Humanity for Prisoners

God intervenes! I opened a letter from the mother of a prisoner this morning: Would love to spend a few minutes on the phone with you to let you know how you've changed my life and helped my son. I just finished a telephone conversation with a prisoner at whose side I testified when he had a Parole Board interview last August: I'm getting out next week, man! I can't thank you enough. I can't tell you what it means to me. I'm praying that God will keep you on the battlefield! My friend and gospel soloist Ben sings a spiritual to and for me that I don't always remember: I'll be all right!

My mind is still reeling, after attending a small break-out session Saturday at the National Alliance on Mental Illness conference in Grand Rapids. The American Friends Service Committee graciously allowed me to speak, and I begged the mental health professionals to help those of us in prisoner advocacy as we try to deal with mental illness issues. But the testimony of persons with mentally ill loved ones in Michigan prisons was startling! -A teenaged mentally-ill lad locked up 30-45 days at a time in one cell, 24-hours a day, with nothing to do -a 34-year-old man strapped to the top of a steel bed with four-point restraints, lying, nude, in his own waste, for four days -A mentally ill, but savvy teenager, who knew that he should not be taking 14 pills when his regimen was 3 per day -The increasing use of pepper gas by guards to control all mentally ill, given them blast after blast, despite warnings of nurses -The storming of a mentally ill prisoner on his knees praying in a cell b...

I was sitting in the office staring out the window. Contributions to HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS just about dried up this month. And yet our successes and our joys seemed higher than ever. What is God planning? What am I supposed to think? Must our work with prisoners come to an end? The telephone rang. "Doug, it's Wayne." It took a few minutes to register. Wayne, age 57, has been in prison for 32 years, more than half of his life. I got to know him because he cared for my dear friend Maurice Carter, who was sick and dying in prison. Maurice was forever grateful. So am I. "Doug! I'm free! I got out! I don't even know how to act, after 32 years!" He was giddy with excitement! How could it not be contagious. As he asked about our situation, I had to confess that money was running out, and my enthusiasm was close behind. "You've got to boldly go to God," he said. He steered me to Hebrews 4:16: Let us then approach God's throne of grac...

in one of the typical letters from prisoners that cross our desk each day...a message from Donald--- GOOD: I just want to let you know how much I appreciate all you have done for me and the other guys I have passed on your wonderful organization to and the help you gave them. Most of all, thanks for the gift of HOPE! People as yourself make a difference. SAD: I am making little progress in a very unjust justice system, but I have not given up. My overall health seems to be precarious at best. I continue to suffer from chest pain due to my marginal heart that the DOC ignores. In addition to the damage and fractures in my lower back, the cervical spin has begun to suffer from ruptured discs and spinal cord narrowing. Pain seems to be my life portion. My children and family have abandoned me. I still write them as often as I can get stamps. Please keep me and all the caged innocents in your prayers. Donald NOW A MESSAGE TO THOSE OF YOU WHO BELIEVE IN US: Will you please ke...

Matthew, 62, in prison for 32 years: I couldn't breathe, I could hardly walk, but the nurse lied on my visit form and said I was breathing good and walking fast. So I got no medical care. I went back the next day, and was arguing with the nurse when tbe doctor walked by. I called him over, and said "I've got a problem." The doctor listened to me breathe, looked at my ankles, then said to the nurse: "Call an ambulance!" I flat-lined in the ambulance, then was in the hospital for 12 days for congestive heart failure. Today I'm back in general population. I want to -seek a medical commutation -find an attorney who'll help me take legal action. HFP, WILL YOU HELP? Paul, 43, in prison for nearly 15 years: Even though I killed no one, my court-appointed attorney encouraged me to plea to second degree. I received LIFE anyway. My prison record is great, I have a wonderful family support group, but after 14 1/2 years here I can't st...

“Until you and your fellow legislators get out of this building and go into the prisons to make surprise visits…you’re allowing a terrible situation to get worse…and you’re not going to be adequately representing those of us who elected you to public office!” That's what I told a group of Michigan state lawmakers this morning. I was testifying before the House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Corrections at the state capitol. “You can sit here and discuss dollars, and you can decide that corrections budgets should be increased or decreased…but you’re missing the point. We’re talking about people: people like your kids and mine!” I was the second person to testify in the packed hearing room. As President of HFP, I gave specific examples of prisoner abuse and lack of healthcare, especially among the mentally ill. I named names and specifically listed certain prisons where the problems are acute. Two mothers of prisoners made emotional appeals to the committee for improvement in ...

Because we closed our mental institutions in Michigan, many of the mentally ill eventually wind up in the state prison system. Some of our sources say as many as 50% of Michigan's prisoners could be experiencing some type of mental illness! Of those who go to prison, a number of the serious mental cases are going to what is called Level Five of the Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility. The HFP office has been bombarded with letters of complaint within that division. Some of our sources are excellent, are willing to sign their names, and have collected affidavits from other courageous prisoners. Here's a sample of what they claim is going on, as received in a letter today: They use any excuse to use chemical agents on these guys...all are mental health caes and do not require such excessive use of force. A psychologist should speak with and be present whenever a mental health patient is to be gassed. Staff is not properly trained to deal with mental health patients. Thei...

MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, APRIL 8, 2010: A state-commissioned University of Michigan study says about 65% of prisoners with severe mental illness get no treatment behind bars. The Michigan Corrections Department hired the university to conduct the study, mandated by a 2007 law. Professor Brant Fries and his collaborators interviewed 618 inmates between May 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009, and reviewed prison records. Michigan had about 48,000 prisoners then, and about 9,700 had severe psychiatric illnesses. OK, Michigan voters, what are you going to do about it? HFP will continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. But we need your muscle! HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS P.O. Box 687 Grand Haven, MI 49417

I've been leaning on you, AND your church to partner with us in helping prisoners. One little office cannot do it alone. We need you, your church, your civic club, your prayer circle. We need prayers and we need dollars so that we do not weaken. Good things are happening, and with you aboard they'll continue! Here's what the founder of the Salvation Army said many years ago: While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; While children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; While there is a drunkard left, While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight; I'll fight to the very end! General William Booth Are you and your church ready to fight? Let us hear from you. HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS P.O. Box 687 Grand Haven, MI 49417

When you make a tax-free contribution to HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS, how is the money spent? Excellent question! Here's what's been happening this week, and it's only Wednesday: Monday Parold Board interview for Gino. When our good friend Ron, who has been free for one whole year, informs us that his friend Gino has more than paid his dues with 30 years in prison, will make an exceptional citizen and deserves to be out, how can one turn down a request to participate in the interview? I drove two hours, waited in the prison four hours, spoke for two minutes, gave the prisoner a hug for 10 seconds, then drove two hours again. One full day, but a fruitful day! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! But the office was closed for the day. Tuesday In addition to handling a steady flow of requests for help arriving Monday and Tuesday, we were able to complete two applications for the commutation of sentences for two worthy prisoners. A stack of unfinished appl...

I was one of the narrators in our church's annual Maundy Thursday service last night. I was struck, once again, by how much our Lord was tortured and abused as a prisoner, prior to his execution based on a wrongful conviction. I and others had been trying to persuade someone in some church in one of Michigan's prison towns to help one poor child who is sad and alone in an adult facility. No success. Not one taker! Said a friend of ours who is an effective fighter for prisoners, and has a loved one who is incarcerated: I will continue knocking on doors to try to find someone who will take this kid under his/her wing. This is really sad to me that we can't get churches jumping on board! They send money all over the world to support causes they don't even know about, but cannot take on caring for someone in their back yard?? Sorry, I have developed an attitude about much of this. I was raised in a very legalistic faith-based setting, and have struggled much with ...

"How did the visit go?" I was anticipating positive information when I asked the question of a good friend and wonderful attorney. Mr. T. had volunteered to visit a juvenile in one of the prisons in Adrian, Michigan, after we shared a story with him. Randy is 16, and he spends 23 hours of each day in a cell, alone. HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS wants to do something about this situation. Step one was to have an attorney verify what's going on. "I came home very depressed." Just what I didn't want to hear. "He's in segregation for his own safety, so that he won't get hurt, either by adult prisoners or by prison guards. For his one hour of recreation each day, he's allowed to go out into the yard, but because he's a juvenile he must be alone. Day after day, he see's no one. "I asked him if he gets visitors. He looked up. I was his first visitor since he was incarcerated last October! "I said, 'Doesn't your mom ...