Torture in Transit by Leonard Jefferson

 

To:

Human Rights Coalition

4134 Lancaster Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19104

 

Dear People:

My recent experience – of being transported from SCI-Albion to SCI-Smithfield (the central bus transfer point) and then on to SCI-Somerset; and the return trip – caused me to produce the enclosed drawing and to write this letter concerning UNNECESSARY TORTURE IN TRANSIT. Mercifully, my trip caused me to be restrained in this manner for (only) 7 hours. The trip from Graterford to Greene subjects prisoners to more than 12 hours of this unnecessary abuse.

 

Being handcuffed with the box forcing one to assume and remain in the position illustrated cuts off the blood circulation and puts pressure on the sensitive nerves of the inner wrist, causing numbness, especially if one goes to sleep. Please be advised that I am not objecting to the use of the waist chain and/or the security box, on the handcuffs, per se. The chain and box have been used for years in a manner which causes ones lower arms and hands to be extended (more naturally/comfortably) downward. To the best of my knowledge there has not been a single breach of security resulting from the chain and box being positioned to restrain the lower arms downward (in a manner that neither cuts of the flow of blood nor puts pressure on the nerves of the inner wrist).

 

Accordingly, I respectfully request that you look into this matter and, if you find what I’ve said here to be true, use the moral authority of your organization to cause:

 

John Wetzel, Secretary

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

2520 Lisburn Road, P.O. Box 598

Camp Hill, PA 17001-0598

 

to prohibit future use of the security box in the manner shown in the drawing.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

 

Respectfully,

 

Leonard C. Jefferson, CL-4135

1075 Rt. 18

Albion, PA 16475-0002

 

Note: I invite you to visit www.brokenonallsides.com