September 1, 2003
THE ORIGINAL LETTER BELOW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2003
The letter was hand carried to Lowndes County District Attorney David Miller! It is retrieved from our historical archives for the purpose of highlighting the actions of the DA. It will show how he requested this GBI Investigation of the “Brooks County Ten" and how other more serious matters were apparently ignored when it came to other issues in our beloved community.
This is from the vaults of those citizens working in the area of Civil and human rights and has been doing so for decades for the good of community, state, nation, and world. The following questions must be asked before we get to the letter:
What type investigation has the DA ordered to resolve the following questions:
What has been done to put a STOP TO the alleged 30 inmate jail Deaths that has occurred in the Valdosta-Lowndes County Jail since 1994?
Why is South Georgia Leading the State in jail Deaths?
Why no investigation by the GBI, FBI, or Department of Justice concerning the failure to comply with the Honorable Judge Hugh Lawson Court Order Civil Action 89-54-VAL dated in 1989?
Why local citizens have NOT been informed on how many jail deaths have occurred for whatever reasons? Why does the Georgia Attorney General not support local citizen’s rights to know?
Why is information from public meetings kept secret and away from the general public in our community without question?
Why Brooks County Citizens was complaints to Civil Rights Organization and the Department of Justice was NOT investigated?
Why are there no arrests concerning the money trail of those that allegedly funded the election along with the alleged intimidation from the GBI Investigators? Especially the agent that was reported riding around in a white truck?
What is wrong with the South Georgia FREE PRESS and other news media outlets?
History reveals that there is little to no Justice for Blacks in the Southern Judicial Circuit. Therefore racial court cases must be REMOVED from this jurisdiction in order of receiving any level of justice under the OUTSIDE LAW. The historical records of this circuit speak for itself. Now the letter:
======================
1 September 2003
TO: District Attorney, (David Miller),
Hand copy also given to the Clerk of the Courts!
Valdosta , Georgia 31601
I received a letter and statements signed by eleven citizens of the “United States of America
“Minister Rhynes, please help us--- we need an outside agency to come into this jail, and help us! We have exhausted all avenues at our level. If you can find it in your heart--- we will appreciate it! Enclosed you will find copies of statements concerning an incident that occurred in Lowndes County Jail on the morning of July 23, 2003, at 8:30. Needless to say --- this incident has been conveniently swept under the rug.”
Excerpts from the four- (4) pages of inmate’s statement! (Available upon request)
- “On 23 July 2003, at 8-8:30 AM a deputy pulled out a pistol like object, and waved it around before aiming squarely at an inmate. We had trouble getting this statement notarized by jail official (I am not signing a damn thing---name withheld). Officers routinely taunt and agitate inmates. No one will listen to us; it is cruel to keep a man in cell B1, without ventilation and no air conditioning. We need help from an outside agency – please help us Minister Rhynes. We have exhausted all our avenues.”
Questions to the District Attorney:
1. Is “The Lowndes County Law Enforcement Policy and procedure Manual” kept up to date? When was the last time it was reviewed by the State—if required? Where can citizen’s checkout this “Manual?”
2. When was a complete Staffing Analysis of the Jail conducted by the Department of Community Affairs or theGeorgia
3. When it is determined that citizens being held in the Lowndes County Jail Constitutional Rights are being violated--- who ensures that corrections be made. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH A JUDGE ORDER AND CONCENT DEGREE?
4. When was the last Federal, State, County, or City inspection done on the Lowndes County Jail? Is there any requirement for these agencies to perform such inspection? If so, what was the rating? Where are they filed? Are they made available to the General Public?
5. Since repeated complaints of abuse and mistreatment at the Lowndes County Jail. Have any type of survey --- been conducted by questioning the entire jail population ----of jail inmates? (To ensure that inmates Constitutional and State Rights are not still being violated).
6. What have you done as District Attorney --- to ensure that the safety and well being of inmates are in accordance with Federal, State, and Local Laws?
7. Who educates the members of the Grand Jury on what to check for--- during their tour of the jail? Do they use a checklist---- provided by the Federal, State or County during their tour of the Jail?
8. Is the Foreman of the Grand Jury, and his/her assistance ---- given the proper guidelines for reviewing theCounty Jail
9. Who performs (OVERSIGHT REVIEW); on the County Sheriffs Department to insure inmate’s complaints are adequately investigated IAW, Federal, State Law and Local Policies if applicable?
10. Who insures, that those who use the complaint system are not retaliated against for using the established Complaint system? Has any type survey been conducted to insure this is not the case?
11. Is there a requirement for Medical Staff at the jail ---to be inspected on their competence and professionalism? If so by whom---and how often?
11. Are you familiar with an old “Civil Action #89-54-VAL , U. S.
LASTLY: As a Retired Disabled Veterans of the United States Air force, Minister of truth, Single Parent, Business Owner, Community Organizer, concerned citizen, and frustrated over the continued prolong alleged, inhuman, unsanitary, and abusive conditions that exists within our community:
a. Request a written reply to this letter. As to what you will do to assist these, eleven- (11), inmates—and aid, in an investigation of this alleged incident. Which appears to be quite serious because a weapon is said to have been involved (Lowndes County Jail)? In addition, whose responsibility is it to insure that these inmates will not be abused because they requested outside help! Thanks, on behalf of those who requested outside assistance in their dilemma.
GEORGE B. RHYNES
A concerned citizen, seeking to help eleven (11) citizens! (I do not know)
ACTH:
(1) Letter Addressed to me [Names blocked out]
(2) Copy of Official Statements with signatures, on letterhead Stationary
---Dated, 24 July 2003, [Names blocked out]
Cc: Various Local Organizations
---Inmates Who Requested My Assistance
TO: District Attorney, (David Miller),
Hand copy also given to the Clerk of the Courts!
I received a letter and statements signed by eleven citizens of the “
“Minister Rhynes, please help us--- we need an outside agency to come into this jail, and help us! We have exhausted all avenues at our level. If you can find it in your heart--- we will appreciate it! Enclosed you will find copies of statements concerning an incident that occurred in Lowndes County Jail on the morning of July 23, 2003, at 8:30. Needless to say --- this incident has been conveniently swept under the rug.”
Excerpts from the four- (4) pages of inmate’s statement! (Available upon request)
- “On 23 July 2003, at 8-8:30 AM a deputy pulled out a pistol like object, and waved it around before aiming squarely at an inmate. We had trouble getting this statement notarized by jail official (I am not signing a damn thing---name withheld). Officers routinely taunt and agitate inmates. No one will listen to us; it is cruel to keep a man in cell B1, without ventilation and no air conditioning. We need help from an outside agency – please help us Minister Rhynes. We have exhausted all our avenues.”
Questions to the District Attorney:
1. Is “The Lowndes County Law Enforcement Policy and procedure Manual” kept up to date? When was the last time it was reviewed by the State—if required? Where can citizen’s checkout this “Manual?”
2. When was a complete Staffing Analysis of the Jail conducted by the Department of Community Affairs or the
3. When it is determined that citizens being held in the Lowndes County Jail Constitutional Rights are being violated--- who ensures that corrections be made. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH A JUDGE ORDER AND CONCENT DEGREE?
4. When was the last Federal, State, County, or City inspection done on the Lowndes County Jail? Is there any requirement for these agencies to perform such inspection? If so, what was the rating? Where are they filed? Are they made available to the General Public?
5. Since repeated complaints of abuse and mistreatment at the Lowndes County Jail. Have any type of survey --- been conducted by questioning the entire jail population ----of jail inmates? (To ensure that inmates Constitutional and State Rights are not still being violated).
6. What have you done as District Attorney --- to ensure that the safety and well being of inmates are in accordance with Federal, State, and Local Laws?
7. Who educates the members of the Grand Jury on what to check for--- during their tour of the jail? Do they use a checklist---- provided by the Federal, State or County during their tour of the Jail?
8. Is the Foreman of the Grand Jury, and his/her assistance ---- given the proper guidelines for reviewing the
9. Who performs (OVERSIGHT REVIEW); on the County Sheriffs Department to insure inmate’s complaints are adequately investigated IAW, Federal, State Law and Local Policies if applicable?
10. Who insures, that those who use the complaint system are not retaliated against for using the established Complaint system? Has any type survey been conducted to insure this is not the case?
11. Is there a requirement for Medical Staff at the jail ---to be inspected on their competence and professionalism? If so by whom---and how often?
11. Are you familiar with an old “Civil Action #89-54-
LASTLY: As a Retired Disabled Veterans of the United States Air force, Minister of truth, Single Parent, Business Owner, Community Organizer, concerned citizen, and frustrated over the continued prolong alleged, inhuman, unsanitary, and abusive conditions that exists within our community:
a. Request a written reply to this letter. As to what you will do to assist these, eleven- (11), inmates—and aid, in an investigation of this alleged incident. Which appears to be quite serious because a weapon is said to have been involved (Lowndes County Jail)? In addition, whose responsibility is it to insure that these inmates will not be abused because they requested outside help! Thanks, on behalf of those who requested outside assistance in their dilemma.
GEORGE B. RHYNES
A concerned citizen, seeking to help eleven (11) citizens! (I do not know)
ACTH:
(1) Letter Addressed to me [Names blocked out]
(2) Copy of Official Statements with signatures, on letterhead Stationary
---Dated, 24 July 2003, [Names blocked out]
Cc: Various Local Organizations
---Inmates Who Requested My Assistance
