Tamms is the only Supermax prison in Illinois and it houses around 260 prisoners
who have been labeled the worst in the state. Punitive conditions imposed
at Tamms include, but are not limited to, officers turning on lights and
making loud noise for the purpose of waking prisoners from sleep every 30
minutes during daily bed checks; depriving all prisoner to prisoner contact;
depriving all phone calls, jobs and college attendance; attachment of chains,
handcuffs and shackles on all movement outside the cell; and 24 hour confinement
in isolation cells for an indefinite amount of time. Most prisoners
were transferred to Tamms based on commission of disciplinary offences that
they were previously disciplined for between the years 1970 thru 1997.
Tamms opened in 1998.
I was transferred to Tamms and placed on administrative detention status
for being an extremely active litigator against prison officials and after
being warned to stop filing suits. This issue is presently pending
in a suit a suit filed in the federal court, entitled: Von Perbandt, et al
v. Snyder, et al, 00-162-GPM, USDC, SD (IL). I began filing suits for
self and other inmates only after I was assigned to the Prison Law Library.
Ironically, my effective suits resulted in retaliatory actions by officials
whom I have sued.
I also have a suit pending regarding the torture tactics of officers depriving
sleep and physical contact on a long-term basis, entitled: Horton M. Snyder
01-614-MJR, USDC, SD (IL). Most prisoners and I have been confined at Tamms
since 1998. I have witnessed prisoners who formerly acted social turn
into lunatics, hanging, cutting on themselves, beating their heads on the
wall and act anti social toward both officers and prisoners after years of
imprisonment at Tamms. My suit alleges that long-term isolation at
Tamms pose a serious risk to the physical and mental health of prisoners.
In order to prove this allegation I will need affidavits from psychiatrists
who have researched and found this to be factual, such as Drs. Terry Kupers
and Stuart Grassian.
Anyone with their addresses, please forward it to me so I can request their
help. It would also help if former death row and Supermax prisoners
from every state forward to me their affidavits, swearing to whatever mental
illnesses they suffered as a result of social isolation. I am also
in need of an attorney to represent myself and the numerous Tamms prisoners
who know nothing of law and most of which are already mentally ill or confused.
Although I am a paralegal and continue to file suits for my fellow prisoners,
I am vulnerable to continued retaliation because I too am imprisoned. I still
act social towards everyone including the abusive officials who mistreat
prisoners and even those prisoners who hate each other out of ignorance.
I try not to let other negative actions dictate how I act. I have enclosed
the only picture I have of me and it is symbolic of my happy go lucky attitude.
But I doubt if my fellow Tamms prisoners and I will remain sane for much
longer under these harsh conditions.
Every concerned reader of this web page, regardless of what state or country
they reside in should immediately write, phone, or email the recently elected
governor of Illinois, Rod Biagojevich and request him to have these allegations
investigated and punitive conditions outlawed. Your help is needed
and can make a difference.
Finally, Tamm’s prisoners do not have access to meaningful spiritual guidance.
We cannot attend religious service or receive uninterrupted private counseling.
Occasionally, a Reverend or Emam may spend 3 minutes at our cell doors delivering
confusing literature.
We pray to one day hear the words “ Let the healing begin” from famous religious
leaders all over the world, but it appears as if these words do not apply
to those without political power, money or family ties. It would really
be a surprise if the rich Barbara Bush, Jesse Jackson, Min. Mohammad and
even the Pope make arraignments for Tamms prisoners to receive effective
and meaningful rehabilitative, religious, and educational programming, which
would show that the poor people can also be included for such healing as
was pleaded for the adulterer and drug addicted presidents. I doubt
they would even mail us a bible. At least so far they have showed no
interest in us. Thank you.
This is an e-mail that I got from someone about Eugene. As soon as
I saw it I wrote him. People have to realize that inmates are people
too. Eugene has done nothing to deserve the treatment he is given.
The same goes for many prisoners in the supermaxes sround the country.
Many are there because they made a guard mad. In Eugene's case
it is because he tried to help improve prison conditions.
I Have an Inmate that has written me from a Supermax Prison--Says that
The Prisoners there-- Are in Desperate Need of help! He Has a Message
written out --
The Case of Horton v. Snyder, 01-614, is presently Pending in the US
District Court of the Southern District of Illinois. The case alleges
that as a result of filing Grievances The Defendants Retaliated by
Spitefully Approving Horton for Placement in indefinite Administrative
Segregation Status at Tamms Supermax Prison. The case also Alleges that
All Tamms Inmates are locked in single -man cells, 24 hrs. a day, with
no physical contact with each other, and that officers blow cigarette
smoke into the cells, Turn on lights and make loud sleep depriving
noises every 30 Min.'s, during bed checks, which pose a substantial risk
of future Physical and Mental Harm.
A 3 Million Dollar Damage Award is requested. I have been confined at
Tamms for more than 5 years. An Attorney is needed to help obtain relief
for Tamms Prisoners. Also, Psychiatrists and Physicians who believe that
long term exposure to the above described conditions pose a substantial
risk to the future Physical and Mental health of Inmates are urged to
Forward Affidavits to E. Horton. Attorneys and Expert witnesses should
contact Horton at: Eugene Horton, C-01581, 200 E. Supermax Rd. Box
2000 Tamms, IL. 62988
Finally, Affidavits From Drs. Stuart Grassian and Terry Kupers are
Needed.
This is their Desperate Plead For Help!!Can Anyone Help-Have any
Suggestions??
