Amnesty International to US Authorities: Improve Prison Conditions for Leonard Peltier

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

Leonard Peltier

NEW YORK - In a communication to Bryan A. Bledsoe, warden of the United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Amnesty International has urged that Leonard Peltier not be confined to conditions that may be detrimental to his health.

According to reports, Peltier was moved on June 27 to solitary confinement for two minor infractions. He reportedly locked in his cell for most of the day.

Amnesty International has urged Warden Bledsoe to review Peltier's confinement to isolation, to ensure that he has an opportunity to fairly contest any charges against him. Additionally, Amnesty International asked that Peltier be afforded the appropriate medical treatment he may need.

Additionally, Amnesty International has urged Bledsoe to review conditions for all prisoners held in isolation following reports that they receive no alleviation from the heat and sleep on the floor in order to get some respite from the very high temperatures, which have reportedly in recent weeks reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Many American Indians and others around the world view Peltier as a political prisoner. Through the years, Peltier's supporters have included: the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Bishop Desmond Tutu, among other prominent names.

In the letter, Peltier writes about his placement in the hole:

"Since June 27 the guards have had me in the hole, a small miserable cell with little air that is dangerously hot. They are torturing me by keeping me in solitary confinement-this is an effort to break and kill me. However, the public pressure being generated by my many supporters and counsel is making a real difference."

He continues that:

“the government wants me to die here, but I'm not going to.”

Peltier, Lakota, has been in prison for the past 35 years. He was convicted of killing two FBI agents who showed up on June 25, 1975 at a private residence in Oglala, South Dakota. Peltier has always denied shooting the agents.

Amnesty International has ongoing concerns about the fairness of the process leading to his conviction.

posted August 5, 2011 6:15 am edt