HELL HOLE NEWS #4, November 25, 2008

Well, it’s been another lovely two weeks under the guns of senator Whitmire’s little inquisition. This fellow is a real turd. It must really make him feel powerful to attack and smash on death row prisoners who’re restrained and defenseless. Who’ve done nothing to deserve it.

We were put on lockdown yet again, for 5 more days, searched, strip searched, wanded, scanned, strip searched again, had all our property confiscated, even our mattresses and bedding. We were put in empty cells with vents blowing ice cold air all night and left like that until 2:30 AM the next shift. Now many of the guys are sick. Ol’ man Woody was trying to talk to the rank about his property while in cuffs and being held on the run by two field force officers with another behind him. They tried to jerk his eyeglasses out of his hand and slammed him face first into the wall. Captain Bryant walks up and tells him “what the f---k is your problem?” Woody tells him what’s up and the captain gives him grief, the field boss tells Woody “you need to shut the f—k up” and they slammed him again then dragged him to F-pod level III. I’m told Lieutenant Duff even was shocked at Bryant’s actions and said “what’re you lockin’ him up for?” Bryant supposedly said, “What, did I stutter or something?” This is typical of the sorts of unnecessary uses of force going on here now. Woody says they upgraded him to Level II, now.

The property officer, D. Smith is continuing her depredations on death row prisoners’ property. Confiscations unfounded, for reasons not even listed on the form, calling new property “altered” etc. I’m told she’s making a killing at the flea market selling prisoners books, boots, fans, radios, hot pots. Selling the radios to some electronics shop in Livingston.

Meanwhile, the media continues to print Michelle Lyons’ lies and half truth issued from TDCJ’s public information office. They’re issuing false, aggrandized and/or embellished statements about criminal matters they allege occurred as if they’re absolute truth or fact instead of the as yet untested and unproven allegations they are. Even death row prisoners accused of new crimes are entitled to the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution unless and until they are convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction by a jury of their peers. Michelle Lyons, who used to be a reporter for a small time newspaper, should know to use works like “accused”, “alleged” or “believed” in making allegations against prisoners in this fashion. Lawsuits will follow her slanderous and libelous words, which also constitute s blatant denial of due process.

All of this, merely in effort to lick Whitmire’s boots and cater to his campaign of hate. What’s more sad is that Whitmire, a politician and lawmaker, is encouraging TDCJ heads and investigators publicly to violate the law and violate not only prisoners’ rights but the citizens’ rights too. You voters out there need to wake up and see this clownish buffoon for what he really is.

For all you visitors, the Ombudsman’s office issued a statement saying that “due to reasonable suspicions” that a visitor may smuggle contraband into the unit, all visitors will now be searched This is 100 % illegal and in direct contravention of controlling federal and supreme precedents.

In the first place, the “reasonable suspicion” standard is what’s applied to prisoners outside of random cell searches, which require no suspicions. This standard is applied to prisoners only, because “criminal convictions and lawful imprisonments permit some limitations on constitutional freedoms, compatible with incarcerations.”

However, free world citizens (visitors) retain the full panoply of constitutional rights and protections. The constitutional guarantees of the fourth amendment protect citizens from all unreasonable, suspicionless, searches and seizures. Before TDCJ or any other law agency can search you, there must be individualized suspicion amounting to probable cause. TDCJ cannot lay a blanket of suspicion on all visitors because of the actions of one or, TDCJ’s otherwise unfounded beliefs. In short, their “new policy on visitor searches” seeks to treat you as if you are convicted prisoners and you should not stand for it! It’s egregiously violative of your constitutional rights. You should all get together and hire an attorney to file suit on TDCJ and or call your local ACLU office for assistance. That’s what they’re there for.

Thanks to ilanziv.wordpress.com and executionchronicles.org for pointing out the obvious about the recent accusations leveled against me and Mark. I’m not sure about the cover up, but I’m of the opinion it’s definitely retaliation against me and Mark for our writings. There’s virtually no doubt of that. As to the things I’ve alleged in my previous New Hell Hole News articles (three, 3 of them) I have proof of them otherwise I’d not have written it. You should see the inept, inane responses TDCJ officials (V. L. Brisher, Lindy Richey and Kevin Mayfield) have made to my grievances at Step 2. They’re merely quoting policy, not making any substantive factual responses to the evidence at all. Of course I know the policy already – I’m alleging direct violations of the policy resulting in violations of my constitutional rights. They’re making such non-responsive answers because they well know they cannot answer on the merits, unless it were to concede the validity of my claims and rule in my favor -- which, of course, they’re not about to do. Deny, lie, deny, and deny some more. It’s the TDCJ way.

I’ve read in the papers that Whitmire was very rude to witnesses, interrupting, overtalking them, being belligerent and asking non-material question. Some think he just doesn’t know how to run a decent hearing. I think otherwise. I think he’s using these tactics to limit the record and prevent any witness who testified from revealing the truth about his little inquisition -- like him, it’s a shame.

Best regards to all,

Hank

P. S. Anyone who wants to respond can do so at hwskinner@yahoo.com or write me at my hard mail address:

999143 Polunsky Unit
H W Hank Skinner
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston TX 77351-8580

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