LINDY'S OPEN LETTER TO FLORIDA PRISONERS
September 30, 2001
My dear friends,
As a law abiding citizen and in the matter of public interest, I must take action.
I know that most of our two million prisoners will be returned to society one day and the public will reap then what we are sowing now.
I am disgusted and absolutely fed up with the injustices in our society. I do not like crime in any way, shape or form.
I'm not a happy camper right now, no siree, I am one appalled, mad, disgusted, and outraged citizen over the mistreatment of our prisoners, the cover-ups, (oh boy, the cover-ups) and the downright lies and deceit of some staff of the DOC. All we want is the professionalism that we pay dearly for!
Now, I am NOT an attorney, but have returned to school at this late stage in my life, because I happen to care and intend to do something to make this world a better place.
Concerning disciplinary reports, if any of you were ever given a bogus "DR and want to appeal the "DR", what I did was obtain a copy of the Investigative Report (Form DC6-112A) and Witness Disposition Form DC6-112B.. This is public record. It is anywhere from $5 to sometimes over $50. You or your loved ones could request the full report on the disciplinary charge as I did. If it were me, I'd make sure to get the Investigative Report and the Witness Disposition Forms and many times one is able to beat the bogus charges!
I don't understand why they don't give these forms to you (except to cover the truth), as this CAN be your evidence, especially if the investigator did not do his /her "interviews" per Chapter 33.601.305 and /or if the disciplinary team did not follow the rules set out in 601.307(2).
I found a fairly recent case law issued in May of this year.
CIVIL PROCEDURE GIANO v. GOORD
No 98-2619 (2d Cir. May 16, 2001)Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a plaintiff need not exhaust administrative remedies before asserting a cause of action in federal court that alleges wrongful retaliation by prison officials because those allegations do not involve a "prison condition."
I cannot write often, but can assure you that if I hear from you, this will go public. I will contact the *Inspector General's Office (as this is the first step and must be done), the FDLE, the FBI, the media, the prison activists, and even the churches. It is time for a change. Even the Florida Statutes say so.
F.S. 944.012 Legislative intent.
The Legislature hereby finds and declares that (1)...Florida correctional institutions have contributed little to the reduction of crime...and large prisons have for the most part become schools for crime.
(2)...It is clear that major changes in correctional methods are required.
I just learned less than a year ago what really goes on behind those walls. I found Kay Lee, a true fighter in spirit, and she has become my mentor. Kay Lee is owner and founder of "Making the Walls Transparent" and the "Journey for Justice". We invite you to become part of the project. "Making the Walls Transparent". "MTWT" is your website, where we tell your stories, just as they are, no editing, no sugarcoating, just the "truth". We do not want hearsay or rumors, as this would damage our credibility.
We realize that in the eyes of prison officials, "all inmates are liars and all guards tell the truth". That's ludicrous! We have over 600 brave prisoners exposing the "truth" at great risk to themselves by naming errant guards and staff. Their information all exposes the same Truth: Retaliation is commonplace in the DOC. Are they all lying? I don' t think so! The prisoners don't even know one another, are not even at the same institution nor even in the same locations within the same institution, yet report the same types of abuses over and over.
I have found a state representative that will be sponsoring a bill I wrote to be presented at the next legislative session. The bill regards prison reform. The main concept is to create a totally Independent Citizens Review Board. Please pray about this. If this bill passes, positive changes will occur!
I have alot more to say, but at this time I have received numerous pieces of information and must get busy. Remember, you are to feel free to write about your concerns, ideas, thoughts. Please make it plain and clear that you wish to go public. If not, we can hold information in confidence, but your story may not be as powerful.
We cannot guarantee your safety upon going public, but if you see signs of retaliation, we can make an awful lot of noise. In addition, sometimes, we have found that after going on the public website, things may get tougher for awhile, because they will hope you will back off. When they realize, you are getting the "truth" out to the public and will not stop, they tend to back off and alot of times, some prisoners are transferred.
The truth hurts. Yes, it does! Especially in the DOC. But the truth will also set us free and this is when the real healing can begin. Knowledge is power to you on the inside, and knowledge is also power to us on the outside.
I am also interested in the treatment given while in confinement. For example, do you get to go outdoors every day for at least one hour, (weather permitting), as required in the International Treaties? The laws should be obeyed and they should apply to all of us, even and especially to those wearing uniforms of authority.
Remember, a smile is a weapon in prison. Keep your head up and never lose hope! Better days are coming!!
I look forward to your letters.
Seeking Truth and Professionalism from those in uniform,
Lindy Shelby
Lindylou0728@aol.com
* Fred Schuknecht, Inspector General of DOC
Schuknecht.fred@mail.dc.state.fl.us* MTWT NOTE: As of January 2003, Fred Schuknecht is no longer Inspector General of DOC.
Walt Murphree is Acting Inspector General and can be reached at: murphreewalton@mail.dc.state.fl.usI will post the NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL as soon as possible.
FDOC Gerald Abdul-Wasi, DOC Inspector General
AbdulWasi.Gerald@mail.dc.state.fl.us
~*~ THE LOLITS ~*~
DISCLAIMER: Although I cannot guarantee the truth of each incident in these pages, I do guarantee that the big picture presented here is as accurate as I can possibly present it. Although the stories contained herein mainly come from prisoners, their accounts are backed up by copies of grievances, medical records, family testimony, lawyer contacts, witness statements, samples of the Loaf, water, prescription labels, burnt skin, etc. and at times the DOC's own personnel, some of whom have remained in contact to guide me and validate whatever parts of the picture they could.
These accounts belong to others. Therefore I can claim no ownership or credit, nor can I accept any responsibility for the contents. I, like Gary Waid, am simply the recorder who listens when no one else will and the amplifier for the voiceless.