Da: "coalit" Oggetto: [listacoalit] URGEND ACTION Polunsky Unit Data: marted́ 11 dicembre 2001 12.39 Dear friends you received a petition for an urgend action on behalf of all death row inmates in Texas. We just got the information that the Texas Departement of Criminal Justice has a new director, her name is Janie Cockrell. Attached you can find the corrected version of the petiton. Thank you very much for your support. KOMPASS for the abolishment of the death penalty Katharina & Brigitta Knickenberg ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Name: Address: Country: Date, Mrs. Janie Cockrell Texas Department of Criminal Justice P.O. Box 99 Huntsville, Texas 77342-0099 Fax: 001 936 437 2123 Texas Board of Criminal Justice P.O Box 13084 Austin, Tx 78711 Fax: 001 512 305 9398 Polunsky Unit, Warden R. Zeller 12002 F.M. 350 Soth Livingston, Tx 77351 Fax: 001 936 967 8437 Mr. Kofi A. Annan United Nations Secretary-General of United Nations First Avenue at 46th Street New York, NY 10017 Fax: 001 212 963 4879 European Union Delegation to the European Commission to the United States 2300 M Street, NW Washington DC 20037 Fax: 001 202 429 1766 Dear Madam, Dear Sir, I am writing to you as a concerned citizen from .... It has come to my attention that the living conditions for death row inmates at the Polunksy Unit in Livingston, TX have worsened. I do understand that the successful management of a prison imposes certain restrictions on its inmates and that prison security and safety have high priority. I do also believe that punishment should reflect what a country and its justice system stand for. The United States of America has a reputation throughout the world to be a defender and leader of human rights. Considering that, it is therefore very troubling for me to learn how death row inmates were treated during the most resent lock-down. Inmates were asked to give up personal property. Some inmates even had to give up all books and/or magazines they owned. Furthermore their diet consisted of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. I have also learned that in general inmates do not have access to TV, a balanced diet, outdoor recreation including interaction with other inmates and access to art supplies. This type of punishment seems excessively harsh. Considering that inmates do only have access to a radio, reading material increase in value to maintain mental health. In addition a balanced diet that includes all essential vitamins is critical to ensure physical and mental health. Despite the severity of their crimes, there is no reason why death row inmates should be deprived of the above. I respectfully urge you to please do anything that is in your power to improve the present conditions at the Polunsky Unit. I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely, (firma, nome e cognome, indirizzo, data)