Welcome to OH-FADS!

Ohio Families Against Disparate Sentences

Got a Loved One in Prison? Live in Ohio?

Apologies to all who have come seeking info at the FADS site and have left disappointed. Updates have been lacking and communications have been very limited due to several changes of location. We shall be back up with timely info on the progress of SB 149, judicial decisions in regards to pre-SB 2 sentences, and other Ohio prisoner advocate info. A new email address will be available shortly. ALL previous mailing addresses listed on this site are now invalid. Thank you for your patience and look for a renovated FADS site in the coming weeks.

We are FADS -- Families Against Disparate Sentences, a family-of-prisoners oriented group working to bring CHANGES to how men and women in Ohio prisons can achieve equality in sentencing. Currently, Ohio has substantially unfair disparities between those sentenced prior to the enactment of SB 2, July 1, 1996, and those sentenced afterward. It is our mission to bring FAIRNESS to all.

Parole Reform Bill (SB 149) Proposed by Senator Blessing lacks substance, according to critics. The bill is available for you to read and decide for yourself if it merits your support. Go to the Gongwer site or the ORC site (use the analyses link) listed below to read the actual bill as introduced. Send us your feedback.

Bills intro'd by Reps Coughlin and Damschroeder will permit random drug testing of state's prisoners and prohibit smoking on prison grounds. See Gongwer or state legislative link for info on HB 0349 and HB 0354.

MISSING CHILD HAS STATE OF OHIO SEARCHING FOR HER WHEREABOUTS

ERICA BAKER, a relative of this site manager, is missing. Please click on the below link for information about her and a link to the Missing and Exploited Children Network site.

ACTIVEDAYTON.COM

Ohio Supreme Court renders decision about retroactivity of SB 2.

Ohio Supreme Court overturns appeals court decisions in three separate cases related to post SB 2 legislation.

UPDATE -- JAN 13, 1999 -- In another defeat for prisoners litigating for equity in sentencing to SB 2 guidelines, the Ohio Supreme Court, using State v. Rush as its argument, today overturned appeals court decisions in Cuyahoga County that had allowed defendants convicted under pre-SB 2 statutes to serve time under SB 2 guidelines. Click below for link.

[Cite as STATE v RUSH(1998),__Ohio St.3d__.] -- OSCt denies any proposition that S.B 2 has any retroactive application under any section of old law or new law.

For the complete decision, go to the Ohio Supreme Court site, click on Opinions, click on 1998, scroll down to No. 97-1778, click and read.

Click here for Ohio Supreme Court site:

OHIO SUPREME COURT

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 10 part series on prosecutorial misconduct and the loss of the presumption of innocence in the US Federal court system is worth your while to read.

If the tactics of Ken Starr's prosecutorial team struck you as violative of guaranteed civil rights protection, and his nonchalant comments as to the "standard prosecutorial investigatory procedure" alarmed you, this series serves as an emergency flare in the darkness of our nation's current zealous pursuit of supposed wrongdoers in the War Against Crime that has been waging for over ten years. Read about the innocents wrongly prosecuted and imprisoned, all in the name of criminal justice. Just who are the real devils in this Faustian deliverance of our protected constitutional rights to the politically charged chambers of the prosecutor? Click here for link:

Win At All Costs by Bill Moushey

Recently, we received an email message about rumors circulating that the APA now has an option for TPVs.

Contained under Section 2967.141(B)(2) of the O.R.C., part of Amended Substitute SB 111 (eff March 17, 1998), the language is clear: The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, through its division of parole and community services, may operate or contract for the operation of one or more violation sanction centers as an alternative residential facility....A violation sanction center operated under authority of this division may be used for either of the following purposes. (2)Service of a sanction that the Adult Parole Authority or Parole Board imposes upon a parolee whom the Authority determines to be a parole violator because of a violation of the terms and conditions of the parolee's parole or conditional pardon.

Click here to access the O.R.C.:

Ohio Revised Code

Please note the following links to read more about the Youngstown private prison, prison privatization industry, and the huge profits that make investing in this industry an inducement for its continued growth.

Youngstown's Deadly Bargain by David Phinney
AND
Crime and Punishment by Ted Koppel

Americans With Disabilities Act applies to state prisons

US Supreme Court ruling:
Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections v. Yeskey, No. 97-634 (1998)
Argued April 28, 1998
Decided June 15, 1998
Held: state prisons fall squarely within Title II's statutory definition of "public entity," which includes "any . . . instrumentality of a State . . . or local government." Sec. 12131(1)(B).
JUSTICE SCALIA delivered the opinion of the Court.

What this means is if a loved one of yours has been denied entry into a prison program because of physical limitations or mental health reasons, you have grounds for a legal suit against the state department of corrections for violating the ADA.

CURE-OHIO NEW WEB ADDRESS now available here -- see below.

Apologies to all who have come seeking info at the FADS site and have left disappointed. Updates have been lacking and communications have been very limited due to several changes of location. We shall be back up with timely info on the progress of SB 149, judicial decisions in regards to pre-SB 2 sentences, and other Ohio prisoner advocate info. If you have accurate information on these or other prison issues, please contact us.

Families -- Senate Bill 182 is now here. Click on link below

The hue and cry against crime and for more prisons must be subordinate to the demand for BETTER SCHOOLS with MORE FUNDING for BETTER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CHILDREN!! Let your legislator know what your priorities are. Tell them a vote for Parole Reform is a vote for A Better Future for Ohio's Children. Urge your local Congressional voice to sponsor this most important issue. UPDATE -- According to reliable sources, Sen. Louis Blessing will be introducing legislation for parole reform during 123rd Session. For info, contact his office.

Prisoners do not all support SB 149, believing it does not go far enough. While we share their beliefs, FADS must inform the reader that bill passing process is often long and tedious. Amendments that address many of the concerns of the prisoner's letter will be introduced for consideration. You, the reader, be you family member, friend or foe of prisoners' rights, should read both and decide which you believe will achieve the objective of bringing equity to sentencing and justice to the parole process in Ohio.

If this site is ever unavailable for viewing, FADS has a sister site at http://members.tripod.com/~ohfads/index.htm Information at both sites is ususally the same unless noted as otherwise.

Our plans include:
* Exploring legal remedies to correct the disparities.
* Writing letters to legislators for CHANGES in
the law.
* Gaining the right of "liberty interest" for prisoners eligible
for parole.
* Informing the public of the current practices of the Ohio
Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC)
including:
* Ohio Adult Parole Authority OAPA full discretionary powers.
* Guidelines in use without mandatory enforcement.
* Retaliating against prisoners who file grievances or who
stand up for their rights.
* Funding expenditures that are excessive and wasteful.

These are just a few of the topics that will be featured on these pages.

We welcome letters of support, "whistle blowing," or just "blowing off steam."
*Prisoners, your identity will always be kept confidential unless YOU request otherwise.
Family members -- it is time to come out of the shadows and to support your incarcerated Loved Ones.

Let's face it -- Ohio now has around 48,000 prisoners in the 31 minimum, medium, close, maximum, and super-maximum security prisons, correctional reception centers, and boot camps that litter the state's landscape. And the state keeps building MORE!!! If WE, the families of prisoners and prisoners alike, do not get involved, then CHANGES will never occur. Let's make things FAIR now!!

WE are FADS
WE shall remain in force until the CHANGES we seek are Accomplished


Support, Advocacy Groups, Information, and Other Resources for Prisoners and their Families
CURE-Ohio CLICK HERE to go to Info on Progress of Proposed Parole Reform--NEW CURE-OHIO WEBSITE ADDRESS
PennPals -- Site Designed to Bring the Freeworlders and the Prisoners Together in Human Communication -- You must check this one out
Prison Librarianship Clearinghouse -- Added Jan 6, 1999 -- Useful Resource Site for Prisoner Litigation
Prison Reform Links
Family Corrections Network -- A US based Website about Families of Offenders. Lots of Folks With Sad Stories and Some That Make You Just Plain Mad!
Welcome to the Walls -- Family of Incarcerated Support Site. Get to Know George and Peggy and Visit the Arizona Prison System
Prisons and Penal Matters -- check this one out if you are looking for unusual and interesting US and Canadian prison site links
An Article by John Perotti

Law Suits
Death Penalty

Eyewitness Account of the Mansfield Uprising -- Not What the ODRC Told You
Ohio Death Penalty: Case of Kenny Richey -- An Innocent Scotsman -- Photo Added 10-3
Mansfield Riot on Death Row -- Wilford Berry
Sam Sheppard's Walk Across Ohio And The Results Of The Ohio State U's Survey On Death Penalty In Ohio ADDED 10-4
Death Penalty Update -- The Slaughter Continues -- ADDED 12-13
Kenny Richey Story As Told In The British Isles -- Followup Included
Death Penalty Site For JusticeNet
ACLU Death Penalty -- Working to Stop State Sanctioned Murder
Whatever Happened to Keith Lamar? Follow-up to Mansfield DR Uprising -- UPDATE -- Lamar and Skatzes are now entombed at the Ohio State Prison at Youngstown, the state's supermax
George Skatzes Personal Experience on Sept. 5 1997 during the Death Row Uprising -- -- A MUST READ

BILLS
Senate Bill 182 -- Parole Reform Bill introduced Oct 23, by Senators Jeffrey Johnson and Mike Shoemaker. Bill died in last assembly, but Sen. Blessing has introduced SB 149, available thru the government links listed above.
Open Letter to Sen Jeff Johnson about SB 182 and ESPRA -- What Prisoners Want in a Parole Reform Bill ADDED 11-12
Introduction to Parole Release Analysis Study -- ADDED 9-30 NOW ONLINE -- An Analysis of Parole Releases in Ohio Covering 6 Years (in text for easy download)
An Analysis Of Prisoner Release Data For The State Of Ohio -- Background Info On APA and Its Mission Statement And Purported Purpose
Evaluation Of Racial Data Pertaining To The Incarceration And Release Of Ohio Citizens
Evidentiary Examination Of The Parole Board's Actions -- Includes First Offender Retention, Career Criminal Releases And The Recidivism Rate In Ohio
Appendix -- Clarifies The Author(s)' Intent And Purpose In Conducting Study
HTML Version of Parole Release Study, Pt. I
HTML Version of Parole Release Study, Pt. II

FADS Introduction
Steve Gumpl open letter
Case of two petty burglars
Open Response to An Article in the Toledo Blade -- Headline News: Former TV News Reporter Displays Her Fear, Loathing, and Ignorance to the Reading Public

PRISONER STORIES

The Pearly Wilson Series -- UPDATE -- Pearly Wilson has received his parole and should be walking free soon! Congrats Pearly!
Runaway Parole Board -- Part I of Pearly Wilson Series
Rogues in the Courtrooms -- Part II of Pearly Wilson Series
Fear and Abhorrence: The Legacy of the APA -- Part III of Pearly Wilson Series
"S-O-L-I-D-A-R-I-T-Y" ELSE DIVIDED WE FALL -- Pearly Wilson Statement Calling for Prisoner Unity
Jailhouse Lawyer -- Scourge of an Unjust System -- latest from Pearly Wilson the Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Anti-justice System of Ohio

Little Rock
The Supreme Court Of New Mexico Decison (in part) Regarding Timothy "Little Rock" Reed -- HERE NOW -- Part One
The Supreme Court Of New Mexico Decison (in part) Regarding Timothy "Little Rock" Reed -- HERE NOW -- Part Two
The Supreme Court of New Mexico Decison (in part) Regarding Timothy "Little Rock" Reed -- HERE NOW -- Part Three, the Chief Justice's Opinion

The Prisoners' Side
4-15 And Fighting For My Life -- Experienced Litigator Charges Racial Criteria Is Key to Getting Paroled Added 9-24
Save Us All From The Purists -- An Open Personal Letter to Senator Jeffrey Johnson ADDED 9-30
Of Politics and Justice -- The Prostitution of Lady Justice -- A Prisoner's Opinion of Sen J Johnson's SB 182 ADDED 12/10/97
Statement of Intent and Announcement of Fast by Jake Walton
The Heart Of It ALL? -- Ohio's Expendable Citizens ADDED 10-1
When They Won't Let You Do Right! The CATCH-22 To Getting Sex Offender Program Treatment In Ohio Prisons ADDED 10-1-97. For more info about the lack SOPs in Ohio Prisons, contact Ohio-SORT
Fox Editorial
A Prisoner's Request for Responsible Reporting -- Tell the Truth about Truth-In-Sentencing
Enslavement Emancipation Equity -- Establishing True Justice In Ohio ADDED 9-27-97
Vonhoupe': Personal Account of an Ohio Prisoner's Travail with the APA
FADS APA BAD LAD -- More Injustice In the Heartland -- Punished For Good Behavior -- ADDED 10-23-97
Adequate Servings: Dining In at an Ohio Pen. This article has been removed at the request of the prisoners who wrote it because they fear retalitory action by prison officials. For a copy, email this site manager.
Education and Programs as A Solution: Essay by Wampler
Jake Speaks: A Prisoner's Challenge to Advocates
Hold the Politicians Accountable -- Promises, Promises
Terrence W. Hattie Press Release -- issued before courts denied his retalitation allegation
Paul Jasper Poem

THE WOMAN'S SIDE

Letter to the Editor -- The Unfairness and Trickery of the Judicial System When Seeking Plea Bargains
Battered Women -- From Domestic Abuse to Institutional Abuse
Women Offenders and the Ohio Parole Board -- An Insider's Experience

Particular Prison Stories
Orient Correctional Institution Fire -- Botched Behavior Modification Program Causes Inmate Protest
A Call for Outside Intervention -- A Prisoner's Plea for Ohio Legislators and Citizens to Get Involved
Conditions at the Orient Prison -- Unacceptable, Maddening, and Deplorable
Problems At Orient Prison -- Reprinted with the permission of Columbus Alive

PENDING BILLS - FUTURE LAWS - PAROLE REFORM LEGISLATION (SB159)
State Legislative Hotline -- check progress of bills thru state houses and use links to write your congressional representatives
Gongwer News Service -- current and proposed OHIO SESSION LAWS
Senate Bill 182 -- Parole Reform Bill introduced Oct 23, by Senators Jeffrey Johnson and Mike Shoemaker
Open Letter to Sen Jeff Johnson about SB 182 and ESPRA -- What Prisoners Want in a Parole Reform Bill ADDED 11-12-97
Sulzer's Slight of Hand: HB 555 UPDATE -- Sept.19 hearing begins court challenge to proposed HB 555
The Ohio Welfare Preservation and Crime Perpetuation Act of 1997 -- Or SB 111 Unveiled -- A Survey of ORC 5120.56 and ORC 5145.16

Ohio's Own Oversight Committee

CIIC Staff Position Paper -- Public Document, Free to Download -- Read For Yourself What the Inspectors Have Told the Parole Board
CIIC Members -- Names of Congressional Leaders Who Sit On the Committee

STATE RELATED SITES

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections -- Info on Prisons, parole board, Hire the Ex-Offender Program, and link to Old State Reformatory, aka Mansfield
State of Ohio DRC Budget for 1998-1999
Ohio Highway Patrol -- Site of the Investigative Branch of Ohio Penal System. Weekly listings of institutional employee arrests/convictions and other news of interest -- ADDED July 25 1998

NEWS MEDIA

Columbus Dispatch Policy for emailing letters
Columbus AlivewireD -- Alternative News for the Bold Minded
State Capitals Newsletters -- public safety and justice policies w/limited access, but ordering forms provided

If you want to contact us:

FADS

Ellen or Van Tenney
Address to be available soon!
Check back with us after September 5, 1999



Original articles submitted are published with a copyright waiver to aid in the free and unfettered distribution to the non-Internet public. We urge you, freeworlders, to post these articles on your community bulletin boards, and display them through any legal public forum. * Prisoners, please indicate in writing if you want your identity made known. All requests for confidentiality will be strictly honored.

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