Perryville yard report by Ali *Warning may be graphic ** (to be moved to pages later)

Yard report by Ali *warning may be graphic (to be moved to pages later)

Ali's yard report *Warning graphic* (will be moved to pages, new section by various inmates)

Emergent problem at Lumley Unit

The inmates at Lumley have  been without toilet paper since 9/14/18, when 10 rolls were brought over from another unit.  Over 200 inmates reside on Lumley....10 rolls?  This is over the top.  PLEASE have a heart and call the warden,  Kim Currier at Main Telephone:

(623) 853-0304   and 

Director Charles L. Ryan at 602-542-5225

This is a health & hygiene issue.  Inmates have been told to use water.   They were also denied any state issue cleaning supplies.  They cant clean the showers between use or their cells.  If this is not corrected when i hear from Shawna at the end of the week, i will be contacting the media and ACLU.   This hurts the women with no money to by toilet paper at the commissary.  Each inmate is to receive 2 rolls per week.  

AZ gets $25,397 per inmate per year, i think they can bloody well afford toilet paper and cleaning supplies!  

Arizona Statelines from LifeLines

A very warm welcome to new writers on both sides of the pond and I hope everyone’s friendships, both new and old, are going well. Thank you to everyone for your letters, emails and cards; it is always good to hear from you.

The main news on the row is coming from Central Unit at ASPC Florence. I’m afraid I have now had multiple reports that the guys’ freedom has been reduced in recent months.

I understand there have been a number of lockdowns, meaning the guys are confined to their cells 24 hours a day, sometimes for several days at a time. It seems these have been in response to staff shortages and fights/attacks, however people have been locked up even when the violence happened in a different pod (area). It is also reported that, even when not in a lockdown, there are restrictions on when people can leave their cells and for how long, and that yard time outside has also been reduced, some say to at least half. I gather it has been extremely hot and uncomfortable in the cells, which we have some capacity to imagine in the UK as it has been, and continues to be, unseasonably hot over here. Besides all of this being deeply unpleasant for the guys it is concerning that blanket punishments are being issued as a result of a few people’s actions. I am also getting numerous reports that the mail is severely disrupted, with many people not hearing from their penfriends for months at a time and letters appearing to go missing. Please keep me posted on further developments. (Source: all of you – thank you!)

It sounds like a very stressful time at Central Unit at the moment and my thoughts are with you all, and with your penfriends who I know keenly feel your discomfort.

I do have some good news though, I’m glad to say. Michael Ray White’s death sentence has been overturned and the state have been ordered either to issue a lesser sentence or to have a resentencing hearing. The court ruled that Mr White’s lawyer failed to challenge the alleged motive given by the state, which then became the sole aggravating factor applicable to issuing the death penalty. The court also said his lawyer had ‘utterly failed’ to investigate mitigating factors in Mr White’s life that could have been used to argue against the death penalty. I wish Michael all the very best going forward. (Source: Cronkite News)

Finally, I am afraid I have decided to step down as coordinator at the end of September. I would like you know that it was a very difficult decision as I feel a connection and responsibility to everyone on and off the row. However, due the stresses of my job, I have decided it is best I step down. I also feel I need to give more time to my friends and family, including my own penfriend.

I imagine it may be difficult for people, on the row particularly, to have to get to know a new coordinator every few years, for which I am sorry. I have gotten so much out of the role and my exchanges with everyone; I have not only enjoyed getting to know you all, but I have been humbled by people’s commitment, strength, compassion and gratitude. You have all taught me a great deal, for which I thank you; I will do my best to carry it with me.

I will continue to be here to support you until October, so do please continue to get in touch. Once a replacement is found the details will go in the Wing and they will write to everyone to introduce themselves; I am sure they will be a strong source of support to you all. Any letters that get delivered to me after I have handed over to the new person will be forwarded on to them so please don’t worry about that.

It has been an honour supporting you all and I wish you all the very best going forward.

In peace and love,

Lindesay

Coming new the blog soon!!

Shawna has decided to include a new section to the blog which will give a voice to inmates at Perryville as well as inmates in other facilities.  The inmates will be writing about their own prison experience and how life in their yard goes.  Some of the things this will give voice are how inmates are treated by other inmates and guards, how they live day to day, what jobs they hold and how they are treated at work, prison conditions, food, how they get along with their roommate if they have one (cellie) and so on.  What this will not be for is case information.  This should prove exciting to read and interesting at the least!!  

Q & A for Shawna Forde

If you have any questions for Shawna please send them now to her directly at:  

Shawna Forde # 260830
ASPC Perryville/ Lumley
P. O. Box 3300
Goodyear, AZ 85338

*Please note you must include your return name & address or the mail will not be given to her. 

**All questions will be published to the blog as part of Shawna's Q & A, unless you indicate otherwise to her.   

Thanks!!  

September yard report pages 6, 7 & 8