Rudolph Sutton, was the first person to Die of COVID-19 at a State
Correctional Facility, SCI Phoenix in Collegeville Pennsylvania. He was a
lifer who spent 30 yrs in prison, and had a pending innocence claim
with the Temple Innocence Project.
We at Prison Radio offer our deepest sympathies to his family.
We at Prison Radio offer our deepest sympathies to his family.
The Innocence Project put out an article reporting the death of Rudolph Sutton. Sutton's son, Rudolpho stated:
"My father always maintained his innocence and believed someday he would be free. Our family is devastated by his passing but hope his death will lead to quicker actions to release his co-defendants and others who do not belong in prison because they are innocent.”
"My father always maintained his innocence and believed someday he would be free. Our family is devastated by his passing but hope his death will lead to quicker actions to release his co-defendants and others who do not belong in prison because they are innocent.”
The Inquirer also reported the death of an inmate at the county jail Riverview on State Rd in Philadelphia this Tuesday,
48-year-old Yvonne Harris, who would've been eligible for release in
August and was serving a 13-28 month sentence for robbery.
Notably, she would not have been eligible for early release under criminally deficient "release guidelines" the Philadelphia judiciary is currently using to process release requests. Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner notes "her sentence for drug related crimes should not have been a death sentence". The Philadelphia Common Pleas court can release thousands of at risk inmates and is refusing to do so.
Make no mistake. These deaths and the coming nightmare of more deaths is and was avoidable.
Call out John Wetzel, Secretary of the PA DOC, who is still standing by and doing nothing. Governor Tom Wolf has failed to act. The PA judiciary has even more blood on their hands.
No one should die in prison, especially when the state and the prisons are ignoring the danger of Covid-19. A danger shared by prisoners, guards, and the community.
Notably, she would not have been eligible for early release under criminally deficient "release guidelines" the Philadelphia judiciary is currently using to process release requests. Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner notes "her sentence for drug related crimes should not have been a death sentence". The Philadelphia Common Pleas court can release thousands of at risk inmates and is refusing to do so.
Make no mistake. These deaths and the coming nightmare of more deaths is and was avoidable.
Call out John Wetzel, Secretary of the PA DOC, who is still standing by and doing nothing. Governor Tom Wolf has failed to act. The PA judiciary has even more blood on their hands.
No one should die in prison, especially when the state and the prisons are ignoring the danger of Covid-19. A danger shared by prisoners, guards, and the community.
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