11/2/09 SCOTT SISTERS UPDATE!

Jamie Scott has written extensively about the conditions of her unjust incarceration and recently submitted an update to share on behalf of herself as well as all of the women in the bldg. where she is being housed.

First, she remains grateful for all of the calls, e-mails and letters that went out on her behalf before, she is in a slightly improved situation. She is now under a warden who is treating her more fairly and has a job in the kitchen and so is finally able to at least get some time off of the unit.

Her main concern is the building itself, and states that it's the worst conditions she has ever lived in. She and others are in the part of the prison called "quickbed" because it was built so fast. It was only supposed to be built to empty the county jails and is not fit for humans to live in. When it rains, it rains directly into the unit. Mold is knee deep in the showers and they are unsafe with rain everywhere. The building has not had hot water for over a month and some of the women do not bathe at all. Jamie, herself, is sick with a bad cold as a result of bathing in cold water. They are supposed to have two microwave ovens there but don't have any, so they are unable to even heat up water to bathe with. When they ask the warden about this terrible situation, they are told that it is being worked on. Furthermore, she reports that the beds are not five feet from each other, when the policy states
they are supposed to be farther apart.

The "quickbed" is located at CMCF2/A-Bldg.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS!

1. LET OTHERS KNOW ABOUT THIS CASE. We need PEOPLE POWER and the only way to get that is to make sure as many people as possible know about the case of the Scott Sisters.

A. Subscribe to receive updates by e-mail by sending a blank e-mail (click here) and forward them out to your e-mail lists, post on message board forums, Facebook and MySpace friends, etc.

B. Print out and use the flyers to post in church bulletins, hand out at clubs, barbershops and public gathering places of every sort, you should only be limited by your imagination! Keep some in your car and/or your bag so that you can just grab one and hand it to someone wherever you are at, include one in your next mailing, please go to http://www.scribd.com/doc/28847395/Scott-Sisters-Flyer-Black-23-Mar-2010-20 and print some out!

2. WRITE ATTY GENERAL HOLDER & GOV. HALEY BARBOUR. Mrs. Rasco's attorney has advised us to flood these offices with letters calling for the release of the Scott Sisters and we need everyone to contact them at least once and let as many others know to do so as well.

SAMPLE LETTER:

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

The Honorable Attorney General Holder:

I am writing to request that you investigate the cases of Jamie and Gladys Scott. The Scott Sisters were given double life sentences each in October of 1994 for armed robbery in the state of Mississippi. No one was injured or murdered. One witness states that about 11 dollars was netted in the armed robbery. All witnesses and victims of this crime have testified that the Scott Sisters were not involved in the robbery. Witnesses testified that they were coerced and threatened to lie on the Scott Sisters.

A 14 year old witness testified that he signed a statement which was prepared for him before he entered Deputy Sheriff Marvin Williams’ Office. This statement was signed by the 14 year old without an attorney present. He was told that he would be released from the local jail the next morning if he signed it. He was not released.

This is an egregious wrongful conviction and the Scott Sisters and their family has suffered now 15+ years.

Jamie and Gladys Scott are housed in Pearl, Mississippi at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Their ID numbers are Jamie Scott #19197 and Gladys Scott #19142.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
----

Please also send a letter to Governor Haley Barbour:

Governor Haley Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
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3. SIGN THE PETITION FOR THE SCOTT SISTERS. This is quick, easy and something that you can easily do and instruct others to follow suit. We're sending these out to the White House, the UN, Amnesty Int'l, and others, so please go over there and sign onto it today! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Free-Jamie-Gladys/index.html

4. WE NEED MAINSTREAM MEDIA FOCUS. Please freely send in requests for radio/tv/print media to do stories on the Scott Sisters, we need that attention badly! For example, Oprah's last year is coming up and she should be pressured to do a show on this case, there's even a handy contact form for her that you can fill in online at https://www.oprah.com/plugform.jsp?plugId=220 that only takes about 10 seconds to fill out. Please let us know whenever you contact any media at all so we can keep track of how many people are actually doing this very crucial activity and can follow-up with continuing to apply pressure!

5. Finally, please write to the Scott Sisters and encourage them. Both women are suffering from depression and need to hear from you, it will only take a few moments of your time:

Jamie Scott #19197
CMCF2/A-Bldg.
B Zone, Bed 196
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, MS 39288-8550

Gladys Scott #19142
CMCF/B-Bldg.
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, MS 39288-8550

VISIT, FOLLOW AND LINK TO OUR WEBSITE: http://www.freethescottsisters.blogspot.com

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP at Free the Scott Sisters

Thank you very much for your support!

NOT ONE MORE YEAR OF UNJUST INCARCERATION FOR THE INNOCENT SCOTT SISTERS!!

"The case of the Scott Sisters is a travesty of justice," Bro. Chokwe Lumumba, Jackson, MS City Council.

Let's get 'em free, y'all!

10/1 JAMIE SPEAKS

Jamie Scott of the Scott Sisters continues to have all of the privileges revoked that she earned over almost 15 yrs. of unjust incarceration simply for going into the gym to use the bathroom without authorization. She remains isolated from all activities within the prison. Despite her efforts to seek relief, she has been unable to regain those privileges due to harassment from Deputy Warden Winkel. Jamie has been a model inmate in every aspect of prison life with no write-ups for all of these years. In fact, Vocational Education Director, Pat Owen, wrote of Jamie's work as a tutor in the literacy program: "Inmate Scott has proven herself to be dependable, hard working, and conscientious. She has demonstrated much patience and compassion in working with lower-level students. Her work at the school has been exemplary."
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9/09 -- JAMIE SCOTT SPEAKS about the circumstances surrounding the removal of her privileges and transfer to a more punitive building.

I have been on the grounds of CMCF for 15 years. Everyone thinks when you come to prison, you come to be rehabilitated. Well, that's a lie. Policy 20-05 states we are not to be discriminated against. Let's be real. Policy is a joke around here. All staff members are not low down and abusive with their authority but many are.

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9/18 JAMIE SCOTT/SCOTT SISTERS UPDATE!

Warm Greetings all,

Mrs. Evelyn Rasco and Jamie Scott's 18 yr. old son, Terrance, have been speaking out on blogtalk radio and are very grateful for any and all support! On 9/18 Bro. Ronald Herd, II, did a dynamic program with Mrs. Rasco, Terrance, and Bro. Chokwe Lumumba, who called in at about 45 mins. into the show. Bro. Lumumba shared his perspective on the case and strongly urged that calls, letters, mass media promotion, and rallies in Mississippi (such as that being planned by the MWM) be organized to build large numbers of supporters and put continuous pressure on the system there. Bro. Lumumba pointed out that this case stands out as being unique among the many others in that the charge is so "mickey mouse" in relationship to the horrific sentencing that these women received (double-life each). He also educated listeners on the responsibility of Black/New Afrikan people as potential jurors in the court system, and much more. This show is archived at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/weallbe/2009/09/17/Tha-Artivist-PresentsWE-ALL-BE-News-Radio and is definitely worth checking out!

Mrs. Rasco received the troubling news yesterday (9/17) that even though we were told that Jamie Scott had been moved to the Medical Bldg. at the prison, she in fact was not. Although Jamie did receive her medications thanks to the efforts of the many people who called and wrote, she continues to be held in a repressive bldg. under severe restrictions with all of the privileges she has earned for 14+ yrs completely stripped away, including school, work, the law library and church. This is significant in that, once again, the punishment does not fit the alleged "crime" of being in the gymnasium when she was not supposed to be, although she was admitted into there by staff. This is a political move because other inmates with similar infractions receive nowhere near the level of the punishment Jamie has been dealt, particularly since she has had no previous write-ups in all these many years!

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GREAT NEWS FROM JAMIE SCOTT!

Jamie Scott of the Scott Sisters was able to call her mother tonight and report that thanks to all of the calls that came into the prison, she was seen by a doctor and is receiving medication. She stated that she was not seriously injured when she fell on the oil that was placed on the shower floor.

Although Jamie was able to receive insulin, she stated that she had been without her blood pressure medicine for several months due to there not being a generic version available that the state would pay for.

She wanted to make certain that each and every person who responded to our urgent calls for assistance knew how much she appreciated the overwhelming response and remarked it was noted by the staff there when she was seen for medical treatment.

Thank you especially from Mrs. Evelyn Rasco, who has felt a tremendous burden relieved by just being able to know that her daughter is not seriously injured, though still in unjust captivity.

Forward ever!

9/8/09 UPDATE: Mrs. Rasco received word from the prison that Jamie was seen by the head of the medical department and will be moved to the Medical Building. Her proper blood pressure medication will be ordered and paid for. Mrs. Rasco and family are extremely grateful for all of the supporters making this happen, there is no doubt that it would not have otherwise!

WHERE IS JAMIE SCOTT?

9/6/09

Mrs. Rasco received an emergency call at 6:00 a.m. from inside the prison regarding her daughter, JAMIE SCOTT #19197.

She was told that oil was placed in the shower which caused to Jamie to fall and that she was taken away. No one knows how badly she may be hurt, or even where she is!

WHERE IS JAMIE SCOTT?

When i called the prison (Central Mississippi Corrections Facility)
at (601) 932-2880, i was told by a Nurse Wilson that no one, not even the inmate's mother, could be told whether or not Jamie Scott is in one of their hospital beds! i was told that the only other person i could speak to about it is Paxton Paige when he returned from holiday on Tuesday, and that he would tell me the exact same thing.

Calls have been made to the local hospital where prisoners are taken when they need treatment outside of the facility, but Jamie Scott has not been admitted there.

Mrs. Rasco needs to get answers some kind of way before Tuesday! We were already aware of a health emergency for Jamie and with this additional news we need to not only ascertain whether she is receiving her medications, but if she has suffered injuries and if so, what they are, and if she is receiving proper medical attention for them.

Any support that can be offered would be greatly appreciated!

We need help getting this information! Mrs. Rasco's computer is down temporarily, so please communicate at my address
(nattyreb@gmail.com).

Thank you and forward ever!

Sis. Marpessa.

9/4 URGENT JAMIE SCOTT MEDICAL UPDATE!

9/4/09 URGENT MEDICAL UPDATE!

Jamie Scott is a diabetic with high blood pressure and her mother, Mrs. Rasco, was recently informed that she has not been receiving her medications. Jamie requires two insulin shots per day, regular sugar checks, as well as pills for her blood pressure. Mrs. Rasco is fearful for her daughter's life!

Many of us have been calling the prison today to try and reach someone to discuss this with and have been getting the unaround.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We must get Jamie seen by medical staff ASAP to ascertain her medical condition. Here is her current location:

Jamie Scott #19197
CMCF2/A-Bldg.
B Zone, Bed 196
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, MS 39288-8550

One caller was told that she was moved to a "Quick Bed" and that A-Bldg. was closed, yet others were told that she was in A-Bldg.

Please contact these officials and tell them to move Jamie Scott to the Medical Bldg. so that she can be evaluated by a doctor ASAP.

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

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

Governor Haley Barbour
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150