A heavy and cruel hand has been laid upon me, Rev. Edward Pinkney, writing from prison. On Oct. 6, 2015, I was transferred back to Marquette Branch Prison, a two-day ride on the bus, shackled, mistreated, and intimidated. I was forced to strip on five different occasions.
I am forced into overcrowding, inadequate exercise, lack of clean clothing, and inadequate medical care which violates the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. I estimate over 75% of the prisoners in Marquette have mental problems.
I have been an eye-witness to at least five incidents where prisoners were beaten by corrections officers. The Michigan Department of Corrections has been able to dismiss the majority of allegations of abuse and misconduct by claiming that inmates lie and the correctional department always tells the truth. The privileged public believes that the prison system is doing its best to protect them. In the eyes of the public, law enforcement and corrections do not lie.
Once a dozen prisoners were lined up and one of the prisoners asked if he could use the restroom because he could not hold it. In response he was beaten and ordered to strip and get on his knees, then he was further beaten by a number of corrections officers.
The problem I am facing is that the long and cruel arms of Berrien County can reach the Michigan Department of Corrections. They will use the correctional officers to use the inmates to carry out their acts of violence.
I believe that Berrien County officials have put a hit on me, inside the prison system. I believe they are trying to force me to die in prison. If I do not survive this, you will know the reason why. Their boss, the blood-sucking vampire Whirlpool Corporation, is financing this hit. Corporations like Whirlpool can only commit crimes through flesh and blood people. It is only fair that people who are responsible for committing crimes violating human rights be held accountable, including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, juries, and most importantly, corporations.
The public needs to have confidence that there is one system of justice. We now have two systems of justice, one for the rich and one for the poor. Equal justice should apply to all regardless of whether the crime occurs on the street corner or in the board room.
The blatantly unconstitutional conduct by Judge Sterling Schrock, Prosecutor Mike Sepic, Sheriff Bailey, and the all-white jury have placed my life in danger. A prison hit has been placed on me.
I need you to stop watching all the courtroom drama and law enforcement movies. I need you to stand with me against the corrupt, broken system, a criminal enterprise operating in Berrien County and across the country--a lynch mob in black robes and three-piece suits. An injury to one is an injury to all.