Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants

Turning Point: The Newsletter of CURE P.O. Box 28931 St. Louis MO 63132

STL 314-730-CURE (2873) KCMO 816-377-CURE (2873) Email: [email protected] Published in Feb-Mar 2020 Web: www.missouricure.org From the Chair by Hedy Harden Winter 2019-2020 Kim Gardner, Pride of St. Louis

couple of years ago when Keith cute low-level marijuana possession. In fact, Inside this issue: started talking about Philadelphia police sought 7,045 felony cases in 2019; A reform-Prosecutor Larry Krasner Gardner only prosecuted 1,641. Madiba 2 and Activist Shaun King’s Real Justice She shares a federal grant with the Mid- You Inspire Me 2 movement to support reform-minded prose- west Innocence Project on wrongful convic- cutors, I agreed that prosecutors have the tions. Gardner has created an Exclusion KC CURE Outreach Committee 2 most power and that reform was badly need- list—as of summer 2018, 288 St. Louis cops Research Project Targets MCC 3 ed. But privately I felt the chances of chang- were deemed so tainted by misconduct that ing the status quo in these days were slim to she will not accept their cases. From around Bruce Franks’ Oscar Film 4 none. In fact, I thought we in CURE should the country, 55 prosecutors and law enforce- Justice Beat 4 focus more on the plight ment officials signed a state- of prisoners themselves ment in support of her deci- Pope Touts Prison Reform 4 when planning our annual sion. EnoughIsEnough2020 5 conferences. Keith educated me n February 2019 Turning Point 5 about Kansas prosecutor Gardner’s Conviction DOC Downsizing 5 Mark DuPree in Wyan- Integrity Unit started I Dragon Lady meets Godzilla 6 dotte County and his investigating past cases of Conviction Integrity Unit. dirty cops. She brought the 2020 Criminal Justice Bills 7 I did read up on Lamar Johnson case into the Shaun King’s ideas and limelight when she sought a Black History Month 8 learned more about the new trial for Johnson, who Winter Activities 9 movement, but I really has been incarcerated more didn’t get enthused until than 24 years, although ob- Photo from OBS 40th AC 9 prosecutorial reform viously innocent. We pub- Lamar Johnson Update 10 came to St. Louis in the lished a lengthy article Lonnie Lockhart Bey: Pro- form of Kim Gardner and Wesley Bell. about his railroading by corrupt cops in last posed Bill and article 11 St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley summer’s Turning Point. Bell, straight outta Ferguson, has been in the Gardner has a felony diversion program Thank you! 12 limelight with exciting new leadership and for young first-time offenders, which is a innovative practices. And then there’s St. rigorous year-long program meant to address education program, which is a 4- Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. the harm caused by mass incarceration and week supervised course on drug reduce crime. In 2019, 241 people were safety. These are individuals ineli- ardner has smashed into the local psy- accepted into the redirect program, and 149 gible for the 22nd Circuit’s treatment che with her radical changes and have completed it. court (formerly drug court). G fighting spirit. It’s no surprise that a Designed by experts at Washington Uni- “We found that if we give indi- black woman fighting for righteous change versity, Florida State U., and St. Louis U., viduals more options, they feel like is under constant attack by racist elements the program allows young nonviolent felony they have control of their life, and and those who want to maintain the status offenders with little or no criminal history to they’re more likely to seek outside, quo. The more I read and hear about her, the enter an intensive regimen of cognitive- community-based treatment,” said more amazed I become. How can one per- behavioral therapy, classes in life skills, job Gardner. son accomplish so much? Take a look at training and employment, and community “We have to stop having some of her achievements: service. Her mentors, many former prison- this rhetoric that we’re going to lock Kimberly Gardner took office January ers with street experience, work in Gardner’s our way out of this. That simply 16, 2017 as the first black circuit attorney in office. These include Darren Seals, who cannot be our strategy for crime St. Louis. She has removed or reduced cash founded the Sankofa Unity Center and men- reduction. It does not work. And bond for minor non-felonies. She consults toring program in Walnut Park. with the Vera Institute, and does not prose- Gardner also started an Opioid addiction See Pride page 10

Page 2 Turning Point

Missouri CURE

Executive Board: Chair: Edna (Hedy) Harden Vice-Chair: Keith Brown El Secretary: Renese Drake Treasurer: Kathy Franklin

Board of Directors: Ronnie (Amiyn) Axell Stephanie Charles Shirley Miner Angelika Mueller-Rowry Denorce Starks Shirley Sutton

Committee Coordinators Angelika Mueller-Rowry: Prisoner Health Ronnie Amiyn/Malik Sellassie: STL Outreach Keith Brown El: KCMO Outreach

Advisory Board Kenneth Bell Shango Bey You Inspire Me Travis Henderson El Lonnie Lockhart Bey Shon Pernice Judy Pickens I don’t need to mention names Patricia Prewitt Roosevelt Price Jr. You know who you are Michelle Smith Joseph Williams On top one minute, doing what you do so well Then knocked down and shut away Special Liaisons Unseen but not forgotten  Aaron Burnett, OBS STL Still fighting with dignity day after day  Nathaniel Johnson, STL Community Re-entry Not even bemoaning your fate  Bev Livingston, MISD KCMO Taking whatever opportunity life affords  Margaret Phillips, MADP To continue the struggle  Malik Sellassie, Empower Missouri Still planning creative strategies to make change happen Turning Point Editor: Hedy Harden Undeterred by the oppression of centuries Webmaster: Clare Petersen The lowest of the low in some eyes The highest of the high in mine. 

CURE is NOT a service organization. We New KC CURE are an all-volunteer non-profit criminal Committee: justice advocacy organization. CURE At our KC CURE has NO legal services—please do NOT meeting Feb. 17, send legal papers. We advocate for an Outreach criminal justice reform, but we cannot Committee was take on individual cases. formed. Mem- bers include (standing) Pen- rod (Edward CURE believes that prisons should be only Pennington), Mo (Maureen for those who MUST be incarcerated and Flynn), and that prisons should only exist for the pur- Willie Copher. poses of education and rehabilitation. CURE Lower level: Rev. is a membership organization. We work Ester Holzendorf hard to provide our members with the in- and Keith Brown formation and tools necessary to help them El. The group understand the criminal justice system and has been meeting to advocate for positive change. regularly.  Winter 2019-2020 Page 3

Research Project Focuses on Moberly CC by Hedy Harden

ast September I received a re- Institute. Besides Missouri, Iowa, Dela- tivity coordinator, suggested having quest from Alana Boyles to e ware, Colorado and Vermont are taking former prisoners speak to the current L endorse a grant request for part in the program. All have commit- offenders in the Moberly prison in order DOC. They were applying to the Urban ted to making changes based on the re- to more easily gain their trust and con- Institute in Washington DC for a grant search findings, he said. vince them to participate in the research. to fund a new program to be piloted at “We recognize that there is a lot Keith noted that the research project Moberly Correctional Center. We in that needs to be improved here in Mis- has been a long time coming. “I think CURE didn’t have a Missouri probably has problem with it, so one of the worst penal we signed on. systems anywhere in the Then, on Feb- United States,” he said. ruary 19, I received “I wish this could have an invitation from begun a whole lot soon- Jack McCleary, the er, but the mindset that MODOC Grant you have in the staff at Administrator, to some of these penal attend a Communi- institutions is not condu- ty Engagement cive to welcoming peo- Lunch on Tuesday, February 25 at the souri corrections,” said Nancy Lavine ple into their environment. They want University Of Missouri School Of So- with the Urban Institute. “It’s important everything that they do to be kept be- cial Work in Columbia. to note that the leadership wants this and hind closed doors.” A group called Prison Research & recognizes that opening up your doors to Brown-El suggested that research- Innovation Network (PRIN) planned to research is a risky thing.” ers compile data about the number of meet there with community advocates. The day before, the group had infractions written up by prison staff and Missouri and four other states had re- toured MCC, where they got a first-hand how many of those lead to offenders ceived grants from the Urban Institute look at conditions in the prison and being locked up in segregation. He sug- to create the Network, whose purpose is learned what rehabilitation programs are gested that some of the segregation cells to improve transparency and accounta- offered. be repurposed as general population. bility and to make prison environments According to an article in the Karen Pojmann, MODOC spokes- more humane and rehabilitative. Moberly Monitor, “One of the key person, said that Director Anne Precythe Keith and I decided to attend, him differences between Monday’s tour and is monitoring the situation and looking driving from Kansas City and me from Tuesday’s meeting was direct input at ways to reduce the number of segre- St. Louis. from volunteers at the Moberly prison gation cells. The meeting included researchers and representatives from Missouri Keith also noted that MODOC had from the University of Missouri CURE, an inmate advocacy group. It censored one of our newsletters recent- (Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City gave researchers a chance to form early ly, claiming that the content could cause campuses) as well as representatives ideas for appropriate survey questions hatred and violence among the prisoner from the Urban Institute, Arnold Ven- and interview population, yet they would not say tures, the Missouri DOC, Missouri strategies with staff what part of the 12-page newsletter CURE, and a couple of VICs from and offenders.” was being targeted. Pojmann spoke Moberly. “We use up again, saying she’d like to talk Ronald Day is a former prisoner community-based with Keith about that, implying she and vice president of the Fortune Socie- participatory re- could help resolve the issue. ty, a New York non-profit group that search,” said Kelli The project will include aims to better integrate former prisoners Canada, associate hiring a full-time “innovation man- into society. He said that this project is professor and asso- ager”, who will handle the day-to- the first of its kind throughout the Unit- ciate director for research at the MU day operations of the project at MCC. ed States. “It’s never been anywhere in School of Social Work. “That just An executive committee will be formed the country, when you talk about going means we come in and try to understand that could include legislators, former into the prisons and understanding more information from the perspective of inmates, DOC employees, staff mem- about the prison environment, including those who are experts in that space. bers from the governor’s office and people who are incarcerated as well as That’s not us, that’s the people who live community members. those who work in the institutions. It and work in those spaces.” Missouri CURE welcomes the light hasn’t been done,” Day said. “That’s The Moberly prison houses about being shined on prison conditions, alt- why we’re interested in bringing people 1,800 prisoners. The next step of the hough we would have preferred the fo- together to hear their voices, concerns project will be to develop a survey and cus to be on maximum security where it and cynicism.” figure out what questions will need to be is sorely needed. We urge prisoners at “We’re trying to better understand asked of each stakeholder, which Engel- MCC to cooperate with the project in the conditions and climate of prisons,” hardt said could present challenges. hopes of making things better for all said Will Engelhardt with the Urban John Quinn, Moberly’s inmate ac- Missouri prisoners.  Page 4 Turning Point

St. Louis Superman gets Oscar Nomination t. Louis Superman,” the 25- Franks said he hopes that the nomi- When asked if he plans to attend minute film about former nation sends a message of hope to St. the Academy “S State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., Louis residents who have struggled. Awards cere- was nominated for an “When mony, Franks Academy Award as you see hope and replied, “Oh, Best Documentary you see hope that hell yeah.” Short Subject Oscar. looks like you, “I don’t When Bruce re- that comes from feel like it’s ceived word on Janu- where you come me there. I ary 13th, he “jumped from, that reso- feel like the across the room,” he nates with you, whole of St. said. “I was yelling. that feels like Louis is I was happy. I was you—that hope there…everybody who shut down a screaming. I was so is what’s going highway, got pepper sprayed, tear excited. I was pumped. And then I just to be inspirational,” he said. gassed, everybody who stood in the rain started crying. Because I remember “We tell young people all the time to vote for me, everybody who ever where I was a year ago, and I remember that come from my community that it’s stood for anything—and not just in St. in my head it was better off for me not a big world and you can do it—but we Louis—with us being in the building, to be on this earth. And a year later, we don’t actually show them. And I think we will all be there.” are nominated for an Oscar. I’m this is a way of showing them that there healthy. I’m doing well. Life is good.” is hope.” St. Louis Public Radio 1/13/2020 and the St. Louis American 

Something NEW in the Lou Pope Francis on Prisons he Justice Beat Talk held its first official broadcast, live-streamed via Facebook Live at peaking November 8, 2019, Pope Francis urged greater efforts to reform prison systems, address the root causes T www.face-book.com/justicebeat2day, on of crime and ensure acceptance Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 S and reintegration once a person com- a.m. CST; It will be aired every Saturday thereafter. pletes his or her sentence. Angelika "It is easier to repress than to edu- Mueller-Rowry and cate and, I would say, it is more com- Hedy Harden of fortable too," Pope Francis told the group. "Denying the injustice present in Missouri CURE were society and creating these spaces to put interviewed on Jus- offenders is easier than offering equal tice Beat February development opportunities to all citi- 15 regarding prison zens. medical issues. “The aim of a prison sentence The show’s should be to educate and prepare people to return eventually to host, creator and society as law-abiding and contributing citizens, he said, but that often is not the case because of a lack of "resources to Executive Producer, address the social, psychological and family problems experi- Elaine Mbionwu, enced by detainees." said, “Our mission is "You cannot talk about paying a debt to society from a jail to inform, educate, empower, and motivate our lis- cell without windows," Pope Francis said. "There is no humane tening audience to act! punishment without a horizon. No one can change their life if Although live-streamed via Facebook Live, The they don't see a horizon.” Justice Beat Talk Show is also formally registered A related area that requires much more attention from the church and its members, he said, is helping people after they with the National Association of Digital Broadcasters have been released from prison. (NAdB) and its call-letters are WJBR. "Often when leaving prison, the person finds himself in a “Our primary goal is to discuss what matters to world that is alien to him and that does not recognize him as you – Justice Reform, said Mbionwu. We anticipate trustworthy, even excluding him from the possibility of working that this venue will increase and expand our out- to obtain a decent livelihood," the pope said. "By preventing reach to the 1 in 3 touched by incarceration in a way people from regaining the full exercise of their dignity," they are exposed again to the lack of opportunity that often contrib- that transforms the justice reform landscape in a uted to their committing a crime in the first place.  progressive, powerful, and impactful way.  Winter 2019-2020 Page 5

EnoughIsEnough2020.org Turning Point by Hedy Harden

Fight Mass Incarceration; restore families Summer 2019 Newsletter:

ost Missouri prisoners and EnoughIsEnough2020 is ready to in- More than 2 months after we mailed out their loved ones are well stitute that change. We believe it is the Summer 2019 newsletter, we received a M aware of the problems asso- time for Missouri politicians to stop letter from Jeff Norman saying it was being ciated with the 85% law requiring using fear-mongering to justify their censored. He specifically mentioned FCC. violent or dangerous offenders to imperfect prison-for-profit criminal As usual, we were not informed as to what serve at least 85% of their sentences justice system. Furthermore, it is time part of the 12-page newsletter was found of- before being eligible for parole con- for the public to stop falling for it and fensive. We were given 30 days to appeal to sideration. The 1994 so-called Truth help us make the needed changes the Director of Adult Institutions (DAI), in Sentencing EnoughIs which at that time was Alana Boyles. legislation that Enough 2020 is tired of Alana had given me her card with her sought to be hearing these facts about cell phone number and had invited me to call tough on crime the criminal justice sys- her, so that’s what I did. She told me she led to an un- tem and seeing no intelli- would check it out and get back to me. About heard of prison- gent change in policy a week later I found a letter from her support- building boom made by Missouri legisla- ing the censorship. Shortly thereafter I heard throughout the tors. So now we, the actu- she had been asked to resign. country and in al people of Missouri, are Keith wrote a letter to Director Precythe, the State of initiating the needed formally appealing the censorship. He re- Missouri. It has also left in its wake change. We are families of all creeds ceived a response from Ryan Crews as thousands upon thousands of prisoners affected by our men and women being “acting DAI”, simply reiterating what had and their families victimized by the kept from us too long. Enough is been done. harsh penalties inflicted by the legisla- enough. Other states who adopted a On our behalf, the First Amendment Law tion. version of the 85% law have already Clinic at Washington University initiated a Even George Lombardi, who led gotten rid of it. It's our turn. And wait- sunshine request for information which was the Missouri DOC for 30 years, ing on Missouri’s legislature to do it is sent on or about January 27, 2020. When a agreed that more people convicted of unreasonable at this point. response was not received on time, another dangerous felonies should be released. If you have a loved one who has request was sent on March 4. There was no “For the most part,” he said, they “will been serving a sentence under the 85% response when this newsletter went to print. not re-offend." law, help bring them home sooner. Studies have shown that those Those persons who are not career Autumn 2019 newsletter: convicted of dangerous felonies re- criminals are better off at home help- offend at much lower rates than others ing their families and communities. The mail house used by our printing on parole. Of 860 murderers paroled This is an initiative petition. Peo- company once again mailed the newsletter out between 1990 and 2010 tracked by ple are needed to collect signatures for without registry numbers. Some people re- Stanford University, only five com- this ballot initiative. Please go to the ceived the newsletter but many did not. We mitted new crimes and none of the website EnoughsEnough 2020.org. had them re-printed and sent out again, which new crimes were . Call 314-384-6774 to obtain is why some of you received duplicate copies. It’s time for a change, and forms or for more information.  The mail house is no longer being used.  DOC Downsizing ccording to the Jan. 20, 2020 Post-Dispatch, Gov. "Closing housing units reduces staffing needs and ena- Parson is calling for more downsizing in the DOC. bles the department to more effectively and efficiently staff A In 2017, the prison population was a reported facilities, boost safety and reduce mandatory overtime. We're 33,000, while it now stands at 26,000. hoping these changes also can reduce staff Changes in the criminal code are stress and improve retention," said DOC responsible for more people being Spokeswoman Karen Pojmann. sentenced to probation instead of incarcer- Instead of a previously expected bill ation, according to state officials. of $189 million to add cells, the current plan Instead of looking at possibly build- is expected to save some $6.5 million and ing two additional prisons 3 years ago, eliminate more than $6 million in pending Missouri has closed one prison and is maintenance and repair projects. closing housing units in several more fa- cilities. With a total of 20 prisons, Parson is announcing closing wings in Tipton, Algoa, Farmington, Bowling Green eanwhile Gov. Parson’s campaign ads on TV paint and St. Joseph (WRDCC). him as tough on crime, especially violent crime— DOC expects the change to remove 1,756 prisoner beds M but that’s life in an election year.  and eliminate 131 vacant full time positions. Page 6 Turning Point

Dragon Lady Meets Godzilla by Keith Brown El ur prisoner health coordinator An- and accused her of “race-baiting” when grants, has ever been used for anything gelika Mueller-Rowry (Angie) is Angie tried to post her deceased hus- other than Missouri CURE purposes, O always looking for ways to fight for band’s and her cousin-in-law’s stories. which are to benefit prisoners and their better healthcare for Missouri prisoners. Ferguson wrote to our Chairperson loved ones. When she found “Justice 4 Inmate’s” on Hedy Harden, calling Angie a “fraud,” CURE is a worldwide organization. Facebook, she hooked up with them, saying that Hedy was responsible for what Missouri CURE has been around for 30 despite their different approach to ad- Angie does, and that she should rein An- years, and we are known and respected dressing prison healthcare problems. gie in or face being put “on blast.” around the country. People familiar with Angie spread the word to CURE members When Hedy didn’t respond, Ferguson CURE know how dedicated we are and and others to visit and like their site. A started posting outright lies and making what we do. rural group, J4I’s main issue is prison derogatory statements about Missouri Ferguson prides herself on having a healthcare. CURE and Hedy Nickname of, “Dragon Lady” that she When J4I announced on J4I’s site. somehow acquired. plans to have a rally in First she Well, Dragon Lady, you are about to the Capitol on January claimed that Hedy meet Godzilla. This kind of work is diffi- 23, Angie began working used “inmate cult enough, and many people in society with them and CURE money” generated already think the worst that can possibly became a co-sponsor, through Missouri be thought about people who are incarcer- recruiting others to at- CURE to pur- ated. Prisoners don’t need people like you tend. She prepared a chase a Cadillac. being a spokesperson for their cause— CURE press release and The only Cadillac people who are proven liars and backstab- sent a letter and other information to law- Ms. Harden has ever owned was pur- bers instead of someone having a genuine makers regarding prisoner health. chased more than 50 years ago. She was- interest in building alliances for a com- On January 23 twelve people (7 of n’t involved in any kind of dealings with mon cause. them from CURE) showed up at the Capi- prisoners back then. In fact, CURE didn’t tol, but none of the legislators were there even exist at that time anywhere on the here is no doubt that society is that day, supposedly because of the planet. Next, J4I claimed that Missouri getting fed up with business as weather. A couple of reporters did inter- CURE’s non-profit status was revoked by T usual in the prison system. As a views, and photos were taken. Denise the state. This is another outright lie. Our result many are now ready to embrace Ward-Brown, a media professor at Wash- non-profit status was never revoked. It criminal justice reform. This, however, ington University, conducted video inter- momentarily lapsed due to the failure of also creates opportunities for those who views. one of our volunteers to renew it. As soon are willing to resort to lies, distortions and Afterwards, J4I’s Victoria Ferguson as we discovered the problem, we got it re misrepresentations of facts to try and un- claimed that Angie had introduced race -instated immediately. dermine the good work being done by and politics into the mix. She stated that I don’t know who this Victoria Fer- legitimate groups and individuals. These Angie had not done anything for inmates guson who runs J4I thinks she is, but she are tactics used by agent provocateurs has even gone so (groups, organizations and individuals far as to assert created and trained by government agents that we “live to destabilize and destroy legitimate or- large” on grant ganizations and individuals). money, demand- It is a crime in Missouri and all over ing to see what the country to knowingly or recklessly we use it for. publish lies about someone for the pur- That is none pose of damaging their reputation. It is of Ferguson’s obvious that this is what Ferguson and J4I business. CURE have done. Missouri CURE will not waste does not answer time arguing and exchanging insults with to or take orders this group on Facebook. I strongly advise from her. And that they discontinue what they are doing she will not dic- before Ferguson and the rest of her group tate to us how find themselves in court facing a lawsuit we run our or- to which there is absolutely no defense. ganization. For the NOTE: J4I posted that some prisoners had record, none of complained that CURE didn’t answer theiur the money that letters. Anyone who may have written us and Missouri CURE not received a reply—sorry, but we get tons of mail from prisoners and we just can’t answer receives, every letter. However, if you don’t get an Ester Noldon of Ladies of Peace with CURE members Shelby Day, James whether dues, Shelby, Angelika Mueller-Rowry and Tadar Wazir at the Capitol January answer from us, it does not mean that whatever 23 (Renese Drake and Denise Ward-Brown not pictured) donations or you wrote us about is not being addressed.  Winter 2019-2020 Page 7

2020 Criminal Justice Bills of Interest (updated 3/7/20)

House Bills

HB 1277, 2450, SB635 Abolish the death penalty

HB 1289; HB 1293 Modified provisions relating to sexual offenders (passed House; reported to Senate)

HB 1343 Establishes procedures for a violent offender registry, which will include any person on probation or pa- role for first or second degree murder (we oppose)

HB 1638 Modifies provisions relating to the concealed carrying of firearms (17 pages, referred to General Laws 2/13/20; 5 sponsors)

HB 1645 Requires the cost of incarceration to be considered during sentencing and parole hearings (Windham, read 2x)

HB 1756 Modifies provisions relating to murder in the first degree for those with serious mental illness (Hannegan, read 2x)

HB 1780 Allows Voting for those on probation or parole (Aldridge—referred to Elections Committee)

HB 1813 Establishes a "Terrorist Offender Registry" (Moon, read 2x) (we oppose)

HB 1837 -- allows a prisoner receiving MO HealthNet benefits at time of incarceration to have those benefits tem- porarily suspended, then restored upon release. (Green)

HB 1899 – Prison Canteen Funds; Committee Action: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions by a vote of 10 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules; Sponsors: Hen- derson; Hanson

HB 2034 Authorizes the early parole of some offenders over age 65. (Hannegan; to Rules 2/20)

HB 2119 Requires that MDOC provide certain assistance to offenders upon release (driver or non-driver license, SNAP app, public transportation benefits), Green, read 2x

HB 2141 Fresh Start Act (Grier) 3/5/20 House voted Do Pass

HB 2166 Prohibits a Missouri state court from prosecuting an offense in which there was a federal conviction for the same offense. (Neely, read 2x)

HB 2197 Expands a Warden's authority to recommend good time credit to include any prisoner not convicted of 1st or 2nd degree murder. (Dogan, read 2x)

HB 2201 Requires early parole hearings for persons who were under 18 at the time of an offense, and who were sentenced to more than 15 years imprisonment. (Schroer, Judiciary)

HB 2254 allows those with LWOP to seek a parole hearing after 25 years under certain circumstances. (Neely read 2x)

HB 2330 allows reduction of 85% to 50% for first felony incarceration (Price, read 2x)

HB 2331 provides for good time up to 10 days per month, up to 4 months per year (Price, read 2x)

HB 2332 >30 years, if first felony incarceration, parole board must review case history and report to Governor on possible clemency (Price, read 2x)

HB 2333 reduce 85% to 50%—tiered according to # of previous commitments (Price, read 2x)

See Bills page 8 Page 8 Turning Point

From Michelle Smith: Criminal Injustice and Black History Month ith February being legislated as wrongly convicted or unjustly incarcerated was (and is) made by their continuing to the official time to recognize and by a system that failed to value their hu- challenge the systems of oppression via W celebrate the contributions and manity and only viewed them as disposa- speaking out, standing firm, and teaching accomplishments of Black people, despite ble. In these injustices I am disgusted by the principles of unity, support, and one- constant challenges and overwhelming the reality that law enforcers, prosecutors, ness. The latter sentiment translates to obstacles, I feel compelled to speak on judges and other officials responsible for 'Ubuntu' which means "I am because we Black History Month through the lens of such injustice received promotions and are" in a Bantu dialect. We all honor and the Criminal (In)Justice system. further stability in their positions. I often remember the sacrifices of—and injustices Black people have (and do) suffer in several respects within the legal systems cringe at the fact that very few wrongly levied against—notables like Dr. Martin of this nation and others. Despite this, imprisoned and convicted people ever Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Rosa their determination for freedom and yearn receive a modicum of justice. I have per- Parks. However, the 'regular' people who for liberation propel them to continue sonally met men exonerated after serving were assaulted, jailed, and otherwise re- their struggles, creating history that two, three and taliated against during the civil rights and future generations can be proud of four decades in black power protests, marches, sit-ins, as well as examples to be followed. prison, who didn't boycotts, and attempts to gain voting I recently finished reading "The receive anything rights simultaneously made history and War Before", a collection of the writ- as much as an made future generations proud. Countless ings of Safiya Bukhari, who was a apology, let alone Black people, both known and unknown, very influential leader within the recompense for risked their physical freedoms and very Black Panther Party's New York their suffering. lives to confront imbedded systems of chapter. Although Safiya is not as Then there are inhumanity and injustice. And currently, publicly recognized as other women those like Fred there are still Black people advocating, in the Party, she was pivotal in the day to day running and organizing of Hampton Sr.; the fighting, learning from the past, and chal- the Panthers’ New York office. After girls murdered in lenging the status quo. Black history serving time in prison herself, she the Birmingham continues to be made today. We are still later founded The Jericho Move- church bombing; proving, even to ourselves, that Black ment, which was dedicated to sup- Medgar Edgars; lives, do, in fact, matter. porting political prisoners who were and the murdered Happy Black History Month. largely forgotten about once the Safiya Bukhari (1950-2003) Freedom Riders... turbulent days of the civil rights and those who lost Editor’s note: I had the honor to meet black power movements had dissipat- their lives because others in positions of Safiya Bukhari back in the 80s in Chicago ed. Safiya's book reminded me of how power and privilege feared the loss of their during an event sponsored by the Commit- Black people have been victimized via societal advantages. They chose to use tee to End the Marion Lockdown (CEML). unfounded and exaggerated criminal ac- violence against Black communities to I was working with CEML at the time, and cusations simply because they dared to instill trepidation, and that violence went Safiyah had come from New York to challenge the subjugated status of Black unpunished; making it very apparent that and poor people within society, as well as speak, along with other political prisoners, Black people were unworthy of legal de- how our humanity is disregarded when including a man named Dhoruba who was those who commit crimes and atrocities fense, protection or justice, that "Black permanently injured but survived Attica. against Black people go unpunished - and Lives" did not matter. Safiya and I were speaking about the even rewarded. And in spite of all of the violence in price of rent in New York. When I men- People like Geronimo Pratt, Khalif the forms of murder, assault, and rape, as tioned how much I was paying for rent Browder, George Stinney, and The Cen- well as wrongful and unjust imprisonment (which at the time was $275.00 per tral Park Five come to my mind when I and financial reprisals, Black people here month), she looked at me dumbfounded reflect on the countless Black people and the world over have persisted. History and said, “I could commute!” 

Bills from page 7 HB 2361 Creates civil cause of action allowing claimants to seek damages from the state for wrongful conviction. (Bosley, in Judiciary) Senate Bills SB 538 like 600, Libia, ACA substitute (we oppose)

SB 542, SJR 61 Allows Voting while on Probation & Parole except for dangerous felons (Nasheed, both passed Judici- ary)

SB 600 (omnibus) Modifies provisions relating to dangerous felonies (Luetkemeyer), passed Senate, heard in House 2/20, perfected (we oppose)

SB 696 requires DNA to be collected upon arrest for felony (Sifton, on calendar for Perfection 3/9/20) (we oppose)  Winter 2019-2020 Page 9

Winter Activities

December 2019

13 STL CURE Meeting follows Special Meeting to vote on Merger; pot luck 17 Hedy fell on ice, fractured 3 bones in her face 31 Get-together at Angie’s house (Denise Ward-Brown, Cecelia Nadal, Angie and Hedy (discussed joint work)

January 2020

4 Ronnie picked up CURE mail; met with Hedy 5 Grant Committee meeting (Bill, Angie and Hedy) 12 ACLU celebrates 100 years with Big Bash at Washington University 14 Close the Workhouse press conference at STL City Hall (Angie) 14 Solidarity event for Kim Gardner at Harris-Stowe University (Angie) 15 Martin Luther King Day 20 KC CURE Meeting 23 Capitol Rally with J4I (Angie, Shelby Day, Denise Ward-Brown, Renese, James Shelby, Wazir) 24 STL CURE Meeting 25 Organization for Black Struggle’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at Machinists Hall, STL (Shirley Sutton, Shirley Miner, Sharon Pace, Malik Sellassie, Angie, Ronnie Amiyn, Tacuma, Cornell Jackson El, Keith and Hedy) 28 Empower Missouri Advocacy (Lobby) Day 29 STL City Public Safety Committee/testimony from Close the Workhouse campaign (Angie)

February 2020

8 Kim Gardner holds first monthly Criminal Justice Reform Roundtable (Angie, Ronnie Amiyn) 9 Missouri CURE’s merger with H.E.L.P. completed 12 ACLU Voices of Liberty Lobby Day 15 Angie & Hedy interviewed on Justice Beat 17 KCMO CURE Meeting; outreach committee formed to build for 2020 Conference in Kansas City 20 PCC Black History celebration (Angie & John Bowman of STL County NAACP arrived too late, but discussed future cooperation between Missouri CURE and STL County NAACP) 21 Phone interview with Washington University Law School’s First Amendment Clinic (Keith, Hedy) 25 Community Engagement Meeting at Mizzou: Urban Institute, University Researchers, DOC, and Missouri CURE (Keith, Hedy) 28 STL CURE Meeting 29 Hermann MO’s first Black History Month celebration (Cecelia Nadal, Angie, Keith, Hedy) 

Taken at OBS’ 40th Anniversary Celebration

Page 10 Turning Point

Pride from page 1 charges, as she could not testify in a case sion at Harris-Stowe University January she was prosecuting. After Greitens re- 14. The prosecutors spoke about reforms we have not been successful.” signed as Missouri Governor, Gardner they have instituted. They also spoke of She noted that a year of diversion is dropped the charges. receiving death threats, lawsuits and at- 95% cheaper than a year in jail. tacks from legislators. “We have just as many deaths from n January 2020, Gardner filed a 33- State’s Attorney of opioids as . And that’s not being page lawsuit, using the Ku Klux Baltimore took office in 2015. Her re- addressed.” Diversion participants re- I Klan Act, against the City of St. form efforts were met with attacks on her ceive trauma-informed counseling. Louis, the St. Louis Police Officers home and family, including publishing of Gardner’s Victim Services Unit has Association, the police union spokesman her children’s pictures online. touched over four thousand people. Jeffrey Roorda, retired police officer “When it comes to the types of at- tacks against black women, the he partners with SLATE to type of venom is very personal,” offer job training and with said Mosby. S other agencies to offer gen- lorida State’s attorney eral healthcare needs. “Being a Aramis Ayala said, “A prosecutor and a nurse, I understand F public official said I those root causes of how we ad- should be lynched on Facebook. dress the criminal justice system,” This is the stuff that we have to said Gardner. “It’s the failed sys- endure that is much different tems of healthcare, failed systems than any white female, any of education, economics—and that white male, any black male.” field drives the criminal justice sys- Speaking of the panel, she said, tem. If a person is committing “The camaraderie, the sister- crimes because they have a mental health hood that you see is because the level of crisis, and we’re thinking locking up Charles Lane, and Special Prosecutor strength and the level of attack is higher.” Gerard Carmody as well as his children/ someone is going to help them with this Other prosecutors on the panel hailed crisis, it doesn’t.” employees Patrick and Ryan Carmody. from Boston, California, Maryland and On December 10, the Organization She charged a “broad campaign of Virginia. Gardner was “choked up” by for Black Struggle and Color of Change collusive conduct” seeking to get her out having her “sister warriors” come to St. of office before she can implement her organized a demonstration outside the Louis to support her. Downtown St. Louis office of Attorney progressive agenda. This includes the “We’re fighting for equality in the General Eric Schmitt. At least 30 com- “unprecedented appointment of a white criminal justice system,” she said to the munity leaders and residents—including ethically-conflicted special prosecutor to full-house audience at Harris-Stowe, investigate the activities of Gardner’s recently exonerated Ricky Kidd— “fighting for young people who are dying delivered 25,000 petitions to Schmitt’s office and a patently overbroad and un- in our respective communities—though office demanding that he stop trying to constitutional ransacking of the office’s people want to use them as examples of block a new trial for Lamar Johnson. electronic files.” how we aren’t doing our jobs.” Meanwhile, Gardner’s efforts to get a Back in Feb 2018 Gardner had ob- While black reform female prosecu- tained a grand jury indictment against new trial for Lamar Johnson were sup- tors face “unthinkable challenges, un- then-Governor for felony ported by 30 reform-minded prosecutors thinkable attacks,” Gardner said they are invasion of privacy. Attorney General around the country. not victims. At the height of the attacks on Gard- declined to prosecute. In “We’re saying, ‘No longer are we May 2018, a judge ruled Gardner could be ner, six black women reform prosecutors going to sit here and let the powerful get called to testify. Gardner dismissed the from around the U.S. came to St. Louis to together and choose to take out the peo- show support and spoke at a panel discus- ple’s voice’,” Gardner said. “We stand together. This is not just about criminal Lamar Johnson Update justice reform. This is a new civil rights amar Johnson’s chances for freedom and justice now lay in the hands of the Missouri movement.” L Supreme Court. After Gardner’s bid for a new trial was dismissed by the trial judge At the December 10 demonstration at claiming it lacked procedural authority to hear it, the case went to appellate court, which Eric Schmitt’s office, members of the coalition spoke repeatedly about Gardner also dismissed it for the same reason. However, in an 11-page option, the appeals court and her Conviction Integrity Unit. challenged the Missouri Supreme Court and the Missouri legislature to provide avenues for “We have to rally behind Kim Gard- future cases of this type. It outlined for the legislature the kind of statute that can be ner, a prosecutor who understands the passed that would give the court standing in future cases raised by a Conviction Integrity JUST in justice,” said Ricky Kidd. Unit. MO’s Supreme Court was given the opportunity—and the challenge—to make histo- “We can’t fail such a critical test at a ry. It could decide whether and to what extent an elected prosecutor has a duty to correct wrongful convictions in her jurisdiction and whether and to what extent there should be a time where history will record how we mechanism for an elected prosecutor to exercise that duty. Legal observers believe this respond.” would be essential to preserve faith in the criminal justice system where there is a plausible Thanks to the St. Louis American for claim by a new prosecutor that a previously convicted person is actually innocent. much of the information for this article.  Winter 2019-2020 Page 11

Proposed Bill from Lonnie Lockhart-Bey:

HOUSE BILL ______, 2020

Section A. 558., RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section to be known as Section 558.500, to read as follows:

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the County or City Prosecutor shall, upon petition, notify the Board of Probation and Parole that the Petitioner has served the required sentenced under this provision and is now eligible for parole consideration

(2) In accordance with section 558.019, RSMo, for purposes of parole eligibility, life is calculated at 30 years

(3) Effective immediately, any Offender convicted and sentenced under 565.020, RSMo, shall be eligible for parole consideration after serving a minimum of 30 years

(4) Herein, this section shall consider any consecutive time that exceeds the amount of 30 years to be considered as one sentence pursuant to section 565.020

(5) It shall be the duty of the Board of Probation and Parole to consider all of the following factors: (a) The amount of time served (b) Rehabilitative efforts, past and present (c) Mental Health Risks and treatment (d) Risk Factors (e) Vocational Training (f) Educational Training

(6) Should the Board of Probation and Parole release persons pursuant to this section, the board shall determine, based on the parolee's mental health needs, family support and public safety risks, to stipulate one or more of the following:

1. 6 months of mental health counseling, or not to exceed two years 2. 6 months monitoring, not to exceed two years, without a hearing 3. Transitional Housing: reentry centers, etc. 4. Job training, work assignments, community service

(7) Pursuant to this section, parolees shall, if deemed by the board of probation and parole, remain on lifetime supervision. 

A Word from Lonnie: he above bill has been written with through the "terror filled" days of planta- victed felons at all parties considered, including the tion life, all those many years ago. It was some point shall T victims of crime, the offender, they who taught me the value of know- have an oppor- safety and security of the institution, Pub- ledge and toiling hard for anything worth tunity at parole, lic Safety Risks and Cost Analysis. having. or at the very Several legal minds and myself have Despite the circumstances, these con- least, they will become parole eligible. formulated this bill. However, I believe it demned men saw fit to encourage a However, the remaining 5%, those plas- noteworthy to add further commentary as young, immature, hardheaded rascal to tered in the media as irredeemable male- to why I believe it is necessary to put an keep thinking, helping me understand that factors, are clearly being exploited end to draconian laws such as "the Other if I changed my thoughts I would eventu- throughout Missouri's Prison Industrial Death Penalty." ally change who I was. Complex. I have been incarcerated now for over In 2012, the United States Supreme Having had the opportunity to twenty-five years, since the age of sixteen. Court restored in me a sense of hope, that speak "Prison Reform" with the Director, Can you imagine being told that you at some point in my journey had began to Ms. Ann Precythe, I must say that I ad- would spend the remainder of your life in fade into the midnight of my caged reality. mire her courage to challenge "The Ma- prison at such a young age? It was a cul- Unfortunately, the restoration of my chine" known for its "warehousing" and ture shock to say the least! Nevertheless, hopes and dreams did absolutely nothing the "exploitation" of its convicted thralls. with the help of God and the other "Con- for those men who gave me a sense of Does the "Prison Reform" philosophy emned", I communicate this missive today direction, encouraged me to dream in the believe in second chances? Is there a phil- of placid mind. first place, and moreso than anything, anthropic motive attached to second It was other men serving “the other gave me the best of themselves. chances? I wonder, because men like death penalty” who guided me spiritually Statistics indicate that 95% of all con- these are called on and trusted by Industry See Lonnie page 12 Missouri CURE P.O. Box 28931 St. Louis MO 63132

Fight Mass Incarceration—and CURE the Madness!

Disclaimer: The articles in this newsletter are for informational purposes only. Nothing in this newsletter is intended to “promote, incite or advocate disorder or the violation of state or federal law, nor to promote, incite, advocate, facilitate or otherwise present a risk of lawlessness, violence, anarchy or rebellion against a government authority”…or any of the other ridiculous excuses that the Department of Corrections frequently uses to reject Turning Point, the newsletter of Missouri CURE, simply because they don’t want prisoners to have access to the information we are trying to provide.

Many thanks to the following people Join Missouri CURE! for their generous contributions: Earnest Langston, Earl Christine, Pauline Sullivan, Date

Lamont Kemp, Fredrico Lowe-Bey, Roy Name/ID# Sanford, Steve Hoffman, Thomas Cun- ningham, the Merritt twins, Tawanda Facility Kunonga, Michael Dalton and Dwayne Address Jefferson. Once again, our deep gratitude to Carol Corey, our City super-giver, for her continued contributions and support. State Zip Lonnie from page 11 Phone Administrators to teach a group of violent, rash and disorderly men E-mail how to be accountable for their actions, have empathy towards the victims of crime, and to take personal responsibility for their lives. I Please check the annual membership wonder, because such men are called on daily to take type: on various roles within this space. □ Prisoner $2.00  Many of these men who are condemned to die □ Individual $10.00 behind a million dollar electric fence are held up as the "gold standard" of responsible behavior for those who □ Lifetime $100.00 are going home. Many of these men have proven  or 5 stamps welcome if allowed. themselves reliable, responsible and trustworthy. They

have proven themselves to be rehabilitated, and most □ Donation $

certainly have recognized the error of their ways. If these men are good enough to help heal a wounded □ New Member Renewal □ populace, surely they are fit for another chance at life. To render these men capable of freedom does not diminish the Make checks payable to Missouri CURE. memory of victims or co-survivors of such vileness, nor does it say all wounds are healed. However, redemption is a story lived, not imag- ined. I can assure you that every waking moment of real change is Donations to Missouri CURE are spent in the nightmarish memory and regret of such a bad decision as to take another person's life. Sorry will never be enough to ease the gratefully accepted and will be pains of loss, and neither will "Forever." used to benefit prisoners and So, I pose the same question that I asked the Director, "What their families and loved ones. does rehabilitation look like for a formerly violent Offender?" 