prisoners in seg now needing encouragement and support

Can You Hear Me Now?

Please send these very lonely people a caring note.

We will keep a listing here of prisoners in trouble in seg. Just a brief note would mean so much , However, feel free to establish a long term relationship as you may find yourself being a tremendous vehicle for healing. The need is so great that often just a small amount of commitment is all it takes for these prisoners to turn their lives around.

We will start with these 6 people in Wisconsin segregation units. They are not allowed books from the outside, canteen, t.v. or much of anything in possessions. We are trying to get these rules changed it is slow. In at least two Wisconsin prisons, espcecially for the mentally ill , There is no fixed date for release from seg because they are on what is called "non Punitive segregation"which allows them top remain in isolation for years.

At present we are cooking up a newsletter with segregation prisoners to compliment our regular newsletter and are looking for people to help us type offerings. I have asked segregation prisoners who are writing us asking fro help ,minatining themselves to write for this blog- a way to help them keep focused and healthy . Two of the prisoners listed here regularly cut themselves . Many prisoners in long term seg end up spreading in feces and doing harm to themselves.

James Schmeisser #299335; WCI; PO Box 351; Waupun, Wi 53963
Hello to those who are caring, loving and understanding.
I am at this time under considerable distress due to my current situation.
I'm isolated for 24 hours a day 3 days a week and 23 hours 4 days a week .
I have no family support, moral support, friend support etc. As most people, I've made mistakes and my kids and I have suffered and I actually don't know what I do. The devil has been actively destroying everyone and everything in my life Including my attempts to be a better man. My back is against the wall and truly I'm suffering mentally, emotionally and physically. I'm currently housed in the segregation unit where I've been for 18 months. I need help badly, structure, a family, friends who'll understand me and my present situation.
I am a good person and very open minded. I'm loyal, charming, funny, understanding, goal oriented man who's in love with life and one who has curiosity about the world. I'm honest also. I write a lot of poems, music, books short stories etc. I have goals. ideas and aspirations I want to share with someone who is willing to listen.
I'm willing to correspond and hear from women anywhere on God's green earth. Race is not important nor age, 18 and up. Please take some time to write me a few lines. I'll be waiting...

James has written an in depth description of his life in solitary and we will be posting that soon

Shawn Matz #264654 WCI; PO Box 351; Waupun, Wi 53963

Shawn Matz is another prisoner who has begun writing us from WCI. I have tried to send in books and been denied. Here is what he says: “Ms Swan, I have cut my throat with razors, glass and metal and wasn’t suppose to live through any of those incidents. My arms are so scarred I don’t even look human any more. And yes, I do get teased and laughed at quite a bit by staff and other inmates. However, they don’t understand that the only way I feel alive or human is when I can see the evidence of my mortality flowing from my veins and the only way these people here respond is by stripping me naked and putting me in a cold cell but then a few days later putting me back on the tier declaring me “OK”. But I’m not okay, Ms Swan and I don’t know how much more of this I can take. The doctor cut off my anti-psychotic meds and everyday I want to cut myself but because these people will use it against me to keep me locked in here I try and resist the urge. I don’t know what to do any more.”

He has more to offer for this blog, Coming soon.

Matthew Schumacher #369487 WCI; PO Box 351; Waupun, Wi 53963

Matthew was moved from the Boscobel Supermax after a lawsuit prohibited that ibstitution from housing mentally ill prisoners. He wsmoved ot WCI , Waupun Correctional Institution, Where conditions are arguably worse, as there is less oversight. He is having a truly horrible time. We hope contributing to the newsletter and web may help him cope.

Following is from his first letter. Four of the men listed here are asking to be transfered to CCI, ColumbiaCorrectional Institution. Matthew explains why:

I do want to go to CCI, for a couple reasons. First and foremost to get my medication started and get to the SMU unit where I can take programs and speak to clinical staff when ever I’m not feeling good. Here, no clinical will speak with me “or anyone else for that matter” unless I’m on observation. Also, I’m tracked to be put on AC. I’m going on two years in seg. right now and have no idea how long they plan to keep me on AC. Here( WCI) at the highest level we can obtain in seg. “level 3”, we are only allowed our tv and radio and visits over a camera. That is the same property AC guys are allowed also. AT CCI on the level system and AC you get your property, “personal books and magazines and photos”, also can order canteen and get contact visits. Here we are allowed nothing and have to read old books off of WCI’s book list. Being able to have photos and cintact visits with my family would be huge as they are what get me thru in here and are a big part of my life.
I’ve also been told that at CCI I can see out my window and open it. That’s huge for me as I love seeing the outside and it helps calm me, specially having a life sentence. I understand that no max is good , but as far as conditions, I’d rather be at CCI. And At CCI I’ll have better chance of proving myself to staff and security that they can put me in population without any trouble. every day sitting in these rooms here is a struggle and it doesn’t make it ant easier with the staff here. And getting to CCI where I can have my personal books, I can get back my religious, educational and legal books.

Brian Locke#96897 Green Bay Correctional Institution( GBCI); PO Box 19033; Green Bay, Wi 54307

Brian Locke is fighting for his life and for the betterment of all solitary confinement prisoners. He is manic depressive and writes me several times a week from his cell in Green Bay, pleading for placement in Columbia, where A/C prisoners are allowed property . This is the man who has looked into the changing for the administrative confinement rule and given us all , perhaps , a way to make a very big and positive change in the whole system.
Note: addendum on Brian Locke not included- will discuss on phone call if appropriate. Here is link to article on Locke.
here is the link to an Isthmus newspaper story on him :http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=22710

and his blog post::http://mentallyillinprison.blogspot.com/2008/08/brian-lockes-story-diagnosis-illegally.html. In it is the story of the court testimony of Brian's former psychiatrist, who tesitifies he was fired for refusing to illegally change Brian's diagnosis. We have long suspected that convenient changes of diagnosis' were gojng on but here we see proof. Brinsa remains in the most draconian isolation and is manic depressive- a very volitile combination.He also, At minimum,asks to be transfered to a prison where he can have books and magazines tv and property.

Steven Stewart , WSPF; PO Box 9900; Boscobel. Wi 53805
Again, for Steven, we have asked the DOC that he be allowed to have books and magazines from the outside to start and have not succedded in getting even this for him. He needs letters and cards.

Steven Stewart was a very sane man. Visits with him were much fun. He is now in trouble after years of segregation. There is a cycle here. The treatment is very degragding and most people do act out and are here in segregation in the first polace because they lack self control. The only reaction to misbehavior, no matter how minor , is punishment-i.e.: more degrading treatment. Once you get your coattails into one of these units, it is hard to get out. Some people within the system have tried to help Steven get to population but it has not worked. He has severe health problems and is a difficult case. He needs friendship most of all right now. His mental health has deteriorated dramatically in the years we have known him.