(Place and date)
Subject: Grant the right to rehabilitation program for Mississippi Death Row offenders
Mr. (see names below)
In
2007, Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections, Mr. Christopher Epps,
created a rehabilitation program to curb the violence in Mississippi
prisons, specifically in Unit 32 at Parchman.
Under the
direction of then Superintendent Mr.Emmit Sparkman (now Det. Comm.) The
two created the high-risk incentive tier program, and it has proven to
be a valuable tool for improving the quality of life for the offenders
that have participated, as Mr. Epps stated in a interview. They were
able to reduce violence, and ultimately the offender population from
1,000 to 300 high-risk offenders, eventually closing Unit 32 in December
2010.
What was failed to mention is that under this
program and policy, Death Row offenders are classified to participate,
but are being excluded. There are not any differences between DR and
state offenders classified as high-risk. They are under the very same
guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations. It appears the only
difference is that Mr. Epps, and Sparkman are under the impression the
men on DR are not worthy of a better quality of life.
You
seem to think DR offenders don't deserve the opportunity to broaden
their minds and better their health; they are forced to sit inside
cages, while their minds and bodies deteriorate. You seem to believe DR
offenders are of a higher risk, because you house the high-risk state
offenders in the very same building.
On June 13 2012, the
majority of DR offenders wrote to officials and requested that they
expand their high-risk incentive program. They did this, because the
administration already use DR offenders as tier workers for the sole
purpose of sanitation. Only three tier workers are allowed at any given
time. What is bad, is that even the three tier workers are even
discriminated against. These men are not allowed any of the incentives
that should come with being a part of the program. The only incentive DR
are offered is a piece of "steak" if they are good for six months to a
year.
Regardless of what any have done to be on DR,
regardless of your position on the death penalty, regardless of your
faith; those offenders ARE PEOPLE. It has been proven repeatedly that
some of them will not remain on DR and a percentage of them will be
re-sentenced to life in prison or exonerated and set free.
With
that fact in mind, it is reasonable to ask: Why are they being
discriminated against and punished as their social faculties and health
deteriorate. There is no productive, positive programs for DR, because
someone choose not to include them in anything, but classification with
the high-risk offenders.
On June 13 2012, they asked DR
offenders are required to follow and abide by all rules and regulations
that the high-risk state offenders are suppose to follow. They were told
to "act" human, while being treated less than animals would. The animal
rights organizations would be appalled at their treatment, if they were
animals.
Why not people?
Their adherence to
the rules, their non-violent stance, their mutual respect for guards
and officials are without a doubt a proven fact officials continue to
ignore.
For all these reasons, I respectfully urge you to
grant the right to rehabilitation programs for Mississippi Death Row
offenders.
Sincerely,
_________________________________________
Name and full address
Please, send the previous letter to:
CHRISTOPHER B. EPPS, COMMISSIONER
723 N. President Street Jackson, Ms. 38738
Phone number: (601) 359-5600
Email: cepps@mdoc.state.ms.us
EMMITT L. SPARKMAN DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (INSTITUTIONS)
723 N. Pesident Street Jackson, Ms. 38738
Phone number: (601) 359-5610
Email: esparkman@mdoc.state.ms.us
Earnest Lee Superintendent (MSP)
P.O. Box 1057 Parchman, Ms. 38738
Phone number: (662)745-6611
Email: elee@mdoc.state.ms.us
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