Author: win98

To:  Mr Gary Johnson
        TDCJ 
        PO Box 99 
        Huntsville, TX 77320-0099
        Fax 001 936/437.21.23

cc:  Mrs Kathy Clear
        Ombudsman Office Coordinator
        PO Box 99 
        Huntsville, TX 77342
        Fax  001-936 435 17 47

        Warden James Zeller
        Polunsky Unit
        12002 FM 350 South
        Livingston, TX 77351
        Fax  001-936 967 84 37

    Dear Mr. Johnson,

we have just been contacted by several DR inmates reporting the increasingly inhumane life conditions which  have been imposed on them since Warden Zeller¹s arrival at the unit. The continuos and unjustifiable lock-downs imposed on dr inmates as well as the restrictions too frequently applied (like the one involving DR inmates¹ properties) often have no other purpose
than being harassments and abuse. Inmates have been living with sack meals for weeks, have been denied showering, have been forced to reduce their own properties in order to make them fit into two bags and are now even deprived of items they have been allowed to purchase. On top of it all, the recent lock down imposed after the disturbance preceeding the execution of Emerson
Rudd is an unjustifable punishment, for it was imposed consequently to one single person¹s actions.
    In addition, no respect is showed towards the inmates¹ religious belief, when certain restrictions prevent them from following their religious custom. As a matter of facts, there are Muslims on death row that practice fasting during this Holy Time but who, because of lockdown, could not go to the store and get food stored up in their cells so they could eat after sun down.  Muslims are being brought a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before sundown. And since they are not being allowed to get commissary, that is all they get.
 Warden Zeller seems very zealous with regards to enforcing detrimental policies and it is unanimous opinion that life conditions on DR have been getting tragically worse after his installation at the Polunsky Unit.
Harassements and abuses from officers have been increasing, while the general treatment and assistance to DR inmates have got below the minimum standard of decency.
 We believe a committee monitoring the officers¹ behaviour as well as DR inmates life conditions is urgently needed and  it is our sincere hope that you will consider our request affirmatively.

Awaiting your kind reply
                                                         Respectfully yours,

                                                        (Nome, indirizzo e data)