Release a police officer from unjust and unconstitutional treatment!
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Robert C Bates is now incarcerated at Joseph Harp Correctional Center after his conviction of second degree manslaughter for the accidental shooting of a fleeing felon when he mistook his gun for his Taser during a sting operation with the Drug Task force.
I have respect of our judicial system, however, it is very hard to grasp where we are as a society right now. What I wasn’t aware of was the true reality of the situation of a law enforcement officer being incarcerated. Robert Bates cell was attacked by several prisoners in an attempted assassination. If there was any hope of Robert serving his time incarcerated like any other prisoner, it was lost after the attack.
Robert’s confinement has been one of 23 hours in small confined space, versus that of a typical prisoner with the freedom to move about. Comparing his imprisonment to someone on death row. For the safety of a Law Enforcement officer, Robert has been confined to the mental health unit.
The effects of 23 hours confinement for a short period of time inmates reported:
Confined inmates often describe feelings of extreme mental duress after only a couple of days in solitary confinement (Haney, 2003; Smith, 2006). Some researchers have even compared confined inmates to victims of torture or trauma because many of the acute effects produced by solitary confinement mimic the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Only recently has he been allowed to leave his cell in the mental health unit to assist with tasks confined to that unit. Unfortunately, he is deteriorating, both mentally and physically. I don’t believe it was anyone’s intent to enforce such an extreme punishment on a law officer.
The reason for this petition is to ask for your support requesting a judicial review of Robert Bates sentence and ultimate release.
As of today, January 18, 2017, he has served 8 months and 22 days of a 4 year sentence. Considering Robert’s age of 75 years old, declining health and the conditions of his confinement, I fear he will die in prison. I would also ask that you take into consideration Robert has been an exemplary citizen of Tulsa for 75 years and has an outstanding record with the prison system.
I pray for your immediate attention to this matter and ask the Honorable William J. Musseman to seriously consider the judicial review and ultimate release of Robert C. Bates.
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