Letter to Arthur Turner

[Morrigan68]

I sent this letter to Arthur Turner thanking him for his efforts. If you get a chance, send one of your own and let him know how much we appreciate what he's doing for our inmates -
________________________________________

Representative Arthur L. Turner
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, Illinois 62706

3849 W. Ogden Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60623


Dear Representative Turner:

I would like to take a moment to commend you on the proposed Bills and Resolutions you have sponsored in the Illinois Legislature, specifically HR763; Public Act 93-0208; and HB213.

It is a pleasure and a relief to see that there are individuals working to improve the lives of inmates, and recognizing that inmates are human beings despite the mistakes they have made. All too often we hear our government officials, the media, and the average citizen saying that prisoners need to be rehabilitated and complaining about the rate of recidivism in our society, yet they do everything in their power to take away programs and the freedom of expression that will do just that.

The Stateville Speaks newsletter is a perfect example. It is an outlet for inmates to express their feelings, which all too often in the prison environment they are conditioned not to express. Inmates are human beings. They have feelings, thoughts, and many of them are extremely talented individuals. If they are not allowed to express those feelings in a constructive manner, who is to blame when they express them in a destructive manner?

I was introduced to the prison system in August of last year. Until that time I too suffered the same naiveté that many in our society still possess. A good friend of mine from high school is an inmate, although not in Stateville. I contacted him after many years and ended up falling in love with the truly wonderful, talented, caring man I am now engaged to. However, being an “outsider” to the prison system and mistakenly believing that there were many good methods in place to rehabilitate inmates, I was shocked and saddened to witness and hear of the humiliation, abuse (both verbal and physical) and degradation that inmates are forced to endure at the hands of the very people charged with rehabilitating them. I am sickened at the outrageous amount of money that has to be expended by loved ones and families of inmates due to the telephone companies’ having free reign to pillage and legally rob at will, simply because there is no other way for inmates to communicate with their loved ones other than mail that sometimes takes weeks to arrive.

Thank you for your efforts to improve the lives of our inmates and your attempts to ease the burden for everyone, especially families, involved in the prison system.

Respectfully,


Kelly *****
Proud fiancé of an Illinois inmate

[lizzi0067]

Very well written!

[legendarylovers]

I love it Kell! It expressed many of the things you and I have talked about. Great job!

[Morrigan68]

Thanks! I really think that if more legislators know that their efforts are appreciated, they will make an extra effort to do more.

I'll let you know if and when I hear anything back.

Kelly

[Roger's Girl]

That was very well put. Maybe we should get you to draft letters for inmate marriages.

[Morrigan68]

Not a problem at all Rogers Just let me know where you want it sent and I'll draft one up. I'm serious too.

Kelly