Saturday, February 20, 2016

We Stand For Integrity, Justice, And Equality, Governor Snyder!

Mark Your Calendars! Our Next Protest for Rev. Pinkney!

When: Friday, March 4th, noon to 1pm

Where: MDOC, 206 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933

Detroit Carpool: Gather at 9:30am at the Moratorium NOW! office, 5920 Second Ave., Detroit, MI 48202. Departing at 10am for MDOC in Lansing.

Snyder stood behind Aramark and even waived the $98,000 fine imposed on Aramark for poisoning inmates in the state prisons in Michigan. The inmates were being fed food laced with rodent feces, maggots, and garbage food. The Aramark contract was 145 million dollars. Aramark employees were having sex with prisoners and giving contraband to the prisoners. Now a new food service called Trinity has the contract--different name, same food service, taxpayers' bill $158 million dollars.

Now the Flint Water Crisis, that was a man-made disaster. The political players of Governor Snyder's team decided to cut off the Detroit water source from Lake Huron in 2014 to use the corrosive, toxic water in Flint supposedly to save money. Because of Michigan government not caring for the poor, Black, and immigrants, this cost could go up to 1 billion dollars or more to fix the water infrastructure. Snyder is responsible for the suffering of the people of Flint, and some resulted in death from Legionnaires Disease. He is responsible for lead poisoning in many children from the corrosion of water pipes by the toxic Flint River, including giving residents lead-tainted water, and other contaminants in the water given to the inmates at Genesee County Jail.

Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington, the appointee of Governor Snyder, has failed to improve the quality of life in the state's prisons. The cost of housing Michigan prisoners is 2 billion dollars--who gets the tab? The taxpayers. Prisoners are being locked up in moldy cells, poor quality food, overcrowded conditions, are mentally tortured and physically abused, and there is no adequate medical care for the prisoners. Some inmates have been killed in Michigan state prison. The Black inmates are more than 3/5 of a man, they are human beings, all of them are.

In Marquette prison a political prisoner and civil rights activist resides. His name is Reverend Edward Pinkney. He has done no crime, yet he is doing time in prison. He has made several complaints to MDOC, to no avail, about the conditions in the prison, and the harassment, intimidation, pain, and suffering he has endured in Marquette Branch Prison. Correctional officers were consistently harassing and assaulting inmates, given the ok by Warden Robert Napel. These are the real criminals outside the walls of the jail: Governor Snyder and his political cronies, who need to be in prison for their crimes against humanity.

Free Rev. Pinkney!

PLEASE JOIN THE FACEBOOK EVENT HERE.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Greetings from Rev. Pinkney!

By Sandy Reid and Bob Lee of the People’s Tribune
February 2016

http://peoplestribune.org/pt-news/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pt.2016.02.11_pinkney.jpg
Rev. Edward Pinkney

CHICAGO, IL — Over New Year’s, we drove from Chicago to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (near Canada) to visit Rev. Edward Pinkney. Isolated in a prison that looks like a 19th century castle, 500 miles from family and supporters, stripped of phone privileges, the reverend was happy to see visitors, and sends greetings to all his supporters.

After hugs (only allowed at the beginning and end of visits) he told us that a guard is trying to set him up. In one incident, the guard passed him in a hallwayand tried to force a collision. Rev. Pinkney flattened himself against a wall to avoid him, explaining to us that a prisoner who even touches a guard faces an assault charge. He now fears that someone will place a weapon in his cell.

Rev. Pinkney is a political prisoner, jailed because of his leadership in the fight against the corporate dictatorship (Emergency Manager system of rule) in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and because of his staunch defense of the poor. As industry automated or fled the area, the local power structure—led by Whirlpool—turned to tourism for additional profits, leaving many workers jobless. Rev. Pinkney and the community fought to unseat the mayor who spoke for Whirlpool’s interests, a fight that the government used to frame and jail him. Rev. Pinkney is extremely pleased that the community recently ousted the mayor.

Our discussion turned to the water wars in Michigan and the immorality of this economic system that won’t even provide clean, safe water to our people. Rev. Pinkney emphasized the importance of the water struggle. And he was very happy to hear that the poorest among us are unifying in the fight for water, housing, for the jailing of police who kill, and politicians who represent the corporations—and that the people are refusing to let anyone break their unity. Rev. Pinkney said he “can’t wait to get back into the fight.”

Powerful forces are trying to break Rev Pinkney to stop the movement he represents. They are not succeeding. Rev. Pinkney received a mountain of holiday cards, some from supporters in foreign countries. The word is spreading! Connect Rev. Pinkney’s story to your struggle. Order a bundle of People’s Tribunes to help build unity in our fight for survival. Visit peoplestribune.org to order papers. Donate to Pinkney’s defense at bhbanco.org/

We encourage reproduction of this article so long as you credit the source.
Copyright © 2016 People's Tribune. Visit us at http://peoplestribune.org

Thursday, February 18, 2016

“The Pinkney’s have done so much for so many,” says supporter

By Free Rev. Pinkney Coordinating Committee

BENTON HARBOR, MI — On Dec. 15, 2014 two people were actually sentenced by the Berrien County courts—Rev. Edward Pinkney, who was railroaded, and his wife, Dorothy.
The first thing I take issue with are the dates. I observed the proceedings as a courtroom observer, and there were injustices aplenty! But, there was also out-right planned, spiteful actions by Berrien County which further proves Rev. Pinkney was and is a target of the system.
On April 24, 2014—Mich. State Police, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and Benton Township Police Department formed a SWAT team to rush a then 65-year-old Rev. Pinkney’s home. That also happened to be Dorothy’s birthday. Oct. 27, 2014—The trial begins. This is Rev. Pinkney’s birthday. And, their most hurtful act, sentencing Rev. Pinkney on Dec. 15, 2014 which happens to be the Pinkneys’ wedding anniversary. This was NOT a coincidence, I challenge anyone to find a case where such personal dates happen to coincide with court dates.
Then, as fall was settling in, the MDOC moved the Reverend to Marquette, MI, 500 miles away from Mrs. Pinkney. I believe it was done to hinder her ability to see her husband.
The latest incident is taking Rev. Pinkney’s phone privileges away. So now she can’t even speak to her husband! There is no legal reason why their communication should be blocked. This is a direct, cruel attack on BOTH Rev. Pinkney AND Dorothy, and is meant to be hurtful.
I ask people to rally to support not only Rev. Pinkney, but his wonderful wife, Dorothy. She is an amazing, strong woman who, like her husband, has stood for so many people over the years. And we should stand in solidarity with Mrs. Pinkney and demand Justice4Pinkney NOW!!
Call Gov. Snyder at (517)-373-3400 and ask why a 67-year-old Reverend is wrongfully imprisoned. Call MDOC Director, Heidi Washington at (517)-241-7238 and ask why he is being denied phone use, and harassed by guards. And, call Marquette Prison at (906)-226-6531 just to let them know there are people out here who care, and we are watching.
The Pinkney’s have done so much for so many, it’s time we return the favor!!
http://peoplestribune.org/pt-news/2016/02/pinkneys-done-much-many-says-supporter-2/

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Monday, February 08, 2016

418th Day in Jail: Emergency managers seize valuable city assets

Today is the 418th day that Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan, sits in prison doing felony time (2 1/2 to 10 years) for a crime he did not commit. Benton Harbor was once a town with a population more than double what it is now and thriving with jobs. When the Whirlpool Corporation, the main employer in the area, stopped production there, poverty increased and the population fell.

Today, Whirlpool is now attempting to kick out the poor people it created and turn Benton Harbor into a haven for the rich. Emergency managers were sent in by the pro corporate governor to seize valuable city assets, that could be used for the residents, and give them to Whirlpool and other corporations for pennies on the dollar. Rev. Pinkney organized the people against this and has been a consistent and courageous voice for the growing poor in Benton Harbor. It is for that reason he was convicted without evidence in a kangaroo court by a rigged jury not of his peers and a prejudicial judge.

FREE REV. PINKNEY NOW!

Saturday, February 06, 2016

417th Day in Prison: A Political Lynching

Friday, February 5, 2016, was the 417th day that Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan, sits in prison doing felony time (2 1/2 to 10 years) for a crime he did not commit. Rev. Pinkney was wrongly accused, charged and convicted without evidence that he changed dates on voter recall petitions. Yet Mark Demet of Racine, WI, plead guilty to actually forging names on petitions in 2013 and was only given a fine of $2,500 without going to prison.

The difference in these two cases is that Rev. Pinkney's recall petition actually had enough signatures to force an election that would oust Mayor James Hightower of Benton Harbor, MI, as evidenced by Hightower coming in second place in the primary of August 4, 2015, and then his crushing loss to Marcus Muhammad in the final election. Rev. Pinkney's imprisonment is a political lynching for successful activism. Spread the word.

Join the effort to FREE REV. PINKNEY NOW!

Please send letters to:
Marquette Branch Prison
Rev. Edward Pinkney N-E-93 #294671
1960 US Hwy 41 South
Marquette, MI 49855

Contact:
Central Coordinating Committee
At: Justice4Pinkney.com

Please donate at http://bhbanco.org (Donate button) or send checks to BANCO:
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Thursday, February 04, 2016

416th Day in Jail: You Can Help by Spreading the Word

Today is the 416th day that Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan sits in prison doing felony time (2 1/2 to 10 years) for a crime he did not commit. In early August 2015, the Michigan Court of Appeals denied Rev. Pinkney's motion requesting bond pending appeal in a two to one vote of the judges.

While militarized police who murder unarmed citizens on camera walk freely, enjoying all the benefits of bond, Rev. Pinkney, railroaded to jail by a kangaroo court that admits it has no evidence against him, is denied bail while he appeals his case. The facts in the Pinkney case speak for themselves; trumped up charges, no evidence, a prejudicial judge and a rigged jury. If you challenge the corporate take over of your town as Rev. Pinkney has, they will punish you in their courts. However, this case can be won in the courtroom of public opinion. Help spread the word.

Join the fight to FREE REV. PINKNEY NOW.

Please send letters to:
Marquette Branch Prison
Rev. Edward Pinkney N-E-93 #294671
1960 US Hwy 41 South
Marquette, MI 49855

Please donate at http://bhbanco.org (Donate button) or send checks to:      
BANCO
1940 W Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

415th Day in Prison: Exercising Free Speech Is Not Evidence of a Crime

Today is the 415th day that Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan, sits in prison doing felony time (2 1/2 to 10 years) for a crime he did not commit. "There are so many violations of Rev. Pinkney’s rights it’s hard to believe," says Michigan civil rights attorney Hugh Buck Davis. "The prosecutor in the case was allowed to use Rev. Pinkney’s community activism as evidence. This is a serious violation of the Reverend’s First Amendment rights and due process. When the defense attorney raised objections, the judge called his constitutionally-based arguments ‘emotional rhetoric.’”

Exercising free speech is not evidence of a crime. Without any evidence whatsoever, Rev. Pinkney was simply railroaded to jail. This clearly has nothing to do with crime and is a political prosecution. The real criminals are the corporate dictators and their emergency financial managers who have taken over the state of Michigan and poisoned the people of Flint.

JAIL THEM AND FREE REV. PINKNEY NOW!

Please send letters to:
Marquette Branch Prison
Rev. Edward Pinkney N-E-93 #294671
1960 US Hwy 41 South
Marquette, MI 49855

Please donate at http://bhbanco.org (Donate button) or send checks to:      
BANCO
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

414th Day of Unjust Imprisonment

Today is the 414th day that Rev. Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan, sits in prison doing felony time (2 1/2 to 10 years) for a crime he did not commit. When they first tried to arrest Rev. Pinkney they surrounded the block where he lives, blocked off his street to traffic and sent in a SWAT team. Why did they need that kind of force? Did they intend to silence him by adding his name to the growing list of those murdered by police terror? Luckily they just missed him. He had taken his wife out for her birthday.

The fact is no one charged with something as small as petition fraud, a misdemeanor, gets that kind of response. This shows the lengths to which corporate dictatorship in Michigan will go to crush anyone  who opposes them. Rev. Pinkney was the first one to warn the American people about the dangers of the Emergency Financial Manager system. The validity of those warnings have come true in the poisoning of Flint, Michigan. With the eyes of the world now upon Flint and the heartfelt outpouring of aid being sent there, let us not overlook or forget the plight of Rev. Pinkney.

FREE REV. PINKNEY NOW!

Please send letters to:
Marquette Branch Prison
Rev. Edward Pinkney N-E-93 #294671
1960 US Hwy 41 South
Marquette, MI 49855

Please donate at http://bhbanco.org (Donate button) or send checks to:       
BANCO
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Tuesday, February 02, 2016

S.O.S. from Rev. Pinkney: Please Make Calls

Update 1/13/16: Rev. Pinkney appears to be okay for the moment, but is still in a hostile environment when Officer Schretter is on duty. Please keep calling daily to inquire about Rev. Pinkney's health, safety, and well-being.


We believe Rev. Pinkney may be in unusually grave danger and we are asking for your help.


Rev. Pinkney is now able to communicate by email using the prison email system (his phone privileges are still suspended). Today several supporters received two messages sent by Rev. Pinkney yesterday (Tuesday, Dec. 15). The first message, sent at noon, did not contain anything unusual. He wrote that he was happy that last Saturday's Emergency Conference went well; that he is still experiencing daily harassment, threats, and intimidation; and that he will continue to speak out to expose corruption and prisoner abuses at Marquette Branch Prison.

The second message, sent just six hours later the same day, had a very different tone. Rev. Pinkney's emails are likely to be read by prison officials and he may not be able to discuss in detail the threats he is coping with. We believe the message may be an S.O.S. alerting us to a sudden escalation in the level of danger in his current situation. While we do not want to alarm supporters unnecessarily, in an abundance of caution, we should take what actions we can to let MDOC know we are watching closely.

Please read on and see below for actions you can take to help ensure Rev. Pinkney's safety.


Rev. Pinkney's second message stated, in part:
I have been placed in a hostile environment. The Department of Corrections knew, or should have known, that the threatening, harassing, and intimidating behavior by Corrections Officer Schretter created a hostile environment and the Department failed to implement corrective measures to protect me.
The Department on purpose set me up for failure. Their action can never serve a legitimate penological purpose. The Department of Corrections has jurisdiction and power to promulgate rules and standards, but failed to do so to protect me.
They have continuously threatened, harassed, and intimidated me. I am even afraid they will plant a weapon in my locker.
We must make this known as soon as possible.
Rev. Pinkney concluded by mentioning the possibility of contacting the state police. We hope that Rev. Pinkney's attorney--the only individual currently able to speak with him by telephone--will be able to reach him and gain further understanding of the current level of threat Rev. Pinkney is facing.

In the meantime, please continue making these phone calls.


Sample script:
"My name is _______ and I'm calling from __________. I'm calling about Rev. Edward Pinkney, ID #294671. I am concerned about the Reverend's health and safety." (See below for specific requests).
  • Call Governor Rick Snyder at 517-373-3400. Tell him you are concerned about Rev. Pinkney's safety in an environment of harassment, threats, intimidation, and hostility. Tell him to restore Rev. Pinkney's phone access, to transfer Rev. Pinkney back to Lakeland Prison, and to remove Robert Napel as warden at Marquette Prison.
  • Call Legislative Corrections Ombudsman Keith Barber to demand an investigation into Rev. Pinkney's treatment: 517-373-8573.
  • Call MDOC Director Heidi Washington at 517-241-7238 (leave a message with Sandy Simon, Director Washington's assistant).
  • Call Marquette Branch Prison at 906-226-6531 and demand assurance that Rev. Pinkney is safe and not being mistreated or threatened by any staff members.

Marquette Branch Prison: Now I Believe I Know How It Felt

I am saying to you my friends that often the path to freedom will carry you through a prison, to sacrifice for another is the greatest thing in the whole wide world. In a real sense, the people are the conscience of America. We are its troubled souls, and we will continue to insist that right be done.

Now I believe I know how it felt to be a slave in Jamestown, Virginia during slavery. Now I believe I know how it felt to be black, when the commanders deployed K-9 dogs to attack you as marchers, who just want equal rights. Now I believe I know how it felt to be a Jew in Nazi Germany.

I am in Marquette Branch Prison, better known as the concentration camp, the weather is about -10 below zero, with a wind chill of about -40 below zero. This concentration camp must be in Siberia! No it is Marquette Michigan, with a deeply rooted, hidden, unrevealed, unskilled, unprofessional, uneducated, out-of-control group of rogue officers. The public, the tax payers, are paying the price of unchecked discretion. The major problem we face as prisoners is the threatening, harassing, and the intimidating behavior, which is basically white terrorism. It is up to the public, the tax payers, to stop the corruption and save tax dollars.

A correctional officer Sgt. Hoult stated: I don't talk to convicts. He forgot the prisoner is the reason he has a job. As a correctional officer you are just one step from being a convict yourself. One drink, one domestic assault, one murder, you are just one step from doing time yourself!

I received a letter from a tax-payer who lives in Marquette, Michigan. The public is waking up. She said: "I want to thank you so much for standing up to corruption inside Marquette Prison and for your bravery and courage inside the belly of the beast, to speak up and stand for Christ. You are a hero and you will be on our prayer list. I have for years believed that the prison system was in place to protect me, thanks to you and your wonderful work, you have educated the people in Marquette. My organization and the teacher union will be signing a resolution on your behalf. I just wish I could do more to help a wonderful man like you. We will be joining you to help close down the Marquette Branch Prison, also recruiting others to help with this project. I wish I could bring you a basket of good treats and encouragement. We the people of Marquette Michigan are in full support of your hard work. Thank-you." 

This was a tremendously heart warming letter. We must stop the Michigan Department of Corrections from stealing tax dollars from the tax-payers. The hypocrisy of Michigan Department of Corrections is unlimited.

Rev. Pinkney

Less Respect Than A Slave

A criminal freed from prison has scarcely more rights and arguably less respect than a freed slave or a black person living "free" in Mississippi at the height of Jim Crow. Those released from prison on parole can be stopped and searched by the police for any reason at all and returned to prison for the most minor of infractions, such as failing to attend a meeting with a parole officer. Even when released from the system's formal control, the stigma of criminality lingers. Police supervision, monitoring, and harassment are facts of life not only for all those labeled criminals, but for all those who look like criminals. Lynch mobs may be long gone, but you still have the all white lynch mob juries, and the threat of police violence is ever present. A wallet could be mistaken for a gun. The whites only sign may be gone, but new signs have gone up, notices placed in job applications, rental agreements, loan applications, forms for welfare benefits, school applications, and petitions for licenses, informing the general public that "felons" are not wanted here.

A criminal record today authorizes precisely the forms of discrimination we supposedly left behind. Discrimination in employment, housing, education, public benefits, and jury service. Those labeled criminals can even be denied the right to vote.
Convicts, it turns out, are the social group in America we have permission to hate. In colorblind America, criminals are the new whipping boys. They are entitled to no respect and little moral concern. Like colored or Blacks in the years following emancipation, criminals or convicts today are deemed a characterless and purposeless people, deserving of our collective scorn and contempt. When we say someone was "treated like a criminal" what we mean to say is that he or she was treated as less than human, like a shameful creature.

Hundreds of years ago, our nation put those considered less than human in shackles; less than one hundred years ago, we relegated them to the other side of town; today we put them in cages. Once released, they find that a heavy and cruel hand has been laid upon them.

Rev. Pinkney

Marquette Branch Prison: The Attack On Prisoners

There has been many incidents of attack on prisoners at the Marquette Branch Prison, very few ever get past the warden. The Marquette Branch Prison covers up for the correctional officers who commit crimes against prisoners. The most important question to be asked, who can you call for help?

On or around the 3rd of August 2015, Chester Pearson filed a grievance against Correctional Officer Schetter during the formal count at 3:40pm. Chester Pearson, an older man, was behind his door hanging up his towel, when Schetter was making his rounds. Correctional Officer Schetter observed Chester Pearson standing behind the door, after making eye contact with him, "he proceeded by opening my cell door and pushing it into me, hitting my hand against the wall, assaulting me," said Chester Pearson. Chester Pearson filed grievance number 1 against officer Schetter, it was handled by his Superior officer and good friend Sgt. Nississ, who supported Schetter. "Sgt. Nississ informed me that he was closing this matter and not to go any further with this complaint. I then wrote a letter to Lansing in protest of officer Schetter's Schetter behavior."

Prisoners must be protected from abuse of power. Correctional Officer Schetter and his friend Sgt. Nississ' conduct is unbecoming of a State of Michigan Correctional Officer. There has been so many complaints filed against Officer Schetter, assaults of all kinds which include sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, engaging or attempting to engage in sexual conduct and sexual harassment by touching a prisoner's penis. Several complaints have been filed against Correctional Officer Schetter by prisoners and Michigan Department of Corrections has swept it under the rug and attempted to blame the prisoners. All employees are expected to comply with department rules. Failure to do so should result in termination of their job with the Department of Corrections.

Whenever Officer Schetter broke a rule by sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct act by touching one's penis or whatever, he should be terminated and the acts should be reported to the State Police for prosecution. Any time he physically attacks a prisoner he should be held accountable for his actions, but that doesn't happen here in Marquette Branch Prison. One of the primary functions of Corrections is to enhance public safety and ensure just punishment for criminal behavior, but the warden refuses to enhance safety for prisoners at Marquette Branch Prison. We are living in the time when the tax payers must stand and fight for humanity. It is the time.

Rev. Pinkney

The Events Raced At Collision Speed: James Meredith The First Black To Enroll At The University Of Mississippi!

Soon the long wait was over, Doar McShane and James Meredith, who are attempting to enroll in the University of Mississippi. The very first black pushed their way through a jeering crowd of two thousand angry racist whites outside the Wolfolk Building, then up the elevator to the tenth floor and through another crowd in the corridor. The governor, Ross Barnett, bathed in television lights, blocked the threshold of Room 1007. Legislators inside climbed atop of chairs and tables to obtain a better view of the whole situation. John Doar moved forward to explain the Fifth Circuit's order to Governor Ross Barnett, television and radio stations transmitted the confrontation to Mississippians across the state. Gov. Ross Barnett "interposed Mississippi's sovereignty" as embodied in his own prison between James Meredith and the University of Mississippi officials, who maintained an outward willingness to obey the order.

Which one is James Meredith, Barnett inquired sparking titters of laughter as the familiar and well-known James Meredith standing in front of Gov. Barnett, was the only black in sight.

Gov. Ross Barnett read James Meredith, the very first black to enter the University of Mississippi, his second proclamation of interposition ending that he did here by finally deny you admission to the University of Mississippi.

The white racist of over ten thousand yells went up from the crowds gathered around transistor radios ten floors up below. When Gov. Barnett refused to allow John Doar from the Justice Department request to enter some legislator changed, "get going", "Get Going"! Three cheers for the Governor. They hooted the Meredith trio along its path of retreat, then the Governor filed back to his chamber in triumph. One state senator hailed Gov. Barnett's stand as the most brilliant piece of statesmanship ever displayed in Mississippi. Another stated it was the most racist display of power ever displayed in the country.

In New Orleans, on Friday a fifth circuit panel tried Governor Ross Barnett, the governor of the state of Mississippi, in absentia and found him guilty of contempt. Lieutenant Governor Johnson promptly received the very same sentence. The very first time a sitting governor was going to be arrested. The three panel judges sentenced both to indefinite prison terms. I, the Rev. Edward Pinkney, commended James Meredith for courage and intelligent in seeking to enroll at the Unversity of Mississippi. I want to thank James Meredith for what he has done!

Rev. Pinkney

Marquette Branch Prison Does Not Follow Its Own Rules

Marquette Branch Prison is a concentration camp; a place where prisoners from various areas are assembled and confined. The Michigan Department of Corrections says: you have been placed into reduced custody because the state feels that you are an irresponsible individual who no longer needs confinement behind a single wall or fence-you need two! The Michigan Department of Corrections says: serving time in a reduced security setting is much different from being in a regular prison. There is no freedom, over 100 cameras, and the threatening, harassing, and intimidating behavior is out of control by the Marquette Prison Corrections officers, namely Schetter and Luekkala.

It is unfortunate that the correctional officers cover up for each other rather than follow the Department of Correction's rules. On Jan. 2, 2016, one of the officers, Schetter's friend, was working the north dorm unit. I personally overheard officer Schetter tell officer Sare to find a reason to give Pinkney a misconduct ticket. This was a retaliation ticket. This again highlights Marquette's untrained, unskilled, unprofessional, uneducated, and out of control corrections officers. This correctional officer has had several people charge him with sexual misconduct, assault, and violation of many other Michigan Department of Corrections' rules and policies. The warden, Robert Napel, and the administrative staff cover up for him. I have filed 4 threatening, harassing, and intimidating complaints with warden Robert Napel about correctional officer Schetter. The grievance process is a fraud, but you must file to get into the Court's queue. The Marquette Branch Prison is known for attacking the Black prisoners.

The correctional officers are out of control. They are allowed to attack prisoners, retaliate against prisoners, harass prisoners, and intimidate prisoners. The worst can happen, they are transferred to another unit, but can return to the same unit every day and continue to harass the prisoners.

It is illegal to bring any tobacco product onto State of Michigan property. Several correctional officers bring chewing tobacco and chew on state property. They bring in cigarettes, some of the prisoners have cigarettes and smoke inside the prison. I can list several items that could save the tax payers over 5 million dollars. The public must stop watching Law & Order, Cops, Blue Shield, NCIS, CSI, Perry Mason and start facing reality. The Department of Corrections is stealing tax payer dollars. This will continue until the tax payers say no more. We need the people to take a stand against corruption and fight back. The tax payer must say enough is enough.

Rev. Pinkney