Could this be the Apache death row inmate you're looking for? This was on ndn-aim list.
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2002 13:00:04 +0300 From: "Brigitte Thimiakis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: A Prisoner Needing Help >From Valerie Scott, NAPS - [EMAIL PROTECTED] ==================================================== My name is Manuel Tomas LuJan, and I am a prisoner here at the Arizona State Prison. I am also a Native American, my blood is mixed - Apache/Tarahumara/Mexican. I am 42 years old and I came to prison in 1978. I was convicted of a 1st degree murder and I was sentenced to Death. I was given the Death Penalty. I sat on Death Row for almost one year. I was taken back to court and re-sentenced to a 25 to Life Sentence and a 15-year sentence, because as an adult there were no aggravating circumstances against me. I was 18 years old when I first came to prison and I have been here ever since. I picked up a 25 to Life Sentence and a 5-year sentence while in prison. Next year, I am eligible for parole. I don't think my chances are very good unless I can present a solid concrete parole packet. I believe if I could get enough people to speak on my behalf and support, a place to parole to, and a job, then I believe I would get parole. I want very much to live in Canada. I want to get paroled to Canada. It would offer me a new beginning and a chance of never ending up back in prison. I must let you know that I am locked down in a super maximum security lock down unit (SMU II - Special Management Unit). It is the most secure lock down unit in the United States. It is used to house only alleged prison gang members. And the only way out of this building is when a prisoner paroles or if the prisoner renounces gang membership. I am not a prison gang member, but I have been validated as one by the prison administration. The Constitutional and Religious rights of the Native American Brothers are constantly violated in this unit, and it's all done to try to break us mentally, spiritually and physically. Our living conditions are barbaric, as we are kept locked down in tiny one-man cells with no windows. We are locked in our cells 24 hours a day, except for three days our of the week, when for one hour, we are allowed to go in a rec pen situated outside our back door, one man at a time. There is no exercise equipment - there is nothing but a concrete four-cornered rec pen, with steel mesh on top. We never see the sun or moon. We never have any human contact with anyone. We are allowed to smudge once a week and only after we've sent a request form to a counselor. (In the past, we could smudge every rec day.) Our Native American representative was even fired and none are allowed to come inside this unit anymore to smoke the pipe with us. We do not have access to a sweat lodge. The only time we are out of our cells is to go back and forth to the shower, rec, and visits if one gets visits. The purpose of this building is to deprive prisoners of anything and everything normal. The environment is structured in a way to totally isolate each prisoner. In our cells, we are allowed a television and walkman (if one can afford to purchase them), 5 books and writing material. We are subjected to mental cruelty, as the environment itself can cause sensory deprivation and mental breakdowns. I have been locked down in super max since 1987, but I refuse to let prison life harden my heart and spirit. I am a very spiritual man and acknowledge Great Grandfather everyday. I write to you seeking assistance in printing my letter in any newsletters that you have access to in hopes of drawing attention to anyone who may be interested, capable, and willing to help. Thank you very much. Manuel Tomas LuJan #38752 Arizonza State Prison - SMU II P.O. Box 3400 Florence, AZ 85232 ===== NAPS (Native American Prisoner Support) http://www.hri.ca/partners/naps/ URGENT!!! Sign petition for Alex Montana: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ajm40/petition.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Visit and show your support for the Grass Roots Oyate http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate Clemency for Leonard Peltier. Sign the Petition. http://petitiononline.com/Release/petition.html ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1ddNB.b2HgmN Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
