5-14-00

Dear Kay Lee,

My name is Norman Lawrance Woolbright.  Right now I am presently incarcerated at Hamilton "Correctional" Institution.  I'm writing you because of an inmate named Anthony.  He said that you could help any inmate tell his story if they were serious enough.

I was verbally assaulted and physically assaulted, and I haven't seen the inspector or anyone else. I have been sitting here with the same officer who assaulted me. I filed an emergency grievance based upon the administration's refusal to acknowledge receipt of emergency grievance filed on April 20, 2000 and returned on April 21st signed by Assistant Warden's office.

On April 20 around 12:20pm, Officer Stolhmann approached cell Y1114 in the confinement unit and state "It's too late now!"  I was standing in the back of the cell and turned to face the cell door with, I'm sure, a confused look upon my face.

I asked Sgt. Stolhmann what he meant. He replied, "Don't play stupid like a three year old." I asked him again what he meant. He replied, "Why are you yelling on my hallway?"

I replied, "I was NOT yelling on the hallway."  At this time Sgt. Stolhmann stated, "Don't play stupid with me, Nigger," in a harsh whisper, "or I'll come in there and kick your smart black ass!"

At this time, I walked away from the cell door and climbed up into my bunk.  Sgt. Stolhmann became enraged and stated, "Don't turn your back on me. Get your ass over here or I'll get the captain down here and mace your ass. Then I'll beat the shit out of you."

I replied, "Whatever you want or have to say, say to me on a DR paper."

Sgt. Stolhmann then stated, "I'll be back for your ass, motherfucker," and he walked away down the hall.

Now, the 21st and 22nd of April were Sgt. Stolhmann's assigned days off. Upon his return on April 23rd, around 2:10pm, Sgt. Stolhmann approached my cell Y-1114 and began to make mean and harsh statements towards my cellmate, inmate Anthony, telling him "if you would of kept your mouth shut while in A.C. confinement, you would be getting out tomorrow," etc.

After he finished speaking to inmate Anthony, he called me to the bars.  As I approached the bars, Sgt. Stolhmann rammed his hand through the feeding slot in the cell door and jammed me in the stomach with a big cell key, stating, "I told you I'd get your ass Nigger," and walked away from my cell quickly.

I attempted to obtain assistance in this matter through requests, and was ignored until on Friday, the 28th, when classification officer Mr. John Stepp, was making his rounds in confinement and stopped to speak.  I asked for help and told my story. I was taken to the captain's office and allowed to give a brief portion of what happened.

In statements since then, I have been housed in the same cell of the confinement unit with Sgt. Stolhmann in charge of my care and safety. There has been no formal investigation that I'm aware of, and no interview by the inspector in this matter.

I am in fear of my safety here at Hamilton CI (main unit confinement) and ask that formal steps be taken to investigate this matter.

I wrote a 303 form to Tallahassee, and haven't received a response yet. Also, I am afraid for my safety here at Hamilton and believe that security is going to retaliate on me because of this Sgt. Stolhmann. These people stick together here. If you can help me in anyway, Please Do.

Sincerely,
Norman Woolbright