[IMC-Atlanta] media opportunity: Hearing on Lee Arrendale State Prison

[sara]

Hey IMCistas!  I wanted to let you know about Senator Fort’s hearing on
Wednesday night on Lee Arrendale State Prison which is where all the kids
imprisoned as adults are held, an incredibly violent place.  The parents of
a young man who was murdered there in February will be making testimony
there which I know will be extremely compelling.  I also have profiles of
three of the boys who have been assaulted as well as a list of the violent
incidents over the last few months that I can send if anyone is interested
in covering.  Even if you can’t cover, come on out and listen, this will be
a very moving event.  

All the best to you,
Sara

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Legislative Hearing on Lee Arrendale State Prison

Wednesday, August 4, 2004
7:00-9:00 pm
Georgia State Capitol Building
Room 450 
Atlanta, Georgia 30334


Officials at the Georgia Department of Corrections have failed to protect
the children and adults who are housed at Lee Arrendale State Prison, in
Alto, GA.  Stabbings, rapes, and other forms of violence are a regular part
of life for Arrendale’s prisoners.  Since the murder of Wayne Boatwright,
an 18 year-old who was killed at the prison on February 22, 2004, there
have been at least 30 documented violent incidents at Arrendale.  This
level of violence is unacceptable at any prison, but is particularly so at
a prison holding children.

On August 4, 2004 at 7:00pm, Senator Vincent Fort will hold a legislative
hearing to learn more about what is happening at Arrendale from family
members and advocates.   

Please join us to share with members of the legislature your concerns about
the violence at the prison, and to send a message to the Georgia Department
of Corrections that it must do what's necessary to make the prison safe for
our loved ones, young and old. 

The keys to political power are voting and voicing our concerns to our
elected officials. Through legislative advocacy the families and friends of
the Georgia’s incarcerated citizens can call our elected officials and the
GDC to accountability for the care of the massive number of people in
Georgia’s prisons and jails.  

To RSVP or for more information on specific incidents of violence at
Arrendale, 

please contact Sara or Atteeyah at 404/688-1202 or email stotonchi at schr.org 
 



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we do what prisoners do
we do what the unemployed do
we nurture hope

- mahmoud darwish, 'a state of siege'
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