We have just left the Fort Liberte prison. We visited to deliver food, blankets, shoes and soap. We were also there to help Edner. 9 months ago Edner was arrested for being with a group of men who allegedly stole rice. Edner had no money and went to prison without a hearing or trial. The cells were horrible places - 5 for men 1 for women. They were approximately 10 x 14 and each one housed up to 40 men. They received 2 meals a day max and two 5 min periods outside. Each had one open toilet and all offenses were housed together.
Edner's release was negotiated by Father Duken of FFP and he was released with us. In a moving ceremony, our own Father Bill Deneke washed his feet and FFP provided him with shoes for his family and a ride home. As most of us are civil rights attorneys it was a victory far from home and a reminder of the reasons for our practice and more so the necessity of an indigent criminal defense system everywhere including at home.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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