Judy Preston, Esquire
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Special Litigation Section
10th and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW
Room 1714A
Washington, D.C. 20530
Re:
Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center -- MCAC
Allegation of Brutality and Allegation of Discrimination
Dear Ms. Preston:
This is to bring to your attention a letter I received from another inmate at the subject facility. The letter was not delayed coming to me in any way. It was dated by the inmate on September 1st, the institutional outgoing intake stamp was dated September 2nd, it was postmarked the same day and was received here Saturday, the 3rd. A full photocopy of the letter is enclosed.
The letter contains the following language:
There is quite a bit of heat on this place because of the guards beating up inmates while in chains and shackles. I'm not absolutely certain but I think that may of [sic] caused the warden change.
Many of the whites here are writting [sic] letters to A.C.L.U. about discrimination against us. Every white that has an escape on him isn't even considered for transfer, some have been in this place since the day it opened for only attemped [sic] escape. Many Blacks with escapes are transferred the first time up and several even took hostages ...
The inmate goes on to cite the examples of a Thomas S, a D. S, a Kevin S and a Francis B in terms of their escape history and ability to be transferred out of the MCAC facility unlike his own situation and that of a fellow white prisoner. I note here that the MCAC racial makeup stands at 89.7% black and 9.9% white (9-to-1) while the rest of the Division of Correction averages 77.3% black and 22.5% white (3-to-1) (July, 1994 figures from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services).
In this instance, the inmate is white and I understand he has a life sentence in connection with the killing of a police officer. I have heard from him on several occasions during 1994. This is the first allusion to brutality of any kind and this is the first mention of malfeasance as to inmate classification although he has complained of his MCAC/C5 status in terms of his escape history at least for several months.
By way of background, the inmate has told me that he has served 19 years and would be eligible for parole were it not for his MCAC assignment. He is also looking toward a transfer under the Interstate Compact. The MCAC environment does not let him visit with his small children as he was able while in the State of Florida. His wife is very active in promoting his case; I talked to her by telephone earlier this morning and she has showed me his classification documents in the past. She has said she has additional letters to substantiate brutality but I understand she has already furnished them to your agency, if not division or section. She says she has also furnished copies to several public officials whether on a national or local basis.
By copy of this letter, I am apprising the Maryland Commissioner of Correction of both topics raised by the inmate as has been my practice in the past. I acknowledge that your agency has expressed an interest in the Maryland C5-level security facility but it is my judgment that usual, normal and customary avenues of redress should be able to go forward without hindrance. If in fact there is verity in these inmate assertions, I would hope they best be addressed at the state versus the federal level. Of course, your agency's intervention would be welcome if they are not.
My telephone number is (410) ###-#### if you have any questions or require further information. As discussed with you on an earlier occasion, I will continue to bring to your attention any questionable circumstance presenting itself.
Sincerely,
Nancy Moran
Volunteer
nm
enclosure
cc: Mr. Richard A. Lanham, Sr. (w/o enc)