prisoners during the ly on the testimony of prisoner April 1993 events, the Southern first hours of the uprising. informants, or “snitches,” who Ohio Correctional Facility allowed received benefits like not being prisoners one five-minute telephone The prison administrators created charged, or a letter to the Parole call per year. Even a defendant in a their share of unintended conse- Board, in exchange for saying what homicide arising from a barroom quences, too. As Sergeant Howard the prosecutors wanted them to testi- brawl, I argue, would be allowed to Hudson testified, their hostage nego- fy. As I show in my book Lucasville, present evidence of provocation. tiating manual directed that prison from their first conversations with But I do not think Lucasville was a negotiators should deliberately stall prisoner witnesses, the prosecutors melodrama, with the good guys all in order to wear down the resistance and troopers of the Highway Patrol on one side and the bad guys all on of the hostage takers. The same deliberately framed several spokes- the other. No one intended what approach caused the authorities on men for the prisoners. actually occurred. the first full day of the occupation to turn off water and electricity. Three Tragedy or Melodrama? The Muslim prisoners who first days later, the authorities’ refusal to What really happened at Lucasville seized officers in L block and made restore these utilities became the in April 1993? We know the exter- them hostages had in mind a brief, immediate cause of hostage officer 8 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007

LUCASVILLE, continued from p. 7 Robert Vallandingham’s murder. What should happen to death-sen- opinion, some prisoners need mental I have come to believe that there tenced men who are guilty of mur- health assistance before they can be were individuals on both sides dur- der? They may have committed terri- safely released. But prison, this man ing the eleven-day rebellion who ble rapes and homicides years before emphasized, helps no one. sought to avoid bloodshed. (The they finally are strapped to the gur- Support for the death penalty being behavior of prosecuting attorneys ney at the Lucasville death house. so strong among persons who also and judges after the surrender is Sister Helen Prejean, the Catholic call themselves fervent Christians, I another matter.) In negotiating a set- Church, and (if I am not mistaken) have had occasion to propose what I tlement and a peaceful surrender, the the American Civil Liberties Union, call “the prison program of Jesus of Lucasville protagonists brought their propose life without parole as an Nazareth.” It has three parts. confrontation to an end with signifi- alternative to execution. Many cantly fewer deaths than in earlier death-sentenced men whom my wife The first is the instruction in prison rebellions at Attica and Santa and I have come to know disagree. Matthew 25: “I was in prison and Fe. They say to us, “If I am to be totally you visited me.” Personal acquain- deprived of any hope of ever being tance with prisoners is the beginning The behavior of the prisoners might free, kill me now.” of wisdom in these matters. be compared to the actions of sol- The second part of the program is diers pinned down by enemy fire on It seems to us, as Quakers, that there the incident recounted in John 8. A an unexpected battlefield. Most of is in every human being the possibil- woman was caught in the act of the 407 men in L block, including ity of change, of redemption. But no adultery, which in ancient Israel was some of the alleged leaders, had one has a crystal ball or measuring punishable with death by stoning. nothing whatever to Jesus said, “Let him do with starting the who is without sin cast rebellion. Their moti- the first stone.” The vation in staying in L death squad slunk block was to protect away, shamefaced and their property and to conscience-stricken. help fellow prisoners Left alone with the survive. What distin- woman, Jesus said, guished some from “Go, and sin no more.” others, again as in a foxhole under fire, The most challenging was whether they part of the prison pro- thought mainly about gram is the third. Luke themselves or guided 4 tells the story of their actions by the perceived wel- instrument that makes it possible to Jesus’ first public ministry. He stood fare of the entire convict body. know for sure when such change has up in the synagogue at Nazareth and truly occurred. read from the scroll of chapter 61 of This understanding of the Lucasville the prophet Isaiah: events is what leads me to propose a In our society, persons who were The Spirit of the Lord God is general amnesty, as at Attica. Case poorly educated, had a hard time upon me; by case adjudication of individual finding work, and then committed a because the Lord hath anointed guilt or innocence misses the essen- crime, “max out” or are paroled even me to preach good tidings unto the tial character of the tragedy. Those less prepared to obtain a livelihood meek; convicted of murder, assault, or kid- and live a normal life. In Boston last he hath sent me to bind up the napping have already served almost fall, a questioner asked about per- broken-hearted, fifteen years in solitary confinement. sons who are psychologically unpre- to proclaim liberty to the cap- It is enough. pared for freedom and likely to tives, repeat the crimes that landed them and the opening of the prison to Life Without Parole? behind bars. As I pondered a them that are bound. Even if the Lucasville defendants response, another member of the (Emphasis added.) sentenced to death should one day be audience volunteered an answer. He A first step toward the society envi- found Not Guilty, and set free, a said he had spent most of his life in sioned by Isaiah and Jesus is to end troubling question remains. maximum security prisons. In his the death penalty. 9 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007 Letter to 192 Prisoners on Ohio’s Death Row: Referendum to End the Death Penalty

By Kunta Kenyatta & Laurie Ohio voters themselves to to get a referendum on the Hoover, Prisonersolidarity.org outlaw state-sponsored mur- ballot, we are going to need April 14, 2007 der in Ohio, without depend- 1/3 of the voters in 44 of ing on the politicians. Ohio’s 88 counties to sign Greetings, once again, to Referendums are not easy one of our petitions, which is those of you who the state of but this is the same method a monumental task, then it Ohio has condemned to that Ohio voters just recently will be an uphill battle from death! The anti-death penal- used to ban smoking in pub- there. But, with close to two ty forces on the outside are lic places in Ohio, as well as, hundred people on death row locked in debate as to what from all over the state, with is the best way for us to their supporters and a host move forward in our fight to of anti-death penalty organi- put an end to the death zations, this is something penalty in this state, the that can be done! governor has already stated publicly that In Struggle and Solidarity! he is not considering a mora- torium on the death penalty raise the minimum wage in -- or clemency for the upcom- this state, and unlike any of Kunta Kenyatta and Laurie ing executions, which leaves our previous activities, a ref- Hoover the conservative factions of erendum, if successful would CURE-Ohio the anti-death penalty strug- effectively eliminate the P.O. Box 14222 gle with only more candle- death penalty in Ohio. Columbus, Ohio 43214 light vigils as an option, being that begging the politi- If we were to move forward Kunta Kenyatta and Laurie cians has not been success- with the referendum we Hoover are board members ful. would still continue with our of CURE-Ohio and have usual anti-death penalty recently joined the However, the more progres- activities like conferences, Prisonersolidarity.org editori- sive anti-death penalty speaking tours, rallies and al team. They would appreci- forces would very much like even vigils, but these activi- ate receiving your com- to push a state wide referen- ties will be used to build sup- ments, in letters written to dum that would allow the port for the referendum. Just the above address. Support Education And Not Death Row By James Conway, ing. I agree, though, that it would future. In my imagination I can see Prisonersolidarity.org probably be more productive if the headline, “The People of Ohio April 14, 2007 everyone pulled in the same direc- have Spoken.” I received the flyer you sent me con- tion. The referendum you suggested cerning the proposed referendum to sounds like a step in the right direc- The idea I have is somewhat based end the death penalty in tion to me, and I am writing on a referendum I saw advertised Ohio. I’m sure I speak for you to make a suggestion during the last election. The referen- everyone on death row when that I believe would improve dum was set up to try and dedicate a I say we appreciate every- the chances of the referen- larger percentage of the lottery thing that everyone does for dum passing. I’m sure you money to the public schools by us in all the anti-death penal- would agree that failure of removing some of the power of the ty activist groups. The such a referendum would legislature to do other things with thought that all these different peo- deal an almost fatal blow to the the money. My suggestion involves ple who have never met me are out struggle to end the death penalty in reallocating the tax dollars spent on there pulling for me is very comfort- Ohio, at least for the immediate the death penalty directly to fund a 10 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007

EDUCATION, NOT DEATH ROW, continued from p. 9 scholarship program for low income ed to the death penalty. But I do increases at all this year and only 3% Ohioans, which would do more to know that a death penalty case is next year to try and increase the reduce the crime rate than the death inordinately expensive. Death penal- number of people who can afford to penalty has ever done. Ending the ty defendants receive two lawyers go to college. death penalty would instantly free up who get $25,000 each: and an aggra- a significant amount of public funds. vated murder defendant receives a In short, I think there will be strong single lawyer who gets about opposition to a referendum to end The Ohio public defenders office has $10,000. On direct appeal, death the death penalty in Ohio. But if the a death penalty section as does the sentenced inmates receive two choice is between the death penalty attorney general’s office. The indi- lawyers again, while all others and 50 or 100 college scholarships vidual counties get money also. receive one. Two lawyers are also every year I think there will be sig- assigned to do post-conviction nificantly less opposition even from Scholarships for Low-Income appeals at the same time, and no those like Governor Strickland who Ohioans lawyers are required to be assigned purport to be for the death penalty. I know it will be impossible to find to persons not sentenced to death. Let’s face facts, there are quite a few all the resources the death penalty people that will support the death consumes each year, but I bet a dili- That 540,000 at trial and the three penalty on moral grounds regardless gent person (or group of people) extra lawyers employed for about 3 of how immoral we believe it is. could show that a few million in years (just on state appeals) trans- government funds would be freed up lates into a lot of moneys, and that is With a referendum such as the one I every year if the death penalty were only a small fraction of what is actu- propose they will lose whatever ended. This money could be taken ally spent. Death penalty trials are moral footing they have. As directly from its purpose in Governor Strickland himself said carrying out the death penalty in the State of the State address, and used to create a scholar- Ohioans have to make some ship program for low income tough choices and some sacrifices Ohioans. I’ve read that esti- so that Ohio can be at the eco- mates are in the range of $1 nomic forefront of the country, as million to $2 million total to it has been for the last 100 years. execute a single inmate over Let’s make the death penalty one the course of the entire appel- of those sacrifices. late process, and that figure was above and beyond what it I hope this idea is of some use to costs to house the inmate for you. I wish I could do more to try the 20 years the process takes. and implement something like That was also said to be a very con- twice as long as normal trials, and this because I think it could really servative estimate. Those figures for every lawyer representing the make the difference, but I could not may be way off, but for argument’s defendant/prisoner there is an adver- even begin to know where to start. sake, let’s just say that the state sary representing the state on the spends $5 million a year directly on other side. I hope that you do you. the death penalty that would be freed up if the death penalty were ended. Perfect Timing for Education, Sincerely, The average degree program being Prison Reforms under $50,000, that means every This is also the perfect time to pres- James Conway year 100 low income Ohioans could ent such a referendum. News story --- receive a full ride to a four-year after news story talks about how the James Conway, # 457-203 degree program. Essentially: the ref- United States is fallen behind in edu- Ohio State Penitentiary erendum shouldn’t be against the cation, we now have less engineers, 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road death penalty, it would be for educa- scientists and generally less college Youngstown, OH 44505-4635 tion. graduates than many developing countries. Besides that, one of the The following link offers tips for Admittedly, I know little about ori- main purposes of Governor writing to prisoners: gin: referendums or about the break- Strickland’s proposed budget was to http://prisonersolidarity.org/TipsFor down of how tax dollars are dedicat- try and keep college tuition from WritingPrisoners.htm 11 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007 Ohio State Penitentiary Sanitation Crisis This is an Update immediate staff tried to fool the Toilets, urinals, ventilation, heat in on Robert Reed’s inspector so that we offenders would the west dorm and blower; the roof Winter 2007 have to continue suffering with these leaks in at least 6 places, including Newsletter report poor conditions. Because of the staff living areas and common areas; titled, “Mold, cover-up, we will have to continue another sink fell off the wall on 1- Staph Infections enduring the broken toilets that leak 26-07 (it almost hit the inmate’s and Broken profusely, the urinals that over flow foot); an inmate just fell through a Utilities at the Ohio State on to our feet, and the lack of venti- broken chair and was taken to med- Penitentiary.” lation that results in fumes and con- ical; chairs, tables, and east dorm densation that are unbearable at fountain; have a medical inspector Dear Prisonersolidarity, times. walk through to check for staph out- breaks; test for mold on the showers, I would first like to thank you for I saw the inspector come in around ceilings, and walls. your help and the media attention 10:25 AM on 1-25-07. I tried to talk through your website and newsletter. to her in the restroom but the door It’s cold on the west side once again, It has helped to and there is a lot get a few of the of condensation minor condi- “No part of our leaking down the tions taken care sentence includes walls into wall of. We got the enduring inhu- plugs, on the holes in the wall inner outside in the laundry mane conditions. walls. room covered We need your and a new water I would like to fountain on the help!” add that we are west dorm. The Ohio State Penitentiary is the state’s only Robert Reed, Ohio State offenders who supermax prison. It’s home to Ohio’s death row. Penitentiary Prisoner have committed The Eighth crimes and we are Amendment to the Constitution was closed on me, so I caught up to being punished by way of court- mandates that prison officials main- her when she was inspecting the imposed sentence. No part of our tain humane conditions of confine- west dorm water fountain. I talked sentence includes enduring inhu- ment and take reasonable measures with her for about 7 minutes. I mane conditions, in which we can to guarantee the safety of inmates. I informed her that in planning for her catch diseases and transfer them and other offenders here at OSP arrival, offenders were told to back home to our families and socie- have been trying to get these condi- remove plastic trash bags from three ty. We need your help to have some- tions fixed for over 17 months. of the urinals and four of the toilets, one do a full-blown inspection. Even and that the offenders had been on our grievance process here seems I have followed and exhausted the cleaning for two days straight, and to be breached and corrupt at some inmate grievance procedure to no non-stop on that day. I told her that points in time. I hope we can receive avail. None of the main problems we needed her help and that they more help. have been fixed. The failure of OSP were covering up a lot. officials and the central office to In God’s speed, we thank you. take action and fix these conditions I would like to request that another represents a deliberate indifference inspection be done as soon as possi- Respectfully, towards us offenders, and the condi- ble, of the unannounced kind. Please tions we face on a day-to-day basis. bring cameras and test kits. Also please take the time to speak with Robert Reed On Jan. 25, 2007, OSP officials the offenders here. Please try all of ordered offenders to clean non-stop the utilities so that you can see that for hours, for the direct and mali- they don’t work and/or are broken so --- cious purpose of covering up the badly they don’t work properly. Robert Reed #424-893 inhumane conditions of our rest- Ohio State Penitentiary rooms and ventilation from the Here is another list of what needs to 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd. inspector. During the inspection, the be inspected: Youngstown OH 44505 12 Prisonersolidarity.org - Spring 2007 How to Subscribe This quarterly newsletter is freely available to download from our website, at www.prisonersolidarity.org.

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