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David Hammer is on a hunger strike, refusing food & insulin
On Friday 23rd of November,
2001: Both David and Jeff were extremely agitated
because Jeff's visitors
had not been allowed to visit as a family. Two of
Jeff's visitors were
removed to be replaced by another two visitors. This
took a long time, and
since Jeff was so upset David's visitor asked for
and was given permission
to talk with him. At one point he handed the
telephone to David's
second visitor. Suddenly one of the guards came in
and revoked his
earlier permission. Jeff became upset. This seemed to be
the final straw.
When David saw his young
friend being cuffed and taken away he also got
very upset and angry.
David's visitors tried and failed to calm him down,
but he was beyond reason.
There is no doubt that
both of them lost their tempers, but it certainly
seemed that they had
some justification. The attitude of the staff on
duty was very confrontational,
which only served to further inflame
things. Fortunately,
there was one decent and sensible guard present, and
that he managed to make
David understand that if he would cooperate then
Jeff's visit could be
resumed. This worked, and Jeff's visitors were able
to complete the visit.
David's visit was terminated.
Jeff now faces two charges
of misconduct and David faces three. They are
both on phase I status.
They may both lose their visiting, telephone and television privileges.
David is in Juan Garza's
last cell, under death watch, with a camera on
him and most of his possessions
taken If you are concerned for David and
Jeff and would like to
help them, please write to the Warden expressing:
1) concern that the ground rules for this visit were altered arbitrarily
2) that staff might try
to diffuse a volatile situation rather than
behave in any way which
might add to the tension. We should, at the same
time,
3) recognise that the
staff work in tense, difficult conditions with
instructions which seem
to be unclear. It is regrettable that they were
at the receiving end
of so much anger.
4) Finally, we should
express grave concern about David's welfare since
he is now on hunger strike
and is refusing insulin. As a diabetic, this
clearly puts his health
at risk.
5) Urge the warden to
take every possible step to resolve this situation
in a way which, while
being in accordance with federal penitentiary
guidelines, also includes
consideration of David's grievances and his
health.
6) Thank the warden for
his prompt and equitable attention to this
troubling series of events,
and assure him that he can be assured of our
continued close interest.
Warden's Details:
Warden Keith Olson
Federal Death Row Unit
PO Box 33
Terre Haute, IN
47808 - 0033 USA
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