Dewitt Faulkner a model for other prisoners

 Dewitt Faulkner 398508 RCI                        

Dewhite Faulker

 I know Dewitt from his inspirational writings mostly and that he has done all he can to be a positive influence to those around him . He has never given up his claim of innocence and was given a heavy sentence as his supposed co- conspirators testified against him to gain their own freedom. 

His story is below and we  contend that he deserves a second chance as he has done so well with his time. Innocent or not, he

has paid his debt. '

summations of his conviction story:

Dewitt is new world, got a bifurcated sentence totaling 59

years on four counts, the largest of which is reckless homicide. His story is that he was not

there, that he tried to tell his two associates that they were idiots and he didn't want to get

involved, but they went and did it anyway. They say he practically made him do it. One of the

two associates felt cheated on a drug deal, and wanted to extract compensation from the guy

who sold him cocaine that was too adulterated to make into crack, so they went armed to

where he was staying with his grandma, hoping to take his cash. One of the guys says he got

cold feet and decided to just start firing at the house with his shotgun so they would have to

leave. The house was brick and had bars on the windows but one slug managed to find a

window, avoid the bars, and ricochet down the one east-west hallway in the house right to

where the grandma was standing. It hit her in the chest and killed her instantly. Faulkner is

alleged to have made a couple of shots with a .22 while they retreated. The two co-defendants

got deals to testify against him, and then when there was a retrial, got deals not just to testify

but to give the same testimony again. The evidence included a gun that was allegedly seen by

an officer when he entered the property without a warrant and without probable cause, looking

for a co-defendant who was not there.

Coming are some of his writings

His case also points up the failures of Truth in Sentencing(T-I-S), The law that came in after 2000 which gives strict sentencing guidelines and long sentences, allowing little discretion to the judge.  

In contrast the law T-I-S replaces , Parole , gaves long sentences but the prisoner was eligible for parole after one quarter of the sentence IF his/her behavior was good. This system worked and relied on rehabilitation supported by good programs and even college grants. the prison was not overcrowded and working conditions for guards were relatively good. The mission " to rehabilitate inmates and keep the public safe," was honored. It was not perfect but honest effort to help those incarcerated was there . 

With truth in sentencing, we went for 7000 to 22000 prisoners in a few decades and taxpayers money shifted from supporting education to supporting the prison system- WI instate tuition went from a few hundred a semester to 10,000, we now give twice the money to the prison sytem we do to education, 

Dewhite's case shows the failure of this system- We are working to end TIS and replace it with a working parole system along with changes in rules and law that demand and get accountability of the WIDOC  not just the prisoners, 

TAXPAYER ALERT:Some astounding, maddening statistics

 Taxpayer Alert

 We feel it is important that Wisconsin Taxpayers be aware of these staggering facts and how your tax money is spent:

 1. Were you aware the Wisconsin Department of Corrections gets 5.1 billion dollars from the years 2023 till 2025?

2. 22.4% of inmates are incarcerated for Drug Charges.

3. 9.8% of inmates are incarcerated for OWI Offenses,

4. 24.9% of inmates are incarcerated for Sex Offenses.

5.A Whopping 32.4%  of inmates are incarcerated for rule violations and no new charges..

6. Sad fact is the court sent inmates to Receive Treatment to return to Society as Productive Citizens. WI DOC  due to staff shortages and lack of transparency, does not even Honor Court’s mandate to give inmates treatment.

  Now comes the inexcusable statistic: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, which is tasked to educate your children, only receives one half of the prison budget- 2.5 billion for the same time.

 1. Don't your children deserve better from your elected officials?

2. Many students come from poverty conditions and there is only 120.32 million allocated for Nutritious meal programs.

3 .235,8 Million is allocated for mental health programs.

4. 10 million over 2 years for the public library system

 

Don't Be duped

 FOR DECADES WE have been running away from our problems and now have to face them. We have the tools. :

1) Problem: we closed our mental health facilities in the 80's and offered no alternatives. Today, most of the mentally ill who cannot afford private care, wind up in prison where there is no treatment except heavy drugging, 

WE need  to get effective and available treatment in our communities and avoid future incarcerations fo these vulnerable people but we must also treat those that are in prison now. They are funneled into obscene conditions in various forms of solitary confinement ( mostly called RHUs or Restrictive Housing units) BECAUSE they are too ill to be in general population. The WIDOC has no tools to deal humanely with this population and we need to give these tools to them- training , new rules and a treatment center.

THE WIDOC has been here before- A lawsuit mandated the building of a mental health treatment center for the Women's prison in Fond du Lac. Until the present mess, covid and lockdowns, it was working well according to two Former DOC psychologists.

here are some photos of the center from a DOC powerpoint document document:

links to the lawsuit complaint that mandated the center

link to the whole power point, tell of massive rule changes and training 

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger: Surviving Amidst Mental Health Litigation

FFUP's shortened version

COLORADO SYSTEM_ the model for all of us-

      they have no solitary confinement over 15 days and NO staff shortages.

Rick Raemisch, one of the main architects of colorado's new system now heads a foundation that consults with prison systems around the country on how to facilitate a similar healing.

   Rick raemisch on his night in solitary

    link to falcon organization web

    Article comparing CO and WI i 2016.

SECOND PIECE OF WHAT WE NEED:REDUCTION OF POPULATION

graph on population rise

Details on folks that need to be released: 

CA bill that lead to prison population reduction - factors most important were NO MENTAL  HEALTH TREATMENT and NO GENERAL TREATMENT

SUPPOSED TO BE DEPORTED BUT ARE STILL HERE.DECADES LATER

 

                                                     Lene Cespedes Torres
SUPPOSED TO BE DEPORTED BUT ARE STILL HERE.DECADES LATER

Lene Cespedes- Torres

https://lenescespedes.blogspot.com/2010/05/lene-cespedes-torres-stranded.html

https://lenescespedes.blogspot.com/

 

Juan Navarro 136027 NLCI 1979,75

Juan Navarro 136027 1979,75

 

 

Sonniel giddarisingh

Sonniel R Gidarisingh 287108 WCI

I Have known Sonniel since I started this work and never till now thought there was a way for him to see freedom as we had no allies with expertise in criminal appeals and all outside hope was ineffective. Now there is real help and hope. Sonniel has mostly been in solitary, abuse mightily by guards, a target. I lost touch for years after failing to help and we gather again with new hope the courts may be a way out.

 

From 9 28 2021 letter

I have a life sentence; I request Executive Directive 31 relief for deportation only. I was given a life sentence for a self defense act, I am requesting parole for deportation only. I have been incarcerated for over 24 years. April 2022 will be 25 years I am in prison. Link: 8031 petition of October 2020

PLease help alert the public. I was given a life sentence for defending myself against criminals who came in a private residence to rob me of drugs and money and they labeled me falsely as an opposing gang . The key prosecutor's witness testified that the two victims tried to rob me for drugs and money and they tried to attack me when I shot them. See criminal complaint, hearing Transcripts and trial transcripts of Robert outlaw. He was the prosecutor's key witness. “The two victims were Barry Booze and James Moore. They came into a private residence to rob me for drugs and money I didn't have and they labeled me a GD which is an opposing gang enemy to them they were vice Lords. I am not into any gang. They tried to physically attack me and I shot him in self defense. The judge acknowledged that of two victims was coming after me in a combative way when I shot him and he was considering giving the jury lesser included advanced offense instruction. This is included in trial transcripts. I did not send that. I also did the compass test this test is given to inmates and see if they will reoffend I score a low in all areas of reoffending. I did not add this in the 8031, but I sent all of this to Lieutenant farms Milwaukee DM, Mr Chisholm, Mr Josh Kahl. I had three inmates jumped me because of my case in GBCI. Three inmates that were Vice Lords gang. They jumped me. I reported this to security and they did nothing, then I was locked up on AC for years. Security filed false criminal charges against me.

 

 

nicholas Fischer innocent

 Nicholas Fisher  

Nicholas Fischer 686806 KMCI

52024

Hello Peg swan, love the name. I am Nicholas Fisher inmate at Kettle Moraine Wisconsin. I am writing to you because I am in desperate need of real help. Thank you for finding the time to read this. I'm sure you are very busy. I have so many issues in my case and it's a mess. I apologize for just jumping in here but here I go.

    First and foremost I was arrested in 2019 18th of March. As of  Me writing this 19th of May over 5 years now and still have never seen or received my full discovery. I am currently writing and waiting to hear back for the second time from  appellate's office on Final Notice to get my Discover before I move to court for demand. In the meantime while waiting on that I am currently working on 974.06. My judge 6th Branch Green Bay. John P Z a k o w s  k i.s  term is up this year and he may be retiring. So I'm trying to file review here to see what all the records department has so I can keep hopefully all transcripts. I do have a plea hearing and sentencing transcripts but I need to make sure of what has been said in all transcripts so the DA can't use something I say that I just remember against me.Cover all bases.

    In 2019 I waited two and a half months getting appointed George s P a p p a s Junior and one week later without having my discovery he waved my preliminary hearing. Now I have never been through this before and have no idea what is happening or what to do in any Court, he never responded to the letter or prepared me for court he just kept telling me to wait for discovery. Well here I am in 2024 well after appeal still waiting for discovery. No plea hearing transcript.(sorry this letter is going to be all over the place like I said I have a lot here. I'll try to condense as much as possible).

    Transcript reflects that there  is” defective colloquy”, State V. B a n g e s t, 131 W Is  2D  246,389. n. w. 2D 12(1986).Transcript clearly shows Mr Pappa's never went over the constitutional rights with me, then lied about it to the judge; then the judge stripped to me of my constitutional rights.

 Page two line 5-25 :5; we’re on for potential plea hearing and I've been handed a plea questionnaire and waiver of Rights form.

court,7:Nicholas, “I'm going to ask you some questions about this form. I know you signed it today. did you have enough time previously to go over all the information in this plea form? “

11:me:I'm sorry  12:Court: have you had enough time to go over all the information and plea form? 14:me: oh yeah 15:Court: with your attorney? 16: me: yep 17: Court: this is a no contest please. it says you're 39 years old. you got through 10 years of school? 20me: yup 21  Court: all right .me 22  sorry it's a little hard to hear. 24 court: that's all right, I don't have a very loud voice.

      page 3, one through 25: Court. now attorney Pappa's, did you go over his constitutional rights with him? 3Pappas;I did yes .-4Court, all right they're not-( can't read) 5 Papas: I didn't check them?6 six Court I'll check them off, Nicholas you understand you could have had a trial in this matter?9 nine: me yes( here I'm just following along not knowing I was waving my rights) 10: court and all of those trial rights are listed as constitutional rights, that's the right to testify or not test. you have a good attorney and could have presented evidence on your behalf, cross examine the states Witness. 15, yes. 16. court: the state would have to prove its case, every element Beyond Reasonable Doubt and then it would have to be a unanimous jury verdict. by entering your plea today you're giving up your rights to a trial. do you understand that?

 21 me yes 22 quart: attorney Pappas, I've looked at the complaint previously. are there enough facts you can stipulate to that would form a sufficient basis to accept this free today? page four Mr Papas: yes there are. the rest of this transcript the court  asks” a few things put these on record even though I know you went over it with attorney Pappas” the question that Papa's did not go over because showing the boxes were not checked were “deportation” “ I cannot vote” “ I can't own firearm or body armor”, asked if” anyone make any threat or promises or do you feel pressured in any way and having to sign this plea questionnaire” me: “No sir” (   I should have said yes). page 5 I could sentence up to the maximum if I thought it was appropriate. Do you understand that? me yes-

     From here it finds me guilty without following 977.08 procedure and the court mandated duties and state v B a n g e r t  mandate. Here the judge stripped me of my constitutional rights, entering an  incomplete plea, for and at no time did I articulate a plea for the record. I was never asked at no time for a plea. Attorney is not allowed to speak for me. I know from memory that throughout every Court I never pled also and sentencing all the DA did was mislead the judge and if the statement was in my discovery that I submitted to the PSI I can prove the DA and PSI committed perjury at sentencing. and using illegally obtained evidence that attorney Pappa's failed to suppress. The arresting officer approached me, asked my name and took my iPad out of my hand. I have an arrest report saying he asked me my name and asked to see my iPad. If there is a body cam footage of arrest and Discovery I could prove this. but again I have never seen full discovery. This would be perjury and Fourth Amendment falsified police statement. Yes, well after he took it out of my hand he did ask to see it. 5 minutes later and I did give him passcode but he already took it out of my hands and no “ exgent” circumstances  or warrant. from what I remember at the probable cause hearing the courts issued warrant then for iPad based on erroneous info and (??)”.”I need to see all the transcripts  to prove  that all that's in my memory is right.

Appeal attorney Matthew JBorkover of Remley and Sensenbrenner SC files motion and fails to bring up Bangart and plea Q and waiver issues. After our first court together and multiple requests for Discovery he failed to bring before court. He finally gives me the pleas hearing  transcript  then I find the boxes not being checked and in the  law library find SIV Lopez Outlining all this ask attorney why he never moved on this. and no discovery  throughout the plea multiple times pushing me to back out saying it will be hard and too big of a risk that I could get over 60 years. This is vindictiveness. I find years later. the judge in court did say I have appealable issue but after argument and still at this point never seen discover I  stupidly backed out of an appeal.

 

 Here is all the issues that inmates have brought to my attention( I'm sorry I can't spell and I'm writing too fast) first and foremost 5 years of illegal incarceration, no Discovery, never seeing a shred of evidence to justify my incarceration. multiple ineffective Council on two attorneys. I never plead. Court stripped my rights 4th 5th 6th 9th and 14th amendments, civil and unusual punishment. False Imprisonment,. Due process, B a n g e r t violation 971. 971.; the witness in violation of failure to act, I can show Reasonable Doubt, perjury on PSI and DA. I'm sure there's more.

 

 I'm innocent until proven guilty nothing in five plus years have I seen that proves Beyond a reasonable doubt that justifies my incarceration. since I never articulated a plea on the record because the court failed to ask me directly for a plea and my attorney is not allowed to enter a plea on my behalf. I am supposed to be asked directly. So since I never weighed my constitutional rights and attorney failed to inform me that my rights were to be waived and clearly never went over them with me by clear evidence of not checking off the appropriate boxes that indicates to the court and record that attorney reviewed with me. I never waved my constitutional rights causing the court to check off the boxes after I signed. entering an invalid and incomplete waiver of Rights for him and defectively plea colloquy. For the past 5 years I've been falsely imprisoned. I never had no time on the record contest To this incarceration and confinement. My conviction must be vacated as a matter of Law and this case must be dismissed with prejudice. As you see I need real help from a real attorney. I'm having a hard time reading cases  that outline these issues  and I'm drowning myself in notes, case law statutes. I have a 97406 packet from the LaIP and book they refuse me after waiting a year and a half and because I backed out of appeal I have no help from apellate office. I need Discovery. Inmates refer to Brady violation but I don't think that will work. I have real issues and feel there is enough here to just go on what I have. I'm trying to get this vacated and dismissed due to all these violations. I need help is there any lawyers out there that will take this? I'm running out of time and don't want another judge on this and the DA will shut me down if I mess this up. This is my last chance. Please help me  I can send you anything anyone needs. I have real constitutional issues and lawsuits. I know I said yes to the questions of Judge asking that screws me on knowing voluntary intelligence but the plea questions on transcripts, lack of knowing  I was waving my rights. and judge never ensured I knew the nature of the charge and I never seen the jury instructions to this day. I still really don't understand the charge at all that much first degree is rape and penetration. nowhere in these allegations is it said for me to plead down to 2nd and without Discovery I know there's no proof. I have a defense written up I want to submit to court. based solely on all I see the criminal complaint. I have a few letters from appeal attorney saying after appeal he's sending me some relevant part. All he sent was the cop being in my iPad and criminal complaint and plea transcripts after our first appeal. hearing.I had to buy the sentencing transcription.If  they have more transcripts here I'll have to buy them too. Please help me I'm innocent and all of this. It's not up to the other inmates to work on my case That's why we get attorneys All they did was wave my rights and put me in here  I know I'm not saying everything here there is more.

 Thank you for taking the time to read this.i can send you anything I have. Please don't just deny this. I've been shut down too many times already. Once they get you in here nobody wants to look at me.

 PS I wrote to Pro save partners, no response and wrote and sent the copy to the US Department of Civil Rights( gives full address) sent them a copy of the police report of them in my iPad but have not heard back hopefully by the time you get this out here back but about Discovery and see what transcripts are here. Please don't deny me. I have real issues and need real help. Please Thank you .peg

FFUP first response:

Nicholas Fisher 686806 KMCI

53024

Hello Nicholas,

It is 5am  and I just spent three hours on your letter- transcribing it using a free computer app.  Your phrase” I am drowning in docs and notes etc- resonated with me - I am drowning in prisoners’ letters, emails and calls and yet am determined to do all I can to see you get a voice- or at least a reading by me. So I read all but I can get to only some.

        I transcribed it because I need to send it via corrlinks to a main FFUP litigator guide and because It gives it a better chance to be read  by any one- I include a copy of the transcript in case you have others to send it to .

 I have never had luck securing a  lawyer although  I have been asking for lawyers to take on class actions.  So this will go to prisoner litigators that I work with and a newly released prisoner who is now working for a law fir as a paralegal. He has got himself out thru lawsuits and wrote the supermax classaction. He is also swamped at present but has agreed to screen cases for us- he will look at any of your submissions and give advice-so that is what I have- plus FFUP has other programs and I will see you get a newsletter- I am the intake worker for FFUP, founder and co-director and we have no staff- we have some great volunteers but not for intake and we have little outreach as yet- People come and go as burn out is endemic- hard stuff to do. Lots of pain.

You need to answer questions on the form I will paste below- A focused statement  in one page of what you just wrote in 8 pages- send to me and I will pass on

And with that ,you can consider us connected - we begin.This will go in the mail tomorrow the 31 of may and you will get it in two weeks or three. We will nix text behind sometime soon but for now- keep in good heart .I do not believe in accidents are we are all here to learn -you are at the right place t right time for your spiritual growth- that is always painful but leads to deep joy.

Yours, in friendship, Peg Swan

 

Forum For Understanding Prisons ( FFUP)

29631 Wild Rose Drive; Blue River, Wi 53518; A 501c3 non profit

Application for Assistance

Note: If you have an administrative or disciplinary problem, make sure you file a timely appeal or complaint and raise the issue you think you have before writing to this organization for assistance. If there are additional remedies you missed and we discover, they can be added by amending your initial filing. The time limits for complaints are designed to foreclose any court action that may be contemplated.

The main service we provide is prisoner to prisoner assistance- with limited assistance in with online guidebooks, case lookups, stamps.

Disclaimer: FFUP is not a legal firm and cannot provide legal assistance and will only share with the applicants opinions of what may be a meritable claim or issue on any given case. We have no licensed attorney on staff and cannot practice law. However , according to DOC 309.155 (5) Wisconsin Administrative code(WI adm, cd,), inmates are allowed to legally provide another inmate legal assistance which cannot be read by Institutional staff per DOC 309.04 (4-b) WI adm, cd and WI Supreme Court decision, Bounds VS Smith 97 S ct. 1497(1977)

Nicholas Fischer to Matthew Stechauner, litigator guide

Letter of many pages and then this summation:

Nicholas Fisher 686806 KMCI

Post marked 7224

 

Case summation

Case #19CF451/judge John P Zakowski

Brown County /Circuit Court/ Branch 6 WI

March 18th 2019 arrest- officer walked up and took my iPad out of my hand without warrant or exigent circumstances,. Later asked “can I see this:, then asked for passcode that I gave. I have not yet seen body cam to prove this. From what I remember, probable cause hearing March 20th 2019 issued a warrant for iPhone by simply saying” And I guess there's another device” without cause or who or what. Trial Council filed no motion to suppress, prosecution used illegally obtained evidence to persuade sentencing. I have never seen Discovery from arrest to appeal, trial Council failed to review case, defense or show me discovery. Council waived prelim 6 days after first seeing me and order for discovery. Judge accepted incomplete plea Q and waiver of Rights form. Trial Council never checked off the waiver of constitutional rights, he never went over with me, I signed form, the judge checked off the boxes shown in  prehearing transcripts. Judge failed to comply with procedures of section 971,08 And court mandated Duty set by State v B a n g e r t. I also never was asked for a plea, At no time did Judge ask “Mr Fisher how do you plea.” No pleas articulated for the record.In direct appeal attorney failed to raise any of the above matters. I currently filed a demand for Discovery and 974.06 on June 3rd 2024 the same day, after many attempts to receive discovery, I get a USB with supposed transcripts and discovery- five plus years after arrest. I am currently awaiting for judgment on 974.06  and never seen discovery and above material.Also currently I'm still waiting for KMCI to let me review discovery. I am in the hole. KMCI  staff shortage. I'm going to Max 60 days after June 4th 2024. in 2023- 2024, January to January, Waupun Lockdown; trying to bet on the lawsuit for 23- 2024 .

Sum of sum 

 I had a direct appeal. now I filed a 907.06.I have plea hearing transcripts and sentencing transcripts. 2024 June 5th received a USB supposed transcripts and discovery. 5 years 4 months after arrest. have not been able to review this as of me writing this. I have appeal attorney brief, criminal complaint, AKA police narrative sheet, arresting officers report

 I reached out to LAIP, was denied.

  

 

 

Posts by issues start

                               View from the top 

Corruption at heart of system.  We are holding people who should not be there. Resources must go to warehousing and the rehabilitation and safety goals are kept going in rhetoric only.   examples of former blogs and posts of groups of prisoners and  FFUP reports

              a)Blog of prisoners sentences as juveniles, now adults 20 plus years later: https://secondchanceforjuvenileoffenders.blogspot.com/

              b)why are we holding these people? old law prisoners 

              c)compassionate release anyone?

Then there is the truth in sentencing fiasco which bludgeons us with the fact that TIS inmates have and out date that is religiously respected ready or not prisoners under this law. are routinely dumped form prison with little or no resources /This while Old Law prisoners, all held at least since 2000, are held indefinitely for "safety reasons".

1)Kenny Warren proposes a new second chance program for all prisoners:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/kenny-warren.html2)David 

2)Anthony Pearson Jr seeks to improve conditions for all at GBCI: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/10/david-anthony-pearson-jr.htm

3)Wayne Brewer has plans to correct corruption:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/wayne-brewer.html

4)Aleasha Thiry tells her story in order to help others see that problems start WAY back when we are young:  https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/aleasha-thiry.html

5)Dewitt Faulkner a model for other prisoners:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/dewitt-faulkner.html

             

          REDUCE POPULATION BY Half with these populations:

Ron Schilling absurdly held/fine writing and musician- https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/ron-schilling.html

William Brocket, as "old law prisoner" has long been eligible for parole: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/william-brockett.html

Bryant Johnson, another old law prisoner, has lung disease- what is he doing in?https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/bryant-johnson.html

Corleon Thomas, TIS prisoner, a youngster with sentence too long: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/corleon-thomas.html

Roger Cose , old law prisoner, long eligible for  parole also write here on the disastrous  new table project: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/roger-cose.html

             Health Care/treatment 

1)Alphonso Lamont Willis has severe fish allergies, WIDOC has no solution: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/10/alphonso-lamont-willis.html

2)Todd Thorud, Astute Observer, now in need of "sedation Dentistry": https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/todd-thorud.html

3)William Weso , Native American and old law, needs addiction treatment and in vicious catch 22 about it https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/william-weso.html

4)Carlton Bullard starts with overview of our terrible prison health care system: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/carlton-bullard.html

5)Timothy Durley needing health care and working hard on his criminal case

https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/timothy-durley.html

6)Jeff Poff observes much : issues are innocence, lack of health care and right now- retaliation https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/jeff-poff.html

 7) Michael Evans has begged for mental health treatment since the beginning https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/michael-evans.html

  8)Bernard Kretlow needs sex offender treatment, finally got some and finds most people are kicked out before finishing:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/bernard-kretlaw.html

  9) William Steele  desperately needs treatment before release https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/william-steele.html

10) Raymond Woods shares what it is like being an "INMATE": 

https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/raymond-woods.html

11)Terrance Grissom, mentally ill ,one of many who came to prisoner on multiple misdemeaners and here 30 years later.https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/terrance-grissom.html

12)Luis Nieves has stage 4 cancer and had meds taken away 2023; https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/luis-nieves.html

13)Bryant Johnson, another old law prisoner, has lung disease- what is he doing in?https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/bryant-johnson.html

14) Matthew Stechauner, litigator, helps all, waiting for treatment himself:

https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/matthew-stechauner.html

                                  Harrassment, and RETALIATION

Bryant Howze, always under stress, is now experiencing severe retaliation:

https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/nicholas-fischer-innocent.html

Kuan Barnett, of the LGBT community, suffers severe harassment: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/kuan-barnett.html

Charlie Bliesner writes of incredible retaliation: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/charlie-bliesner.html

Jeff Poff observes much : issues are innocence, lack of health care and right now- retaliation :https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/jeff-poff.html

                                            wrongly convicted

1)Lene Cespedes -Torres :juvenile came with Mariel Boatlift, still here looking for some justice:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/10/lene-cespedes-torres.html

2) Nicholas Fischer , innocent:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/nicholas-fischer-innocent.html

3) Lonny Mayer has a big case and is looking for  lawyer

https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/lonny-mayer.html

old law prisoners 

4)Roger Cose:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/roger-cose.html

5)William Weso , Native American and old law, needs addiction treatment and in vicious catch 22 about it: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/william-weso.html

6)Timothy Durley needing health care and working hard on his criminal case:https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/timothy-durley.html

7)Jeff Poff observes much : issues are innocence, lack of health care and right now- retaliation :https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/jeff-poff.html

Matthew Stechauner, litigator, helps all. Scroll down for innocence bid: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/matthew-stechauner.html

Andre Tinnon, prisoner litigator guide, trying to prove innocence https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/andre-tinnon.html

broken Complaint system

1)Roger Cose   tries to exhaust remedies on the new tablet system               https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/roger-cose.html

Tablet

1)Roger Cose   tries to exhaust remedies on the new tablet system                https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/roger-cose.html

RELEASE

Tom Ploszay released without needed knee surgery -has "gofundme" post :https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/08/tom-ploszay.html

GBCI

David Anthony Pearson Jr seeks to improve cond-tions for all at GBCI: https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/10/david-anthony-pearson-jr.htm

WCI

Michael Weppert Was in WCI from 2008 till 2024 and wants to help us as we work to  restore rehabilitation instead of warehousing and abuse.https://ourprisonersspeak.blogspot.com/2024/10/michael-leppert.html

prelude

 This blog is under construction but the basic structure is here.

on the RIGHT are two main lists: one that collects prisoners documents and writing by issues and                                                                  one that list prisoners by last name

The main reason for this blog is that FFUP's advocacy is stuck. The WIDOC is in "defense mode" and is unresponsive to our concerns and too afraid of the public's ire against prisoners and too scared of losing more staff to do anything but give soothing platitudes. We must reach beyond out inner circles and build a power base that pushes for compassion and wisdom instead of unending revenge.

A major focus now is getting real relief for prisoners in our RHUs ( solitary confinement- "Restrictive hosing units") where conditions defy description. 

"animal in a Cage" by DarRen Morris

In "Summer 2024 Report On Solitary Torture" I gather documents and writings from prisoners representing the ongoing abuse . Most of these men  have family members who will step up and bear witness, so I am contacting investigative journalists to try to raise pubic awareness. At the same time FFUP is working on effective legislative and legal action with  litigators newly released and still entombed. We have tried all this before but now more people are listening thanks to the reports of courageous prisoners, the work of many activists, and the wonderful reporting of journalists.  

Now is the time to be real teachers- the easy solutions bandied about everywhere are not going to help. We cannot just close down prisons without a big time reduction of prisoner population and we cannot close solitary units without real mental health treatment. There is none in the state for those without money- the mentally ill too often end in prison because of the public's refusal to address difficult issues. Our "Out of sight out of mind" public mindset is no longer helping and we must begin the panful discussions and investigations needed.

This blog's basic structure is about done . Prisoners are invited to heave their own posts after which where they submit their writings and documents and I  quickly post and link them to posts and reports on same and similar issues. They get the link to thier poast and spread the word to family and friends.

FFUP gathers and learns and makes reports- and we all push for more accountability in every way possible. The solutions are available- the will to change needs to be strengthened. with this blog I hope to be able to gather the infinity that comes into mu mailbox, phone and corrlinks app.. The treasures I am given to safe keep and spread. I hope it will be a  major organizing tool for me

note: Feel free to contact me, and you can submit writings if you have personal experience with the DOC or want to comment on an inmate's post. WE will tolerate no hate speech and you must give full contact information in order to be posted. I will not post that info unless given permission but I need it in order to post, There are comment features on this blog and they will be monitored-

I believe prisoners are not their crime and that people change. Prisoners share with me what they are convicted of and tell that story if the choose but I do not ask nor am concerned with it except as it is needed in our work together. I believe that the confinement and loss of community of prison is the punishment. The mental and physical torture these men and women endure and we tolerate is a soul loss for all and a real crime perpetrated by our willful ignorance, We too can change.  

Peg Swan

Founder,Co-director FFUP

Forum for Understanding Prisons,  501c3 non profit

pgswan3@aol.com, 608-536-3993

29631 Wild Rose Drive; Blue River, WI 53518

William Weso , Native American and old law, needs addiction treatment and in viscious catch 22 about it

William Weso 334291
WCI. Native American, "old law prisoner"

 William Weso has been in prison for 24 years as an old law prisoner. Under the law then , he was and is eligible for parole after 25 % of his sentence but is still in, still needing treatment for his alcohol problem. The irony is that the prison is holding him when what he needs is provided y his tribe and fully supporting family. He is a member of the Forest County Potawatomi tribe which has the resources and will to help him become the person he so badly wants to be. 

read below, through fudging and contradictory rules , the WIDOC is warehousing hundreds of old law prisoners who should be out, one of the groups that keep our prisons stuffed, traumatizing for inmates and a huge money boondoggle for taxpayers. 

read his story:       

         William E Weso 334291   

NA, WCI bd1980, 44 / MR 5230/Parole Eligibility  05/27/2026 /MX 82624

William Weso 334291 WCI

72624  

   Hello in greetings. I hope that this letter finds you and yours with both health and. This is my only second time writing you over the years. My name is William E Weso 334291. I'm housed at the Waupun Correctional Institution. All I know is that you're an advocate for justice and for inmates. Let me give you a little background on myself.

  … I'm  locked  up  for three counts of attempted homicide of police officers. I was arrested in August 26th 1999. in the year 2000 I was convicted. I was given 15 years For each count to run consecutively. My first parole hearing was in 2010 but I weighed my rights to the fact that I was only in for 10yrs or so. I then reapplied for parole in 2022. The reason it took me so long to reapply was because I felt I needed to be punished for my crimes. in 2022 the Parole Commission endorsed me to medium and PRC went along with it. As soon as my paperwork got to Madison, they denied me medium status on the grounds of my assaulted Behavior. I'm still confused about my assaulted Behavior because I was only in two physical fights in all the time I've been incarcerated. I understand that I have a PMR not an MR in which they can keep me in prison for my entire sentence. So my first parole hearing they gave me a one-year defer but then I was shipped back to Waupun Correctional Institution, knowing I was moved out  of WCI because people were extorting me and because of my substance abuse problem. They agreed I needed a new Fresh Start of another facility so I was moved to Colombia Correctional Institution in 2018. I came back to Waupun in 2022 and ever since I've been receiving tickets. One for cell phone and all the rest for use of intoxicants. On my second Parole hearing they mentioned that I needed to take another look at my substance abuse problem and then asked if I knew what PMR means and I said I do. So in other words I better do better or else. They gave me 18 months defer in which my hearing will be held in November 2024. Now I'm 722/24 I received paperwork for my social worker Smith stating I have an upcoming parole Hearing in September 2024 and wants me to fill out these papers and have them back to her by August 1st. Not much time to do the correct things I want to do.

I have a very strong community and family support system  in place. I have more things waiting for me out in the world and most people do once released .I'm a tribal member of the Forest County Potawatomi tribe. I have professional people who deal with people in my kind of circumstances. I have ADOA counselors, a transitional living place if the board refuses to let me live with my mother. I have a traditionalist to help me with my spirituality. I will have a sponsor. I have my own money and vehicles already. I can apply for a new house and the tribe will give me a job. My tribe has a lot of programs and opportunities for me To succeed knowing that I have a severe substance abuse problem, I don't want to just be released to the Free World, I want to go into an inpatient treatment center to help get my priorities in place. I want to do things the correct way  in a healthy way .

   Since I've been back at WCI I caught over 10 major conduct reports and just about as many minor tickets. All relating to my substitution problem. My question is: is it right for the parole commission tonight I'm in Patrol just on the basis of my substitutes problem? That is a major problem that I have. I'm still trying to figure out what all this “assaultive Behavior’ they're talking about I have. I've been wanting to get in -depth treatment for my substance abuse addiction but this is institution doesn't have any. All my program needs are met except an additional  vocational  they added after I completed building maintenance and construction. Don't worry I'm not going to hold you responsible parole board doesn’t give me parole. I'm just trying to seek advise. .

     I thank you Ms Swan for taking the time out of your busy day to even read this letter. I will truly appreciate it if you could guide me in the direction I should go. I mean as far as who all to write and seek advice. If there is anything you can do or say to help, I welcome it with an open mind,heart ,hands  and spirit.   

 I would also like to know how I can donate to the things that you do for people please let me know as soon as you can.

 written and sent to 2424/ WCI RHU- b120

 sincerely, William E Weso  334291 WCI

 mailing address: 

William E Weso  334291 

Waupun Correctional Institution

PO Box 189

Phoenix, MD 21131