I have been continuously housed in the Washington Correction Centers Intensive Management Unit as a pre-trial detainee/county boarder pending trial on five felony cases, one of which would be a "Third Strike" if convinced, since October 30, 2003.
Both county and prison officials claim they are justified in keeping me in the WCC/IMU because, a) the jail placed me on administrative segregation, b) I'm facing "Three Strikes" if convicted.
It is my understanding that I have a right to due process and due process was created to protect people from arbitrary actions by those acting under color of law. It is also my understanding that a pre-trial detainee possesses a "presumption of innocence" status. What does it mean if everything he suffers is justified by being convicted? Where is it written that the State may constitutionally punish a pre-trial detainee?
On March 14, 2005 I was in the middle of one of my trials for unlawful possession of a firearm. During any court appearance I appear at I am forced to wear a 50,000 volt electronic immobilization device (EID) otherwise known as the "Bandit." During the middle of my trial as I was sitting at the defense table and my attorney and the prosecutor were at a sidebar with the judge I was hit with all 50,000 volts for 8 seconds. The Bandit is strapped to my calf, usually so tight that my toes go numb, and it is in direct contact with my skin. These creeprectional officers are always threatening me and doing other weird things to my food. So after the shock of the Bandit wore off I was to say the least very pissed off.
I never dealt with a bunch of corrupt creeps like I am forced to deal with right now. And to boot they actually have the nerve to say that I'm faking and deny any responsibility by stating that there is no evidence to support my allegations.
In closing I would like to thank you for your newspaper and salute you for your dedication in letting people know the whole story.
- A prisoner in Washington