December 5, 2001

Office of Governor Gray Davis State Capital building Sacramento, CA 95 814

FEDERAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW PASSED JULY 27, 2000

SENATE BILL 2869 - SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON SERIOUS ISSUES CONCERNING: Raymond Morrison K-50636 CSP-LAC

44750 60th Street West Lancaster, CA Warden Roe

Dear Governor Davis;

I write this letter with a heavy heart however I believe injustice and your support of rights for all.

I am the mother of an Orthodox Jewish inmate in the CA State Prison system. He had never been incarcerated, held a good job, was in the Marine Corps. paid taxes and had a decent life. In 1997 he did not obey the law and was sentenced to ten years in the CA State Prison system. He is currently serving his sentence for that crime in Lancaster State Prison However, he has suffered ongoing humiliation, extreme and unusual punishment for his religious beliefs as well! He is constantly in danger physically in the Level Four, C status yard of Lancaster Prison. Raymond lost all privileges for not cutting his facial hair. He went from Level 1 to Level 4. (His Orthodox Rabbi also has a full beard) He had been placed in segregation for two months at a time. (Violation charges were changed illegally I have the documentation) When Rabbi Lazar went to see him at that time Ray was told to meet him in his underwear! Ray refused. He was unable to work, use the library, phone, have family visits and kept in his cell 23 hours a day! He is classified as a Program Failure (grooming issues). Last year he was moved to Level 1 A status, but still Level four on the books. Life improved somewhat. Now a new Assistant Warden will move Ray back to Level Four and begin the cruelty and unusual punishment again. I cannot let this happen again! I have written numerous letters to Warden Roe and other agencies. I pray you can set the wheels in motion for my son Raymond Morrison to be transferred to Dixon, IL. There are no restrictions for beards in Illinois. Ray would not be cruelly punished for practicing his Faith in Illinois. He would have the needed family support emotionally and regular visits in Illinois. In California his points continue to soar, he has gone from twenty-seven original points to one hundred twenty points currently! He has to serve the full ten years because of grooming issues. He must defend himself from aggression and ridicule. I am fearful for his life, Level Four houses inmates that are serving twenty-five years to life and violence occurs daily, prejudice is prevalent. Please take the time to read through the background information enclosed. I have included my parent’s marriage license in Hebrew, as well as family photos and ongoing correspondence with the Warden and other agencies. Rays studies and his devotion to the Jewish faith have kept him from giving up in this deplorable situation. He has asked me to pursue the transfer, he needs the support of his family in Illinois. Your help is needed to recommend his transfer. Please sir, begin the process! Other family members and Organizations, will be contacting you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Most. Sincerely,

Donna Goldstein-Kekstadt

I can be reached at:

303 Slippery Rock Drive Lost Lake

Dixon, IL 61021 815- 652 - 7407 or work 815- 625-7860 Work: Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living

229 First Ave. Suite 2 Rock Falls, IL 61071

Cc; Governor George Ryan Cc; State of CA Attorney General

Cc; NCCI Cc; NPR - Diane Ream

Cc; Senator Adam Schiff Cc; Twenty-Twenty

Cc; Senator Feinstein & Boxer Cc; ADL Cc; American- Israeli Cooperative Enterprise Cc; Oprey Winfey

Cc; Senator Sieben, Rep. Boland, Rep. Mitchelle, Rep. Wirsing Jewish Temples and Christian Churches in CA and IL.