To: The President of the United States, The U.S. Senate and The U.S. House, see more...The Governor, Your State Senate, Your State House, The President of the United States, The U.S. Senate and The U.S. House

Started by: Loretta Simpson

Let's do what we can to put an end to the 3 Strike law in the state of California, so much in the prison system needs to be changed. Our loved ones are getting put in prison and just left there with nothing left for there loved ones to be able to do but cry and break down that there husband, son, daughter, mother, are locked away for many years and in some cases hours away where some families cant even afford to go visit...Please lets put an end to this injustice before once again its to late...I know these people do wrong and I believe in taking responsibility for your actions but I think they should be given a sentence to which the crime fits...Not to be treated like an animal because they made a bad choice and put in cages for years on out...There are people who have done worse crimes doing less time than others who did not do as serious crimes and are getting more time...WE NEED JUSTICE FOR OUR LOVED ONES...

This is the response I got back from TN Department of Corrections

I can't remember if I forwarded this to you or not.  Here is the reply from the Dept. of Corrections.

From: Jim Thrasher [mailto:Jim.Thrasher@tn.gov]
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 1:50 PM
To: Ben West Jr
Cc: Carol Roberts
Subject: RE: 3 Strike Law/ Sentencing To Harsh

Mary, Thank you for sharing Ms. Simpson's e-mail to President Obama regarding her concerns and suggestions. I am also copying this response to Carol Roberts for Representative Turner. First, Global Tel Link provides the department's inmate telephone system. Please be advised that the rates are set by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) and not the department or Global Tel Link. Mr. Jesse Griggs is the department's contact for the inmate telephone system and Ms. Simpson may contact him at (615) 741-1000, Extension #8098. Regarding visitation, all institutions do offer one (1) night each week (Monday - Friday) in addition to weekend visitation for those persons who are unable to visit on the weekends. Each facility posts its days and hours for visitation on the department's website.  I am advised by the Assistant Commissioner and his staff that conjugal visits and condoms will not be considered for inmates. Conjugal visit programs have been gradually decreasing in correctional systems across the country in the last 20 years. To the best of our knowledge the number of states permitting these visits has now decreased to seven (7) or less.  Ms. Simpson also suggests testing for HIV and Hepatitis. All inmates receive an extensive medical screening upon their arrival into the state prison system. The screening includes laboratory tests to check for chronic and communicable diseases. In addition, a detailed medical history is taken to determine an inmate's risk for other diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. At any time, the physician may elect to test an inmate for a communicable disease if the inmate presents systems or if the inmate reports that he/she has recently engaged in "high risk" activities. I am also advised that tattooing will not be permitted due to health and security concerns.     

>>> "Ben West Jr" 9/10/2009 2:58 PM >>>
Thanks for sending us the e-mbluize040@aol.comail that you sent to the
President.  I am going to forward your letter to Mike Turner since I
think he is your State Representative.  Ms. Simpson, I will also forward
this on to the Department of Corrections.  There are many ideas that
should be considered.
Best wishes,
Mary Adair for Ben West, Jr.

-----Original Message-----
From: Loretta Simpson [mailto:bluize040@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 2:34 PM
To: Ben West Jr
Subject: 3 Strike Law/ Sentencing To Harsh

Rep. Ben West
TN

Dear Mr. President Obama,

I don't think God could have picked a better man to become President, I
mean that from the bottom of my heart. I feel in my heart what that
means for you to have become the President...You have a good heart and
you are a very fair man who is trying to make our world a better
place...You may or may not accomplish all you have set out to do as the
President but I know it won't be because you didn't give it your best
shot...I can honestly say for once in my 46 years I am proud of my
President of The United States of America...Thank you Mr. President for
all you have, will, and are gonna do...Please all I ask is that you
change our prison system and the way it operates, the phone calls are to
high, the visitation is just on weekends and alot of people in the world
work weekends...I know there has to be some form of comprimising, family
time in all states, conjugal visits, maybe that will help stop prison
rape, and homosexuality, the spread of diseases, make condoms a must.
Make inmates have to take Aids test every month or six months and be
checked for other diseases such as HepititisC, Make Tattooing legal in
prisons as it is now a legal trade out in the free world. That is where
the spread of HepC is coming from because they don't have the
sterilization they need...Please I ask you this from the bottom of my
heart...Thank You so much...We Love You...

Loretta Simpson
p.o. box 534
old hickory, TN 37138