To: Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative
New York, NY
From: Cobey LaKemper 0767480
601 North Third Street *New Address
Baybro, NC 28515
Date: 18 February 2021
Re: Submission | Tool Kits




Dear JLI,


Please find enclosed my "Submission" in response to the " Project
Call" indicated in Volume 45. I must be a crummy writer because I
haven't had anything published anywere despite many sincere attempts,
but in any case here it is. The bad situation in this State really
needs to be revealed publicly.


Additionally, May I please receive "tool kits" concerning the following:
Human Rights Law, Legal Research/ Legal Writing, and Narrative Story-
telling For Policy Change? I need all the help I can get here.
Please take note of my new address.

And thank you so much for acknowledging us prisoners. I cannot
thank you enough.


Respectfully,
[Signature]


Submission
By Cobey LaKemper #0767480
NC DOC
18 Feb 2021


JLI -


I am serving a life sentence in North Carolina. There exists a
blanket-ban on law libraries at all facilities in this prison system.
As an alternative to law library access, the State Maintains a
contractual - agreement with an organization called North Carolina
Prisoner Legal Services ("NCPL5"), who in theory is supposed
to provide legal assistance to prisoners confined within NC
DOC. In theory. In reality they provide virtually none.




I'm from Missouri. Due to being a life-long addict and conseq-
uently a criminal since a young age, I served several bids
back home too, where law libraries are present (or at least
were) within every facility. Good law libraries. Missouri is
where I earned my chops as a jailhouse lawyer and put
in alot of work helping others. Law libraries actually create
a ripple-effect, whereby when they're present within a fac-
ility the facility is better in numerous ways . It isn't bec-
ause the administrators wake up feeling unusually empathic and
Kind, wondering, "Gee, what can I do today to improve the condit-
ions- of- confinement for these guys,” but rather the administrators
want to keep us out of the law libraries, so they improve conditions
and offer privileges proactively.




North Carolina is Exhibit A in support of this. We have nothing
here: no privileges, no tablets or televisions, none of the basic
little things to help lend to life being meaningful. Quality of life in
here is deplorable. Retaliation by prison staff for the use of
grievance procedures occurs as a matter of course. Mail
is treated as a you'll-get-it-if-you're-lucky “privilege,” and
not the right that it is. Very rarely do prisoners challenge
any of this through litigation, for there aren't law libraries so
they have no clue where to begin. Filing lawsuits are not at
all part of the culture here.




Of course I blame NC DOC actors, but then again they
are identifiably the enemy and are doing what opposition is exp-
ected to do (i.e. be grimy). It's NCPLS who are primarily
responsible for conditions being so thoroughly antiquated and dep-
ressing here. They routinely decline to provide any type of
assistance concerning conditions-of-confinement: In addition to
not assisting as to preparing motions or briefs or helping comp-
ose a $1983 complaint, they do not perform research, print
case law or any other material, make copies, e.g., and of course
DOC staff do not offer the slightest assistance regarding any
of these needs.




To illustrate how inexcusably worthless NCPLS is, last year
several prisoners and I conducted an experiment in which we
sent letters to their office, spaced- out over a few months,
describing some terrible (but believable) incident that transpired
per the actions of abusive prison guards, followed by a desperate
plea for assistance in filing a 1983. If by some chance they
actually offered help we fully intended to quickly come clean, but
through experience we knew better. As expected, weeks after
sending the requests we all received form letters, the same
impersonal dribble received previously after sending them very
legitimate and important requests seeking any assistance they
could possibly offer. The same form letters received by hundreds
of frustrated and hopeless-feeling NC prisoners over the years
needing help, informed that due to funding or staffing issues they
wouldn't receive any.


Recently a law professor at one of the bigger NC universities rel-
eased information concerning the amount of money earmarked annually
to NCPLS for prisoner litigation (i.e. DOC prisoners) to be app-
lied to post-conviction and conditions of confinement matters, versus
how much of that money was actually used, and it was startling.
Hardly none of it. Within the previous decade they may have provided
some assistance in five to ten 1983's. Maybe, and at most, alth-
ough I've heard only of three. And occasionally they help with post-
conviction matters when there exists glaring error. There may be
one or two among them who aren't totally unfeeling, but NCPLS as
a whole is fourth-rate and nowhere near to being a reasonable
alternative to law library access. Sadly, their mere existence
tends to satisfy the Lewis v. Casey standard, particularly in a
conservative circuit like the 4th.


After accumulating the best bit of facts available to me in an eff-
ort to satisfy the injury requirement in Lewis, in February 2020
I filed a 1983 challenging the blanket-ban on law libraries and absen-
ce of a meaningful substitute: Lakemper v. Hooks, etal, Civil Action No.
5:20-CT-3083-FL (E.D. NC). Unfortunately, it was summarily dismiss-
ed during §1915 review for failure to state a claim, giving me a
dreaded “strike.” I filed a Rule 60 motion, pointing out the court’s
error in assessing my Complaint as the usual Sixth Amendment claim,
when in fact I attempted a different angle and submitted it as a
First/ Fourteenth challenge, thereby hopefully circumventing the
nearly-impossible- to- satisfy injury standard. The motion remains
pending as of this writing. If it fails, it's a wrap because I cannot
afford the appeal filing fee or to have a lien placed on my account.
However, if the court allows the case to proceed and I'm able to
litigate and possibly win, it would help literally thousands of NC pr-
isoners, now and for a long time. As it is, I'm prevented from helping
guys with their valid post-conviction claims because I am unfamil-
iar with NC criminal law. I would love to be able to help, which
Would benefit not only the prisoner in need but add needed meaning
to my life.


It is fully by-design that the blanket-ban here is maintained,
and that a legal assistance firm who very rarely provides any ass-
istance is our substitute to a law library, and that per NC DOC
Policy a "C-20" disciplinary infraction is assisting another prisoner
with litigation or legal matters, which is strictly enforceds and punish-
able by hole time. Employing policy they actively endeavor to shut us
all the way down, and they are extraordinarily successful. Their methods
benefit DOC immensely; in addition to the courts by greatly reducing
prisoner lawsuit traffic to the point of being nearly non- existent.




* I authorize this essay being published (and edited if necessary). If
you send something for me to sign the malicious mailroom staff are likely to
withhold it purely to be hateful. Cobey LaKemper

May 2023


Dear. [Redacted]


Please allow me to begin by thanking you very sincerely for permitting me
the opportunity to participate in perfecting the National Curriculum Module
of Innocence Claims, recently received. That, and being referred to
as an "advisor is an honor I don't take lightly after being incarcerated
in an extraordinarily oppressive prison system for eighteen years and
feeling like an object leser as a result.


After twice reviewing your draft version I honestly cannot identity
any necessary amendments or supplements. The language is not too
technical and doesn't appear to require additional explanation, and
nothing seems to be missing. I rate it quite sufficient.


That said, I'm a civil law guy, and an almost guaranteed to be
Uncommonly nit picky if you are kind enough to forward any draft
versions of modules related to Section 1983's, negligence torts,
and such. Over the years I've found"jailhouse lawyer handbooks
to be surprisingly inaccurate and naive. A correct and thorough
National Curriculum Module addressing conditions-of-confinement, for
exemple, would be a blessing to countless American prisoners.


I hope to hear from you again and look forward to it.


Take care.


With respect,
Cobey LaKemper
633 Old Landfill Rd.
Taylorsville, NC 28681

Dear JLI-
3 Sept 2023


In response to JLI's "Feedback" request, my barely- qualified opinion
is that "inside advisors" should serve as a conduit of sorts by providing
JLI staff with information from within, accurate and uniquely informed, maybe
not otherwise obtainable due to the nefariously-secretive nature of prison admin-
istrators and their often- successful efforts to keep internal matters from being
revealed publicly. Internal prison reform begins with awareness and is per-
petuated by ever-increasing awareness and transparency.


As someone fixated on conditions of- confinement and less focused on actual
innocence of even post-conviction relief-type issues, I'm constantly thinking
of ways to improve conditions within. It's a very complex issue involving
many levels both incarcerated and free, but a few things come to mind:


(1) JLI staff and volunteers employing efforts to encourage liberal- minded
folks, both within the community and on-campus, to study law and political
science-type fields and pursue positions within government in order to
contribute more effectively to favorable legislation and prison reform, partic-
ularly in state government.


(2) I've noticed over the years that prison staff treat prisoners with
outside support with more respect than prisoners with none. If the
"support" happens to be in the form of a legal advocate, the respect
shown is sometimes multiplied. That being the case, it's caused me
to think that if JLI were to somehow exhibit a presence within
State prison systems, particularly those that are notoriously shitty,
it may have a desirable effect and cause prison administration to
shape-up, if only minimally in the beginning. Please permit me to think
on this more then elaborate within the foreseeable future. And,


(3) Finally, that JL I obtain funding which may allow injurious holes to
be somewhat filled, again, if only minimally at first. For example, North
Carolina maintains an effective blanket-ban on physical low library access
and policy-prohibition on "photocopy" services, with a "Mail Processing Provider"
( i.e. TextBehind) who maintains a prohibition of legal mail," which in practice
equates to any and all material legal in nature. If JLI staff were able
to fill the voids created by the deliberately-suppressing policies of this
fascist-like prison system and thereby assist prisoners with better
accessing the court, it would be HUGE and very impactful.


Thank you very much for considering me worthy of reaching out to and seeking advice. It is an honor to contribute.


Sincerely,
Cobey LaKemper
NC Inside Advisor


Biography


My name is Cobey La Kemper. For the last 18 years I've been incarcerated
in Georgia then North Carolina, where I now remain. My interests include
reading non-fiction, listening to Classic Rock, and physical fitness. One of
my passions is improving conditions - of- confinement for myself and others.


Although all prison systems are oppressive in their own and myriad ways, the
South is uniquely antiquated and brutal. The severe lack of meaningful stimulation
coupled with deliberate efforts by prison staff to deprive and torment is dehuman
izing and causes significant psychological deterioration. After becoming acquainted
with JLI I immediately felt a connection based on our common mission: Imp-
roved treatment of confined human beings. Every prisoner- in spite of internal
factions, race, etc-should feel injustice and outrage when observing another
prisoner being mistreated by prison staff. If abuse is permitted to occur
unchecked it sets an ugly precedent and effectively sends the message that
it's okay. In short, may I have another?


It's the responsibility of acknowledged jailhouse lawyers to share their legal
understanding with those less able in order to maintain human dignity and preserve
civil rights within penological environments.


* Please feel free to edit if needed.
Cobey LaKemper 3 September 2023

Dear JLI-
28 Dec 2023


I hope this letter reaches JLI staff doing well and having had
a pleasant Christmas. It was my nineteenth consecutive one confined;
I was a few days shy of turning 29 unoy arrest. It's a bit of
a sad accomplishment having made it this long, to be honest,
and a lonely journey.


I am one of your NC" advisers" I feel like I owe you guys
somewhat of an apology for not being more active and responding
to every article you send. Unfortunately, things are super basic
and antiquated in this hellhole state: no actual (physical) law
libraries; no copy machine access (which is Policy-prohibited);
and, NC Policy + Procedure prohibits prisoners from assisting
others or receiving assistance regarding “litigation or legal matters,”
inter alia. It sucks, man. My jailhouse lawyer skills are surely
Perishing.

Anyhow, my experience does not extend to all topics, including
your recent re-entry inquiries, and as such I have very
little to offer. I was trained in civil law and have a
decent understanding of criminal with an emphasis on capital punishment matters. I do very much hope I'll be of some use
in the future and thereby pary the title advisor.


My primary reason for writing, in addition to just checking-in,
is to convey that I do hope to participate in nearly all facets
of the JLI program and everything you guys are doing. I seem
to recall reading something among information received within the
previous 3-4 months indicating that communication methods
have recently expanded to include electronic messaging for advisors
with tablets and something resembling a pen-pal type program,
yet I cannot find that information. It's possible I'm confusing
JLI with something sent by another organization, but I cannot
imagine who it would be since no one much cares about those
of us incarcerated - excepting JLI and a small handful of
others - particularly irrelevant guys like me serving life who's
been locked-up since the Bush administration.








In the event JLI staff is generously interested in communicating
with advisors electronically and more regularly, I'm very interested
in the proposition and would be grateful for the opportunity. I've
been away from home (Missouri) and friends for so long I no longer
feel like I “belong” anywhere and have no remaining friends. It's an
additional and super-shitty consequence of extended incarceration, for
sure.


That aside, I look forward to receiving any and all JLI material
and am excited about communicating in 2024 with the great
organization and people you most certainly are.




Best regards,
Cobey


Cobey LaKemper 0767480
633 Old Landfill Road
Taylorsville, NC 28681

Dear JLI-
14 Jan 2024








Happy New Year!
It has been around three months since I've received any
mail from JLI, which contradicts the general pattern, and
I'm guessing you guys have sent an item of two which was
returned as "officials can't verify" as being legal. It
both saddens and infuriates we that prison staff at my
current facility - from the Warden down- are so extraordinarily
incompetent and malicious and perpetually aggravating.

On that note, please find enclosed a copy of a 'Notice'
I've filed in all three (3) of my pending civil cases in
federal court addressing probably the most egregious First
Amendment violation I've ever seen: prison staff routinely
rejecting legal mail from the Court, DOJ, Industrial Commission,
and probably - almost certainly- JLI. The idiots running this
place are rank criminals.

According to mailroom staff legal mail will no longer be routinely
obstructed. As such, if you guys would be generous and
resend anything that may have been returned I'd be most grate-
ful, as I look forward to your material a great deal.
I hope all JLI staff are well and have a prosperous
2024.








Best regards,
Cabey LaKemper


(Pending cases Redacted)