Richmond Jail Mocks Constitution and Human Decency‏

The conditions at the Richmond Jail are unconstitutional and bring shame to our city, state, and country. Many have needlessly suffered and died because of sadistic treatment at the Richmond Jail. Those in charge of the Jail and the city government show no regard for the protections guaranteed under the Bill of Rights. The Sheriff, Commonwealths Attorney, Mayor,and Council profit from their abuse of poor people. The illegitimate "leaders" plan to spend double the amount of money jailing Richmonders than any other function of government in 2011. The Covetous crony capitalists will fund an expanded jail through something called the Virginia Public Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act, what a sick joke.

Amendment VIII of United States Constitution States Excessive bail shall not be required,nor excessive fines be imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted. The Sheriff and the commonwealth's attorney along with Council the Mayor and the Richmond Police act in opposition to this constitutional protection. Many inside the jail are being abused for actions that can not be considered crimes under the constitution like drug possession or driving on a suspended license. The US prison population could not be the largest in the world without arbitrary and unconstitutional incarceration.

This Tyranny must and will end. The Richmond Sheriff's Platform Committee is calling for the release of all prisoners in the Richmond Jail with non violent drug charges brought against them,mentally handicapped,and all others who pose no threat to the public and whose offenses do not violate the US Constitution. We are also calling for the resignation of Sheriff CT Woody for his crimes and violations of the law of the Land the United States Constitution.

This communique is dedicated to the political prisoners in the for profit prison industrial complex. It is inspired by John Mahoney, aka Hippie John.

Chris Dorsey, Richmond Sheriff's Platform Committee