[Peace-discuss] this evening: Vigil for Reform at Tamms Supermax Prison July 16

[Karen Medina]

This is the evening for the Vigil for Reform at Tamms Supermax Prison
-- a prison in southern Illinois
Thursday, July 16 -- 6:30 pm-7:30 pm

WHERE: 902 W Springfield Ave., Urbana IL 61801
In the yard adjacent to the First Mennonite Church. If it rains, it'll
move inside.

Names of current Tamms prisoners will be read aloud, and ex-prisoners
will speak. Banners will be raised at nearby busy intersections before
the vigil.
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I know that there is some concern about the event being called a
prayer vigil. Consider tolerance; acknowledge that this event is
bringing together a lot of cultures and belief systems for a very
important issue. It takes a community to change the wrongs. The
churches are ready-made communities, they are ready to unite, and they
are taking it to the streets.  -karen medina
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Across the state, communities will come together:
· to pray for a fair and just solution to the crisis at Tamms supermax prison;
· to pray that all mentally ill prisoners are relieved of their
anguish, and given treatment and compassion;
· to pray that former and current Tamms prisoners may transform their
isolation into fellowship and solidarity with others;
· to pray for the safety, peace and well-being of all correctional
officers and staff, prisoners, and families impacted by violence and
incarceration.
Why this is the time to act:
· Gov. Quinn appointed a new director to head the IDOC with the top
priority of reviewing Tamms, and charting a "new direction" for the
department.
· These are the last weeks before Director Michael Randle will make
his decision about the supermax.
· We recognize the good faith efforts of Gov. Quinn, Director Randle,
IDOC, AFSCME, and legislators to solve these problems.
· The men at Tamms can't wait. A prisoner died this week at age 34. He
was mentally ill and spent the last 10 years of his life in isolation.

Contacts:
Conrad Wetzel - clwetzel at hotmail.com 217-390-9246
Barbara Kessel - barkes at gmail.com