Humanity for Prisoners

I have a favorite Christmas Eve story, and I’m going to share it.   Actually, I’ve been sharing it for years.   Back in the 1970s, when I was in the radio business, I had an opportunity to meet and chat with a national UPI reporter whom I greatly respected.   Louis Cassels had been writing commentaries from Washington DC for years, and then he was named National Religion Editor for UPI.   This kind, soft-spoken reporter/writer, who knew how to deliver a punch when he felt it was necessary, chose to write this tender parable one year.   Until the day I left radio broadcasting, I personally read this story to our listeners on Christmas Eve.   I still have the tattered teletype copy, and I invite you to savor the story with me now.   A Christmas Parable by Louis Cassels   "Once upon a time there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all ...

I’m going to begin by stating that we completely understand the depth of the current drug crisis in Michigan prisons. Having said that, I’m going to add that, in hoping to ease the drug problem the Michigan Department of Corrections has adopted an idea that not only makes no sense, but misses the point. The bigger question, then, is: Who’s to blame for this bad idea? Here’s the new policy in a nutshell, to take effect on January 5. ALL confidential and legal mail sent to prisoners will be photocopied, and the original documents then shredded . The department frames this as a "common sense" measure to curb the flow of synthetic drugs.   Brad Warner, on the HFP staff, testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee the other day. He told state representatives that Michigan is looking at the wrong target.   “The department's justification rests on the claim that legal mail is a primary vector for contraband. However, this narrative collapses under scrutiny. Every...

It’s true! We’re opposed to a new MDOC mail policy.   The Michigan Department of Corrections has announced that it will be implementing this new policy early next year. HUMANITY FOR PRISIONERS has officially expressed opposition to the new rule. Brad Warner, our Intake & Communications Specialist/Special Projects Manager, testified before a house subcommittee in Lansing. Brad speaks with experience and authority. He served 33 years in our state prison system!   I’m sharing space today to give Brad the opportunity to explain.   The Illusion of Safety: Why Shredding Legal Mail Won't Fix the MDOC's Contraband Crisis   The Michigan Department of Corrections has announced a controversial new policy slated for January 5, 2026: All confidential and legal mail sent to incarcerated individuals will be photocopied, and the original documents officially shredded. While the department frames this as a "common sense" measure to curb the flow of synthetic drugs, we mus...

I’m thinking of Shakespeare’s famous quote during the holiday season. In this season of Advent, for example, we are reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s titles as he predicted the coming of a savior: Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Then, when that savior was born, which we celebrate on December 25, his real first name emerged. Dr. Luke tells us, On the 8 th day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus.   More names and titles came after that: Emmanuel, Christ (the Anointed One), Savior, Lord, Son of God, King of Kings.   In later life though, things changed. When people became aware of that fact that this Jesus was a controversial, no nonsense itinerant preacher, the name-calling wasn’t so pleasant! Even church leaders used words like Blasphemer, False Prophet, Demon Possessed, Wine Bibber!   Let’s face it. Times haven’t changed all that much. We may start out with sweet names for our little babies...

  What's in the brown paper bag?   INTRODUCTION By Doug Tjapkes, Founder, HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS   I’d like to share a beautiful story...a story not written by me.  I feel certain that Luis Ramirez would be honored to have us pass along what he has written, but I can't ask him.  He's dead.   This message came to me from Texas Death Row in the early days of HFP. I was so touched by the experience that I vowed to keep the story alive. We generally re-publish it during the holiday season. May it remind us, again, that the names on death row represent real people. And, that the death penalty is dead wrong!   Anyway, here’s my gift to you today...a story from the late Luiz Ramirez: (In all caps, just the way he sent it)   I CAME HERE IN MAY OF 1999...A TSUNAMI OF EMOTIONS AND THOUGHTS WERE GOING THROUGH MY MIND.  I REMEMBER THE ONLY THINGS IN THE CELL WERE A MATTRESS, PILLOW, A COUPLE SHEETS, A PILLOW CASE, A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER AND A BLANKET....

I’m a news junkie. I admit it. I’m sure it’s a result of writing and broadcasting thousands of newscasts in an earlier life. I listen to local and network newscasts and I still read hard-copy newspapers. Now that I’m in the humanity business in my final career, related topics in the news catch my attention. And that was the case over the weekend.   Thomas Banchoff declared, in a Washington Post column: Mercy is painfully scarce in our politics today. He gave specific examples out of Washington DC---eliminating life-giving aid programs abroad and threatening to withhold food assistance for more than 40 million Americans. In addition, he contended that the administration’s mass deportation program “has been particularly merciless, criminalizing those who once entered the country illegally but have long been law-abiding and productive members of our communities.”   In another powerful column, this one in the Lost Angeles Times, Noubar Afeyan, coined a new but appropriate word...

 I  define “boasting” as speaking with excessive pride about one’s achievements. The writer of this essay is NOT boasting. Instead, in this sequel to Wednesday's essay,  I use the word “pride.” On the day after Thanksgiving  I share this piece with a humble sense of pride in the fact that I’m allowed to feel a sense of satisfaction regarding accomplishments achieved over the past 24 years (all in the name of the wrongly-convicted Jesus!). OK, here goes. And remember, no braggadocio as I relate messages from 3 "old timers," guys who have spent nearly 90 years in prison.   First, let’s talk about John.   On Thanksgiving Day I received a call from John, who was released a few years ago after spending 39 years behind bars. One of the things I remember about working with John involved a spiritual observance, or lack thereof. John is a Native American, and he called me to complaint that the MDOC was discriminating against his people by refusing to allow the...

I know, I know.  It sounds goofy. But it’s true! I’m genuinely thankful for prisoners in my life, and for all the lessons I learn from them.   I am not  thankful that our nation has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and that our own state keeps people in prison longer than most others.   I am not  thankful that we still have over 32,000 people in the Michigan prison system, costing taxpayers $4-million a day…more than we spend on education!   I am not  thankful for the numerous cases of over-charging and over-sentencing felons in Michigan.   I am not  thankful for the lack of creative and innovative sentence alternatives, which could render such positive results in society if given the chance.   I am not  thankful for the lack of uniformity in sentences, as seen in the wide range of sentences received by prisoners, perhaps of a different color or perhaps in a different county, for the same crime!   I...

I don’t weep much. My therapist friend labels that condition with a highfalutin title. It’s something I’m not proud of. I place a good share of the blame on the fact that I was a small-town news reporter for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen too much, heard too much, experienced too much. You get the idea.  Having made that confession I admit that, on rare occasion, tears do stream down my cheeks. And, each time it surprises me!. That seldom happens over the usual sad experiences like death or tragedy. Instead, it can occur over something very unexpected and very simple, such as a musician's interpretation of a piece of music or the lyrics in a favorite old hymn: “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more…” That one will do it almost every time as I sit on the organ bench accompanying the congregation.   Well, let me tell you about my experience in the past week when I met Simon Latch. You wouldn’...

  My friend John Smietanka died the other day. He was 84.   As usual, the published obituary covered a lot of material…his many accomplishments as a lawyer, his important positions as a public servant, his many awards and citations, along with the usual data about family, survivors, career, church membership, date and time of memorial service, etc. He was an amazing individual with a ton of credits and accomplishments in his lifetime, including an annual pilgrimage to the Czech Republic each year to teach young law students!   But, obits don’t tell stories. So, as an old newsman, I’d like to share a few.   While serving as the U.S. District Attorney in the Western District of Michigan he handled the disappearance of West German freight ship captain Fredrich Helling in Lake Michigan. Another case involved an investigation into sales of diluted orange juice. Then there was the highly publicized major Chicago gang prosecution which fell apart amid accusations of...

The scene is in heaven, and St. Leonard is patiently waiting at the door of our Lord for a private discussion. Not many people know about St Leonard, but he’s well known in celestial circles, especially among those who have spent time behind bars while on earth. St. Leonard is the Patron of Prisoners, Captives, and Slaves.   Back to the story.   When finally granted an audience with the Heavenly Father, St. Leonard came right to the point. “What’s this I hear about your plans to start a little agency to help prisoners in a little town in Michigan?”   “Yes,” said God. “ The idea of simply helping prisoners with their day-to-day problems has been on my mind for some time. We have wonderful agencies and servants providing Bibles to prisoners, offering Bible lessons, making prison visits, and doing all kinds of things for our cause. But, I’m thinking of something much smaller. As you know, our prisons are full of men and women who aren’t getting appropriate medical care...

I see an Oklahoma headline like this in the Huff Post and it just fries me!   His Brother Admitted to a Murder. He Is Set to Be Executed for It.   Readers of this blog site are aware of how strongly I oppose the death penalty. Before I get into some of my reasons, once again, I’d like to share some information with you. As of November 1, 2025, executioners in the United States have been the busiest they have been in over a decade.   - The U.S. has carried out 40 executions so far this year. -This figure is the highest since 2012, when 43 people were executed. -October was the busiest month for executions since May 2011, with 7 executions. - The number of executions is up significantly from the 25 carried out in all of 2024. - At least six more executions are scheduled before the end of the year. BUT - The murder rate in non-death penalty states has remained consistently lower than the rate in states with the death penalty, and the gap has grown since...

October 25, 2004---the day my brother Maurice Carter died. He was only 60 years of age and had spent nearly half of his life in prison for a crime he did not commit. Our decade-long battle against the system was over. Maurice, having been finally released for medical reasons, survived in freedom for only three months.   I was numb. Then the personal messages started arriving. I share a sampling of meaningful notes that buoyed me during that time of sadness.   From that wonderful Pam Cytrynbaum, then with Medill Innocence Project, one of the moving forces in our fight for justice:   Oh God. Oh God. Here’s the hug I can offer. It comes in the words of Sister Helen Prejean, a friend of us all, and, magically, a friend to me while I was in New Orleans covering death penalty cases for the local newspaper. I was covering the grotesque trial of an innocent man, Vernon Williams. The night after he was (inevitably) convicted, I sobbed to Sister Helen. “What can I do? I fai...