FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FLORIDA DEATH ROW WHERE IS THE MEDIA FOR THESE CHILDREN IN NEED? APRIL 9, 2000 Americans are quick to jump on the band wagon in defense and protection of a sweet-faced child, as illustrated by the recent media attention focusing on young Elian Gonzalez and his imposed four month separation from his father. But, where are the media when dozens of equally sweet-faced children are being separated from their fathers by a regulation of American origin? A rule which those in power deem necessary for security reasons, but which has no foundation in fact, and little support apart from the politicians who would impose it. Where is the media to report on this injustice and unfairness? Where are the crowds of angry citizens demanding that the right thing be done by these children? Society assumes that all who are convicted and sentenced to death are guilty of the crimes they are accused of. And, by association, their families, too must be somehow deserving of punishment and separation as well. Studies prove that one in seven condemned to die are eventually proven innocent. The past twenty-four years has seen eighty-five released from death rows across the country, and with increasing awareness, this number will quickly escalate into the hundreds. With this formula in effect, more than fifty innocent men are wrongly being deprived of their freedom in the state of Florida, and are caged as if animals on death row. To make this horrendous situation even worse, the state now wishes to cut off contact with family members, further isolating them and layering even more injustice upon that which has already befallen these victims of circumstance. Where are the people to rally for these poor souls, and to demand justice be done by them? At what point will they be punished enough in society's eyes that we give them their fair moment in court? Must we wait so long that they give up and attempt suicide as one did earlier this week? Till the thought of life void of contact with family drives them to do the executioners distasteful work for him? Must we wait until the administration shortens the amount of time allowed for appeals, locking the innocent men inside forever just because the clock ran out? Do we wait while exonerative DNA evidence mysteriously disappears from yet another file? At what point do we acknowledge that there are victims on both sides of the prison walls? When do we begin to care? An innocent child cannot understand the politics involved with separation--the rules, the political motivation. We should take another look at such issues, but through the eyes of a child. For informations please contact: Julia Segal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sissel Egeland [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jo Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michelle Agans [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jacquelynne Perry [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone : 770-955-9050. Cell phone: 678 592 7125 The address to reach the families is : PO BOX 44 Gonzalez Fla 32560 -0044 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 8, 2000 THE INVISIBLE FAMILIES OF FLORIDA - NOT INCLUDED IN THE RESPECT FOR FAMILY VALUES APRIL 8, 2000 Having a loved one on death row is extremely arduous and agonizing. Apart from the expected loss of financial support this brings a family, the emotional loss takes a far greater toll. Even worse than the actual physical separation is the worry. Death row is not a pleasant place to live, if you would call their meager existence "living." Rather, it is a bleak warehouse for storing the condemned; a holding pen for the disposable men and women who are waiting on a death sentence to be carried out. Society does not want to acknowledge this stark, cruel reality, nor do the politicians want the truth of this brutalizing existence to come to light where decent-minded folk might find offense. However, to those who must endure this hell on earth, and to those who love them, this is reality in it's harshest form--Dante's "Inferno" brought to life. "Life" exists in a 9 x 6' cubicle which is too cold in the winter and too hot during the long hot Florida summers. Every few days they are allowed the luxury of an all too brief shower, and for an hour or two a week, they are released for exercise in the "yard." However, pending regulations will increase the length of time between showers and will shorten the amount of exercise time allowed. In the not too distant past, the prisoners on death row would fill the long idle hours of the day with crafts such as drawing or knitting, proudly sending out their works to loved ones as a way to extend a part of themselves back into the family home. However, recent regulations again have removed these few simple diversions from lonely, solitary men, calling drawing pencils "security risks" and are forcing their removal. Even normal pens and pencils are now classified as "contraband" and have been replaced with flimsy, barely usable 3" "security pens." Nothing else is allowed. The most recent reality facing the inmates and their loved ones is the loss of contact visits. For those fortunate enough to still have friends or family who care about them, and who live within a day's drive, these once a week visits offer personal contact with a "humanity" unknown and non-existent on the inside. And, for those whose loved ones live in states or countries far away, the hope of a visit just once or twice a year gives strength and encouragement that they too will have their own brush with "humanity" with just a little patience. However.... As much as politicians and government officials try to make these men and women invisible and unobtainable to the public, they do exist, and they will not be forgotten. The truth and reality of life on death row reveals a blight on the logic and reason of our society, and it's seamy reality is hidden away carefully. But, regardless of how hard this administration tries to hide them away, they will not be forgotten. Nor will they cease to be loved by their family and friends. If anything, love will grow stronger and more determined, as will the concern for their safety and well-being. For the men, women, and children who choose to love and support those condemned to die, there is a different reality to the term "family values" than the one Governor Bush champions. The meaning is one of hardship and endurance, of loss and frustration; patience and perseverance, and above all, an endless love, given unconditionally, for those branded as worthless and expendable by society. It is a harsh and lonely path that these families walk, but it is one taken willingly. The more the administration takes from those horribly isolated on death row, the more the world will watch and listen, the more questions will be asked, and the stronger the bonds of love will grow. Having a loved one on death row is arduous and agonizing. Yes, but even worse is the pain of knowing how unfair the rules and regulations of society can be. An injustice done against one, is an injustice against us all. Isn't it time that we, as the "family of man" realize and act upon this? Those who sit and rot on death row are part of humanity, and what happens to them, in the end, happens to us all. For informations please contact: Julia Segal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sissel Egeland [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jo Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michelle Agans [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jacquelynne Perry [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone : 770-955-9050. Cell phone: 678 592 7125 The address to reach the families is : PO BOX 44 Gonzalez Fla 32560 -0044 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 7, 2000 SHE IS JUST THE CHILD OF A DEATH ROW INMATE Written by Hannah Floyd Cruelty to animals? I walked by a fenced in yard yesterday and saw a beautiful scene. A wife was in one end of the yard holding an adorable puppy. Her husband was at the other end of the yard calling the puppy. I stood there smiling because I knew the next scene, too. The reunion, the scratching behind the ears, the puppies wet tongue all over the mans face. Oh yes, I could see it all. Or so I thought. The woman did turn the puppy lose, but instead of greeting the puppy, the man ran and placed himself behind a glass door. The puppy got all confused and kept walking into the glass. He could hear the voice of his "father" but he couldn't get to him. After a while he started whining. It was obvious that all he wanted was to be picked up. It just didn't happen and it was heartbreaking to watch. I thought to myself, how can anyone be so cruel? Can't they see what they're doing to the puppy? The saddest part about this story is that it didn't happen to a puppy. It will, however, happen to my six year old daughter before long. She will walk into the visiting area and instead of running into the arms of her daddy and getting her hug, she will be met by a piece of glass. No more hugs, no more little happy kisses on his cheek, no more sharing a burger together, or reading a book, or walking around talking about the week that passed. How do I explain that to her when I don't even understand myself? Can anyone help me to find the words to tell a 6 year old? I don't think that it's any easier than explaining it to a puppy. But then she's not an adorable puppy is she? She's just the child of a death row inmate. For informations please contact: Julia Segal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sissel Egeland [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jo Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michelle Agans [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jacquelynne Perry [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone : 770-955-9050. Cell phone: 678 592 7125 The address to reach the families is : PO BOX 44 Gonzalez Fla 32560 -0044 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FLORIDA DEATH ROW INADEQUATE EXCUSES FOR PUNISHING INNOCENT CHILDREN APRIL 6, 2000 A hunger strike by death row inmates continues into it's third day with an estimated 180 participants. The basis for the strike is the decision by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) to eliminate contact visits between the inmates and their families and friends. This change in policy is stated to be for security and to control the introduction of contraband. Objections to the changes are brushed aside by the FDOC by stating that the visits are "a privilege rather than a right" and by implying that eliminating visits will control this contraband. It is important to note however that only 4% of contraband was found to come from visitors, while 96% of this contraband was found to enter the prisons through sources other than visitors. Everyone who enters the visiting park is very aware of the fact that these visits are a privilege and not a right. Everyone who enters the visiting area does so because that is where they want to be. The fact is that visits are a cherished moment for those who have the privilege to be there and no one would ever consider doing anything to jeopardize that privilege. The FDOC currently has the right to impose non-contact visits on anyone who might create problems. This provision, which has been in effect since 1992 has never been used. That should be testament to the fact that contact visits do not pose a security risk. Prior to entering the visiting area visitors are not only thoroughly searched, but they are required to pass through a metal detector that is more sensitive than the ones which are used at airports. Upon leaving the visiting area, visitors undergo another inspection and are accountable for all of the items which were taken into the visiting area. Random drug tests by the DOC on the visitors include both the use of dogs and drug detection equipment. In addition inmates are strip searched when they leave their cells and then handcuffed behind their backs and escorted to a changing room. There they are strip searched again and required to change their clothes. Upon leaving the visiting area, inmates are again strip searched, and once again handcuffed behind their back while escorted back to their cells. Contact visits are not simply a privilege for the inmates. They are extremely important for the visitors. Why should the families lose the privilege of these visits? Why punish the children? It should not be a privilege for a child to have contact with their father. That should be a right. For informations please contact: Julia Segal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sissel Egeland [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jo Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michelle Agans [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jacquelynne Perry [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone : 770-955-9050. Cell phone: 678 592 7125 The address to reach the families is : PO BOX 44 Gonzalez Fla 32560 -0044 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - TO FLORIDA FROM OTHER VICTIMS APRIL 5, 2000 On behalf of the families and friends of those on death row, we feel that it is necessary to respond to the comments which are being made by Mr. C. J. Drake and which have been quoted in various papers. Firstly, Mr. Drake refers to the visits as supervised meetings where inmates and visitors are allowed to exchange hugs and kisses. It is unfortunate that Mr. Drake has never had the opportunity to observe the Visiting Park on visiting days. While family members are allowed to exchange one hug and kiss at the beginning and end of each day, the majority of the day is spent by the families playing board games, sharing snacks from the vending machines, reading the bible or Koran, and exchanging news of the weeks events. Secondly, Mr. Drake makes the statement that "For death row inmates, what's the purpose?". Maybe he can't see "the purpose" for those on death row, but ask the child who runs into the park all bright eyed and bubbling over with news to share with her father what the purpose is in having her daddy pick her up and give her a big hug. Ask the mother who drives 6 hours every weekend what the purpose is in sitting with her daughter and sharing news of siblings while they drink a soda together. Ask the hard working wife what the purpose is of leaning her tired head on her husbands shoulder even for a few moments once a week. Ask the family who comes from overseas once a year what the purpose is in sharing news of home while they walk around the park. Ask the 85 year old grandmother who needs 10 minutes to make the long walk to the park what the purpose is in sitting next to her grandchild and sharing a bag of popcorn. Families need contact, Mr. Drake. Thirdly, Mr. Drake states that "the no-contact plan, (is) part of proposed changes". What "proposed" changes Mr. Drake? When will we have the public hearing to discuss the "proposed" rules that we have already been told will become effective? When will we have a chance to express our feelings about the changes that have already happened? We know that those on death row lose their rights, and that for them visits may be a "privilege", but we had no idea that we would lose our rights as well. Does democracy die for all of us when a loved one is sentenced to death, Mr. Drake? For informations please contact: Julia Segal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sissel Egeland [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jo Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michelle Agans [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jacquelynne Perry [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone : 770-955-9050. Cell phone: 678 592 7125 The address to reach the families is : PO BOX 44 Gonzalez Fla 32560 -0044 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONDITIONS AT RAIFORD AND FLORIDA STATE PRISON APRIL 4, 2000 Death Row inmates at Union Correctional Institution (UCI) in Raiford, Florida began a hunger-strike on April 3, 2000. The strike is peaceful and is not directed at the Correctional Officers working within the Institution. A decision was made by all the strikers that inmates with medical problem should not participate, although a number of those individuals had expressed a desire to do so. The decision to strike follows months of arbitrary negative changes in the living conditions for these inmates. Art supplies have been banned, radios must be surrendered, pens and pencils have been confiscated and substituted with 3" flexible "security" pens, and most importantly contact visits with families have been stopped. Stopping contact visits poses a particular harm to the families of the inmates, especially to their children. Under current rules, the DOC can impose non-contact visits on individual inmates with disciplinary problems. Since the death row unit at UCI opened in 1992, however, the non-contact provision has rarely, if ever, been used. Although Florida law requires the DOC to go through formal rule-making to implement changes, that process has been ignored. Despite having received over 1,000 letters in opposition, DOC Secretary Michael Moore has already sent letters to some visitors and lawmakers stating that future visits will be non-contact. This is a flagrant violation of due process of law. A hearing which had been scheduled for March 7 and which would have allowed the families of inmates to express their concerns for the (supposedly) proposed changes was cancelled by the DOC. Michael Moore has stated in correspondence that "the department is simply taking a proactive approach to preclude any security breach. (The DOC's) primary concern as a department must be the safety of the public as well as offenders and staff." However art supplies have never been a security problem, nor have any of the other items which have been confiscated by the department. In addition, local administrators and correctional officers say privately that they oppose these changes. They have expressed fear for their jobs if they speak out, and fear for their safety if they do not. They know that contact visits are extremely important to the inmates and are therefore a very effective management tool. They also know that Death Row inmates are not the problem inmates in the system. Prior to coming to Florida, Michael Moore made similar changes in both Texas and South Carolina. Texas officials have been quoted as saying that "putting limits on inmate visits hasn't done much to alleviate problems" with the latest incident being one in which an inmate spat out a handcuff key just before his execution. Families have been devastated by the decision to eliminate contact visits. A pamphlet which the DOC began distributing late last year stated that Bush, Moore and the DOC wanted to "create a family oriented visiting environment for children, spouses and friends, provide nutritious food for visitors, .... and offer activities for children." In stark contrast to their propertied intentions, they have instead made a decision to eliminate contact visits entirely; place the children, spouses and friends behind glass; and separate families forever. 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