Humanity for Prisoners

  “The opposite of poverty is not wealth. In too many places, the opposite of poverty is justice.” ― Bryan Stevenson   Chances are, you heard nothing about this today. But, this is a special day in our country. March 18 is National Public Defense Day …a day that was created to honor those lawyers who resist the appeal to make big money in order to represent individuals who are charged with crimes but are unable to hire a defense attorney.   Most of us haven’t been arrested. And, if we were, we probably have enough dollars to hire a lawyer. But, there are many who cannot, and I’m proud to say that our country’s forefathers considered that possibility. Here’s how the UCLA Law Library words it: " The right to counsel under the U.S. Constitution is actually a fairly simple concept. If you are charged with a crime for which you face potential time in jail, then you have the constitutional right to have a lawyer to assist you in your defense. And if you can’t afford to hi...

Brad Sigmon was shot to death last week. It was his choice.   Sigmon, age 67, was executed by firing squad on March 9 in South Carolina. He was the first person to die by firing squad in the United States in 15 years.   If there were such a thing as humanity for prisoners, our organization would not exist. But, even with what little humanity you might find in our justice system, it took a step backward last week! Having experienced some horrific experiences with lethal injections, the State of South Carolina responded by offering alternatives to prisoners facing execution. After being convicted on a murder charge, Sigmon was allowed to choose between three inhumane methods of execution—lethal injection, electrocution, or firing squad.   A personal note. It's not at all uncommon or unexpected that I consistently criticize capital punishment. Early in my career as a prisoner advocate I actually witnessed an execution. My buddy/client Charles Anthony Nealy was executed...

Call it vanity if you wish, but when I was a young, aggressive broadcast journalist I coveted the title “award-winning” for my news department.   As a teenager I aspired to become a good radio news reporter. I had no formal training in the field, so it was up to me to establish and follow my own curriculum. I worked hard at it, and eventually became a respectable and respected newsman. Over time my small-market radio news department became incredibly good and nationally recognized. But, I wanted awards. We never got them.   Some radio news departments that were receiving honors were so large they actually had staff members preparing materials for annual award entries. Others had large enough departments to assign team-members to prepare documentaries and investigative features hoping for awards.   But, here’s what I’m finally getting.   While these award-seekers did their best to get recognition every year, my little team and I were doing our darndest to serv...