Stop Abuse And Suicides In Pennsylvania Prisons

To:The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, The Governor of Pennsylvania, Amnesty International, ACLU, All Human Rights Groups, Religious Leaders, The Taxpayers of Pennsylvania, And all Other people Interested Worldwide

Several inmates in Pennsyvania have reported the high number of suicides and attempted suicides, and abuse of inmates by prison staff. Many phone calls, faxes, and letters have been written to Pennsylvania wardens and others, but nothing is being done.

This petition is to bring awareness to the high number of suicides, attempted suicides, inmate deaths, and mental and physical abuse of inmates, by prison staff in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

Inmates have reported to family and friends that there has been abuse, both mentally and physically by prison staff. Inmates are held in isolation for long periods of time. There have been reports of guards spitting in inmates food. Lack of medical and psychological evaluations, sleep deprivation, and lack of nutritional food. This goes against the Constitution of America's 8th amendment which states: excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, Nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.

There have been several attempted suicides, and several inmates deaths by suicides, and other causes. This number is extremely high. Inmates families have proof and documentation, and will be watching this matter closely.

We the undersigned feel this matter should be investigated before there are more inmate deaths. These are prisons in the USA and not Abu Ghraib prison in Bagdad. Prisoners are not in prison to be punished, prison time is punishment enough. We demand equal and just treatments in Pennsylvania prisons.

The citizens and taxpayers of Pennsylvania should not be paying for punishment and inhumane treatment and their tax dollars should go to the rehabilitation of inmates, to provide the safe return of prisoners into their communities.