Chris Henderson
I wish the world could read this letter so that they could know this:all letters
Chris Henderson
transcription
Dear Flashlights, I would like to address a couple of thoughts in
a couple of areas in the given prompts in your last newsteller.
* Barriers to engage in Legal work: (1) Retaliation/ abuse of the disciplinary system.
The more I have applied myself into making
a change inside of the (Redacted) for women, the more I have had to worry about how administration was going to use my housing as an underhanded way to punish me
for doing what my heart and soul tells me I have to do.
Since "Safety and Security of the institution is
such a broad umbrella, administration can attach any kind of penological purpose as to why such and such housing is or was necessary, it
Completely renders us helpless in these
situations. Not even the state Ombudsman is able to offer solace. More often then not, these "forced called" situations end in utter violence , and even death at the male facilities When I began to fight for my rights as a transgender man in 2018, I have had to suffer indignities such as being housed
with extremely unstable incarcerated
individuals known for being violent and mentally ill . When I spent a better part of
& weeks expressing her erratic behavior to administration, I was told," I'll be okay, you can handle yourself."
yet when the time came and I had to "handle myself" the administration took
absolutely zero accountability. I do not find it
a coincidence that prior to being called with this particular individual I was told by my Unit Manager," If we have too much trouble housing you here , we can send you to the mens prison ." Which was a direct threat to my safety as I transition from F to M.
I ended up in SEG and also issued some disciplinary action on top of SEG time. All because I was standing up for my
Legal right to get proper trans care, and to be treated according to guidelines made by the PREA Standards . This was just the
beginning of the experiences I was going to face as I sought not only for my Constitutional Rights , but for the rights due to my fellow peers as well.
(2) Oppressive correspondence polices/mail
tampering.
Since I was engaging in so much movement between my fellow peers and my rights, I began to document heavily the in justiceness I seen and I felt. I started sending out my documentation to the ACLU of (Redacted) only to find that a vast majority of my legal mail never made it to the ACLU of (Redacted) and my documents that mysteriously "got lost " would not be replaced . I was told that I am responsible for keeping my own records . Therefore my engaging in legal work also resulted in mail tampering that resulted in the loss of precious time and documentation. I have since become wise , and ONLY send out copies of my documentation. Until. New legal team decided to refuse the legal coping of our Inmate Interview Requests (IIR's; kites") and of our Grievances. Our only Burden of Proof. I was now engaged in another battle , which again I came out on top. Here at (Redacted), as long as you express that the items you need legal copies of are for prose suits , they allow for the process .
It's so completely unfortunate that this is
the extent that the (Redacted) Department of
Correctional Services (DCS) will go to insure
that we remember and remain a product of
the prison system with administrations foot
always on our necks. (4) Inadequate law Libraries.
At (Redacted), our law library literally consists
of half of a standard book shelf . That is it . I have yet to address this issue, simply because I have not educated myself enough as to how much legal material we are entitled to. I am sure that a half of this bookshelf does not come close.
So I have a question for you Flashlights, I need to know: For the State of (Redacted), what all legal material should we have access to inside of these walls?
I can spend so much more time and paper
following your prompts, I want to stop for now and make sure I send my letter and
consent form to you ASAP.
Please, if you ever want to know more about our time inside of (Redacted) gates of this severely conservative State of Nebraska, let me know.
1 we expend all the paper I have expressing our life here.
I just truly don't want to take up too much time and space if it isn't needed or wanted. I have made such mistakes in the past. So if you want a more extensive look at New through my eyes, just let me know.
Sincerely,
Christian Henderson (Redacted) NE (Redacted)
Chris Henderson
transcription
pg. 1of 2
Dear SLI .
3.26-24
I regretfully am writing you you from segregation . Which I want to explain a few thoughts I am having concerning human nature.
When people in society meet , gain interest , share common interests through companionship and end up falling in love, getting married and planning a future together; is it unusual , unnatural, strange or forbidden? When people become incarcerated, do they automatically relinquish the right to do the same?
What if the person that changes their world is
also incarcerated? Does this mean their love for one another has no bearing simply because they are no longer a productive portion of society? Just because we are incarcerated does not mean that we no longer have the ability to create meaningful connections , it's quite the opposite. Because we are incarcerated , we developed a deeper connection based on shared experiences and our only source of actual support is from each other.
On March 12, 2024, administration made the decision to take the woman I love with my
whole being and relocate her to another part of
pg.2082
3.26.24
things that make us human. As though through incarceration I am to become a state programmed robot , devoid of any feelings or devoid of making any meaningful connections with another human being. After being programmed to function as a robot , they release me and wonder dazed and confused as to why I no longer function as an integral part of society . I eventually recidivate and head back to prison where my program makes sense. How can finding love be so bad? One of the greatest achievements and most fulfilling part of any human beings life is when they love and are loved. All of humanity has been established by this very thing . Love .
We have to find a way to allow for human
beings to continue to do human things, even from inside of prison. you can remove us
from society, but you can't remove us from our
humanity.
Sincerely,
Christian Henderson (Redacted)