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<font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=3>April 30, 2006<br>
TO: Political Prisoner News<br>
Freedom Archives<br>
<br>
<br>
Some weeks ago, I received a list-serve communication on the excellent
Political Prisoner News website run by Freedom Archives. This particular
communication came from a political prisoner who was reporting about his
prison situation. In it, he reported, matter-of-factly, that he had
beaten up a "pedophile" who was in the same prison. While I
know and respect this prisoner, I found his report very
troubling.<br><br>
First, let me say that I know nothing about the "pedophile"
spoken about: who he is, what he was convicted of, whether he was
actually guilty, nor how he has conducted himself while locked up. Nor,
am I defending pedophiles or pedophilia. I am concerned about how easily
and broadly the term is sometimes used (and how it is too easily
associated with homophobia). But there is no doubt that the abuse and
exploitation of children is, in all its respects, reprehensible to
me.<br><br>
What troubled me in the original communication is understanding what is
acceptable in prison (or anywhere else) as "acceptable" crimes
and "acceptable" offenders. If you are a pedophile, however
that is defined, is it then perfectly okay to be beaten by other
prisoners? Is it because their crimes are against children or other
vulnerable people?<br><br>
In NYC, an already convicted alleged "drug kingpin" is about to
go on trial for ordering the murders of 7 people. It has been alleged
(and accepted by a previous jury) that he was responsible for the
distribution of thousands and thousands of kilos of crack cocaine. I do
not know whether the people who were murdered were drug rivals, innocent
bystanders or somewhere in between. It goes without saying, however, that
the massive distribution of drugs destroys entire families and
communities; countless number of people - the addicts, their children and
families, the children who are recruited to sell, and the others who were
killed or maimed over disputes about territory, power or respect. How
does a drug kingpin get treated in prison?<br><br>
What about the man who was just sentenced in NYC for a beating of a gay
man (allegedly by 3 men) that was so vicious that the victim is brain
damaged and will be partially paralyzed for the rest of his life? How
about anyone that may get locked up for the unintentionally killing of a
2 year old boy who was in the way when someone opened fire when another
group of men stared at him too hard? What about the person who came to a
middle school party on Long Island and, apparently angered over being
asked to leave, came back with a gun, opened fire and killed a 14 year
old honor student?<br><br>
What crimes and offenders are acceptable and which are not? How are these
decisions made? By whom? Using what standards? What are then the
sentences for what we determine are crimes? How do we determine
punishment? I do not presume to have any of the right answers. I did not
feel, however, that it was okay for me to be so troubled and say nothing.
I would hope that my concerns can initiate a conversation that can be
helpful to us all. Thank you. Susan Tipograph (NYC)<br><br>
Susan Tipograph is a New York based criminal defense attorney who has
defended political activists for over 30 years and has been a committed
member of the movement for social justice.<br><br>
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