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24 December 2010 By Stephen
Lendman Seven previous articles discussed
her case and status, explaining the gross injustice
against a heroic human rights lawyer who devoted her
career to defending society's poor, unwanted, and
unfairly persecuted - defendants deprived of due
process without an advocate like her. She knew the risks, yet took them
courageously, until prosecutorial injustice convicted
and imprisoned her for doing her job - defending an
unpopular client too vigorously. Interned on November 19, 2009 at
MCC-NY, she remained there until transferred. Her
family and attorneys requested FCI Danbury, CT close
to home, a facility for low security female prisoners
with a satellite camp for minimum security ones. No
matter. She was denied the logical choice for a more
punitive one. On December 18, her web site (www.lynnestewart.org)
broke the news, saying supporters can reach her by
mail at: Lynne Stewart 53504-054 FMC Carswell Federal Medical Center PO Box 27137 Fort Worth, TX 76127 The Federal Bureau of Prisons
says Carswell "provides specialized medical and mental
health services to female offenders." It's located at
the Fort Worth Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base. At over 2.4 million, America has
the world's largest prison system, a gulag, the shame
of the nation. Two-thirds in it are Blacks and
Latinos. Half are for nonviolent offenses, many for
political activism, including lawyers and other
notable figures like Lynne. Numerous previous articles
discussed it, explaining the gross injustice against
many wrongfully there. Those who know Carswell best call
it CarsHELL for its disturbing abusive record. An
earlier article discussed how young women die there
under "questionable circumstances," their families
denied autopsy information. Wherever women are imprisoned,
including Carswell, rape and other forms of sexual
abuse are common - prison guards and officials the
offenders. They also face beatings, isolation, other
mistreatment, and gross medical negligence, including
for prisoners most in need. Journalist Yvonne Ridley quoted
the Fort Worth Weekly saying Carswell imprisonment
"can be a death sentence for women prisoners." Lynne
got 10 years. She's 71, currently in good health, but
earlier battled breast cancer and another illness
requiring surgery while at MCC-NY. Without proper
care, she risks future health problems as she ages.
Incarceration in America's gulag, including at
Carswell, is no place to get it. Punishment in
violation of Bureau of Prison regulations is their
specialty, not proper care and treatment. Given her prominence as a world
figure, hopefully, she'll avoid the dark side of
prison life. The possibility can't be discounted, but
neither can the worst be expected. As Lynne says,
never lose hope. Indeed not, because losing it
abandons optimism for change that's only possible
through determined pressure. In today's America,
inaction is no option. In a recent letter to supporters,
Lynne asked them to resist, explaining she's
"operating in a parallel universe" like other
prisoners. She also felt removed but in touch, what's
harder now given her distant location from family,
friends and counsel, who can't drop in to provide
comfort or discuss Lynne's Second Circuit sentencing
appeal. If unsuccessful, the Supreme Court will be
petitioned for redress on her whole case, mindful of
the unfavorable political climate she faces. "But we are fighters," she
stresses. It's vital to "make deep footprints (at)
this dreadful time - that others may know and prevent"
what happened to her and thousands more treated
unjustly. She's "an incurable optimist," she says. "We
can't allow ourselves the luxury of giving up - being
armchair commentators rather than the warriors at the
barricades" for equity and justice. She's especially grateful to
contributors to the Lynne Stewart Organization,
Revolutionary Feminists and Partisan Defense
Committee. Readers able to help can get more
information from her site (lynnestewart.org).
Expensive legal fees require as much as supporters can
contribute. She mentioned that "Personally,
(she's) in good shape (except for) the ravages of
aging." In New York, she took daily walks, but the
food was "not only of poor quality, (it's) monotonous.
We also have had very sporadic hot water - no showers.
Miserable and we're very crowded." She had three
roommates - "tough but?? It's jail." She expected transfer soon. Now
it happened, but not where she hoped that would have
improved her New York confinement - "better food, more
outdoors and exercise, (and) more to do." Most
important was being close to friends, family and
counsel, especially her "big guy," Ralph Poynter, her
husband, impeded now from visiting easily. Lynne ended saying she hopes her
example "force(s) the issues and heighten(s) the
contradictions," ending with her signature: "Love, Struggle" She's a heroic role model deserving support at her time of need, facing nine more years unless granted redress at a very tough time when prosecutors demand cruel and unusual punishment, not mitigation. Silence, timidity, and inaction are no options against it.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening. http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/. |
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