MDOC prisons now have 163 confirmed cases of COVID-19 How are the prisons handling this? Temujin Kensu and COVID-19 |
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The average U.S. citizen will never give the issue of COVID-19 and prisons a second thought. Out of sight; out of mind. Thinking through the issues and taking preventative measures is the responsibility of the Michigan Department of Corrections. If you want to read about the steps being taken, you can go to MDOC Takes Steps to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus. Others (see below) are critical of MDOC's approach. How the prisons are responding has a direct effect on Temujin Kensu, a wrongfully convicted person PI has been supporting. Having been in prison for 34 years, many of his illnesses have been caused or exacerbated by the prison system. We make that claim based on the $320,000 lawsuit Temujin won against the MDOC specifically concerning his medical care or lack of. Now the Macomb Correctional Facility, where Temujin is held, has 42 known COVID-19 cases! The evening of April 2nd -- Temujin says the prisons are not following the Governor's policies regarding movement and separation and that they are under-reporting the number of cases or just not testing all the sick. With a compromised immune system, Temujin has just one cell between him and two inmates believed to have COVID-19. You can urge the governor to grant clemency or at the very least move Temujin out of the prison. See What you can do below. |
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Dave Sanders, PI Board member, has urged the Governor to act now to place Temujin in a safe environment and even better (and more just) grant him clemency. Sanders says, "It would be an incredible and unforgiveable tragedy for Temujin to succumb to COVID-19 when he is wholly innocent and nearing freedom after 34 years. He shouldn’t have a sad ending alone behind bars and concrete with justice denied." |
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What you can do Sanders goes on to say, "If you feel like doing some good while sealed up in your abode, please email the Governor and ask her to free Temujin from what we hope does not become a dungeon of death (Gretchen.Whitmer@michigan.gov). His case is already a dark stain on Michigan’s criminal justice system and the Governor’s inaction would make it that much worse." In addition to emailing Gov. Whitmer, the Innocence Project has set up a service where you type in your information online and then an automatic system dials the phone for you and gives you a script to help you know what to say. You are also free to diverge from the script and mention Temujin. You will leave a message and not interact with a live person. Click Here for an Automated System to Call Your Governor We know these things can be a little intimidating for some people, so we made a quick video of one of our people calling, so you will know what to expect. Click here. |
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Temujin sees the steps taken by the MDOC amounting to nothing more than window dressing. "Their efforts amount to no more than locking the prisoners in their cells while denying them showers, fresh air, exercise, access to the phone, and sporatically denying access to JPay, the prisoners' way of keeping in contact through email. They do not provide proper cleaning supplies, masks, and common-sense protections, but they do deny any visits and make no efforts to set up any visitation by electronic means." To read a more extensive description from Temujin, click here. This is a difficult time for everyone. Let's not forget those who have absolutely no choice in how they are protected. Let's speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. |
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Have some extra time on your hands? Here's a way you might consider using it. |
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The New York Innocence Project has put out a list of excellent movies, series and documentaries. We're sure there is something on this list you have not seen! If you have seen them all, then contact us! We have a job for you reviewing and publishing your reviews! What to watch while you are social distancing |
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Since publishing the Jan-Feb Newsletter, we have given Walking Free Fund money to two more exonerees and a third is pending. The meeting with Ramon Ward was the last home that Bill Branham has walked into, due to the pandemic. You can see all the Walking Free Fund recipients by going to this page on our website here. Below are the last two we have given to. |
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Ramon Ward $800 Ramon, 45, was convicted of killing two women in 1995, based solely on the testimony of a pair of jailhouse snitches and a document a Detroit homicide
cop claimed was Ward's confession, which he refused to sign because he insisted it wasn't true, With the coronavirus, he's a bit bored, but he's keeping safe and is grateful he is out! | | |
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Carl Bruner $800 Carl had always maintained his innocence and that he was being framed. His appellate defense argues that they were not allowed to cross-examine Carl's accuser because the witness was not present and his testimony in another man's trial was simply read in court. With the Coronavirus, Carl is making up spending time with his son at home. | | |
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Help Us Carry On This Important Work |
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Proving Innocence depends on a small number of supporters. Won't you consider helping us to expand our base and become a monthly contributor? Everyone can help through the Smile Program at no cost to yourself. Click the button to learn about different ways you can support PI. Thank you for helping us. | | |
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Keeping up to date The National Registry of Exonerations Annual Report |
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The National Registry of Exonerations has released it's annual year-end summary and analysis of exonerations up through 2019. There isn't a more thorough way to get a concise picture of what is going on, analyzing both the exonerations and the means of exoneration, such as the emergence of Conviction Integrity Units as a real game-changer. Click on the graph below to get your own copy! |
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