This morning I had a nice conversation with Superintendent (and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition speaker) Rick Van Wickler of the Cheshire County Jail. According to him, Sam is eating but apparently wasn’t until just recently, and that he is still not cooperating so therefore has not been classified. That means he can’t be in population, therefore he is likely in solitary confinement until he decides to submit to some of their questions and a TB test.
I asked Rick what level of control he has over releasing inmates and he explained that he answers to the judges with one exception. If an inmate has been sentenced and has served 2/3 of the sentence, the superintendent has the ability to release them anytime after that point. For those with political inclinations, this is a state statute apparently so it could be changed to allow superintendents to release any prisoner as early as they deem appropriate. As long as this inhumane system exists, that change would allow for more compassion and give the jail superintendents a nice check against bad judges. Imagine someone like Van Wickler just cutting loose all peaceful inmates in on drug charges, or other peaceful inmates like Sam. Of course, at this stage Sam hasn’t been sentenced or arraigned, so Van Wickler has no control over Sam’s release at all. If he were to release Sam anyway, he’d be charged with contempt of court and likely imprisoned in his own facility. As nice as it would be to see more bureaucrats buck the system that provides them with a paycheck, it’s not too probable that will occur. Mr. Van Wickler, like many government bureaucrats, is a man who has chosen allegiance with a system that he doesn’t fully agree with. It’s a system that is so dangerous and intimidating that he dares not risk defying it beyond speaking out against it. For his courage to speak out against its depredations and his dedication to running his inherently inhumane facility in the most compassionate way possible within the confines of that system, he should be appreciated. For his fear of retribution for doing the right thing, he should be forgiven. We have all been afraid.
This knowledge about prisoner release leaves us with a few options:
- Persuade judge Burke to do the right thing and stop hearing cases with no victim and allow cameras in his court. I have a call in to the court in an attempt to get a lunch date with him to discuss such matters. Perhaps your phone calls to the court can help in this.
- Encourage the NHLA to work in the system on giving jail superintendents more ability to release inmates. I find working in the system repulsive, but this would be a very positive change and one I’d be willing to contribute financially toward.
- More disobedience and noncooperation. This one is inevitable as more people get fed up with this oppression, move to Keene, and join the peaceful evolution.
What am I missing? Please post your comments.
SAM UPDATE: Ivy is attempting to meet with Sam and get a signature from him so she can represent him at Keene District Court. It’s my understanding she is also working to file a writ of habeas corpus for Sam. Get the latest on Sam on this Free Keene forum thread.
