3/30 SCOTT SISTERS UPDATE!

Greetings, all,

Mrs. Rasco and family safely returned from Mississippi on Saturday and Jamie has been returned to the hospital. She's been told that Jamie is scheduled for surgery this week to remove the painful and dangerous shunt in her groin and implant a permanent fistula into her arm to receive dialysis. Infection remains a concern, as well, and that is supposedly being dealt with. Jamie is still very weak and needs a great deal of assistance.
~~~~~~~~

The leader of the 3/26 press conference activity in MS was a no-show and the entire event was disorganized. This debacle was partially rescued only because of the people of Mississippi who were there. Mrs. Rasco and 11 family members came in to support this event. Approximately 50 people were in attendance and several supporters spoke, including Mrs. Evelyn Rasco, Jonette Primm, Chokwe Lumumba, Earnest McBride, Jaribu Hill, Mr. Powell, Bro. Clarence from Gloria's Kitchen and Gladys Scott's daughter, Olivia. Thanks to those who stepped in and handled things at the last minute and under great duress, the family is deeply appreciative. Part of the rally was aired on Mississippi Fox News and pictures will be posted here as soon as they become available. Mrs. Rasco wants to especially thank Gloria's Kitchen for feeding all of the children as well as Rip Daniels and Charles Evers for their continuous support.
~~~~~~~~

Free The Scott Sisters Now in Mississippi is collecting 10,000 signatures on the below letter, so please support and pass them on! Please sign and mail one in as instructed.


FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS NOW
Information Line: 1-888-600-5311

Governor Haley Barbour
P. O. Box 139
Jackson, MS 39205

RE: The Scott Sisters

Dear Governor Barbour:

I would like to bring your attention to the case of Jamie and Gladys Scott. These sisters have served more than 15 years of a double life term where no one was murdered or injured. State’s witnesses have testified to their innocence. Jamie Scott’s kidneys have failed and her health is fading fast. We need your help now. Mississippi needs to know that those of us who believe in justice and human rights are prepared to take a stand for the Scott Sisters.

FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS NOW!!!!!

Signed,

___________________________________
Truly Concerned

Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________


Please forward this letter of support to:
Free the Scott Sisters
c/o Attorney Chokwe Lumumba
440 N. Mill Street
Jackson, MS 39202
~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLOGGERS IN SUPPORT OF THE SCOTT SISTERS!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the days of blogging for the Scott Sisters on 3/18 and 3/25. These blogs will go a long way toward helping spread the word of the desperate and very serious need for help for these courageous women and their embattled family online and around the world. It's never too late to join in and blog about the case, please do and encourage all those who link to you to follow suit, we need the support as this is truly an each one, reach one effort!

Each week we would like to feature a supporter's blog so if your blog isn't listed, please send your link to nattyreb@gmail.com so that it can be.

FEATURED BLOG:

WHERE ARE THE MARCHES FOR THE SCOTT SISTERS? ARE THEY TOO FEMALE FOR THE JENA 6 TREATMENT?

My heart breaks for these women, their children and their families. Yet, I remain hopeful that we can do something. My only question is WHY haven't we done something yet?

Bloggers were instrumental in creating and pushing the Jena Six (or Jena 6) movement which culminated in some modicum of fairness for the six teens who were going to be royally hosed for some old bullshit.

I know that we can make that kind of change happen, but the response in regards to these two sisters has been "cool." Is it because they are women? I hate to say it, but I think so.

Mind you, I don't want to take on the tone of "Us vs. Them" as it relates to black men and black women, but I am pointing out that once again, black women are shown to be the least protected, least cared about group in this country (and the world in general). Maybe it's age old stereotypes about us that have helped to doom the Scott Sisters, what with people clutching to those as truth and eventually believing this two women were up to no good.

People are asking to "Free Weezy" but there's little fanfare from us as a black community to "Free the Scott Sisters" and that is being watched.
(Continued at http://www.rippdemup.com/2010/03/where-are-marches-for-scott-sisters-are.html#ixzz0kSQEynor)

FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS BLOGGERS! PLEASE JOIN THEM BY BLOGGING AND HELPING TO SPREAD THE WORD!

http://www.blackperspective.net/index.php/upcoming-day-of-blogging-for-scott-sisters/

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/african-american-political-pundit/665824572837e2e97d24c2dc6a1ddcb3

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/my-brown-eyed-view/aa018adc8afaef43eade79608347ad92

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/the-intersection-of-madness-and-reality/d29eb17e8dc8d4a55d7fd959a806fcca

http://conversations.blackvoices.com/entertainment/99435682aaea4564b24369ed6fc90973/free-the-scott-sisters/4a55e29dc2b84cd0b8e1b91eb7b55fec

http://eddiegriffinbasg.blogspot.com/2010/03/sister-jamie-scott-dying-in-prison.html

http://www.feministpeacenetwork.org/2010/03/25/free-the-scott-sisters/

http://frozenjustice.blogspot.com/2010/03/help-free-scott-sisters-wrongfully.html

http://hannington-hd.blogspot.com/
http://inheritingthetrade.com/blog/?p=1720

http://jessemuhammad.blogs.finalcall.com/2010/03/day-of-blogging-for-scott-sistersblack.html

http://lifeanddeathmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/travesty-of-justice-in-mississippi.html

http://luckyrooster.net/2010/03/25/reblog-from-luckyrooster-net-scott-sisters-injustice-in-mississippi-2/

http://marenda.biz/2010/03/mississippi-injustice-inadequate-medical-treatment-jamie-scott-needs-your-help/

http://nothingwillstandinourway.blogspot.com

http://ourcommonground-talk.ning.com/profiles/blogs/free-the-scott-sisters?xg_source=msg_mes_network

http://peace4missing.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2153128%3ABlogPost%3A108165&commentId=2153128%3AComment%3A108196&xg_source=activity

http://prisonabolitionist.blogspot.com/2010/03/scott-watch-international-day-for.html

http://www.reformingjustice.com/blog/Default.aspx

http://www.rippdemup.com/2010/03/where-are-marches-for-scott-sisters-are.html#ixzz0kSQEynor

http://rustbeltradical.wordpress.com/

http://www.solidarity-us.org/current/node/2747

http://streetvisuals.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/free-the-scott-sisters-325-day-of-blogging-for-the-scott-sisters.html

http://terryhowcott.com/greenspace.asp?id=1296

http://thefreshxpress.com/2010/03/fxp-alert-free-the-scott-sisters/

http://weallbe.blogspot.com/2010/03/tha-artivist-open-letter-to-bro-tavis.html

http://womenoftheafricandiaspora.com/2010/03/18/day-of-blogging-for-the-scott-sisters/

3/25 SCOTT SISTERS UPDATE!

NOTE: If reading this before 10:00 a.m. EST on 3/25, please tune into http://www.wjzd.com for a possible live Scott Sisters update from Mrs. Rasco on the Rip Daniels "It's a New Day" show if she's able to call in; she's been suffering from hoarseness as well as a poor telephone connection which may interfere with her ability to do so. Rip Daniels is a very dedicated supporter who starts each show off at 10 a.m. daily counting down how long Jamie and Gladys have been wrongfully locked down and tormented in that prison and will even discuss the case during some mornings on his program, so please check in as regularly as you can.

Mrs. Rasco and her entire family are in Mississippi to visit Jamie and Gladys as well as to participate in the 3/26 MWM/BWDL Press Conference scheduled for 12 noon in front of the Jackson, MS Capitol Bldg. at 400 High St. The organization is asking for letters of support for their campaign by 12 midnight 3/25 to be sent to nationalmwm@aol.com or officialmwm@yahoo.com. For more info call: 267-636-3802.

THE VISIT

Jamie has been in the hospital since 3/15 with a very serious infection, severe weakness, extreme pain and swelling. Jamie stated that she was "kicked out" of the hospital on Tuesday to prevent Mrs. Rasco from coming up in there and asking a lot of questions, in fact an extra guard had been placed there to make certain that Mrs. Rasco didn't come in there to see her. Jamie told Mrs. Rasco that she couldn't believe how her 4' tall momma caused so much worry among those prison officials!

She was abruptly moved to her old cell in the prison to await the visit with her mother and family to take place Wednesday for an hour, after which her family was to visit with Gladys for an hour. However, the Assistant Warden met them at the entrance and stated that some of the children weren't on the list to come in. After much wrangling and his personally searching the young men he permitted everyone to visit both women together BUT for one hour total, which actually ended up being less than an hour due to all of the wasted time spent being searched and with the Asst Warden on the phone rechecking names in the waiting area.

The family watched in tears as Jamie climbed off of a bus and limped slowly and weakly to the visiting area and questioned staff as to why she wasn't given a wheelchair, to which they had no answer. Jamie and Gladys grabbed onto each other and their family membersfor a very emotional reunion, especially for the children. Both women had lost quite a bit of weight, Gladys from extreme stress and depression and Jamie due to her serious illness. Jamie stated that she was told by the doctor that 6 catheter infections was much too much and that she never should have had so many temporary catheters, which blew out all of her veins where they were placed. She currently has a shunt in her groin which is extremely painful and must be surgically removed next week. She is scheduled to stay in her old cell until Friday, at which time she is told that she will be returned to the hospital.

Both Jamie and Gladys want all of their supporters to know that our activities are very greatly appreciated and that they want us to keep on! Mrs. Rasco and family are also very thankful and hopeful that together we can get those women released from this horrific situation soon! If we keep pushing and use our creativity to call attention to this case, it will happen! If you write, then write about it; if you sing, sing about it; poet about it; creatively perform about it; print out flyers and distribute them at programs and events, however you can do it, please help get the word out about the plight of these women, there's something that every one can do!

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The Days of Blogging for the Scott Sisters that happened on 3/18 and is so wonderfully happening again today will really help get the word out on the case in wider and broader areas of the internet and hopefully lead to much more support and national attention! Thanks so much to all of the participants and we will be posting links to all of the blogs that participated at the Scott Sisters site, so please send them in so that you can be acknowledged! Of course everyone is encouraged to continue blogging beyond today and please do!

We still don't trust that Jamie will receive adequate medical care once these hospitalizations are completed, which was proven by the fact that as soon as she was returned from the hospital yesterday she was put right back in that moldy building where she was originally housed! JAMIE SCOTT NEEDS TO BE HOUSED IN THE MEDICAL BUILDING. Someone as seriously ill as Jamie needs to be somewhere that she can get assistance in better living conditions, and that's not in the infirmary and definitely not in her original cell. The Medical Bldg. would give her access to her sister, Gladys, who would help her with her activities of daily living and monitor her condition, just as other family members incarcerated together there are permitted to do with less life-threatening illnesses than Jamie suffers.

We must keep pushing for media attention to what's going on and are continually pressing for nationwide press. A complete and in-depth examination of this travesty of justice must be exposed!! Please forward all of the info at the site to anyone, anywhere that can help to make that happen, the Scott Sisters need to go prime-time to apply enough pressure to make this Gov. do the right thing.

Jane Velez-Mitchell should do an entire segment on the Scott Sisters now that she is aware of the case, please contact her and urge her to follow-up her brief mention of the Scott Sisters on her 3/6 "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell" with a more significant segment that will focus on Jamie's serious medical condition and the Scott Sisters case period. The contact form is at http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/newstips.html

PLEASE TELL GOVERNOR BARBOUR TO GRANT INMATE JAMIE SCOTT, #19197, CMCF, AND GLADYS SCOTT, #19142, CMCF, PARDON AND RELEASE FROM PRISON. Neither sister is a threat to anyone and Jamie has a supportive family willing to care for her and obtain the medical care that she has not adequately received while in prison. These women are first-time offenders who have served 16 years in prison and are not a risk for recidivism, particularly with the gravity of Jamie's declining health. They must be released AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Thanks to everyone, please help to really spread the word as faras you can & ACT!

CHARLES EVERS INTERVIEW EXCERPTS W/MRS. RASCO

2/17 INTERVIEW EXCERPTS (INCLUDES HLN "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" MENTION) EDITED BY DARRYL MCCLAIN

3/25 DAY OF BLOGGING FOR THE SCOTT SISTERS!

PLEASE PARTICIPATE AND SPREAD THE WORD!

Thanks to the many excellent bloggers who participated in our initial Day of Blogging for the Scott Sisters on 3/18!! The notices didn't reach everyone in a timely manner and so we are happy to announce a new date for bloggers to unite around this case of Mississippi injustice and particularly to intervene in theprison's medical malpractice being suffered by Jamie Scott!

In early January both of Jamie Scott's kidneys shut down and she has been swiftly declining due to unprofessional medical care that is inadequate, cut-rate and frighteningly inept. Jamie was rushed to the hospital last week due to severe infection and the need for prolonged medical attention. However, Jamie continues to require ongoing close monitoring as when she is returned to the prison it is well documented that the medical staff there has provided abysmal health care in filthy conditions that have put Jamie's life at risk far too many times to be acceptable. Jamie needs to be released from prison,period!

We ask that bloggers put out calls for students, clubs, churches/temples/mosques, organizations, creative artists, media, politicians, community leaders, journalists, etc. to become aware of the case of the Scott Sisters and to make certain that all of their contacts are informed, as well. There is something that each person can do and we need to get Jamie home while she still has time to be with her family!

Thanks to all who will participate in this and help to raise the call to FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS throughout the blogosphere 3/25 and beyond! In the spirit of International Women's Month, please support our women! Please send notification of anyblog postings to nattyreb@gmail.com!

In conjunction with: http://www.blackperspective.net
For Immediate Release
Afrosphere Action Coalition – March 22, 2010
Contact: Marpessa Kupendua of the Committee to Free the Scott Sisters at nattyreb@gmail.com

Wrongly Convicted In Dire Health Situation
3/25 DAY OF BLOGGING FOR THE SCOTT SISTERS

On 12/24/93, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jamie and Gladys Scott for armed robbery even though three young males, ranging from ages 14 to 18, confessed to committing the crime and the women have unwaveringly maintained their complete innocence. Despite this, the corrupt Mississippi sheriff used coercion, threats, and harassment to compel the young men to turn state’s evidence against the Scott Sisters due to a long-standing vendetta against a family member. In 10/94 the Scott Sisters were sentenced to extraordinary double-life terms each, despite the facts that no one was harmed, neither sister had prior convictions, no weapon was ever recovered, and the amount alleged to have been taken was approximately $11.00. Even if they were guilty as charged, this sentence is completely outrageous and cruel.

Jamie Scott, who entered the prison system as a healthy young woman, is now suffering from complete kidney failure and other life-threatening medical conditions. Since January, 2010 Jamie has endured almost weekly severe health setbacks that the state has either outright refused to address or handled in a slipshod manner. Jamie has had weeks of serious infections that could have taken her life, has gone into shock, been given sporadic dialysis treatments, and suffered the state's refusal to provide her with adequate nutrition as required for her serious medical condition.

The Scott Sisters are now in their 16th year of incarceration and their five children and grandchildren are being raised by their now ailing mother. The defendants and their family are wholly dependent on support from the press, organizations, and all those dedicated to justice in making this debacle as public as possible. The lengthy incarceration of these women to date and their draconian sentences are completely shocking and must be challenged, enough is enough!

Mrs. Rasco and Afrosphere Bloggers are calling on the public to press the governor's office to pardon the Scott Sisters and release them, particularly Jamie who needs to be at home with her family during her very serious illness. Please ask that the media and politicians do an investigative inquiry about this tragic situation and the outrageous case of the wrongfully convicted Scott Sisters!

MRS. RASCO GRANTED VISITATION

Mrs. Rasco would like to thank everyone for all calls and e-mails into the prison. The prison has approved a special visit!

She thanks you ALL for your tremendous support!

Stay tuned for more updates...

MRS. RASCO DENIED VISITATION!

THIS JUST IN (3/16):

Dr. Gloria Perry at CMCF where Jamie Scott is an inmate just denied her mother, Mrs. Rasco, her three children and her two grandchildren from coming to visit Jamie this weekend. All six were denied by this doctor even though she knows they're highly upset at what's happening to Jamie and are extremely anxious to see her, and now with this surprise are even more worried than before!

Mrs. Rasco asks that everyone contact her office and ask why she is denying Jamie visitation with her family during such a critical time:

GLORIA PERRY, MD, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
(601) 359-5155
gperry@mdoc.state.ms.us

Thank you!
------
FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS!

3/16 JAMIE SCOTT MEDICAL UPDATE

Mrs. Rasco received word last evening that Jamie was rushed to the hospital in terrible pain with the intention of getting her pain stabilized and returning her directly back. She was examined by a doctor who determined that infection had spread through her entire body and that the veins in her neck had collapsed. He said he would not treat her pain and then release her back to the prison as they wanted because she would die from the blockages and the constant catheter infections. The doctor angrily stated that the MDOC had dropped the ball when it came to Jamie's medical care. He said she should have been admitted long-term to clear up her infection when she was previously sent there instead of quickly returning her back to the prison on antibiotics. He scheduled her to have emergency surgery to insert a shunt into her groin for the purposes of dialysis.

As of the time of this posting Mrs. Rasco doesn't know if Jamie is still in the hospital or back at the prison, as usual the prison is not forthcoming with information and the family is in a constant state of anxiety and extreme worry. All we can say with certainty is that the behavior of the prison is what is truly criminal when it comes to the medical care of Jamie Scott. The prison is well aware of everything that has been happening and is taking far too many risks with Jamie's life.
------------

PLEASE CONTACT POLITICIANS AND MEDIA

Congressman Bennie Thompson
3607 Medgar Evers Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39213
601-946-9003(ph)
601-982-5337 (fx)
Benniethompson@mail.house.gov

Congressman John Conyers
2426 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Ph: 202-225-5126
Fax: 202-225-0072
John.Conyers@mail.house.gov

(More listed at http://freethescottsisters.blogspot.com/2010/01/119-emergency-update.html)

3/14 SCOTT SISTERS UPDATES!

Greetings,

Jamie Scott still is suffering with infection in her catheter and her weakness has progressed to the point that she once again can barely walk. She was taken to the hospital where her neck was cut at least 3 times, which was extremely painful as the anesthetic did not kick in properly during the procedure. Proper catheter placement was unable to be obtained after approximately 2 hours of what was supposed to be a 30 minute surgery. She was given dialysis but her catheter remains infected. She was put on antibiotics and returned to the prison infirmary! Jamie was told that they would return her to the hospital on Monday to try once again to move the catheter and unplug it.

Jamie did want it to be known that during a particularly rough period for her where she was crying in the prison last Thursday, one of the nurses came in and rubbed her head and prayed over her and she and Mrs. Rasco wanted this to be noted in order to thank her for showing some kindness. Jamie is very grateful for everyone's support and asks that we keep fighting for her and her sister Gladys to be freed from prison!
===================

The MWM is spearheading a Press Conference on 3/26 outside of the Capitol in Jackson, MS at 12 noon. Details are available by contacting them at 267-636-3802 or e-mail: nationalmwm@aol.com or BWDL7@aol.com. Many people in the area are excited and ready for this to happen, so please do make plans to attend if you're able to be in the area on that day!
==============

Thanks again to Bro. Rip Daniels of WJZD radio (http://www.wjzd.com) for dedicating the first hour of Friday's show to the Scott Sisters, as well as all of his regular coverage of this case. Check into the station weekdays from 9-11am EST for future coverage and to call-in on the Scott Sisters' behalf!
~~~~~

Mrs. Rasco and Nancy Lockhart are scheduled for the Warren Ballentine Show at 10:15 a.m. Monday 3/15, please tune in at http://www.thetruthfighters.com/ and check it out!
===============

Please flood the office of Rep. Bennie Thompson with e-mails and calls to push for
medical help for Jamie Scott. Phone is (601) 946-9003.

TO: Benniethompson@mail.house.gov

Dear Representative Thompson:

Mrs. Evelyn Rasco, the mother of Jamie and Gladys Scott has asked me to contact you and formally request your involvement in the case of her daughters. I realize that you are aware of the wrongful conviction of The Scott Sisters, so I will not go in depth regarding that issue. The issue at hand is a medical crisis!

Jamie Scott's temporary catheter (for the purpose of dialysis) has been moved to her chest and is plugged up with green fluid and pus. Her hands and feet are swollen and she is in tremendous pain. She is very, very weak. This is at least her fourth catheter infection and this one is extremely bad. Jamie is doing very poorly. The prison is aware of her current condition yet, she remains in the prison infirmary. Jamie needs to be carried to the hospital and she needs to remain there until this infection is cleared.

Please assist Mrs. Rasco in getting the proper medical attention for her daughters Mr. Thompson. You may reach Mrs. Rasco at rqueenbee2222@yahoo.com

Jamie is in constant pain, her hands and legs/feet are swollen and she needs to go to the hospital. This is a medical crisis!

Respectfully Submitted,
(Your name)
=============

Jane Velez-Mitchell should do an entire segment on the Scott Sisters now that she is aware of the case, please contact her and urge her to follow-up her brief mention of
the Scott Sisters on her 3/6 "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell" with a more significant segment that will focus on Jamie's serious medical condition and the Scott Sisters case period. The contact form is at http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/newstips.html

PLEASE CONTINUE THE PUSH FOR MAINSTREAM MEDIA THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO WINNING THEIR FREEDOM!
----------------------------

Today and until Jamie is released, PLEASE ASK GOVERNOR BARBOUR TO GRANT INMATE JAMIE SCOTT, #19197, CMCF, COMPASSIONATE RELEASE DUE TO SERIOUS MEDICAL ILLNESS. She is not a threat to anyone and has a supportive family willing to care for her and obtain the medical care that she has not adequately received while in prison. She is a first-time
offender who has served 15 years in prison and is not a risk for recidivism, particularly with the gravity of her declining health. We are asking for her release AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

The compassionate release request is at Mrs. Rasco's site:
http://www.freethescottsisters.blogspot.com for your reference and information.

Thanks to everyone, please help spread the word & ACT!
---------------------

BE DIRECT BUT PLEASE BE COURTEOUS -- NO YELLING OR CURSING!
IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES, PLEASE PARTICIPATE!

Governor Haley Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150
Fax: 601-359-3741
(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)

Dorothy Kuykendall
Personal Assistant to Gov. Barbour
(601) 359-3150
DKuykendall@governor.state.ms.us
P. O Box 3150
Jackson, MS 39205

Christopher Epps, Commissioner of Prisons for the State of Mississippi
601-359-5600
CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Emmitt Sparkman, Deputy Commissioner
(601) 359-5610
esparkman@mdoc.state.ms.us

Margaret Bingham, Superintendent of Central Mississippi Corrections Facility
(601) 932-2880
mbingham@mdoc.state.ms.us
FAX: (601) 664-0782
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, Mississippi 39208

Dr. Gloria Perry, Medical Department (601) 359-5155
gperry@mdoc.state.ms.us

Attorney General Eric Holder
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

ALERT! 3/11 JAMIE SCOTT UPDATE!

Mrs. Rasco received word this evening that Jamie Scott's temporary catheter has been moved to her chest and is plugged up with green fluid and pus. Her hands, legs and feet are swollen and she is in tremendous pain. She is very, very weak. This is at least her fourth catheter infection and this one is extremely bad. Jamie is doing very poorly. The prison is aware of Jamie's current condition yet Jamie remains in the prison infirmary.

Mrs. Rasco is asking that everyone please call into the governor and Commissioner Epps to release her from the horrible conditions she is in and the poor medical care that she is receiving. Mrs. Rasco believes that Jamie is going to die in the prison if something doesn't happen soon and is calling out for all of the support that she can get.

CONTACT GOV. BARBOUR'S OFFICE
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150
Fax: 601-359-3741
(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)

CONTACT CHRISTOPHER EPPS
Christopher Epps, Commissioner of Prisons for the State of Mississippi
601-359-5600
CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

LET THEM KNOW THAT JAMIE SCOTT IS SUFFERING WITH PAIN, SWELLING, INFECTION AND WEAKNESS & NEEDS IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION OUTSIDE OF THE PRISON!

We also need to continue pushing for national media attention on the case, some focus has been achieved & we need to strike while the iron is hot! Jamie's condition is very serious and we need for as many people as possible to get involved with raising the demand for her release as soon as possible. THIS CASE DEMANDS NATIONAL ATTENTION.

Jane Velez-Mitchell should do an entire segment on the Scott Sisters now that she is aware of the case, please contact her and urge her to follow-up her brief mention of the Scott Sisters on her 3/6 "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell" with a more significant segment that will focus on Jamie's serious medical condition and the Scott Sisters case period. The contact form is at http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/newstips.html

Today's Newsweek blog ran a piece called: "Left Wing: Pardon Me, Governor Barbour" at http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2010/03/11/left-wing-pardon-me-governor-barbour.aspx Many of these blogs where the Scott Sisters are getting attention have comment sections that supporters can use to put out
updated information on Jamie's downward spiraling condition, there's only so much her body is going to be able to take and this needs to be emphasized!

PLEASE ACT AND REPOST BROADLY, THANK YOU!

3/9 MEDIA UPDATE!

Greetings all,

Here's some brief media updates, thanks to everyone for keeping their ears and eyes open and for continuing to put out information on the case of the Scott Sisters and especially the medical emergency that Jamie Scott is enduring within that prison hellhole.

TheGrio.com is an NBC site which also features an article on the Scott Sisters! The site describes itself as "the first video-centric news community site devoted to providing African Americans with stories and perspectives that appeal to them but are underrepresented in existing national news outlets."

The piece they did is at: http://www.thegrio.com/news/mississippi-women-fight-to-appeal-life-sentences-for-11-robbery.php so please check it out and enter your comments, there is a bit of a debate happening and your input would be great! Let's maximize this to the fullest!

This brief article has already led to another media source, the radio show "Keeping it Real with Al Sharpton" which today featured Bro. David Wilson who heads up TheGrio.com and is best known for the film "Meeting David Wilson" which aired last year on MSNBC. Hopefully this will lead to even more supporters and continue to build the momentum to a national demand for the release of these women!

Now that Al Sharpton cannot deny that he is aware of the case, there's no reason for him to not act on this knowledge on their behalf: http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net/contact.html

The hugely popular blog destination, The Intersection of Madness and Reality, also featured the case of the Scott Sisters today:

Where Are The Marches For The Scott Sisters? Are They Too Female For The Jena 6 Treatment?

Forward ever to more and more mainstream media coverage!

SCOTT SISTERS IN JACKSON ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER!

Bro. Earnest McBride wrote an excellent article on the 3/5 Scott Sisters rally held in Jackson, MS which is featured on the FRONT PAGE of the current (3/4-3/10) issue of the Jackson Advocate newspaper! Many thanks to Bro. McBride for this article as well as his top-notch and very informative blogtalk radio duties on the Empowerment Hour Online University along with Bro. Kermit Eady, which has featured the case of the Scott Sisters several times and together are broadcasting regularly towards their freedom! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eadyassociates

The Jackson Advocate newsclippings can be viewed at:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28041786/JACKSON-ADVOCATE-1A-FRONT

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28041845/JACKSON-ADVOCATE-10A-CONT

Forward ever to more and more mainstream media coverage!

3/6 HLN ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL

PLEASE USE THIS MEDIA TO GET MORE MEDIA, SPREAD FAR AND WIDE!

3/5 SCOTT SISTERS MEDIA UPDATES!

This is a Scott Sisters media report, let's keep sending info into mass media outlets and shine the light worldwide on this travesty of justice!
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From: http://www.my601.com/news/local/story/Ailing-Pearl-Inmate-Out-of-Hospital/c_ZJKUQBC0K-HxCnNp33Vg.cspx

Ailing Pearl Inmate Out of Hospital

Reported by: Kathy Times
Email: kathytimes@jxntv.com
Last Update: 3/04 8:19 pm

UPDATE - An inmate at the center of a state capitol protest is out of the hospital and back at the state prison in Pearl.
Last week, supporters of Jamie Scott demanded her release.

They say she needs a kidney transplant, and she is not getting adequate treatment at the state prison.

Suzanne Singletary of the Mississippi Department of Corrections says Scott went to the hospital last week for tests and “everything is normal.”

Scott is back at the prison.

The spokesman says inmates must be terminal or totally disabled before they're considered for medical release.

Scott and her sister Gladys Scott have been in prison for 15 years. Their supporters say they should not have been convicted for a questionable robbery that netted eleven dollars.

To follow the Scott sisters' case, click here. (Freethescottsisters.blogspot.com)
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And this fantastic piece by James Ridgeway!

From: http://solitarywatch.wordpress.com/about/for-jamie-scott-an-11-robbery-in-mississippi-may-carry-a-death-sentence/

For Jamie Scott, an $11 Robbery in Mississippi May Carry a Death Sentence

On February 25, a small crowd gathered outside the state capitol in Jackson, Mississippi, to push for the release of sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott, who are serving two consecutive life sentences apiece for a 1993 armed robbery in which no one was injured and the take, by most accounts, was about $11. Supporters of the Scott sisters have long tried to draw attention to their case, as an extreme example of the distorted justice and Draconian sentencing policies that have overloaded prisons, crippled state budgets, and torn families apart across the United States. But in recent months, their cause has taken on a new urgency, because for Jamie Scott, an unwarranted life sentence may soon become a death sentence.

Jamie Scott, 38, is suffering from kidney failure. At the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Pearl, where Jamie and Gladys are incarcerated, medical services are provided by a private contractor called Wexford, which has been the subject of lawsuits and legislative investigations in several states over inadequate treatment of the inmates in its care. According to Jamie Scott’s family, in the six weeks since her condition became life-threatening, she has endured faulty or missed dialysis sessions, infections, and other complications. She has received no indication that a kidney transplant is being considered as an option, though her sister is a willing donor.

Jamie Scott’s family and legal advisors believe the poor health care she is receiving in prison places her life at risk. They have sent pleas for clemency or compassionate release to Governor Haley Barbour, whose tough-on-crime posturing and dubious record on issuing pardons do not bode well for Jamie. The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) has a provision for what it calls “conditional medical release,” but Scott is not a candidate, department spokesperson Suzanne Garbo Singletary said in an email last week, because “MDOC policy provides that an inmate must have a condition that is ‘incapacitating, totally disabling and/or terminal in nature’ in order to qualify.” So Jamie Scott appears to be caught in a deadly Catch-22: In order to be released from prison, she must convince the MDOC that her illness is terminal or “totally disabling”; but the only sure way for her to prove this is to die in prison.

Cruel and Unusual Health Care

In telephone interviews earlier this week, the Scott sisters’ mother, Evelyn Rasco, described the treatment Jamie has received at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF), based on her own observations and information provided by her two daughters. Jamie, who has diabetes and bouts of high blood pressure, said that medical staff at the prison first diagnosed possible kidney problems in 1997–but until recently, she received minimal treatment outside of her regular insulin. Jamie’s physical and mental health suffered last fall when she spent 23 days in solitary confinement (for being found in an “unauthorized area” in the prison gym) and was cut off from her routine of work, classes, church, and occasional visits with her sister. Then, in mid-January, Jamie became seriously ill when both her kidneys began shutting down. She was sent to the prison infirmary and, after a week’s delay, taken to the hospital. There, doctors inserted a shunt in Jamie’s neck to allow her to receive dialysis through a catheter, and she was promptly returned to prison.

Rather than letting Jamie Scott leave the prison regularly for dialysis, prison authorities chose to truck in dialysis machines. About three times a week, Jamie has received hemodialysis in a trailer on the prison grounds—if the machines are working properly, which she reports isn’t always the case. At one session, Jamie told her mother, the blood was flowing out of her through a catheter into the dialysis machine—but it wasn’t flowing back in, so the treatment had to be stopped. At the end of January, another inmate looked in on Jamie, who was locked up alone in her cell, and found her unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors told her there were problems with the shunt inserted into her neck. They made adjustments, and she was again taken back to prison.

Evelyn Rasco lives in Pensacola, Florida, where she cares for her daughters’ five children while they are behind bars. Since Jamie and Gladys went to prison, Rasco’s husband of 30 years died of a heart attack; another daughter died of congestive heart failure; and her oldest son was away for several years serving with the Army in Iraq. In a letter to supporters last year, Jamie Scott wrote: “When I think of the word ‘strongest,’ I think of my mother. She is 4 feet 9 inches tall and has the strength of Job in the Bible.”

Rasco lacks the time and financial resources to visit her daughters often, but in mid-February, she managed to make the trip to Mississippi. When she visited the prison on February 18, along with Jamie’s 18-year-old son, Jamie was feeling sick but was able to make it to the visiting room. When Rasco returned two days later, she found Jamie in a cell attached to the infirmary. “She was real weak,” Rasco said. “She couldn’t walk.” An infection appeared to have developed at the site of Jamie’s catheter, which had filled with blood and pus. Nurses reportedly told Rasco that Jamie should be in the hospital, but the paperwork hadn’t been done.

Rasco said that when she entered her daughter’s cell, Jamie was sitting on the edge of a hospital bed with dirty linens, near a toilet and wash bowl that had not been cleaned. Prison staff arrived with a plate of food—a hamburger swimming in grease, some side dishes, and a cookie–but Jamie said it looked so bad she couldn’t eat it. The doctors at the hospital had given her a list of foods she should eat, including meat, fish, and vegetables, but they were not available, and she did not have permission to purchase food at the prison commissary. (That permission has since been granted.) So Jamie sat on her grimy bed eating a Snickers bar. “She sat right there with me,” Rasco said, “and tried to give me a piece.” Knowing it was the only nourishment her daughter was likely to have, her mother declined.

(Cont'd)

FULL ARTICLE IS ALSO HERE: http://www.scribd.com/doc/28142096/solitwatchjmp

2/17 CHARLES EVERS INTERVIEW W/MRS. EVELYN RASCO

INTERVIEW EXCERPTS (INCLUDES HLN "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" MENTION) EDITED BY DARRYL MCCLAIN

3/5 DAY OF ACTION FOR THE SCOTT SISTERS + MORE!

Greetings all,

Mrs. Rasco has not received any updated information from either of her daughters to report, but as soon as we learn something that we can share we will most definitely make everyone aware of Jamie's condition. Your phone calls, e-mails and support continue to be very much needed as not knowing what's happening day to day is extremely hard on the family.

There has been a lot of activity going on in Mississippi in support of the Scott Sisters, which is fantastic! There was a little mainstream ink achieved last week after the rally:

Rally at state capitol to free Scott sisters
Posted: Feb 26, 2010 11:59 AM
By Julie Straw

http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=12047900

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - For nearly 16 years the Scott sisters have been behind bars serving double life sentences. Their crime? Two counts of armed robbery. Thursday dozens rallied at the state capitol and voiced that in this case the punishment does not fit the crime. They wanted both sisters released.

34 year old Gladys Scott and 38 year old Jamie Scott have been behind bars for more than 15 years. The women were convicted of two counts of armed robbery from an incident back in December 1993. Three males were also involved in the robbery. Two of them were teenagers that testified against the Scotts.

Only $11 was stolen and no one was hurt, but a jury decided the sisters should serve two life sentences each. "The crime that these allegedly young ladies does not merit the double life sentences that they were given," said District 28 State Senator Alice Harden.

Both women are mothers. A blog, complete with pictures of their children and grandchildren, pleads for help. "This case has been through trial. It has had an appeal. It has actually had a post conviction. Usually after you get finished with all of that you're dead and buried. It's almost impossible to do anything, but we have to make the impossible possible," said attorney Chokwe Lumumba who is representing the Gladys and Jamie Scott.

Jamie Scott is in the hospital due to kidney failure. Charles Evers who organized the rally said a compassionate release from Governor Haley Barbour is the Scott sisters' last hope. "The Governor and I happen to be political friends. And I feel like if I have any influence with a man that's a friend of mine I'll ask him to release these young ladies because they deserve it," said Evers.

©2010 WLBT. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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GET READY AND SPREAD THE WORD FOR THE FRIDAY MARCH 5 DAY OF ACTION FOR JAMIE AND GLADYS SCOTT!

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is faced with the possibility of releasing 3,400 inmates because of budget overruns in his state. There is no reason on this earth that Jamie and Gladys Scott should not be among the very first considered, particularly with Jamie's rapidly declining health!

On Friday we are asking everyone to CALL and FAX GOV. BARBOUR, give your name and state (country if from overseas) and
let them know that the whole world is watching and that he needs to PARDON Jamie and Gladys Scott now! Please be courteous and leave a VM if there is no answer. WE WANT TO RING THOSE PHONES OFF THE HOOK!!

COMPASSIONATE RELEASE FOR JAMIE SCOTT, #19197!
PARDONS FOR BOTH SCOTT SISTERS!
PLEASE MOVE JAMIE SCOTT TO THE MEDICAL BUILDING!
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Please continue to sign-on to the Change.org petition for the compassionate release of Jamie Scott at
http://tinyurl.com/yfrj5g6 and pass the word!
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Empress Chi, coordinator of the MWM/Black Women's Defense League, is organizing a Free the Scott Sisters Demo and Rally in Mississippi on March 26, 2010. To get involved in planning this and for more information call 267-636-3802 or e-mail:
nationalmwm@aol.com or BWDL7@aol.com.
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Thanks to everyone, please help spread the word & ACT!

PLEASE CALL, FAX, AND WRITE AS OFTEN AS YOU ARE ABLE!

BE DIRECT BUT PLEASE BE COURTEOUS -- NO YELLING OR CURSING!
IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES, PLEASE PARTICIPATE!

Governor Haley Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150
Fax: 601-359-3741
(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)

Dorothy Kuykendall
Personal Assistant to Gov. Barbour
(601) 359-3150
DKuykendall@governor.state.ms.us
P. O Box 3150
Jackson, MS 39205

Christopher Epps, Commissioner of Prisons for the State of Mississippi
601-359-5600
CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Attorney General Eric Holder
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
HOTLINE - 202-353-1555

Emmitt Sparkman, Deputy Commissioner
(601) 359-5610
esparkman@mdoc.state.ms.us

Margaret Bingham, Superintendent of Central Mississippi Corrections Facility
(601) 932-2880
mbingham@mdoc.state.ms.us
FAX: (601) 664-0782
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, Mississippi 39208

Dr. Gloria Perry, Medical Department (601) 359-5155
gperry@mdoc.state.ms.us

WE NEED NATIONAL MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE!!

Please take a moment and fill out Oprah's Contact Form and tell her she must do a show on the plight of Jamie and Gladys Scott at https://www.oprah.com/plugform.jsp?plugId=220 Please include a link to Mrs. Rasco's website, http://www.freethescottsisters.blogspot.com


CLICK FOR COMPLETE PRISON/MEDIA/POLITICAL CONTACT LIST