Behind that wire fence and in that ungiving concrete building, freezing cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer, are many people who have no respect or understanding of respect. They do not respect the authority that they have been given and they do not respect those that they have been "authorized" to protect and keep safe while they are incarcerated. Therefore, they view their uniforms and "titles" as divine permission to do whatever they choose to do to those that they deem inferior. They view them as inhuman and treat them as they view them.
A local state prison was employing individuals with this mindset who have recently been charged with beating an inmate and deliberately destroying evidence to cover up their abuse of power. They are not only being charged by the state but by the federal government. The Eastern Correctional Institution is a medium-security state prison for men located in Westover, Somerset County, Maryland and believe me this is not an isolated incident in that concrete plantation.
As a mother of an incarcerated person, these are the types of things that keep us feeling anxious, depressed and overwhelmed with worry. The not knowing what is happening to your child is the hardest part. As soon as I heard about this atrocity, my thoughts immediately went to the family of the inmate and the inmate's mental and physical condition.
Over the past few months, we have seen an increase in the illumination of the horrors of prison life by our politicians and lawmakers here in the state of Maryland. I am doing what I can by signing petitions, submitting testimonies for Bills, attending virtual meetings and using my platforms to shine a light. This work CANNOT be done alone. This system has been in place for centuries and will not be made right overnight. However, we continue to knock down walls and barriers with ALL the strength that we possess.
Will YOU help? SIGNING, COMMENT AND SHARING THIS PETITION IS A SMALL BUT POWERFUL WAY TO DO SO. WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM THE# OF SIGNATURES THAT WE NEED.