tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634342614978424502024-02-08T12:15:16.964-06:00Innocence in MississippiOngoing problems with wrongful convictions, incarceration; MDOC and CMCF, a joke? Steven Hayne, MD? Governor Barbour, is he accountable to the citizens of this State? If so, in what capacity?Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009790438446925265noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-75721418540014871052011-03-15T03:56:00.001-05:002011-03-15T04:11:58.198-05:00Mississippi has new medical examiner - WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS:<div>I certainly hope that this works out! It's been nearly 3 years since there has been an official "licensed" Forensic Medical Examiner in the state and more than 10 years since there was someone in that position that was actually paid by the State. Allegedly, Dr. Hayne was not board certified in forensic pathology and the state has had a backlog of cases for years. Finally since the debacle of Stephen Hayne, I hope that this will be a step in the right direction for MS. For more information on what happened with Dr. Hayne and his friend, Dr. Michael West, read Radley Balko's article "CSI Mississippi" in a prior post. The question remains, however, how many innocent people are sitting in prison based on faulty testimony of these 2 individuals and what is the state going to do to look into this?</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=14249331">Mississippi has new medical examiner - WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS:</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-54435082916806727662011-03-07T14:11:00.005-06:002011-03-07T14:19:34.904-06:00Eligible for a Pardon Application???No, not if you are still incarcerated, according to the staff at the Governor's mansion. I'm told for anyone to receive an application, they must be eligible and to be eligible they must not be incarcerated. They also need to be free for 7 years and no longer on parole. Well, that pretty well means that no one is eligible to be pardoned based on this Governor's, Haley Barbour, policy. How does that policy apply to the men he has pardoned who were working at the Governor's mansion when pardoned? It doesn't because the Governor can do what he wants to.<div><br /></div><div>How does it affect the women who are incarcerated? Terribly because they don't get to work at the Governor's mansion.</div><div><br /></div><div>To summarize, the Governor has broken his own policy by pardoning men <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2238938/">(see the information here)</a> who work at the Governor's mansion AND women are discriminated against because they aren't afforded the same opportunity to work at the Governor's mansion. Yes, he pardoned the Scott sister's but that in and of itself has many people wondering about his reasons for doing so. Hmmm, any thoughts on that?</div>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-53034441309601830702011-03-07T14:05:00.003-06:002011-03-07T14:10:49.333-06:00Graduation at CMCFI attended a graduation Friday at CMCF and must admit I was pleasantly surprised. The staff was very friendly. The atmosphere was completely different than on visitation days. I'm grateful that MDOC gives this opportunity to the individuals who have chosen to further their education under these circumstances. We all know that continuing education can be hard anywhere but to do so in a prison where the noise would be overwhelming when trying to study is truly an accomplishment. I am very proud of all the graduates.<div><br /></div>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-53648554686931891172010-10-09T23:28:00.004-05:002010-10-09T23:44:21.084-05:00Free the Scott SistersPlease continue to contact the Governor and the Parole Board to support the Scott Sisters request for a pardon. Jamie and Gladys Scott were convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to double life sentences each for armed robbery of less than $11.<div><br /></div><div>Jamie is in renal failure and requires dialysis 3 times a week. The dialysis machine stays broken and she misses dialysis a great deal. Please don't let this woman, who by accounts of those who were involved with this armed robbery, had nothing to do with it, die in this prison. Don't allow her sister to stay incarcerated either. There are too many innocent people in prison and we need to help those we can. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can help. Send an e-mail or write Haley Barbour at the following addresses:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Governor Haley Barbour<br />P.O. Box 139<br />Jackson, Mississippi 39205<br />1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150<br />Fax: 601-359-3741<br />(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dorothy Kuykendall<br />Personal Assistant to Gov. Barbour<br />(601) 359-3150<br />DKuykendall@governor.state.ms.us<br />P. O Box 3150<br />Jackson, MS 39205</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can get more information about this case by joining the Scott sisters blog <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freethescottsisters.blogspot.com%2F&h=eb021">here</a>.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for your help with this injustice; there are many more and I will be blogging about those as well in the near future!</span></span></div></div>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-89803826618315312852010-04-06T04:28:00.000-05:002010-04-06T04:28:54.410-05:00Mississippi: Re-Open Trial Cases involving testimonies of Drs. Steven Hayne and Michael West Petition<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/online/25939.html">Mississippi: Re-Open Trial Cases involving testimonies of Drs. Steven Hayne and Michael West Petition</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-63516551462290102392010-03-25T22:12:00.001-05:002010-03-25T22:15:50.010-05:00Cruel and Unusual HealthCare<a href="http://http//prisonmovement.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/cruel-and-unusual-health-care/">http://prisonmovement.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/cruel-and-unusual-health-care/</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-53530711332413041642010-03-16T17:06:00.000-05:002010-03-16T17:06:56.687-05:00Women behind the Wall<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/4justicenow/2010/03/16/women-behind-the-wall">Women behind the Wall</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-79305027616952692042010-03-06T07:28:00.001-06:002010-03-06T07:28:35.601-06:00Ailing Pearl Inmate Out of Hospital<a href=http://www.my601.com/s/c_ZJKUQBC0K-HxCnNp33Vg.cspx>Ailing Pearl Inmate Out of Hospital </a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-14527657414865432412010-02-18T12:44:00.000-06:002010-02-18T12:44:48.005-06:00Inmate Advocacy Rally | JFP Events - Event Listings for Jackson, Mississippi<a href="http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/jfp.php/events/entry/35463">Inmate Advocacy Rally JFP Events - Event Listings for Jackson, Mississippi</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-60310385313139392602009-11-13T11:14:00.000-06:002009-11-13T11:14:32.566-06:00Mississippi: Re-Open Trial Cases involving testimonies of Drs. Steven Hayne and Michael West Petition<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/online/25939.html">Mississippi: Re-Open Trial Cases involving testimonies of Drs. Steven Hayne and Michael West Petition</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-12605135888524157792009-11-07T03:56:00.002-06:002009-11-07T04:41:09.326-06:00Jackson Free Press: Jackson, Mississippi - Noise - Justice - State - Protestors Demand Epps Stop Inmate AbuseThe information in this article is some of the same things I hear about at CMCF in Mississippi. Nothing surprises me with the DOC. Commissioner Epps is notorious for passing things off to others to handle and I find it quite interesting that he states he hopes Dr. Gillam (and the protestors) will bring "specific" complaints to him in a productive manner. It has been my experience that even when matters are presented in a "productive" manner, Commissioner Epps will "pass the buck", no one will be held accountable and inevitable our incarcerated loved one still pays the price. The "alleged" abuse that the protestors are speaking of is happening, the mistreatment of our loves ones does occur but it is up to us, the friends and family that they have on the outside to stay on top of that and make sure we make noise enough that the public knows people are being mistreated in the name of "justice". Good for Dr. Gillam and the others and I wish I had known that this was happening as I would like to have been involved.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/protestors_demand_epps_stop_inmate_abuse_110609/">Jackson Free Press: Jackson, Mississippi - Noise - Justice - State - Protestors Demand Epps Stop Inmate Abuse</a><br /><br />The previous visit by this group was covered by WLBT in November of 2007. The link is:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7308801">Group Claims Inmates Treated Unfairly - WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS:</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-82493306963525524532009-11-03T11:40:00.005-06:002009-11-03T11:48:58.501-06:00Blogtalk Radio tonightTonight will feature another story of a woman incarcerated. I have learned of so many problems in this country in many states and heard personal stories; please join tonight and listen for yourself to hear of the horrible things that happen and can happen.<br /><br />Thanks to Mary Ellen Digiacomo and Gloria Goodwin Killian who have both served time for crimes the didn't commit. These women have incredible stories to tell and give tirelessly of their time to bring about awareness of what our elected officials will do if we continue to allow it. Please, take a stand. Just listen for an hour!<br /><br /><h3 class="GenericStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><a href="http://blogtalkradio.com/4justicenow" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://blogtalkradio.com/4justicenow</a></h3>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-6871519128911973382009-10-27T09:33:00.001-05:002009-10-27T09:37:12.962-05:00Women behind the Wall<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/4justicenow/2009/10/27/Women-behind-the-Wall">Women behind the Wall</a><br /><br />Join us tonight @ 5:00 p.m. CT to hear more stories of innocent people incarcerated all over this country. Listen live online, join the chat and or call in to ask questions. Thanks for your support!Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-33863497085059654842009-10-25T14:56:00.002-05:002009-10-25T14:59:40.963-05:00Okay, so I've been away a while!I know I've got to do better about keeping things up to date here. We've actually gotten a Facebook page started for Thalia and I will be posting this link there as well. The ultimate goal, obviously, is to bring awareness to wrongful convictions in this country while freeing those who are serving time for crimes they aren't guilty of. Again, this is my blog; I don't do very well in updating it because frankly there's so much going on but I do try. I'm hoping I've found some tools that will help me keep things updated here and on the Facebook page as well. We'll see.<br /><br />I will continue to report the total craziness inside MDOC and CMCF on this site. Stay tuned for more on that!Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-9250265309606796012009-08-05T10:59:00.006-05:002009-08-05T11:12:21.338-05:00The Coroners Revolt by Radley Balko at Reason MagazinePlease click the link to "The Coroners Revolt" to see the latest disgrace being brought to the state of Mississippi uncovered by Radley Balko. State Coroners are trying to bring Steven Hayne back. Please get involved by contacting your Senator and Representatives!Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-79746371581184459982009-05-18T14:13:00.000-05:002009-05-18T14:13:05.018-05:00A Forensics Charlatan Gets Caught in the Act: Video from a defense attorney's sting exposes Mississippi bite-mark "expert" Michael West. - Reason Magazine<a href="http://reason.com/news/show/132574.html">A Forensics Charlatan Gets Caught in the Act: Video from a defense attorney's sting exposes Mississippi bite-mark "expert" Michael West. - Reason Magazine</a><br /><br />Thank you Radley Balko for continuing to stay on this story!Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-21016094546812510172009-05-18T04:25:00.006-05:002009-05-18T05:06:42.278-05:00Is Reasonable Doubt still what we expect in this Country and this State?"Thomas said the woman was saying that she would have to be 100 % certain about Bennett's actions before she could vote for the death penalty. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Thomas said that was a higher standard than the law required to impose the death penalty."<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> <br /><br /><br />Okay, folks, I take issue with this statement! I realize it's a couple of years old BUT this case is being reviewed and we need to let our concerns about this be heard!!!<br /><br /><br />Full article is here:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/news.jsp?key=2434&t=">"http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/news.jsp?key=2434&t=">NCADP - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty">"></a></li></span><br /><br />If I'm not mistaken, when a person is NOT 100% sure then that is called <span style="font-weight:bold;">reasonable doubt <span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>and therefore based on our law a person can NOT be found guilty much less sentenced to a punishment of death! Just my opinion but here again is another example of what seems to be Injustice in Mississippi! <br /><br />Again, who's accountable and when are we, the citizens of this state going to step up and do something? It starts with one person and I've been blogging about this issue, more specifically with regard to the problems in the prisons but I've come across so much that happens during the trial and before trial. I've made some contacts outside of Mississippi with people who are trying to bring this issue to light but why are there not more people who LIVE in our state not taking action. This is our state and we pay the salaries for these individuals who are not acting in the best interest of the citizens of this state; are we going to sit back and say this is okay?Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-90451424360307860862009-05-12T19:29:00.002-05:002009-05-18T05:03:46.323-05:00Blogtalk Radio "Women in Prison"<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI*MjE3NDQ3MzE3NiZwdD*xMjQyMTc*NTE2ODk1JnA9NDUwOTcyJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTImdD*mbz*yNzFhNDA2Mzc4MTQ*Y2QwYTJlNDFhZTY2YTdlMDM4YiZvZj*w.gif" /><embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eblogtalkradio%2Ecom%2F4justicenow%2Fplay%5Flist%2Exml&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=100&borderweight=1&bordercolor=#999999&backgroundcolor=#FFFFFF&dashboardcolor=#0098CB&textcolor=#FFFFFF&playlistcolor=#999999&playlisthovercolor=#333333&cornerradius=10&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx" width="210" height="105" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-73894582927801616182009-04-07T12:51:00.004-05:002009-04-07T13:02:49.816-05:00Once again, WHO is accountable?I've sent e-mails, made phone calls requesting information and I am so tired of hearing or receiving an e-mail that says "I'm forwarding your concerns to...."!!!! Can somebody, anybody, please tell me who at MDOC, CMCF or any other state prison facility is accountable to the state of Mississippi and more importantly, to the citizens that pay their salaries so they can have jobs? Who they are accountable to? Staff at CMCF is so rude, staff at MDOC is extremely rude and nobody wants to buck up and address concerns! Yet, they still have jobs and we still allow them to treat the citizens that pay their salaries and our loved ones like dirt on their feet. You see, I've come to the conclusion that DOC and staff don't just view inmates as "nothings", they view the family and friends of inmates as "nothings" too. Even head honcho, Mr. Epps himself passes the buck 99.9% of the time. Besides delegating, what exactly is his job? Who at DOC is willing to do their job? Aren't we entitled as taxpayers to see those job descriptions?Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-157172372296763572009-03-24T12:46:00.003-05:002009-03-24T12:51:37.303-05:00The Ice Machine is fixed!Well, after months of calling and e-mailing, finally the ice machine is fixed in the visitation area at CMCF. The alleged part that was on back-order since December arrived and I think it only took about a month to get it repaired. Yet another subject of irritation for me. Another issue that our tax dollars are paying that isn't getting done properly. You see, the maintenance for this equipment is contracted and my concern is under what contract is it acceptable for a part to be on back-order and a piece of equipment to be in a non-working capacity for 5 months. It is my opinion that this is completely unacceptable.Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-91644694535476477382009-03-24T12:31:00.003-05:002009-03-24T12:43:58.162-05:00Still Pushing ForwardWell, things continue to rock on here in "our" world. We keep making calls, keep digging and talking to people, and seeking assistance! The MDOC and CMCF never cease to amaze me with the policy of how they do things. Depending on what day you call and who you talk to determines the policy. And talk about passing the buck. I've gotten more responses to e-mails of "I'm passing this to...."; no one at that facility wants to do their job or anyone else's job; no one wants to hold those responsible (and I use that term loosely) accountable for doing their job. And yes, that is our tax dollars hard at work.<br /><br />Information continues to emerge about Drs. Hayne and West. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking around in a haze of shock because I can't believe that this is really happening. Yet, I wake up each day and realize it is all very real. It is very real for Thalia, her 3 children, her friends, her family. And it is very real for so many other people who are wrongly convicted. Not only that, but even those who are serving time for crimes they committed, it is very real. The injustice of our so called "justice being served" is very real. The families that are impacted and the lack of concern for those families by our state and state employees is very real. The dis-respect shown to citizens of this state by employees paid by our tax dollars is very real. Again, it is all very shocking to me; my eyes are wide open now and sometimes I wish they weren't.Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-17480368222218336842009-03-18T14:10:00.001-05:002009-03-18T14:10:56.237-05:00Had to delete Thalia's detailed storySorry but the details had to be deleted off Thalia's blog due to the ongoing investigation.Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-38850662119624999112009-02-20T03:35:00.004-06:002009-02-20T03:40:05.462-06:00Just a quick update on following Thalia's storyI have updated on her blog a detailed from start to finish of the events that occurred to Thalia Outlaw which resulted in her life sentence in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. You can reach that blog on the side bar or by going to <a href="http://blogspot.com/fredom4thalia">Thalia's story.</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-58343331424415201172008-12-19T13:04:00.000-06:002008-12-19T13:04:23.082-06:00Hit & Run > Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Departs With an Anti-Death Penalty Flourish - Reason Magazine<a href="http://www.reason.com/blog/show/130637.html">Hit & Run > Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Departs With an Anti-Death Penalty Flourish - Reason Magazine</a>Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663434261497842450.post-6401701972703855542008-12-05T11:50:00.003-06:002008-12-05T12:02:28.681-06:00Still waiting...Well, we are still waiting on the results of that "good news" I mentioned! Please keep praying about this! I'm just going to go ahead and throw this out there for all of you to read and I may have written about this before but it's just eating me up!<br /><br />Yesterday, I made a trip to the Department of Archives and History and found two newspaper articles on this case. In the newspaper, an officer at the time is quoted as saying <span style="font-weight: bold;">"the murder is being investigated as domestic..."</span>! Okay, here's my problem. First of all, the officer acknowledges this is a domestic situation because he knows. They all knew because they had been out and arrested Dari on many occasions. Secondly, the police (and this isn't the first time I've heard this from an officer) are already calling this a murder! This is one more instance of innocent until proven guilty NOT being alive and well in our country!<br /><br />BUT not once during her trial was domestic issue or self defense ever mentioned! That really makes me MAD!!!!Sondrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05047673233792433321noreply@blogger.com1