Arn is in a better place!

It is always a sad day here in the office, and for loved ones, when one of the prisoners we have helped leaves this earth.

We received the message over the weekend from Mary Ann Thomas, international flight attendant who resides in North Carolina, that her brother Arnold had died, here in Michigan.

Mary Ann and I first met by email in January, 2007, when, in her characteristically unselfish manner, she contacted our office asking that we assist another prisoner at once who reportedly was not getting proper medication. She asked us to help, because she was dealing with her own prison issues.

I pried into her issues, and learned that she was single-handedly fighting the entire MDOC on behalf of her brother Arn, who, as a result of earlier injuries, was mentally and physically challenged. He didn't belong in the state prison system in the first place, he wasn't getting proper care there, but he was getting more than his share of abuse by guards. HFP joined the fight, and on May 14, 2007, I was at Mary Ann's side in the Tuscola County Courthouse when a stubborn judge angrily agreed with a higher court that Arn had served too long and should be released at once. It was a happy day!

Our sincere expressions of sympathy to dear friend Mary Ann, as well as all of Arn's family members and friends. Now, he's not only free, but well!

Doug
HFP

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