Greetings All,
We recently separated our organization from a group of acronymically described “sister” organizations the primary ones being NFOJA – National Forum On Judicial Accountability and TLP – The Law Project. Without beleaguering you on the specific details, the primary reason behind this separation was a distinct difference of opinion on the current and future direction and strategies of how to best advocate and assist those whom we serve. Texas State Community Council – Abilene Division felt that our direct and “hands on” approach to our members and the citizens of our community was the proper approach. George and I both have a deep commitment to, and affection for the people of our community, especially those who either have been entangled in the justice system or have a loved one who has. By serving you our members, friends and people of our community directly by case assistance and general advocacy we felt we were serving in the way which God would have us serve. The other organization(s) felt that we could be most effective by essentially garnering local support for their “national” movements.
In a stark example of the distinct difference of opinion and approach to advocacy, NFOJA (Headed up by Zena Crenshaw-Logal an Indiana attorney currently under disciplinary actions by the Indiana State Bar) filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee. We want to emphasize that we (Texas State Community Council – Abilene Division) have no part in this complaint. Here is an excerpt from their statement -
"At a time when some Americans, including many women and members of the LGBT community, are looking to U.S. courts for help in defining and protecting their legal rights, there is a diverse group of people who apparently believe the U.S. legal system is regularly used to violate their rights. The United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) may investigate the matter as part of a proposed international class action mailed for its consideration this week from the U.S. to Geneva, Switzerland. The three (3) named complainants are Rodney A. Logal, his wife attorney Zena Crenshaw-Logal*, and Dr. Andrew D. Jackson. They are co-founders of National Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project, Inc. (NJCDLP), a non-profit legal reform organization challenging what has been dubbed “The Third Degree”, reportedly “a persistent, consistent pattern of persecution and torture imposed through U.S. legal system abuse.”
The named complainants are Zena Crenshaw-Logal, Rodney Logal (her husband), and Dr. Andrew Jackson. A short description of their complaint(s) are, “ The HRC pleading indicates that the Logals are being set-up for unfounded criminal prosecution and Dr. Jackson is poised to lose his family home based on a dubious municipal code enforcement.” Their complaints are outlined in this PDF –
http://media.wix.com/ugd/fa6d06_c75b8012f58a41d1acd32a37a166e956.pdf
While not belittling their individual complaints, we certainly would have picked different, much more needy and appropriate causes to take to an international organization. We agree with the premise that the U.S. justice system has many problems which could certainly be characterized as persecution and torture we need to be actively addressing as advocates we certainly wouldn’t agree that the “poster children” for this movement be 3 well educated people two of which are attorneys including a Notre Dame educated one. Were they looking outwardly at those whom we serve, they would find the very nefarious acts they allege are indeed perpetrated against many of those caught up in the justice system. Here are some of the examples which I would have used –
Charging Prisoners Perpetuates Mass Incarceration
At least a few localities in nearly every state in the country authorize "pay-to-stay" fees on prisoners for everything from medical costs, to food, to clothes. These fees are difficult for the often indigent prisoners and their families to pay, and can make successful reentry into society near impossible for some.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31223-charging-prisoners-perpetuates-mass-incarceration
http://themarshallproject.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a92567c13cca06b470824aead&id=3c600cdc1d&e=13e4996c77
The Obvious Targeting of Black, Hispanic and Poor
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) reports 2.2 million people are in our nation's jails and prisons and another 4.5 million people are on probation or parole in the US, totaling 6.8 million people, one of every 35 adults. We are far and away the world leader in putting our own people in jail. Most of the people inside are poor and Black.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/40-reasons-our-jails-and-prisons-are-full-black-and-poor-people
For Advocates, Push to End Solitary Confinement in Prison Only Begins With Youth Isolation
Example - During the seven years he spent in and out of California's juvenile legal system, DeAngelo Cortijo spent increasing amounts of time in isolation. When he was 13, he recalled, he spent four or five months confined to his room for 23 hours a day. He was supposed to be allowed out of his room for half an hour at the start of each day and for half an hour at the end of the day, but most days, he remained locked in for the full 24 hours.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31166-for-advocates-push-to-end-solitary-confinement-in-prison-only-begins-with-youth-isolation
Family Detention
Since last summer, thousands of mothers and children have been locked up in immigrant detention facilities simply for seeking safety for their children in the United States. Most of the detained families are asylum seekers fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries, only to be met with indefinite detention in the United States. Who benefits? Private prison companies are operating the facilities and reaping millions of dollars in profits, while mothers and children are left with lifelong trauma.
http://www.webelongtogether.org/
Pa. Jail Healthcare Contractor With Double the Average Mortality Rate
Corizon oversaw an inmate mortality rate here that was double national norms for jails last year. Four inmates have died this year.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/06/04/Allegheny-County-controller-plans-new-audit-of-contract-with-jail-health-care-provider-Corizon-Health/stories/201506040258
Related story in NY
http://themarshallproject.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a92567c13cca06b470824aead&id=7a380e5f99&e=13e4996c77
Police Shootings Oversight Nonexistent
At least 385 people in America were shot and killed by police during the first five months of this year, according to a fascinating new study by The Washington Post.
Then again, the number could be higher.
The Guardian, a British newspaper that’s conducting its own study of police-involved deaths in the U.S., put the tally of fatal cop shootings at 408 from January through May — or 464 if you include other methods of death, such as collisions with squad cars, which The Post didn’t examine.
The statistical discrepancy — or the numerical fluidity, if you will — is at the core of both investigations: Nationwide, no one is keeping track of police killings. So it remains a bit of a guessing game.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/james-ragland/20150602-a-new-era-of-police-accountability-is-all-for-the-public-good.ece
Federal Prosecutors Operate With No Repercussion
Sanctions against prosecutors who violate Brady are practically unheard-of and professional discipline is non-existent. As a consequence, there is, as I’ve said elsewhere, ‘an epidemic of Brady violations abroad in the land.
http://licensedtolie.com/
I could go on and on. The point is that there are many abuses afoot in the criminal justice system, indeed persecutions and tortures which should rightly be considered by a human rights complaint such as this one, but alas our former compatriots chose themselves. In a nutshell “choosing ourselves” over others is probably at the root of every issue I’ve listed in this letter.
Deuteronomy commands, “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” Commentators ask why the word “justice” is repeated. My own interpretation is to teach that justice has a different meaning when you are acting for others and for yourself.
Always remember Hillel’s second admonition: “If I am for myself alone, what am I?”
For these reasons we have taken the direction which we have taken for our members and community and have partnered with a new local organization, “God’s Own”. A Christian based organization gearing up to help both those incarcerated and their family and loved ones. While TSCC-AD will focus on the legal side of things as we always have done, God’s own will focus on the care and concern side of things. In this way we hope to provide the assistance and advocacy to a broader base, and to be a “one stop shop” for those entangled with the justice system. Soon we will be having some fundraising activities and meetings to coordinate and to get the word out while garnering support from the community and the existing members of TSCC-AD.
We would like your input and support as we boldly move forward to serve. We will be updating our website to reflect the changes in the coming days and weeks and sending out informational emails. Please call either George or myself with questions, comments and any form of support which you might be able to provide. The numbers and web address
are in the footer of this stationery and we encourage you to forward it to friends and those who you might believe would benefit from our new coalition of service. Thank you all for your memberships and support!
Kindest Regards,
Capt Gene Tomlinson
Senior Consultant & Advisor
TSCC-AD & God's Own