My Interview with Prison Activist/Advocate and AC Content Producer, Dee

A couple months ago, after having many debates on prison issues, Dee and I agreed to interview each other. Dee lived up to her end of the bargain, and she published an interview with me, allowing me to give my views within the confines of her questions. I now have the time to reciprocate and pose some questions of my own. In the spirit of Quid Pro Quo, I will allow her the opportunity to speak within the confines of my questions.

First of all, I would like to thank you Dee for giving me the opportunity to speak earlier this year. I would also like to thank you for your time in answering some questions of my own. I would also like to tell you that this is the first interview that I have ever done. So, please be patient with me.

Dee, would you give our readers a brief biography of yourself, including your level of education, class status, region that you reside in, and anything else you would like to add?

I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I have an Associates Degree in Biology. I have worked several different types of jobs in my life including animal care, farm work, factory, office, sales, and bar tending. I read tarot cards, and I am a self taught astrologer. I have a Reki Masters degree, which is a healing art.

I have many interests, book collecting, selling vintage clothes on eBay, reading and freelance writing. I am in the process of writing a Memoirs book. I have 2 children, 5 Grandchildren, and a large family.

I am founder of The Abolishment Movement, an educational death penalty site. I write to many inmates throughout the US. I am a prison rights advocate, and advocate for the death row inmates. Many really are innocent. http://abolishmentmovement.freeforums.org

Dee, it has become obvious to me, and anyone who knows you, that your are very passionate in your work for Inmate Advocacy, Death Penalty Abolishment, and Prison Reform. It would seem to me that there must be a very personal reason for your fervor. A person doesn't just start speaking out about issues like this for no reason. What are your reasons?

In the past when I was very young I was arrested, but not convicted. I have had several loved ones in prison, one for a long term. I have also been on the other side, and a loved one of mine was murdered. So I am somewhat familiar with the prison system, especially in Massachusetts.

One day, while on the Internet I ran across a pen pal site. I decided to pick a name and write the person a letter. That was the beginning of something that would grow into app. 75 pen friends. It was when I started to write to inmates from Texas, that I really became active in advocating for inmates. Texas has the most deplorable conditions, that no human being should go through.

Dee, Have you ever worked in Law Enforcement or within the Prison System?

No, I have not, but I do know several corrections officers.

Dee, what makes you feel that you are qualified to speak on these issues?

I belong to over 30 prison yahoo groups, know very many other prison advocates, and hundreds of inmates. I have learned a lot from all of these people, especially the inmates. I have thousands of letters and testimonials from inmates, who basically all tell me the same things. I believe it.

Dee, Have you or any of your family members ever been victims of a violent crime?

Yes, I have had a loved one who was murdered when he was just 26. He was stabbed to death. My daughter has been robbed at gunpoint twice in a convenient store.

Dee, why do you spend so much time and energy fighting for convicted felons?

I have advocated for women rights and animal rights in the past. I believe in human rights for all. I believe advocating for the rights of inmates, is a worthwhile cause. If I were in prison and was being abused, or neglected medically, or was being beaten, I would hope to find someone on the outside to help me, because you can't get help on the inside.

Dee, do you feel that maybe your energy would be better spent fighting for victims rights?

Victims already get support from the State, and other agencies. There really isn't anyone to listen to the inmates, but people like myself.

Dee, do you honestly feel that a cold blooded murderer should someday be reintroduced back into society?

No, never. He should be imprisoned for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole. I am against the death penalty.

Dee, Don't you think that releasing the murderer would be an injustice to the family members of the murder victim?

Yes, it would be. I hope we are talking about someone who the state is 100% sure is guilty. Many so called murderers have been released from death row because they have been proven by DNA or other methods that they were in fact innocent.

Dee, if someone murdered and raped one of you own children would you want them to do just a few years behind bars and then be set free?

No, life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Dee, why exactly do you find the Death Penalty, for people that had so little respect for other peoples lives, so repugnant?

Murdering someone to show society that it's wrong to murder is not the solution. It does not defer crime, nor is it less expensive than to house someone for life. Some are innocent, some mentally impaired. It's a barbaric act, and there is no humane way to kill someone. When a person is executed they write "Homicide" on the death certificate as the means of death.

Dee, do you feel that there are any circumstances a murderer should be subject to execution?

No, we have enough prisons, and more are being built. LWOP

Dee, in a lot of your interviews with inmates and their families you seem to take their side of the story as the truth or gospel if you will. I never see any interviews with the prison staff, victims, or law enforcement to get the other side of the story. You assume that these people (inmates and their families) are telling you the truth and by default you demonize the whole criminal justice system. Do you feel that is fair?

Well, I have interviewed you and one other corrections officer. I would be willing to interview a victim, prison staff, or anyone else.

Dee, isn't it true that it's just easier for you to speak out against the State without it's side of things represented?

Like I said, I am willing to interview anyone about prison reform, issues etc. I did ask a victim rights advocate for an interview but he refused.

Dee, what do you feel is an appropriate punishment for murder and violent crime?

Life without the possibility of parole. As a correction officer yourself, I think you will agree that prison life is punishment. They will be off the streets, but as long as there are drugs, there will always be crime. Instead of fighting the "War on Drugs" it turned into a war on human rights.

Dee, I want to thank you for this interview and if there is anything else you'd like to add at this time please feel free.

I think that most people think of prison how they see it in the movies. A bunch of guys sitting around playing cards. Statistics show that 1 in every 32 people in the US are either in prison, parole or probation. We incarcerate more people than any other country. The prison Industry is one of the biggest in our nation. There is something very wrong with that. Most crimes are drug related crimes yet President Bush cut drug education programs. Instead they are building more prisons.