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May 28, 1998
Dear Charlie,
I’ll be writing letters for your clemency in the next couple of days.
Anthony said about you that you should go for clemency, and if that doesn’t work go for a new hearing.
We can only do what we can do. The reason it takes a year, and even two, is for the preparation. The letters you need to have written, the media coverage you need, and political support as well have to be organized, thought out, and prepared for a package. It is a lot of work.
Bell Chevigny spoke about you at a PEN Prison Writing Committee meeting a few days ago . . . in your urgency, your need, perhaps in your compulsion, Bell will be sympathetic, and a good listener, but that’s it. She has many plusses in every way, like a lot of other people, but there’s a harmonious blend of innocence, willpower, and a daring spirit that gets these things done, but but BUT it all begins way back in your organized approach AND THE PSYCHOLOGY AND DIPLOMACY WITH WHICH YOU APPROACH PEOPLE TO HELP YOU: THEY HAVE TO WANT TO! You have to prepare them, to wake them up, to want to.
Anthony became an artist in prison. He submitted his works to prison (art) contests—and won! His knowledge of the Rockefeller Drug Laws (which he was sentenced under), with the legal work he did, gave him a background on which to develop his plea, as well as the language to use, to keep it in that context. He had a friend outside who lived in the town near the prison who kept his paintings for gallery people to see. For what it’s worth, you’ve got to think up a line, an angle, to give to the outside people of influence that you know or are in touch with, so they can act. Your innocence alone won’t do it.
You’ve won in essays and drama, in the contest, but you’re unpublished. You’re a gifted artist, but don’t exhibit in the way artists exhibit. Or get published the way writers do. Okay, going through your list of achievements, list the name of each collector who has your work, list the name of every museum, every art gallery, every place your artwork has appeared, and/or is in private collections. Your QUALIFICATIONS page should be triple in length. What/who (Collectors in England, Norway, USA). Who published Rick’s book that you did the portrait for? What year? Work it so you’ve been busy every year you’ve been in. Any education programs you took, in prison school programs. Give it structure and sequence. Anybody can say they did those things. In your Photography list, Black Hist Mo.: where was it exhibited? You say each program? What does that mean? Each program where? Locate, and DATE. Muslim Feasts. What religious programs, where, who was involved? Dates. Lifers Banquet. Photographed speakers and guests (who? where? newsletter? Include a copy of it). GED Graduation, where? What ceremony? What year? Show proof of these. Any announcements, any letters of thanks, or appreciation, etc. Show them, don’t just tell about them, or as you have, just mention and be vague, that’s all. These are the nails that support your platform for clemency. In your DUTIES Category, did Sister Ann R. Wood write you to thank you, or is there a document proving you did what you said? Give an example, can you? How you assisted Dr. Smith? In COMPUTERS you say 25 years of experience. Show proof? In OTHER SKILLS, you’re vague again.
Of course, I note the years 1994–98, if you’ve done all this work in four years, what were you doing the other 16? Did you wake up after 16, and go into a compulsion about clemency? No. If you’ve done 20, you can’t expect to get it by showing proof of work in four. Show them that you’ve been at work for all of it. I know, I know, I’m being an asshole, but you’ve got to give it a fullness, a richness that reveals your achievements from the outset, and culminates in the past four years.
It should be, in this sense, a resume of your creative hardworking life for the last 20 years. If you had skills before you were busted, mention those, BUT it has to be done to show them there is this very creative guy who won’t quit, who should not be in prison any more. He’s too valuable to his community.
There must be places/organizations where ex-prisoners can find work, and the people you know can find someone to at least give you a chance, or where you can take tests, in applying for jobs.
If you go free, where would you go? How would you support yourself? Two big questions. Don’t tell me the answers. Get them in your application.
A resume goes backwards from the year you write it, to the beginning (at the end). You can mention these achievements in your letter, but even there they should have the impact of structure, continuity, and sequence. Your fact sheet that accompanies it will present the same, in detailed description with examples.
Gotta go.
Fielding
You have to work like hell on your presentation. This is it! Think. Plan. Write, revise, rewrite, until just right.
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