Make Your Voice Heard!!!

Phone Calls to Officials

Have all the information about the case that you will need written down:

-Name, number and unit of prisoner

-Time, date and place of incident, if known

-Prison personnel or other prisoners involved, if known

-Facts about the incident

-If you received a letter about the problem, have it in front of you with important information highlighted

-For medical problems, state the nature of the illness or condition, medication(s) needed, and medical restrictions ordered by doctor(s).

Give your name and phone number.

Keep notes on the conversation:

- Date and time of conversation.

- Name and title of person(s) you talk to.

- Information that you give and get during the call.

Be calm and polite – do not raise your voice, use bad language, argue or make threats.

Be as brief, concise and clear as possible.

Ask if you need to contact someone else about the problem.

Thank the person you talk to and ask to be informed of any follow-up on the case.

After the phone call, follow up with a letter summarizing the call. To prove that the letter was received, send it by certified mail. Keep a copy of the letter with the notes from the call, and the receipt and signed card from the certified mail showing when it was received and who signed for it.

If the situation is urgent (for example, a medical emergency or life-threatening situation) you should expect to hear in hours or days. If it is not urgent, you should expect an answer within a month. If you do not get an answer in a reasonable length of time, call again or write another letter.

Let the official(s) know that you hold them responsible for the health and safety of prisoners. They should also know that you expect fair and humane treatment of prisoners and their families.

D.R.I.V.E.

DEATH Row INNER-COMMUNALIST VANGUARD ENGAGEMENT