[Note: Friends of Justice is a personal blog. I speak only for myself.]
I finally heard from Joseph Allen today. Here are a few excerpts from his letter: (some grammar and spelling corrections were applied)
“The reason that no one’s heard from me or received any phone calls is because the prison on 10/10/13 put me in the hole because my case is high profile. And I’ve been in the hole ever since. I do not see how they can keep me in the hole because my case is high-profile. My case has been high-profile since November 1993. They seem to be doing everything wrong to me in trying to keep me away from talking to all the inmates. No inmates have ever given me a problem about my case. They know about it and they all speak well of me. They should not have me in the hole like this. They won’t even allow me to call anyone but one time on Wednesday late at night. Only once. They seem like they are trying to keep me from being in the news of from having freedom of speech. The prison staff wants me silenced. I need someone to contact me, some one to help put a stop to them holding me in the hole. I need a lawyer to come see me here so I can let him know what is going on against me in here by some of the staff.”
…
“I need to be out of here so I can make phone calls or talk with the inmates. I don’t have anyone I can talk to, being in the hole like this. They won’t even allow me to watch TV or go to the law library or religious services. All day and all night I see nothing but the wall of the cell. Most of the time it is very cold in the cell.
“And every time the CO’s take me anywhere they always handcuff me and my legs too. I haven’t been to any programs in here because they won’t allow me to say nothing in here. I asked them for a holy King James Bible and a dictionary and I still haven’t got them.”
…
“I do not read any newspapers or watch TV. I do not know if they will allow me to receive newspapers.”
There is no reason to keep Joseph Allen in solitary confinement and to subject him to this kind of inhumane treatment. I suspect the prison does this in response to political pressure. His innocence is likely a great embarrassment to some powerful people in Ohio.
Since Joseph is not allowed books, magazines, newspapers, or TV. It is important to his sanity that he receive cards and letters. Cards and letters will also remind the prison authorities that there are people outside the walls that care about him. His address:
Joseph Lee Allen
#A293-486
Lorain Correctional Institution
2975 South Avon Beldon Road
Grafton OH 44044
Joseph can’t get through this terrible ordeal without the help and support of his friends and people who still care about justice.
-Bob Chatelle
