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This letter has been received from a Terrell Unit Death Row Inmate From Livingston, Texas: I need to say no more. Just please read it.
To Whom Out There That Cares:
Well, TDCJ pulled another real winner in the problem dept.for us here on death row.
Starting on 12-29-00 for recreation, especially outside, we are strip searched at our cell, which is no problem. You get completely naked in front of a male and a female officer and she doesn't stand back during the inspection, but stands at the forefront checking you out. They check your clothes and shoes then return boxers and shoes, only. They keep your thermals, jumpsuit, t-shirt and shorts and make you walk outside in boxers and shoes only and get dressing in 30 degree weather like on the 29th at 6:15 a.m. When they come to get you in an hour or so later at 7:30-8:00 a.m. you are again strip searched, naked in 30 degrees and in front of the female officer and the usual female
picket officer, and then you are brought back inside in boxers and shoes.
The exact same thing happened at 6:30 a.m. on the 30th in 28 degree weather.
I can understand the strip search for safety and security reasons. However, there is no feasible reason for making you walk outside in freezing weather in boxers and shoes and made to get dressed out there,other than the officers don't want to spend a couple of minutes watching each inmate get dressed, and this idiotic order,from what I understand, was from Captain Bacon, who wrote the 160 or signed the order for it. It was also brought about with Major Hester and the Lts. Price and Roach permission and knowledge.
This is the way they play head games with you, trying to get you to VR (verbal refusal)recreation, so they don't have to take you out.
Is this not wanton infliction of cruel and unusual punishment by forcing us to go from 7 degrees to 30 degrees in boxers only to get dressed? Besides being degrading, mentally and physically taxing and just plain inhumane treatment, they are showing a deliberate indifference to our well being, health and safety. We are still human beings, not animals, and should be treated as such and not herded like cattle to slaughter.
We also, went on lockdown at 9 a.m. today. (jan.2) for one of our bi-annual shakedowns and they cut off our heat this morning and our vents are blowing cold air and it's in the high 20's outside.
We are also having a problem with cold food, which is strange , as the kitchen is less than a 2 minute walk fromour pod. The kitchen doesn't plug our food cart in to heat, while they are putting the trays in and half the officers and porters don't plug it in while they serve. At least 3 out of 5 times when the food finally arrives it will sit 1 to 1 1/2 hours before they start serving.
We need some help terribly as the Terrell Unit thinks they are above man and God's law, because they have gotten away with things for so long, they don't believe anyone will do anything to them.
In God's name...Please help us...
Please write letters of complaint to the Senior Warden about this and by all means mention the guards names involved in this.
Thank You for taking the time to read this poor souls letter.
Robert R. Treon Senior Warden
Terrell Unit
12002 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas 77351 Enter subhead content here |
