[Ppnews] Support for PP Leonard Peltier

[Political Prisoner News]

SAN FRANCISCO - In a letter, dated August 1, 2011 
and released overnight to Native News Network, 
lead counsel for Leonard Peltier, Robert R. Bryan, writes::

"The conditions under which Leonard is presently 
confined constitute cruel and inhumane treatment. 
In view of his advanced age and poor health, it 
amounts to torture. What is happening is part of 
the government's long history of genocide of indigenous people."

Bryan provides a factual summary, based on prison 
reports, interviews and other documents, of what 
led to Peltier being placed in solitary confinement - the hole.

According to the letter, on June 27 a guard 
discovered Peltier had sent a 20-pound note from a lady in Scotland.

Bryan writes: "That it even arrived in his cell 
is suspicious because all mail, other than my 
legal correspondence, is opened, read and copied 
by prison officials
 An officer in a June 27 
report described find the currency while 
reviewing outgoing mail. And concluded 'that 
inmate Peltier was in possession of money that 
was not authorized.' As Leonard later wrote: "I 
did not do anything wrong. The mailroom gave me 
the currency. I was trying to get rid of it, by mailing it out."

Later that same day, guards conducted a search of Peltier's cell. They found:

"two wires protruding approximately two inches 
from 
 the wall above the corner post of the 
upper bunk" and claimed to have experienced an 
electrical shock when he pulled on them. Leonard 
explained that nearly a year earlier a former 
cellmate, since released, was 'manipulating the 
light fixture.' They argued about it with the man 
apologizing. Leonard had two other cellmates 
since then who never mentioned anything about 
wires. Until the search, he reasonably believed 
there was no threat to anyone's safety. In fact, 
neither the guards nor Leonard could even see the 
wires because they were concealed in a corner above the bunk bed."

During a subsequent discipline hearing on July 
21, which was administrative so legal 
representation was prohibited, the presiding 
prison officer did not find that Peltier had 
anything to do with placing the exposed wires in 
the cell, however he ruled: "that Peltier was
 
aware of the presence of the electrical wire 
[and] should have taken some sort of action to 
ensure that the hazard was removed."

Bryan writes:

"The punishment imposed on Leonard is appalling: 
'Forfeit Statutory Good Time: 100 days; 
Disciplinary Segregation: 60 days; Disciplinary 
Transfer; Loss of Commissary Privilege: 180 days; 
Loss of Visiting Privileges: 180 days."

The ruling is being appealed.

Bryan asks that people write to Peltier. Prison 
officials must read each letter. The address is:

Mr. Leonard Peltier
No. 89367-132
US Penitentiary Lewisburg
PO Box 1000
Lewisburg, PA 1783



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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