WARDEN HIRCH PETITION

 [ Insert Date ]

Warden Hirch

Polunsky Unit

3872 FM 350 South

Livingston, TX 77351

Dear Warden Hirch,

  Since the beginning of the DRIVE Movement, Texas’ Death Row Warden (Warden Hirch) has been on E-pod, F-section (Level-3) thrice. Warden Hirch’s first interaction with DRIVE cadre went as follows:

Comrade Blanton: For no penological reason, on 11-20-05, Sgt. Goins had all of my property taken from me. Property that wasn’t used to threaten the safety and security of your establishment-

Warden Hirch: It’s not your opinion that counts, it’s mine!

Comrade Blanton: I’m not speaking of an opinion, I’m speaking of policy.

Warden Hirch: My opinion is policy!

  In Warden Hirch’s second walk-through of Level-3, the following interaction occurred:

Comrade Foster: What can be done to help us get cleaner laundry?

Warden Hirch: You’re getting what everybody else gets.

Comrade Foster: Don’t you feel conditions can be improved here?

Warden Hirch: Yes, but I’m not going to use all our resources to help make you feel comfortable.

Comrade Foster: It’s not about comfort, just fairness.

Warden Hirch: Well, you shouldn’t have come to death row. It’s a lot of taxpayers that could give a sh*t less what you have, and think you have too much!

Comrade Foster: Our grievances are coming up missing.

Warden Hirch: We get hundreds of grievances yearly, why is it only you?!!

Comrade Foster: Level 3’s, not 2’s are being denied winter clothing.

Warden Hirch: The rules say no clothes. You get no clothes.

  During the above walk-through, comrade Blanton explained in detail to Warden Hirch the grievance procedure prisoners endure; then showed him evidence of his own grievances that were thrown away. Warden Hirch told comrade Blanton he would have one of his lieutenants come and get the information from him, and as of yet, comrade Blanton has still been unable to file grievances.

  Despite a broken system through which prisoners may address grievances, DRIVE comrades still strive to discuss the deplorable conditions on Death Row with Polunsky Unit’s administration. And, as Warden over Death Row, you have an obligation to not only ensure the safety and security of your staff, but prisoners as well. This means you have to ensure policy works towards these ends.

  As Warden, you are in a leadership position. You are supposed to epitomize professionalism, for your staff follows your lead. You being “Warden” doesn’t place you above prisoners. It does place you above injustice. Because, if the Warden’s attitude is indifferent towards injustice, how much more will the staff be, whom are enforcers of policy? Your attitude, documented in the above interactions with DRIVE comrades only validates the conditions of which they speak.

  We encourage you to step up to your position and lead, but in a more professional manner, devoid of any personal feelings other than those you should feel when you hear of your policy being broken. If you can’t rise to the occasion, then maybe you’re in the wrong position. We also encourage you to partake in more fruitful interactions with the prisoners of which you oversee jurisdiction, and sincerely address any policy violations you’re made aware of.

Understanding over indifference,

____________________________

  (Name)

____________________________

  (Name)

D.R.I.V.E.

DEATH Row INNER-COMMUNALIST VANGUARD ENGAGEMENT