Write to Medical Cannabis Prisoners - from ASA
Here is some info and addresses from ASA on medical cannabis POWs.
Several patients and providers are in jail awaiting trial or in prison serving out their sentences. Although the actions of many of these prisoners were legal under state law, defendants cannot bring up a medical defense in federal court. Please show your support for these prisoners by writing them letters or supporting them in one of the following ways:
1. Write letters. Your letter doesn't have to be a Pulitzer prize winning effort - even a postcard would do. You might also want to send drawings or photographs. Never written to a prisoner before? Check out the tips provided below.
2. Buy them newspaper or magazine subscriptions. Help these prisoners stay connected to the outside world. As long as the magazine or newspaper comes straight from the publisher it's usually not a problem. You cannot send magazines yourself; they must come directly from the publisher.
3. Order books for them on-line. Or, if you can find a bookstore that is willing to ship via the U.S. mail, that would be acceptable to. Sadly, you cannot send books that you've purchased from the bookstore; they must come directly from a bookstore or an on-line bookstore. They must be sent via the US mail and they cannot be sent in such a way that they must be signed for.
4. Put money in their commissary. If you're interested in doing this, contact Western Union, preferably by phone. The operator knows exactly how to send it. You'll need an address and prisoner number (see below).
Medical Cannabis Prisoners:
Kenneth Affolter
93480-111
FCI Terminal Island
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3007
San Pedro, CA 90731
Dustin Robert Costa
62406-097
FCI Big Spring
1900 Simler Ave.
Big Springs, TX 79720
(Turned over to the federal government by Merced DA; serving 13 years.)
James Dale Holland
62466-097
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 800
Herlong, CA 96113
(Bakersfield dispensary operator serving 9 years)
Wayne Hudson
99702-198
CCM Long Beach
Community Corrections Office
501 W. Ocean Blvd. Suite 3260
Long Beach, CA 90802
Joe Kidwell
08559-033
FMC Devens
Federal Medical Center
P.O. Box 879
Ayer, MA 01432
Stephanie Landa
09247-800
Federal Correctional Institution
5701 8TH Street
Unit A
Dublin, CA 94568
(Turned over to federal government by local police)
Richard Marino
16206-097
Federal Prison Camp
Unit 6
P.O. Box 6000
Sheridan, OR 97378-6000
Vernon Lavell Rylee
Vernon has trouble reading letters so send mail instead to:
Janet Rylee
P.O. Box 764
Hayfork, CA 96041
Alice Sanderson
16647-097
FCI Satellite Camp, Dublin
5675 8th Street, Camp Parks
Dublin, CA 94568
Luke Scarmazzo
63131-097
USP Lompoc
United States Penitentiary
3901 Klein Blvd.
Lompoc, CA 93436
John Sullivan
#95343-198
FCI Sheridan
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 5000
Sheridan, OR 97378
Writing to Prisoners:
One of the main problems that puts people off getting involved in supporting prisoners is a feeling of being intimidated about writing to a prisoner for the first time. It is very hard to write a letter to someone you don't know: people find that they don't know what to say, they feel there are things they can't talk about, or think that prisoners won't be interested in what they have to say. Well this is a problem most of us have had to get over, so we've drawn up some suggestions to help you. Obviously these aren't rigid guidelines, and we don't pretend to have solved all problems here. Different people will write different letters. hopefully they will be of some use.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Some prisons restrict the number of letters a prisoner can write or receive, and they may have to buy stamps and envelopes: and prisoners aren't millionaires. So don't necessarily expect a reply to a card or letter. A lot of prisons allow stamps or and s.a.e to be included with a card or letter, but some don't. Letters do also get stopped, read, delayed, 'diverted.' If you suspect has been or will be nicked by the screws, you can send it Recorded delivery, which unfortunately costs a lot but then they have to open it in the prisoners presence. Also you should put a return address, not just so the prisoner can reply (!), but also because some prisons don't allow letters without a return address. Of course it doesn't have to be your address, but be careful using PO box numbers as some prisons don't allow these either!
WRITING FOR THE FIRST TIME
Say who you are, and if it's relevant that you're from such and such a group. Some people reckon it's better to be upfront about your politics as well, to give prisoners the choice to stay in contact with you or not. Say where you heard about them and their case. The first letter can be reasonably short, maybe only a postcard. Obviously when you get to know people better you'll have more to talk about. If you are writing to a "framed" prisoner, and you believe them to be innocent, it helps to say so, as it gives people confidence to know that you believe them. Some people when they write to prisoners, are afraid to talking about their lives, what they are up to, thinking this may depress people banged up, especially prisoners with long sentences, or that they are not interested in your life. Although in some cases this may be true, on the whole a letter is the highpoint of the day for most prisoners. prison life is dead boring, and any news that livens it up, whether it's about people they know or not, is generally welcome. Especially if you didn't know them before they went to prison, they want to know about you, what your life is like etc. Use your sense, don't write about anything that is likely to get a prisoner in shit with the screws, or get you or anyone else in trouble with the cops.
THEY'RE IN THERE FOR US, WE'RE OUT HERE FOR THEM
For people imprisoned from out movements and struggles it's vital to keep them involved in the ongoing resistance - telling them about actions, sending them magazines if they want them, discussing ideas ans strategies with them. Use your head though. Some people will just want to keep their head down till they get out.
