Clemency Campaign for Imprisoned Woman Dying of Cancer Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Tue, 4 Nov 1997 16:02:29 +0000 source: "Judy Greenspan" URGENT -- YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO GRANT CLAUDIA REDDY'S LAST WISH "TO DIE OUTSIDE OF PRISON" It is the 9th hour. Claudia Reddy is on life supports and we are trying to get her released to that she (and her husband) may have the peace of mind and dignity of dying outside of state custody. There are "talks" going on between the Governor's office and the Board of Prison Terms. Now is the time to exert some last pressure. Please call or fax the governor's office today (he apparently doesn't respond to email). My letter to him follows a press release that was sent out all over the state today. Feel free to write your own message to Pete Wilson or copy mine. Governor Wilson's Phone No. (916) 445-2841; fax no. (916) 445-4633. Release Claudia Reddy who is currently on a respirator (life supports) at the Madera Community Hospital. There is an armed guard outside her room. Remove the guard and allow her to die outside of state custody. The press release and letter of the HIV/AIDS in Prison Project are included below: HIV/AIDS IN PRISON PROJECT Catholic Charities of the East Bay MEDIA ADVISORY MEDIA ADVISORY MEDIA ADVISORY Att: Newsroom, News/Assignment Editor For Immediate Release: November 4, 1997 For More Information Contact: Judy Greenspan (510) 834-5656, ext. 3150 Pager: (510) 321-7697 November 4 -- The HIV/AIDS in Prison Project of Catholic Charities of the East Bay today called upon Governor Pete Wilson to grant compassionate release, parole or clemency to Claudia Reddy, a woman prisoner dying of cancer at Madera Community Hospital. Reddy, who has already served 15 years of a 17-to-life term for killing her violent and abusive husband, is currently on a respirator, unable to breathe on her own. Family members and doctors do not know how longer she has to live. Since April 1997, legal advocacy organizations, women's groups, and concerned community members have been fighting for Reddy's compassionate release. Denise Meyer of the the University of Southern California Post Conviction Project has represented this dying prisoner for two compassionate release hearings in front of the parole board. Both times, Reddy was denied release. Reddy's clemency papers have been before Governor Wilson for over 5 1/2 years. In her letter to Governor Wilson, Judy Greenspan, Director of Catholic Charities' HIV/AIDS in Prison Project, stated "Claudia Reddy's last wish is to die outside of her current confinement. We urge you to grant her compassionate release, parole or clemency so that the prison guard can be removed from Claudia's hospital door and she can die with dignity. Ms. Reddy, who merely defended herself against her abusive husband, can no longer be construed by your office to be a danger to the public safety. Now, lying in her hospital bed hooked up to a respirator, she clearly deserves compassion and release from custody." Referring to Assembly Bill 29, the compassionate release bill for terminally ill prisoners, that Governor Wilson signed into law on October 8, Greenspan added, "If you truly support the compassionate release of dying prisoners and are concerned about curbing unnecessary costs to state taxpayers, you will immediately order the release of Claudia Reddy. We urge you to do so now." According to Greenspan, Reddy's continued confinement at the outside hospital has cost state taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in custody and contract medical care expenses. According to the Prison Project, Reddy's family members are being allowed extended visiting at the Madera hospital. _________ Resources: 1) Denise Meyer, Attorney-at-Law, USC-Post Conviction Project, (213) 740-2525, for information about Ms. Reddy's compassionate release case. 2) Susan Stokes, Attorney-at-Law, (612) 871-8910, for information about Ms. Reddy's clemency campaign. __________ (Sample Letter -- Please fax your letter!) HIV/AIDS IN PRISON PROJECT Catholic Charities of the East Bay November 4, 1997 Governor Pete Wilson State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone No. (916) 445-2841 Fax No. (916) 445-4633 Re: Claudia Reddy Dear Governor Wilson: I am writing to urge you to immediately grant compassionate release, clemency or parole (all of which are within your power as Governor of this state) to Claudia Reddy, a woman prisoner dying of cancer at the Madera Community Hospital. I know that you are aware of Ms. Reddy's case. Her clemency papers have been on your desk for nearly 5 1/2 years. She has applied for compassionate release on several occasions. A new compassionate release application is pending right now before the Director of the California Department of Corrections. As you also know, she has suffered respiratory failure and is currently hooked up to a respirator. She clearly cannot go anywhere at this time. We urge you to grant her compassionate release, parole or clemency so that the prison guard can be removed from Claudia's hospital door and she can die with dignity. Ms. Reddy, who merely defended herself against her abusive husband, can no longer be construed by your office as a danger to the public safety. Now, lying in her hospital bed hooked up to a respirator, she clearly deserves compassion and release from prison. Her final wish is to die outside of state custody. On October 8, you signed Assembly Bill 29, the compassionate release bill for terminally ill prisoners, into law. If you truly support the compassionate release of dying prisoners and are concerned about curbing unnecessary costs to state taxpayers, you will immediately order the release of Claudia Reddy. We urge you to do so now. Sincerely, Judy Greenspan, Director HIV/AIDS in Prison Project ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytfem-11.07.97-02:07:15-4228