It's become disturbingly obvious over the past few months that all those men and women in Illinois who had their death sentences commuted by Ryan are being targetted by COs.

I had suspected this for some time because of things that keep happening to my fiance, Tony, since he left the Row. This was confirmed in a letter I got from Tony this morning. He says that what he's been going through is happening to all those who came off the Row and not isolated to one prison. Tony says 'The majority of the staff haven't been able to accept Ryan's decision, they think we should all be facing death. They are going to make life miserable for us. The tiniest thing will be blown out of proportion and, when the COs can't find anything, they will provoke a situation that results in a charge being made.' He says, 'Many of us had been on the Row 10, 15 and 20years plus and encountered absolutely none of the problems we are having now. It's not because we have changed but that the staff attitude to us has changed.'

Apparently, some attorneys are so concerned about the problems the ex-Death Row inmates are having with prison staff they are writing to the Governor and Director of Prisons. They will be detailing how the inmates are being provoked so that the COs can scream that Ryans decision has caused this 'problem' with those who should have been legally murdered.


And let's not forget the reason Ryan emptied the Row. Too many of those men and women are innocent. Now they are being subjected to, what amounts to be, a hate campaign from prison staff.

Rose

it's sad to see CO's and others inside thinking they can take "justice" into their own hands....Skip told me he had a long talk with one of the new boots at Garza last spring...the first thing they tell them in training..."these people in here are already being punished...it's not your job to punish them further." Too bad, no one seems to follow that line of thought....

I hope Tony is able to steer clear of it....keep us posted!

kath

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope something can be done about it. I think the training for CO's should include heavy emphasis on behaving as professionals.

Tony's trying hard to keep out of harm's way but he recently had to resort to a hunger strike (that's over now) before he was listened to and to get a very difficult situation resolved.

I'll be in Illinois visiting him in six weeks and he says he's a lot more to tell me when I get there. As soon as I get back I'll update everyone, that's unless I get more info before my trip.

Rose

an old friend of mine was on death row for 22 years and got LWOP in california and he said prison conditions are 10000 times better on death row!
safer, more privledges, better food, single celled,
etc...
he's regretting his appeal on some level.
very, very sad.

This is outrageous :fb: There should be psycological testing of these co's before they are hired. This is one of many reason why I have a hard time with co's. What the heck: I plain don't like co's and cops in general . Ya, there are a few good descent co's and cops but they are few and far between. I think that guy Serpico had it right. (He was talking about the NYCPD) "10% are totally honest, 10% are totally corrupt, and the other 80% wished they could be honest"

This is only my opinion. For those of you who may be upset or angered by my thoughts, sorry.

OH! you guys, as soon as I hit the button for my above post I regretted it. Sorry, my only defense is this is a hormonal day. Please understand and forgive my quick outburst.

I think it is still outrageous. I just regret the other part of my post. :(

I hope they are able to get things straightened out... I'm glad the attorneys have stepped in and taken things to those in power... It's so sad that humans have to judge others like this and heart breaking that someone would see death row as better...

Deb

Rose

I'm sorry for this and I'm also sorry to hear Tony had to go through a hunger strike to be listened to. :(

Hopefully this situation will change very soon thanks to the attorneys. Please keep us updated, and I wish you both a wonderful visit in 6 weeks.

Phil

Lady Di, I understand your outburst, as I'm sure others here will.
I have to admit, when I was over in April, the first visit Tony had had since leaving the Row, I found most of the COs very helpful. Except one day. One of the COs on duty at the gatehouse knew Tony, this guy is one of the 'good guys' within the system. To make sure I was visiting the person he knew he said 'I know Tony, just got off the Row, right'. Well, the change on the other COs was soooooo great, I got the worse search I'd ever had and was treated like a leper!! I don't mind, I can come home after a visit but for those guys who are suffering this everyday there must be a breaking point.
Tony didn't ask to have his sentence commuted, he says he'd rather die an innocent man than spend the rest of his life in prison, innocent, but he had no say in the matter in the end, and it gives us time to prove his innocence and get him out.
I agree, there should be some sort of psychological test given before someone is employed in the prisons. I heard one CO refer to Tony as 'that piece of shit'. Upsetting for me as I wanted to lash out with my fists (bad Gypsy temper) but worse when you're living with that day in day out.

Rose