A Visit to Pennsylvania's Death Row

Linda Young, age 44, 2 grown-up children, live in the U.k. . I hate injustice and cruelty in any form. I like trying new things, reading, travelling, meeting new people.

I understand you recently visited the US, and Pennsylvania's death row, who did you visit there, and what is his relationship to you?

I visited Herbert Blakeney, he's my Fiance.

How did you meet him?

I met Herbert through an organisation called 'Lifelines', it provides penpals for inmates.

Where does Pennsylvania house their death row inmates?

Herbert's in S.C.I. Greene , Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

What is he convicted of, and how long has he been on death row?

In Feb. 2000 Herbert was convicted of the murder of his stepson.The murder was actually committed by a cop who had shot Herbert during an argument, thought he had killed him and murdered the child to 'justify' his own actions. Although badly hurt, Herbert saw the murder.

Have you any idea how he must have felt, and he was unable to do anything.Herbert was shot in the left shoulder, the right thigh, and when he held up his hands begging him to stop he was shot in the left hand. Because Herbert had turned his head to the left, this bullet went through his hand and lodged in his face!This final bullet resulted in the amputation of the index finger on his left hand and the surgeons had to peel back his scalp to remove the bullet from his right cheek so he has a horrendous zigzag scar across his scalp.

We have been fighting for justice ever since. I have seen all the paperwork, evidence etc. and even I can see it was impossible for him to have committed this crime! Because of the nature of the crime we are finding it difficult to get help. Some people appear to be more worried about their reputations than justice and are reluctant to help i.e. they won't take on the system and so an innocent man has to suffer for a cops crime! I guess at this point I should say that I'm not naive and I'm not a' Death Row Groupie'! I've did a lot of research before I committed myself to this and I have no doubt of Herbert's innocence. His family and I are in regular contact

Is this the first time you have visited him?

I have visited Herbert a few times. S.C.I. Greene is a relatively new prison

What does it look like on death row?

It is bright and clean.

Are the visits contact visits?

The visits are non-contact.the visiting area has a control room at one end and several small rooms down both sides. The rooms are numbered. The rooms are divided by a thick glass wall and a built in counter top. There are small mesh grills down both sides of the glass so we can talk.The prisoner has a chair. He is kept handcuffed throughout. The visitor also has a chair. Vending machines for candy and drinks are provided for the visitors but not the prisoner.There is a bathroom. If the prisoner needs the bathroom his visitor has to inform the guards and they don't hurry!

Visits can vary in length and number depending on what's happening in the prison. Because I came from the UK i was granted a special visit which had to be applied for months in advance. This time they gave us 4 days 9am-3.30pm but again sometimes this varies. It was great to spend time with Herbert although remember he had nothing to eat or drink during this time.

The inmates are treated with either indifference or something they've found in the gutter! It's heartbreaking. On arriving at the prison you sign in at the lobby. Photographic I.D. is required. Lockers are provided for personal belongings as the only thing you can take to the visiting area are some coins for the vending machines. The lobby officer gives you a small see through bag to keep it in. You're given a sheet of paper with the inmates name and the visiting area on it. Then you go through a metal detector and then your hands and clothing are swabbed down for drug traces. They're analyzed and if clear you wait to be called through.

When called you make your way through a series of automatic doors and corridors, showing the paper through the glass to guards in secure rooms. Reaching the visiting area you hand the paper to the control room guard. On leaving you reverse the process.No special papers were needed for the USA only the usual visa.

While you was here, where did you stay?

I stayed in the Comfort Inn in Waynesburg. You can see the prison from there, it's only a mile away. The hotel staff are used to prisoners visitors being there and are really helpful. The only problem is, because the prison is in the middle of nowhere there is no public transport or taxis in the area so you do need a car.

Were the people here friendly to you, and were the guards at the prison friendly?

At the prison the lobby guards are friendly if a little cautious but once you leave the area it's another story. I'm white, Herbert's an Afro/ American Muslim and every visit I've had to put up with smart remarks i.e. I should stick to my own kind, who does Herbert think he is to have a white woman, and on a previous visit I was followed on two occasions by a guard questioning me about my relationship with Herbert and pestering me to go to dinner with him! We did report this and get an' unofficial 'apology!

Will you return again soon?

Yes, after all that I will go back in fact as soon as possible. They might feel they have control of Herbert on Death Row but we won't let them control our relationship!

At this time if there is anything you wish to add to the interview please do so.

Website: www.enlightenworld.co.uk

Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/hb24332/petition.html

Please viisit Linda's website for more information, and to sign the petition she has for Herbert. I'd like to thank Linda also for this truthful and interesting interview.