Ep: 6 - Death Behind Bars - COVID in the jail systems - LIVE

Hear a live reading of a letter an inmate wrote to legislators, the Warden and others regarding conditions in jail.  These sentiments in this recorded letter are shared across the nation for many inmates pleading for their lives during COVID. This inmate - is my son. I have 2 in the system, so this effort to exploit and seek to resolve the lack in these facilities hits close to home.  Several do not have advocates in their lives to be their voice, and even those who do, the voices can fall on deaf ears if it starts and ends with them.  Group advocacy is powerful. Many inmates do not have protective equipment handed out to them, and many do not require staff to wear them or be tested upon entering or leaving their for their shifts.  There are several coalitions and movements to become a part of to help the fight in getting inmates released who fit the criteria of having low level offenses and/or specific ailments rendering them more helpless than most if affected with the respiratory disease. Common (the Rapper) has started the #meetoomovement, to which I have joined, among others:  2017 Bail Act Reform, ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), Color of Change, and several others.  One of our State Representatives here in Illinois, LaShawn Ford, has held Facebook Live events with local and national organizers to advocate for the rights of incarcerated citizens. The leaders of these organizations; Mark Carter, Tyrone Muhammad, Benny Lee, interviewed inmates right on the show, and this letter you're about to hear mirrors the messages the inmates shared with us.  This injustice MUST STOP NOW!  Many have been sentenced with minor offenses of possession of marijuana, driving on suspended licenses, or obstruction of justice. They were not sentenced to death. If you know of more organizations, please share them with us by calling in:   If you would like to be a guest on this show email us at guest@dubcaster.net. - Take a Listen!