From the minute he arrived at SCI-Frackville, staff asked him what he was doing there, as there was nothing there to offer him.
Douglas is a "lifer," recommended by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, 4-1, to have his life sentence commuted by Governor Casey. Douglas has an excellent institutional record. He has always been productive, keeping himself busy with schooling , video production, sports. In addition, he was elected for the second time to be President of the inmate organization, "Triumph."
Ironically, Douglas was transferred right before "Triumph's" annual family banquet. I was to receive an award myself, and was not allowed to attend. Ernest Preate, Jr., accepted the award for me, and stated in his remarks, that Douglas' transfer was an act of punishment.
Douglas is a Level 2, Y, inmate ("Y" meaning a "lifer"). He was housed on the Honor Block at SCI-Coal Township, where he had the privileges of a Level 2 inmate - 2 phone calls a day, showers were unlimited, just to name a couple of the privileges.
Douglas has this Level 2 status at Frackville, but now has lost all of these privileges at SCI-Coal Township. Since his transfer to Frackville on 5/20/99, he has been housed as a Level 4. He has no job, no schooling, and in order to not just sit in his cell all day, the only thing left to do is to go to the yard.
His transfer has placed an additional financial burden on me because he is unemployed. He had to pay an extra $5.00 to get re-connected to the TV cable, which I had already paid for. I had to send him money to cover the cost of forwarding his personal property from SCI-Coal Township to SCI-Frackville. These are just some of the expenses -- for a transfer that Douglas did not request.
Superintendent Frank Gillis, SCI-Coal Township, told Douglas this was a reward. How can transferring a man from a level 2 institution to a level 4 institution be a reward?
There are no other Level 2, Y, lifters at Frackville. Douglas is the only one. Central Office (in Camp Hill) stated it was a Level 2 transfer. Frackville has requested an administrative transfer back to SCI-Coal Township, or another institution that houses Level 2, lifers. We are still awaiting a decision.
Why, out of 200+ Level 2 inmates at SCI-Coal Township, did they choose Douglas? An inmate with an excellent record, who was so active and a role model for other men?
An inmate is supposed to be advanced and rewarded for his good behavior and achievements, not punished. Douglas' record does not fit this transfer.
An inmate is to be housed near his home. This is the reward given for doing well. The inmate is not to be moved across the state in retaliation.
Many questions remain unanswered.
Why did this vindictive transfer take place?
Is it because of my position as President of PA CURE (Citizens United For Rehabilitation Of Errants)?
Is it because Douglas and I are plaintiffs in the Pardons Board Challenge law suit?
You decide!
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