date …………….

To: Mr. Gary Johnson TDCJ

PO Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77320-0099
Fax 0019364372123

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

From:

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 Zeller’s 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 inmates’ 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 preceding the execution of Emerson Rudd is an unjustifiable punishment, for it was imposed consequently to one single person’s actions.

In addition, no respect is showed towards the inmates’ 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.

Harassments 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 behavior 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,