Violations Against Basic Human Rights, TDCJ's policies and the 8th Amendment at Livingston TDCJ's Facility

ATTN:

Brian Collier

TDCJ Region I Director

And

Daniel Dickerson

TDCJ Region I Ast. Director

Greetings,

I am a concerned friend of an inmate at the Livingston-TDCJ facility. It has been

brought to my attention that inmates housed in B-Pod of Building 12 are not being treated well, nor equal to other inmates in Building 12. The men in B-Pod are not getting daily showers as demanded by TDCJ's own policy. I’ve been in contact with my loved one three times in the last week, and not once did he receive a shower. It was not until the 29th, the day after I contacted TDCJ’s family liaison, Ms. Cunningham that showers were given. In the past three weeks, the men in B-Pod have only showered 5 times - February 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, and the 29th. They did not receive showers February 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21se, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th.

In addition to the lack of showers, the inmates go many days without recreational time.

Restricting inmates from basic hygiene and time outside of their cell for sunlight and physical activity is inhumane and a violation to the rights of all LEVEL 1 inmates that TDCJ officials designed and the 8th constitutional amendment that protects individuals against cruel and unusual punishment. Additional unfair treatment can be observed by the privileges of the media app. I understand this is a privilege, but why is it only granted to a select few? The female Texas Death Row inmates have access to the Media App, but the male division does not.

Death row inmates are the most disciplined group of inmates in all of TDCJ's penal

system, yet they are also treated the harshest by the previous and present Polunsky unit's administrations. Personal vendettas against these men and women should not be allowed when they are already serving their time in confinement, restricted from physical touch, have poor healthcare, and a man-made death date. I strongly urge, and respectfully ask that showers and recreation for the men of B-Pod building 12 be provided daily. I encourage you all to give LEVEL 1 Death Row inmates access to the MEDIA APP, which would help to benefit the administration on days they just are not able to run recreation due to a real shortage of staff.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

A concerned friend of Livingston-TDCJ inmates