From: Nancy Lockhart
Listen to Anthony Papa and Attorney Jaribu Hill - The Scott Sisters
Anthony Papa, author of 15 to Life, discusses Haley Barbour's stipulation that Gladys Scott had to donate a kidney to her sister to earn a commuted sentence for both. (1minute)
Watch the full conversation at GRITtv: Freeing the Scott Sisters: Clemency and Race - http://www.blip.tv/file/4587955
(12 minutes)
The price of freedom from an overly harsh sentence in Mississippi? Apparently, one kidney. That's the promise Mississsippi governor Haley Barbour extracted from Gladys Scott--that she would donate a kidney to her sister Jamie in order for both of them to have their sentences commuted. The sisters had served nearly 17 years in prison for an armed robbery worth $11, and a prolonged grassroots effort finally paid off in achieving their freedom--though it may have more to do with Barbour's attempt at making up for his recent approving comments about the White Citizens' Councils.
Joining us to discuss are Anthony Papa, author of 15 to Life and manager of media relations at the Drug Policy Alliance, and from Mississippi, Jaribu Hill, executive director of the Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights.
* *
From: Nancy Lockhart
Date: January 4, 2011 10:21:33 AM EST
http://bigsole.blogspot.com/2011/01/mother-of-scott-sisters-discusses-their.html
Mother of Scott Sisters Discusses Their Release
By now many of you have heard the good news that this past Wednesday December 29, 2010, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour announced that he is suspending indefinitely the sentences of Jamie and Gladys Scott, African-American sisters who have been in a Mississippi Prison since 1994 on armed robbery charges. Despite neither sister having a criminal record, the two were convicted on the words of three teenage boys who confessed to the crime and received reduced sentences in exchange for testifying against the sisters.
Jamie and Gladys were ages 22 and 20 respectively at the time of conviction and each was sentenced to double life with no chance of parole for 20 years. No one was physically injured during the crime, and the boys who handled the gun and walked off with the $11 stolen, were released years ago. The sisters have maintained their innocence, but whether you believe they are guilty or not, most people concede, after hearing of their sentences, that Mississippi treated the Scott Sisters unjustly. And while supporters are overjoyed at Gov. Barbour's decision to free the sisters, the victory for many seems bittersweet. Jamie has been on dialysis for the last year and one condition of her sister Gladys's release, said Gov. Barbour, is that she donate a kidney to Jamie as soon as possible.
Nordette Adams talks to their mother, Evelyn Rasco who now lives in Pensacola Florida about their impending release. Mrs. Rasco, with the help of advocate Nancy Lockhart, has worked tirelessly for her daughters' release since their conviction. As would be expected, she is overjoyed that after 16 years, her daughters will come home.
MAINSTREAM NEWS REPORTS
From: Nancy Lockhart
http://www.wapt.com/news/26314528/detail.html
Governor Suspends Scott Sisters' Sentences
Gladys Scott To Donate Kidney To Jamie Scott
UPDATED: 5:08 pm CST December 29, 2010
JACKSON, Miss. -- Gov. Haley Barbour on Wednesday suspended the double life sentences of sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott, who were convicted in 1994 in connection with a robbery.รข•˛To date, the sisters have served 16 years of their sentences and are eligible for parole in 2014. Jamie Scott requires regular dialysis, and her sister has offered to donate one of her kidneys to her," Barbour said in a statement. "The Mississippi Department of Corrections believes the sisters no longer pose a threat to society. Their incarceration is no longer necessary for public safety or rehabilitation, and Jamie Scott's medical condition creates a substantial cost to the State of Mississippi."Barbour said the Mississippi Parole Board reviewed the sisters' case and recommended that he neither pardon them nor commute their sentences.˛At my request, the Parole Board subsequently reviewed whether the sisters should be granted an indefinite suspension of sentence, which is tantamount to parole, and have concurred with my decision to suspend their sentences indefinitely," Barbour said. "Gladys Scott's release is conditioned on her donating one of her kidney to her sister, a procedure which should be scheduled with urgency."Barbour said the release date for Jamie and Gladys Scott is a matter for the Mississippi Department of Corrections.In September, nearly 200 people rallied at the state Capitol asking Barbour to release the sisters.According to court records, the Scott sisters were found guilty of luring two men down a road near Forest, where three young assailants used a shotgun to rob the men.The Scott sisters had exhausted all of their appeals.
============
Dec. 29, 2010
GOV. BARBOUR'S STATEMENT REGARDING RELEASE OF SCOTT SISTERS
"Today, I have issued two orders indefinitely suspending the sentences of Jamie and Gladys Scott. In 1994, a Scott County jury convicted the sisters of armed robbery and imposed two life sentences for the crime. Their convictions and their sentences were affirmed by the Mississippi Court of Appeals in 1996.
"To date, the sisters have served 16 years of their sentences and are eligible for parole in 2014. Jamie Scott requires regular dialysis, and her sister has offered to donate one of her kidneys to her. The Mississippi Department of Corrections believes the sisters no longer pose a threat to society. Their incarceration is no longer necessary for public safety or rehabilitation, and Jamie Scott's medical condition creates a substantial cost to the State of Mississippi.
"The Mississippi Parole Board reviewed the sisters' request for a pardon and recommended that I neither pardon them, nor commute their sentence. At my request, the Parole Board subsequently reviewed whether the sisters should be granted an indefinite suspension of sentence, which is tantamount to parole, and have concurred with my decision to suspend their sentences indefinitely.
"Gladys Scott's release is conditioned on her donating one of her kidneys to her sister, a procedure which should be scheduled with urgency. The release date for Jamie and Gladys Scott is a matter for the Department of Corrections.
"I would like to thank Representative George Flaggs, Senator John Horne, Senator Willie Simmons, and Representative Credell Calhoun for their leadership on this issue. These legislators, along with former Mayor Charles Evers, have been in regular contact with me and my staff while the sisters' petition has been under review."
****************************************
Dec. 30, 2010
Sister's Kidney Donation Condition Of Miss. Parole
Unique Parole Condition: Miss. Inmate Must Give Kidney To Sister To Have Life Sentence Lifted
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has suspended the life sentences of two sisters convicted in 1994 for their roles in an armed robbery, but one sister's release is contingent on her giving a kidney to the other.
Gladys and Jamie Scott were convicted of leading two men into an ambush in central Mississippi in 1993. The men were robbed of $11 by three teenagers who hit both men in the head with a shotgun and took their wallets, court records said.
The Scott sisters are eligible for parole in 2014, but 38-year-old Jamie Scott "requires regular dialysis, and her sister has offered to donate one of her kidneys to her," Barbour said.
Barbour said in a news release that 36-year-old Gladys Scott's release is conditioned on her donating one of her kidneys to her sister.
Dan Turner, Barbour's spokesman, told The Associated Press that Jamie Scott was released because she needs the transplant. He said Gladys Scott will be released if she agrees to donate her kidney because of the significant risk and recovery time.
"She wanted to do it," Turner said. "That wasn't something we introduced."
Barbour is a Republican in his second term who has been mentioned as a possible presidential contender in 2012. He said the Mississippi Parole Board reviewed the case at his request and agreed with the indefinite suspension of their sentences, which is different from a pardon or commutation because it comes with conditions.
An "indefinite suspension of sentence" can be reversed if the conditions are not followed, but those requirements are usually things like meeting with a parole officer.
The Scott sisters have received significant public support from advocacy groups, including the NAACP, which called for their release. Hundreds of people marched through downtown Jackson from the state capital to the governor's mansion in September, chanting in unison that the women should be freed.
Still, their release won't be immediate.
Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps said late Wednesday that he had not received the order. He also said the women want to live with relatives in Florida, which requires approval from officials in that state.
In general, that process takes 45 days.
12/23/10
from - Nancy Lockhart
Dear Supporters:
Jamie Scott did receive dialysis yesterday however; there is still a major concern regarding this OSHA citation (#313634453). We are aware that black mold was found during an inspection but, additional toxins are not being confirmed and inmates have no idea what is in the Environmental Report.
Wexford Health Sources is the medical contractor for Mississippi Department of Corrections and my research shows that Wexford has this report. I rarely make assumptions regarding issues as such but, will assume that what is in this report may explain why Jamie has had such massive headaches. This report may also explain the sudden death of a health care worker inside this same facility. Wexford Health Sources has a history of law suits and medical neglect -- nation wide. Wexford is a prison medical contractor.
Needless, please contact the following individuals at Wexford and request a copy of The Environmental Report. Please do not become surprised when/ or if you are told NO. Please continue to call TODAY!
Call the following individuals and request The Environmental Report generated for Citation #313634453
Joe Ebbet (May be incorrect spelling of last name)
412.937.3614
Kelly Amos - Secretary - April
601-932-2880 Extension 6243
From Nancy Lockhart
Dear Supporters:
Happy Holidays from Jamie and Gladys Scott. Jamie and Gladys send their love and sincere thanks!
Jamie Scott has informed us that upon arrival for dialysis at 5am this morning -- she was turned away because of conditions within the Dialysis
trailer. Nurses stated that masks were distributed for medical personnel only but, the nurses have refused to wear the masks. (I have no idea as to
why)
Jamie has not received dialysis. Jamie Scott needs to be taken to the hospital where her dialysis treatment can be completed TODAY!
Her Schedule is Monday-Wed-Friday. Jamie states that when she lays down it feels as though fluid is surrounding her heart. Jamie also has another
infection!!
Please call Dr. Gloria Perry and ask that Jamie Scott be carried to a hospital for treatment.
Gloria Scott, M.D.
601-359-5155
gperry@mdoc.state.ms.us
In addition, OSHA has placed a notice of Citation on the door of this dialysis trailer. The Citation # is 313634453. It is my understanding that this Citation is a 90 day citation - Wexford Health Solutions which is the medical contractor - has 90 days to clean the mold. Non the less -- Jamie
Scott needs dialysis TODAY!
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Jackson Area Office
3780 I-55 North, Suite 210
Jackson, Mississippi 39211-6323
(601) 965-4606
(601) 965-4610 fax
Jamie and Gladys Scott both went before the Mississippi Board of Pardons and Parole today. Results from this hearing are unknown at this time. Please continue to call and e-mail governor Haley Barbour's Office in support of their release. Each call and e-mail is very important!
*Contact Information For Governor Barbour*
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733
governor@governor.state.ms.us
To: Blog Talk Hostesses/Hosts, Bloggers, Radio Station Hosts/Hostesses and Journalists
From: Nancy Lockhart, M.J.
Date: December 13, 2010
Re: Urgent Action Needed For The Scott Sisters
Media activities surrounding Jamie and Gladys' case are diminishing and pressure needs to remain on Governor Haley Barbour to release both sisters immediately.
Please assist us during Monday December 13, 2010 – Tuesday December 21, 2010 by talking about the Sisters and requesting that your listeners call, and e-mail Governor Haley Barbour's office in support of freedom for Jamie and Gladys. This time frame is chosen so that calls and e-mails reach the governor before the Mississippi State Government holiday.
Suggested Methods:
Bloggers – please copy and paste the information found in italics below in your blogs.
Blog Talk Hosts – Please place Action Needed For the Scott Sisters in your program headings so that The Scott Sisters rank higher in Google searches. Also, copy and paste the information found in italics into the Blog section of your Blog Talk Radio accounts. Please read this short script at some point in time during your programs.
Radio Stations – Please read the information below on your programs daily. Currently, Rip Daniels of WJZD in Gulfport, Mississippi (www.wjzd.com) is the only brick and mortar media outlet mentioning the plight of The Scott Sisters on a daily basis.
Whether the Scott sisters are innocent or guilty, any reasonable person can see that the punishment they’ve received doesn’t fit the crime. In addition, Jamie Scott is very ill and suffering from stage 5 renal (kidney) failure. Currently, it’s up to Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to commute their sentences and pardon them.
Each sister is currently serving double life sentences each for an $11 robbery – that's 4 life sentences between the two sisters. To date the sisters have been in prison 16 years. Let governor Barbour know that you 're seeking justice for the Scott sisters now!
Contact Information For Governor Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733
governor@governor.state.ms.us
Email the governor's personal assistant - Dorothy Kuykendal
DKuykendall@governor.state.ms.us
From: Nancy Lockhart
Dear Supporters:
Jamie Scott has received glasses and would like to thank all supporters for the persistent e-mails, calls and faxes. Jamie is very excited! Jamie has not received results of the CT scan as of yet.
Thank you to Mr. Richard Prince of The Maynard Institute for his most recent
interview regarding the Scott Sisters. The link is below and the interview starts around 18:44 minutes.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=4208
IF YOU WISH TO DONATE, PLEASE SEND MONEY ORDER TO:
MRS. EVELYN RASCO
P.O. BOX 7100
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32534
