The huge incarceration rate in Illinois, where we send non-violent drug abusers and thieves to prison at a rate 40 times greater than any civilized country means that we are breaking our economy. The children of the prisoners are a great social burden when parents don't earn an income or care for them. Tax dollars are also lost when prisoners do not work.
It is a much better solution to sentence non-violent offenders to curfews when not at work and community service to pay back what they took from society. Restorative justice is more appropriate. In prison less than 15% of addicts get treatment and there are five times more mentally ill in prison, without appropriate treatment than in all the mental health facilities in the country combined.
It is a much better solution to pay for daily drug addiction treatment, home monitoring, and mental health treatment than to pay $30,000 per year to incarcerate a prisoner, not treat them, and then send them back to a life of crime or untreated mental illness.
We are FOOLS in Illinois and the rest of the country! What a waste of dollars and human potential! Talk to your legislators. Elect only those that pledge to change this disaster. Our phony war of being "tough on crime" is a joke and has not worked. These prisoners, are usually released. If we don't rehabilitate them, we deserve what we get.
For discussion and solutions to the problems see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/us/05prison.html?_r=1
http://drlindashelton.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/help-save-economy-by-saving-billions-with-judicialprison-reform-stop-torture/
http://drlindashelton.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/re-integrating-600000-ex-cons-per-year-and-growing-give-your-suggestions/
http://drlindashelton.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/punishment-and-fairness-comparative-nature-of-punishment/
Showing posts with label Punishment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Punishment. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Gov. Quinn - Please Pardon Debra Gindorf, Post-Partum Psychosis is an Illness NOT a Crime
GOV. QUINN GRANTED CLEMENCY ON MAY 1, 2009 REDUCING DEBRA'S SENTENCE FROM LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE TO 48 YEARS. SINCE SHE HAS SERVED 24 YEARS AND THE SENTENCING LAW AT THE TIME REQUIRED A PRISONER TO SERVE HALF THE SENTENCE SHE WILL BE RELEASED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ONCE PAROLE CONDITIONS ARE SET AND LIVING ARRANGMENT IS APPROVED.
PLEASE WRITE OR CALL GOV. PAT QUINN IN SUPPORT OF PARDON AT:
Quinn, Pat 217-782-6830
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
CAPITOL BLDG RM 207
SPRINGFIELD IL 62706-1150
AN E-MAIL I SENT TO GOV. QUINN TODAY:
I am appalled that former Gov. Blagojevic ignored so many clemency petitions [THOUSANDS]. I am writing to bring to your urgent attention one of the most egregious cases where a person was wrongfully convicted. I wrote a letter several years ago to the Prisoner Review Board as an expert on pediatrics and post-partum psychosis, on her behalf urging clemency.
This case is a national and international embarrassment to Illinois. I urge you to make it your FIRST ACT of clemency ASAP.
Ms. Gindorf was a 20ish single mother of two small children/babies 24+ years ago - she had been abandoned by the father and was very poor. In a psychotic act due to post-partum psychosis and due to EGREGIOUS neglect of friends, family, and the state in not providing her the medical/psychiatric/social service help she needed, she apparently heard voices telling her to kill herself and take her children to heaven with her. She was also deeply depressed about her personal situation.
A family member suffered the same after giving birth two times, but I and family were always there to help her through this time. Unfortunately NO ONE WAS THERE TO HELP MS. GINDORF.
As a result she carefully washed and dressed her children/babies and gave them an overdose of over the counter medication (I’m not completely sure about what medication but that doesn’t matter) and also took an overdose herself. However, being young, uneducated and naive, she didn’t give herself a big enough dose and woke up later finding her children dead.
She was charged and convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole, because those many years ago the disease of post-partum psychosis was not recognized, and the murder of children always gets no sympathy from jurors who are so overwhelmed with passion against the murderer that they don’t usually think fairly or rationally.
She was clearly innocent due to temporary insanity from the post-partum psychosis. All the psychiatrists and a half dozen others who have examined her since or who are nationally renowned now support clemency. No where else in the world, let alone the U.S. are we so irrational and harsh in treatment of women with post-partum psychosis who commit crimes. It is a national and international disgrace and a stain on Illinois.
PLEASE SHOW THE WORLD, ILLINOIS, AND MS GINDORF THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE WRONG DONE TO HER AND GRANT HER A FULL PARDON. I BELIEVE SHE IS ONLY REQUESTING CLEMENCY. Please pull out her clemency petition from the pile and review it first.
In Europe, women with this illness who murder their children are sent to a mental hospital for two years and released. [In England those that murder their child under age one are evaluated by a psychiatrist and if they did it due to post-partum psychosis, they are not prosecuted but are forced to undergo psychiatric treatment as long as necessary]. High-profile cases where a woman drowned her five children have resulted in not guilty verdicts due to post-partum psychosis. PLEASE SHOW THE WORLD THAT ILLINOIS IS COMPASSIONATE AND BRING IT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY NOW BY IMMEDIATELY GRANTING A FULL PARDON TO MS. GINDORF. I’m sure she will be shocked if you pardon her and not just release her with clemency.
Gov., I believe you are a rational, honest, and hard-working leader. Please reveal this to the world by taking this action!! I do not know Ms. Gindorf, but she deserves your mercy and a chance to recover some small amount of money from the state for wrongful incarceration and the way she has been mistreated by the courts. 24+ years in prison when she is innocent due to a transient mental psychosis is simply barbaric. Within a year of the “crime” she no longer was a danger to society or anyone. She is punished daily with the knowledge that she took the lives of her children, but has received mental health care and now copes with this reality.
This is a treatable illness that even goes away on its own within 6 mo to a year after the child’s birth and only recurs with pregnancy. Most women suffering from it if not treated commit suicide. It is treatable even after subsequent pregnancies. Ms. Gindorf, due to her age, no longer has the option of pregnancy so she is not a risk to anyone.
I am available for discussion at any time about the details of post-partum psychosis.
May the Lord give you the wisdom and strength to act quickly and boldly to reverse this injustice. I know you have a lot on your plate, but this action is sorely needed and will make you and all of us in Illinois feel a little better about admitting our mistakes. Please give Ms. Gindorf justice.
Yours truly,
Linda Lorincz Shelton, Ph.D., M.D.
PLEASE WRITE OR CALL GOV. PAT QUINN IN SUPPORT OF PARDON AT:
Quinn, Pat 217-782-6830
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
CAPITOL BLDG RM 207
SPRINGFIELD IL 62706-1150
AN E-MAIL I SENT TO GOV. QUINN TODAY:
I am appalled that former Gov. Blagojevic ignored so many clemency petitions [THOUSANDS]. I am writing to bring to your urgent attention one of the most egregious cases where a person was wrongfully convicted. I wrote a letter several years ago to the Prisoner Review Board as an expert on pediatrics and post-partum psychosis, on her behalf urging clemency.
This case is a national and international embarrassment to Illinois. I urge you to make it your FIRST ACT of clemency ASAP.
Ms. Gindorf was a 20ish single mother of two small children/babies 24+ years ago - she had been abandoned by the father and was very poor. In a psychotic act due to post-partum psychosis and due to EGREGIOUS neglect of friends, family, and the state in not providing her the medical/psychiatric/social service help she needed, she apparently heard voices telling her to kill herself and take her children to heaven with her. She was also deeply depressed about her personal situation.
A family member suffered the same after giving birth two times, but I and family were always there to help her through this time. Unfortunately NO ONE WAS THERE TO HELP MS. GINDORF.
As a result she carefully washed and dressed her children/babies and gave them an overdose of over the counter medication (I’m not completely sure about what medication but that doesn’t matter) and also took an overdose herself. However, being young, uneducated and naive, she didn’t give herself a big enough dose and woke up later finding her children dead.
She was charged and convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole, because those many years ago the disease of post-partum psychosis was not recognized, and the murder of children always gets no sympathy from jurors who are so overwhelmed with passion against the murderer that they don’t usually think fairly or rationally.
She was clearly innocent due to temporary insanity from the post-partum psychosis. All the psychiatrists and a half dozen others who have examined her since or who are nationally renowned now support clemency. No where else in the world, let alone the U.S. are we so irrational and harsh in treatment of women with post-partum psychosis who commit crimes. It is a national and international disgrace and a stain on Illinois.
PLEASE SHOW THE WORLD, ILLINOIS, AND MS GINDORF THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE WRONG DONE TO HER AND GRANT HER A FULL PARDON. I BELIEVE SHE IS ONLY REQUESTING CLEMENCY. Please pull out her clemency petition from the pile and review it first.
In Europe, women with this illness who murder their children are sent to a mental hospital for two years and released. [In England those that murder their child under age one are evaluated by a psychiatrist and if they did it due to post-partum psychosis, they are not prosecuted but are forced to undergo psychiatric treatment as long as necessary]. High-profile cases where a woman drowned her five children have resulted in not guilty verdicts due to post-partum psychosis. PLEASE SHOW THE WORLD THAT ILLINOIS IS COMPASSIONATE AND BRING IT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY NOW BY IMMEDIATELY GRANTING A FULL PARDON TO MS. GINDORF. I’m sure she will be shocked if you pardon her and not just release her with clemency.
Gov., I believe you are a rational, honest, and hard-working leader. Please reveal this to the world by taking this action!! I do not know Ms. Gindorf, but she deserves your mercy and a chance to recover some small amount of money from the state for wrongful incarceration and the way she has been mistreated by the courts. 24+ years in prison when she is innocent due to a transient mental psychosis is simply barbaric. Within a year of the “crime” she no longer was a danger to society or anyone. She is punished daily with the knowledge that she took the lives of her children, but has received mental health care and now copes with this reality.
This is a treatable illness that even goes away on its own within 6 mo to a year after the child’s birth and only recurs with pregnancy. Most women suffering from it if not treated commit suicide. It is treatable even after subsequent pregnancies. Ms. Gindorf, due to her age, no longer has the option of pregnancy so she is not a risk to anyone.
I am available for discussion at any time about the details of post-partum psychosis.
May the Lord give you the wisdom and strength to act quickly and boldly to reverse this injustice. I know you have a lot on your plate, but this action is sorely needed and will make you and all of us in Illinois feel a little better about admitting our mistakes. Please give Ms. Gindorf justice.
Yours truly,
Linda Lorincz Shelton, Ph.D., M.D.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Questions and Answers About Cook County Jail - Corruption in Jails
A continuing blog discussion about what is going on at Cook County Jail and information that inmates and families of inmates need to know. Extensive civil rights violations are detailed in many of the posts. Dr. Shelton "Linda" provides a lot of the answers:
http://www.cookcojail.com/questions.php
http://www.cookcojail.com/questions.php
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Secretive Atmosphere in Illinois, Government Corruption, and Gov. Blagojevic Arrest
I am concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the overall atmosphere in Illinois in particular related to the Gov. Blagojevic arrest, and I presume soon to be announced indictment.
Illinois for too long has been under the control of the Kingdom of former Gov. Jim (Prince John) Thompson and his Lords, Chicago Mayor Richard M. and Cook Co. Commissioner John Daley (sons of former Mayor Richard J.), County Board Pres. John Stroger Jr. (son of former County Board Pres. John Stroger), House Speaker Michael and his daughter Atty Gen. Lisa Madigan, Alderman Ed (buddy of Fast Ed[dy] now convict Vrdolyak) and IL. Supreme Court Justice Ann Burke, former Sheriff (of Nottingham) Sheahan, and State's Attorney Richard (Gisbourne) Divine, as well as other Lords such as former Sen. President Emil Jones and now his son Emil Jones Jr. Political office is inherited in Illinois, elected by political patronage paid for by bribery (10% of all contracts SHALL be donated (kicked-back) to political funds such as "Friends of Madigan" and "Friends of Blagojevic"), and decided in closed back room "deals" (bribes, tit-for-tat, nothing to do with competency or experience, etc.).
Its time we have a truth commission in Illinois to give clemency to low level players so that we can reveal the true extent of the corruption, encourage witnesses to come out of the woodwork and reveal their evidence, as well as start anew with a high level of transparency. We desperately need new blood in Illinois and help from the U.S. Attorney in breaking the cycle of corruption, bribery, kick-backs, patronage, and nepotism.
Fear is powerful. It keeps witnesses from talking. Fear in IL is used by making patronage workers fear job loss, fear loss of promotion, fear poverty. Whistle blowers are threatened by defamation, false arrests, and false statements about their sexual life or sexual preferences. This is topped off with death threats on the phone and a history of "suicide" by those arrested and charged with corruption who have positions just under the powerful like John Stroger Sr.'s godson Orlando Jones.
A UIC professor said: Patronage breeds corruption like garbage breeds flies. SOOO true in Illinois.
For more information about Illinois Corruption see the blogs:
http://cookcountyjudges.wordpress.com/
http://cookcountysheriffdeputies.wordpress.com/
http://chicagofbi.wordpress.com/
http://7thcircuitcourts.wordpress.com/
and other posts on this blog.
Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. is identified as Candidate # 5 in the U.S. Attorney complaint against Gov. Blagojevic. Apparently someone connected with him was approached by Gov. Blagojevic operatives in order to negotiate Rep. Jackson “compensating” Gov. Blagojevic with funds for his political campaigns IF Rep. Jackson was placed higher on the list for appointment as Senator. Rep. Jackson should reveal the name of his associate and exactly what was discussed between his associate and Gov. Blagojevic’s operatives. If he is unwilling to do so, I MUST presume he has something to cover up. If he made NO inappropriate offer to produce campaign funds for Gov. Blagojevic (bribe) in exchange for or compensation for obtaining the Senate seat, then he should have nothing to hide and be totally willing to reveal all conversations occurring between his staff or operatives and Gov. Blagojevic’s staff or operatives, as well as the names of these people.
The same holds true for Pres.-Elect Obama. If someone from his staff spoke to someone in Gov. Blagojevic’s staff concerning filling his Senate seat he should reveal their name and insist that the staff member be totally transparent about the conversation. If he doesn’t do this quickly the public and press will assume he has something to hide.
Senator Durbin has requested that Gov. Ryan be granted clemency. I think he should withdraw that request because of reasons I state elsewhere,
http://illinoiscorruption.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-clemency-for-convict-former-governor.html,
as well as the fact that it would diminish the seriousness of his offense. Persons in office deserve VERY stiff sentence when they break the public trust. This is essentially treason. For Gov. Blagojevic to try to corrupt the US Senate by appointing someone who bought the office is also tantamount to treason but at a higher level. It should be treated as such in my book. His acts, if true, were so blatant, arrogant, and beyond the pale to astonish all. The punishment if he is convicted should be EXTREMELY steep.
I have informed Senator Durbin of a lot of facts related to corruption in the courts and government offices in Illinois that violate state law and amount to felony conspiracy to violate rights under color of law. I had asked him to consider holding congressional hearings on this topic and review the federal law regarding this to find ways to better enforce civil rights law and the right to a fair trial. I was exceedingly disappointed in his response. He said its not a federal issue and I should consult a state legislator. He is Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. As such he should clearly see this IS A FEDERAL ISSUE. He has a sworn duty to uphold the laws of this land. He was informed of felony conduct of government officials and members of the courts in Illinois. He should have referred the issue to the US Attorney and considered holding hearings. His failure to do so means he has disregarded his DUTY to uphold the laws of the land, failed to respond to a citizen in Illinois about pressing civil rights issues and government corruption issues that have culminated with with the arrest of Gov. Blagojevic, and makes me assume he is more interested in covering up corruption and forgiving corruption in Illinois than addressing these issues. I now must question his loyalty to the constitution and the citizens of Illinois.
His e-mail to me is as follows:
December 9, 2008
Dr. Linda Shelton
9905 S. Kilbourn Ave
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Dear Dr. Shelton:
Thank you for contacting me about a blog alleging corruption in the Illinois judicial system. I appreciate hearing from you.
This issue is under the jurisdiction of state and local government. As a federal official, I do not have a formal role in this matter. However, I appreciate knowing your concerns.
You may want to contact your State Senator and State Representative to let them know your views. You can find their names and office telephone numbers by entering your home address at the website of the Illinois State Board of Elections, http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx, or by calling the Board at (866) 262-6663.
Again, thank you for your message. If I can be of any service regarding an issue before the United States Senate, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
RJD/td
Illinois for too long has been under the control of the Kingdom of former Gov. Jim (Prince John) Thompson and his Lords, Chicago Mayor Richard M. and Cook Co. Commissioner John Daley (sons of former Mayor Richard J.), County Board Pres. John Stroger Jr. (son of former County Board Pres. John Stroger), House Speaker Michael and his daughter Atty Gen. Lisa Madigan, Alderman Ed (buddy of Fast Ed[dy] now convict Vrdolyak) and IL. Supreme Court Justice Ann Burke, former Sheriff (of Nottingham) Sheahan, and State's Attorney Richard (Gisbourne) Divine, as well as other Lords such as former Sen. President Emil Jones and now his son Emil Jones Jr. Political office is inherited in Illinois, elected by political patronage paid for by bribery (10% of all contracts SHALL be donated (kicked-back) to political funds such as "Friends of Madigan" and "Friends of Blagojevic"), and decided in closed back room "deals" (bribes, tit-for-tat, nothing to do with competency or experience, etc.).
Its time we have a truth commission in Illinois to give clemency to low level players so that we can reveal the true extent of the corruption, encourage witnesses to come out of the woodwork and reveal their evidence, as well as start anew with a high level of transparency. We desperately need new blood in Illinois and help from the U.S. Attorney in breaking the cycle of corruption, bribery, kick-backs, patronage, and nepotism.
Fear is powerful. It keeps witnesses from talking. Fear in IL is used by making patronage workers fear job loss, fear loss of promotion, fear poverty. Whistle blowers are threatened by defamation, false arrests, and false statements about their sexual life or sexual preferences. This is topped off with death threats on the phone and a history of "suicide" by those arrested and charged with corruption who have positions just under the powerful like John Stroger Sr.'s godson Orlando Jones.
A UIC professor said: Patronage breeds corruption like garbage breeds flies. SOOO true in Illinois.
For more information about Illinois Corruption see the blogs:
http://cookcountyjudges.wordpress.com/
http://cookcountysheriffdeputies.wordpress.com/
http://chicagofbi.wordpress.com/
http://7thcircuitcourts.wordpress.com/
and other posts on this blog.
Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. is identified as Candidate # 5 in the U.S. Attorney complaint against Gov. Blagojevic. Apparently someone connected with him was approached by Gov. Blagojevic operatives in order to negotiate Rep. Jackson “compensating” Gov. Blagojevic with funds for his political campaigns IF Rep. Jackson was placed higher on the list for appointment as Senator. Rep. Jackson should reveal the name of his associate and exactly what was discussed between his associate and Gov. Blagojevic’s operatives. If he is unwilling to do so, I MUST presume he has something to cover up. If he made NO inappropriate offer to produce campaign funds for Gov. Blagojevic (bribe) in exchange for or compensation for obtaining the Senate seat, then he should have nothing to hide and be totally willing to reveal all conversations occurring between his staff or operatives and Gov. Blagojevic’s staff or operatives, as well as the names of these people.
The same holds true for Pres.-Elect Obama. If someone from his staff spoke to someone in Gov. Blagojevic’s staff concerning filling his Senate seat he should reveal their name and insist that the staff member be totally transparent about the conversation. If he doesn’t do this quickly the public and press will assume he has something to hide.
Senator Durbin has requested that Gov. Ryan be granted clemency. I think he should withdraw that request because of reasons I state elsewhere,
http://illinoiscorruption.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-clemency-for-convict-former-governor.html,
as well as the fact that it would diminish the seriousness of his offense. Persons in office deserve VERY stiff sentence when they break the public trust. This is essentially treason. For Gov. Blagojevic to try to corrupt the US Senate by appointing someone who bought the office is also tantamount to treason but at a higher level. It should be treated as such in my book. His acts, if true, were so blatant, arrogant, and beyond the pale to astonish all. The punishment if he is convicted should be EXTREMELY steep.
I have informed Senator Durbin of a lot of facts related to corruption in the courts and government offices in Illinois that violate state law and amount to felony conspiracy to violate rights under color of law. I had asked him to consider holding congressional hearings on this topic and review the federal law regarding this to find ways to better enforce civil rights law and the right to a fair trial. I was exceedingly disappointed in his response. He said its not a federal issue and I should consult a state legislator. He is Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. As such he should clearly see this IS A FEDERAL ISSUE. He has a sworn duty to uphold the laws of this land. He was informed of felony conduct of government officials and members of the courts in Illinois. He should have referred the issue to the US Attorney and considered holding hearings. His failure to do so means he has disregarded his DUTY to uphold the laws of the land, failed to respond to a citizen in Illinois about pressing civil rights issues and government corruption issues that have culminated with with the arrest of Gov. Blagojevic, and makes me assume he is more interested in covering up corruption and forgiving corruption in Illinois than addressing these issues. I now must question his loyalty to the constitution and the citizens of Illinois.
His e-mail to me is as follows:
December 9, 2008
Dr. Linda Shelton
9905 S. Kilbourn Ave
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Dear Dr. Shelton:
Thank you for contacting me about a blog alleging corruption in the Illinois judicial system. I appreciate hearing from you.
This issue is under the jurisdiction of state and local government. As a federal official, I do not have a formal role in this matter. However, I appreciate knowing your concerns.
You may want to contact your State Senator and State Representative to let them know your views. You can find their names and office telephone numbers by entering your home address at the website of the Illinois State Board of Elections, http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx, or by calling the Board at (866) 262-6663.
Again, thank you for your message. If I can be of any service regarding an issue before the United States Senate, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
RJD/td
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