Proof
As I mentioned in my Tidbits post last week, we had some good news in our fight for Roddy Pippin. Unfortunately, that good news was short-lived. Take a look at this:
This is the memo that revoked all of Roddy’s privileges. Since he is housed in the infirmary 24×7, for the duration of his sentence, he will not be permitted any of the privileges described in the memo. Interestingly enough, the author of the memo later returned and demanded the memo’s return. Fortunately, Roddy had already mailed it to a friend.
Because the State of Texas is unable to abide by the original terms of Roddy’s plea agreement, which was for four, two-year State JAIL sentences, and is instead housing him in a prison because there wasn’t sufficient medical care for him (not that there is now), he is being treated as if he were a death-row inmate. What is wrong with the State of Texas? Where is the outrage?
Seriously, even rapists, child molesters, and murderers are allowed outside and permitted to attend church!
Themocracy
I talked with the administrative head of UTMB at JIII today. She was quite insistent that infirmary inmates are not to be allowed to activities, including church. She also confirmed that Roddy will be there for the foreseeable future. And there are others in the same predicament as Roddy. But they allow them out for appointments, visitation, and such. The chapel( in the gym, actually) already has security staff present, so extra staffing would not be required. Medical staff already are able to attend any issues that arise during visitations, etc. So why not church? According to PA Potter, it is for “medical reasons”- by which she told Roddy she meant that if he goes to church, then “everybody will want to go”. Who hasn’t heard that lame excuse from a mother who just didn’t want to be bothered? lol They did offer occasional chaplain visits, and assured me Roddy could always send questions to the chaplain.
I have countered their Plan B by pointing out the fact that worship is more than just a visit by a chaplain or volunteer. The very community and fellowship of worship are quintessential to the experience. People worship together! So why would it be so hard to let a few inmates held in permanent infirmary housing go to church once a week? Jeez! TDCJ apparently does not understand this basic Constitutional right.
Oh, and she got real testy when I used the term “solitary confinement” for Roddy’s housing. Oh no, it is NOT, since that is a security designation. He is in “medical isolation”. Well, says I… lipstick on a pig, and still a pig! She was not amused. I have written Paul Morales, Region III Director for TDCJ prisons. His address is on TDCJ’s site. I hope others will write him as well.
We have been following Roddy’s case from up here in Canada for a while now. Deplorable, unbelievable, sub-human treatment are just a few views we have. If this was happening to people in other countries the States would be the first country to yell attack…they need democracy. Can not believe with all the emails and messages the news agencies get about this that there is not more noise from media. Guess it’s not big news until he dies in there. And we do pray every day that Roddy doesn’t let them win. That he makes it out okay and can get back to being healthy.
I have since learned that Jester III insists that Roddy must be accompanied AT ALL TIMES by a security officer, so it is an extra staffing burden to allow him to go to church, etc. Now, I cannot understand this. Roddy is a state jail inmate, meaning he was never intended for state prison housing. He is a non-violent offender. What exactly warrants this beefed up security need? I note that a separate officer does not stand by when he goes to PT nor to visits. Why then must he be accompanied “at all times” by an officer to go to church?? Do they think something particularly dangerous is going on during those services? This stinks of deliberate targeting. The culprit is Ms. Petrovsky, the administrative head of UTMB’s Correctional Managed Care at Jester III. She states that this is and always has been the rule, and she will NOT change it. Write Warden Negbenebor and complain about this! I am awaiting a call from him (usually takes about 10 days after my letters.) Would love for him to have heard from others first.