Thread by @ScottHech

Jaquaree Simmons. You probably haven't yet heard his name. 23 years old. Caged pretrial in Harris County, TX. Called his mom almost every day from his jail cell. Crying & begging for help. One week after he entered, found dead. This happened 10 days ago. “All I can do is scream."

This all went down during the power outages in TX, the freezing cold, the lack of food or water for those incarcerated. Jaquaree's mom, Larhonda: “What went through my head is, ‘What the hell did they do to my child?’” Still so many unanswered questions: houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t…

The night before his death, Jaquaree was attacked by a "detention officer." He hit the floor. "He’s small at 5-foot-3 & 125 pounds." His family still doesn't have answers. Jail saying there's no video. Won't even let them see him. “We still haven’t seen Jaquaree."

I've been working with local organizers & advocates at @TxJailProject who, for years, have been fighting for humanity in jails in Harris County & throughout Texas. I've listened to hundreds of phone calls. And Jaquaree's death doesn't surprise me. Desperation in their voices.

Taylor County: "What’s the law on excessive use of force, police brutality. Are jailers allowed to punch inmates, choke, kick, knee inmates, and put inmates in full body straight jacket handcuffed behind their back? Is it cruel & unusual punishment to do these things?"

Harris County: "They don’t care. With all that’s going on with George Floyd and they’re still slamming people on the ground and throwing their knees on their backs."

Harris County: "It’s taking a toll on me. I’ve never been through nothing like this in my life and I’m 45. The men in here, we have families and lives outside."

Eastland County: "We are human beings. There should be a total reset of this system. Because obviously the foundation is full of cracks. But until then, we must stay strong and trust in the lord-pray in our hearts that things will get better."

Victoria County: "The emotional trauma of thinking that you’re going to die & never see your family again is just as bad as it actually happening in a sense. Trying to mentally cope & accept this mental emotional abuse is hard to make sense of."

Some of these are letters too. They all wanted words shared.

Smith County: "They told me over & over 'I do not care if you die.' Not my problem. When I started to throw up blood they left me on the floor for at least 45 minutes till all other inmates started to yell for help."

Taylor County: "I’m not getting my necessary medications. I was told by jail staff my meds are too expensive & I had to pay for them myself. I have medicare, but can’t use it while in jail either! I’m stressed over my current untreated health status & fearful of dying everyday."

Taylor County: "I don't know whats right or wrong in here. They do it all. I pray to wake up to another morning."

Harris County: "I love my wife and my children so much. And my grandchildren. That’s what I’m trying to get to."

Harris County: "I have not seen the sky since May 2019. I have not had no natural elements on my skin. Haven’t heard bird sing. Haven’t smelled a fresh cut of grass. This is not easy on anybody."

Harris County: "I haven’t been able to sleep. I have night terrors. I’ve been trying to get something for pain. They forgot to feed us the other day. The lack of attention we get..."

There are over 9000 people stuck in Harris County Jail. Over 7000 caged pretrial. Thousands more throughout the state. Most on bail they can't afford. A system that permits human beings to be treated like this--To be caged & overlooked & killed must be completely toppled.

We're nearing the one-year anniversary of COVID. It's only made more transparent the inhumanity, lack of health, violence, & waste defenders, organizers, and people w/ direct experience have long known. That it could continue like this during a pandemic should be a signal.

*Back in May,* Andrew Pete couldn’t breathe in Harris County. Held pretrial. Coughing uncontrollably. Fevers. Threw him in solitary for complaining. Stood up to sleep to breathe. He shared his story. He's still caged. Numbers aren't any less. His words: instagram.com/p/CAG9IvaJyHG/

For now, what you can do: Please demand judges hold immediate emergency bail hearings for every person held pretrial currently trapped in Harris County & decarcerate by 50% immediately. Or just call the judges directly. Their numbers are below: secure.everyaction.com/g1GQ1_Zhj0iRES…

More statements: A man caged pretrial in Harris County. Called with terrifying details. Freezing. Starving. Denial of care. Lack of food. "I’m calling this morning because I don’t really have anywhere else to turn. I really need your help." Listen:

Another phone call. 2 men caged pretrial on affordable bail in Harris County. No food. Denied meds. Freezing. Treated like animals. "Theyre not worried about us. Theyre not worried about nothing going on with us." Listen:

In Hildago County, TX, a 24-year-old was arrested & then caged in the jail during a pandemic & a historic winter storm crisis for being *40 minutes late for his curfew.* His fiance called terrified: "It’s been over 72 hours he’s been sleeping on the floor."

Harris County phone call: What COVID did was put a spotlight on the criminal justice system. And it’s been magnified the level of injustice taking place. This is so much bigger than COVID."

https://twitter.com/scotthech/status/1365364544751730695?s=21

Thank goodness for @TxJailProject. Read this. A 20 year old was caged for 115 days on $1500 bail. No court date. For drug possession. Until they found out about his case. They helped get him out. This morning, he started volunteering. Giving back to the community that failed him.

https://twitter.com/txjailproject/status/1366094558472396800

Letter from Harris County: "My biggest fear: Ill never be someone worthy to listen to. If given the opportunity I could help others. Maybe one day I could tell my story to women who are as fearful, lonely & broken as I am. Somehow together become whole, fulfilled & strong.

Harris County: "I’m a type one diabetic & insulin dependent. My health & body has begun deteriorating. Coronavirus has sped up the process. Just because we are inmates doesn't mean we should get neglected and treated as such. Everyone has a right to life, dignity, and justice."