Humanity for Prisoners

Today's stack on my desk was particularly discouraging: A worried mom informed us that her imprisoned son, already depressed following the death of his only child, is now being placed in a compromising situation where it appears he'll get written up no matter which we he turns, and he has done nothing! A mentally ill juvenile wrote to inform us that he has been placed in segregation (private cell 23 hours a day, one hour of freedom) for his own protection because he's in an adult facility! If you or I put a teenager in a cage 23 hours a day, we'd be arrested! A courageous prisoner in a unit for the mentally ill sent affidavits: ... they do not know how to deal with mentally ill patients. They simply say they're disruptive and abuse them, ignore them, or place them in restraints of all kinds! They leave some of these guys there for days and in their bodily fluid waste! But then, just when I'm ready to put my fist through a wall, a former prisoner whom we h...

I was reading in Psalm 41 this morning: "Blessed are those who have regard for the weak..." Mr. P., a Hispanic prisoner, has been communicating with us. For two years he couldn't find his children. Through our computer search we found a relative who led him to his daughter. Things are getting better with contacting my children! My oldest girl has got me in touch with my older son. Things are starting to fall in place! I guess a little prayer really works. When I get some pictures I'll send them for you to see my little people. It's an honor to know of someone with such compassion and conviction who is an advocate for prisoners as myself, with no one to speak for them. Having you and your organization on my side makes a big difference. Thank you so much, man! And we thank YOU. We can't help Mr. P. without help from you!

Then let me tell you about the plight of Ms. D, whom we are helping to file a commutation application. When you seek release from prison, you must first assure the state that you have a place to live: This probably sounds pitiful, Doug, but I have nowhere to go when I leave here! My mother and oldest brother are deceased My sister chose her husband over our relationship My surviving brother is a drug addict The friends I had when I came to prison slowly faded away The ones I have now are ex-felons and have gone home. Maybe I'll have to go to a shelter. Says Robert Montgomery: “Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest” Unless you don't have one.

When Spencer Hassevoort agreed to race his snowmobile for charity, who would have guessed? The results are in! The youngster from Spring Lake, Michigan, would drive his vintage snow machine on two Saturdays in January, and two Saturdays in February...three events per Saturday in the BEVRA sanctioned races at Lakeview, Michigan: Stock A, Stock B, and Super Stock. We began taking pledges per race, many HFP contributors showing a willingness to double their money if he captured a first place trophy. And so he went after first place trophies with a vengeance! Saturday #1, two first places and one second Saturday #2, two first places and one second then he ratcheted up his performance! Saturday #3, three first place trophies! Saturday #4, three first place trophies! All this from a 12 year old lad, racing in an adult world. Our congratulations to Spencer for a sensational performance, and for his generosity in helping HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS! Our thanks to those ...

Last minute pledges for tomorrow's three snowmobile races by 12 year old Spencer Hassevoort are still being accepted by email. We're within a few hundred of $3,000! Can we hit it? Is there a brave soul among our premium supporters willing to double all money raised? With that we would almost meet budget for February! Thanks for being there for Spence, and for us! We'll have race results as soon as we get them! Good luck to our champ!

I offered to help Chuck in filing his commutation forms, but told him he needed a place to stay, a place to work, support from family members, and perhaps a letter of support from a minister. The church I belonged to has been closed since 1984. There's no one at the job I had who would hire me. My mother is 97 years old and senile...my oldest son stays with her, and he told me to stay where I'm at! My other son and my daughter don't want to have anything to do with me. My ex-wife sold our house. I had two brothers, but both died. No uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces or nephews. If you were going to try to help this man in getting a fresh start, what would you tell him? Where would you send him? What would you tell the Parole Board?

Our champion snowmobile racer, Spencer Hassevoort, age 12, makes his final appearance of the season this coming Saturday, February 20. He'll be participating in three races at the BEVRA sanctioned event in Lakeview, Michigan. For the second year in a row, he's racing for charity...allowing us to take pledges on his three races. It's your opportunity to demonstrate support for this fine young man's efforts, and for the on-going work of HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS! If you agree to pledge $10 each if he ends up in the winner's circle (1-2-3), you will contribute up to $30, tax exempt, to HFP. If you agree to double the amount for every first-place trophy he wins, chances are you'll make a donation of $50-60, if past races are any indication. Email your pledges...I'll keep the records. Go, Spencer!