Dear Maryland Inmate,
From June 30, 2008-July 4,
2008, Maryland’s Outside Connection is joining in on a national effort to write elected officials across the country
about changes we want to see in the criminal justice/prison system. We
ask for your participation in this important campaign.
Please copy the sample letter,
fill in the blanks and mail it to Governor Martin O’Malley on June 30th (maybe a few days earlier because
we know how prison mail is often held up). To save on postage, you can use one
stamp to mail letters from a number of inmates.
We want a unified message on the
inside and hope that you will stand with us as we continue to fight with you and for you.
We are also pleased with Secretary Gary D. Maynard’s bold move in firing over 20 Correctional Officers in Western Maryland
because of alleged abuses. While we understand that the union is powerful, many
of us who fight on the outside are union members too, and we urge our leadership to stand for justice.
You may also get your loved ones
involved by emailing us at outsideconnect@verizon.net. Drop us a note at Maryland’s
Outside Connection, P.O. Box 5462, Hyattsville, MD 20782 to let us know if you
participated in the action.
SAMPLE LETTER
21ST CENTURY TEA PART
CAMPAIGN: A NATIONAL LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR PRISON REFORM
(Date)
Governor Martin J. O’Malley
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1925
Governor Martin O’Malley
I am an inmate incarcerated at the
(Names of correctional facility) in (City/Town), Maryland. I have (number of
family members) who are registered voters in the State of Maryland. So far, I
have served (number) of years on a (number) sentence.
Along with thousands of people across
the country who are participating in the 21 Century Tea Party Campaign, I am writing to encourage major prison reform in the
State of Maryland.
I am asking that you consider the
following to improve the Maryland criminal justice system: 1) reinstate work
release and parole consideration for lifers; (2) release for terminally ill prisoners; (3) establishment of state-funded transportation
for family and friends of prisoners; and (4) increased programming for prisoners (education, jobs, and drug treatment).
In the meantime, I look forward
to working with my supporters on the outside to organize for major changes in the criminal justice system..
Sincerely,
(Name, DOC Number, Address)