A Travesty of Justice in Mississippi

Mississippi, USA

I have followed the case of the Scott sisters in Mississippi now for the last several weeks with interest and concern. Having read the details of their arrest and conviction some 16 years ago for allegedly stealing $11, I am quite frankly appalled at their current situation and the very severe medical condition that one of the sisters faces, kidney failure. On the "outside" aggressive therapy and dialysis would be given, but being in a prison medical unit leaves questions as to what is being done and the aggressiveness with which it is being applied. Prisoners don't rank high on the priority list for medical care and the care they receive is many times inadequate because of lack of resources and funding.

"On 12/24/93, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jamie and Gladys Scott for armed robbery even though three young males, ranging from ages 14 to 18, confessed to committing the crime and the women have unwaveringly maintained their complete innocence. Despite this, the corrupt Mississippi sheriff used coercion, threats, and harassment to compel the young men to turn state’s evidence against the Scott Sisters due to a long-standing vendetta against a family member. In 10/94 the Scott Sisters were sentenced to extraordinary double-life terms each, despite the facts that no one was harmed, neither sister had prior convictions, no weapon was ever recovered, and the amount alleged to have been taken was approximately $11.00. Even if they were guilty as charged, this sentence is completely outrageous and cruel.

Jamie Scott, who entered the prison system as a healthy young woman, is now suffering from complete kidney failure and other life-threatening medical conditions. Since January, 2010 Jamie has endured almost weekly severe health setbacks that the state has either outright refused to address or handled in a slipshod manner. Jamie has had weeks of serious infections that could have taken her life, has gone into shock, been given sporadic dialysis treatments, and suffered the state's refusal to provide her with adequate nutrition as required for her serious medical condition.

The Scott Sisters are now in their 16th year of incarceration and their five children and grandchildren are being raised by their now ailing mother. The defendants and their family are wholly dependent on support from the press, organizations, and all those dedicated to justice in making this debacle as public as possible. The lengthy incarceration of these women to date and their draconian sentences are completely shocking and must be challenged, enough is enough!" [Nancy Lockhart FB post]

It is cases like this that highlight the serious concerns many of us have with the southern states and their implementation of criminal justice, where we find bias and racism at all levels, including arrests, proceedings, representation, sentencing, and appellate relief. Point being that you don't want to be black or poor and caught up in our criminal justice system. This case from all appearances and reports is an example of many of the wrongs that need righting.

If you are Christian, ask yourself, "Is this what Jesus is telling us to do?" If you are academic, ask yourself, "In light of the data, whose 'rationality' are we using?'" If you are philosophical and one that gives study to competing moral duties or obligations, "How can I say this case represents true justice?" Justice should be "everyone getting what they are due." If the Scott sisters did indeed steal $11, surely we must agree that they have gotten far more than they are due [in time served], and the time has come to set her free. They not only deserve freedom but an apology from all that have allowed this case to progress this far. Allowing this one Sister to die in prison is a crime of immense proportion as well as a preventable death. I remember well the words of Dr. King, “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

"Mrs. Rasco and Afrosphere Bloggers are calling on the public to press the governor's office to pardon the Scott Sisters and release them, particularly Jamie who needs to be at home with her family during her very serious illness. Please ask that the media and politicians do an investigative inquiry about this tragic situation and the outrageous case of the wrongfully convicted Scott Sisters!"

For more information and how you can help, contact:
Afrosphere Action Coalition – March 22, 2010
Contact: Marpessa Kupendua of the Committee to Free the Scott Sisters at nattyreb@gmail.com