Please help support Kakamia Jahad Imarisha for parole!
Kakamia Jahad Imarisha, aka Jackie Henderson, is a poet and political activist behind the walls of a California prison. He’s also my adopted brother and one of the best people I know. He is up for parole in 2010, but we are working to compile the information for him now, so that we can have it completely ready to go. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated! We hope to have all the materials collected by June 2009.
He needs three different kinds of letters of support, and any you could provide (you can of course combine them) would be:
1) A general letter of support for his parole
2) A letter offering housing
3) A letter offering employment
Samples can be found below. You can of course write your own, which is strongly encouraged.
LETTERS OF SUPPORT, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! But if you are in or know anyone in California, and especially the Sacramento area, and can offer any leads on housing and/or employment, that would be amazing.
You can mail a hard copy of your signed letter (which is best) to me at:
Walidah Imarisha
Black Studies Department
Portland State University
PO Box 751
Portland, Oregon 97207
You can also email it to kakamia@gmail.com
Thank you for your support for me and my brother.
Lovethrustruggle,
Walidah Imarisha
BACKGROUND ON KAKAMIA:
Kakamia was sentenced to 15 years to life on murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree. The circumstances of his case point to him, a young Black Puerto Rican from the hood, taking the brunt of the conviction for his two older white co-defendents.
Since his incarceration 19 years ago, Kakamia has transformed himself, using the time to study, and hone his artwork and poetry. He has completed many job and educational courses while incarcerated, and has been involved with organizing work through Critical Resistance and the prisoner family organization The Human Rights Coalition.
His artwork is part of the Contexts Art Show, which has been shown in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Kakamia’s first solo art show was held in 2006 in Philadelphia. He has had poetry published in AWOL Magazine, and in the anthology The Bandana Republic. Kakamia released his first chapbook in 2005, called Hollowpoint
His website is www.kakamiajahad.com
SAMPLE LETTERS
1) GENERAL LETTER
FILL IN DATE HERE
To the California Parole Board,
I am writing in support of parole for Jackie Henderson, H-90256.
Mr. Henderson’s artwork and writing have inspired many people. Since his incarceration 19 years ago, he has worked hard to make himself a useful and valuable asset, not just in the prison community, but in the outside community as well, through his writing, his art, sharing his story with people so they will know the realities of prison and hopefully avoid the pitfalls that sent him there. Since his incarceration, he has finished a number of educational and vocational programs, and has been involved in charity runs and drives through the prison, to better the lives of those on the outside.
Mr. Henderson is not the same man he was 19 years ago when he was sentenced for this crime. I know that if he is released, he will be a productive member of the community, and be able to continue his positive work through art and writing.
I hope you approve Mr. Henderson’s parole.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
2) HOUSING LETTER
FILL IN THE DATE
To the California Parole Board,
I am aware that Jackie Henderson, H-90256, is up for parole. I support parole for him, and I also offer him house with me at __________ (your address and state).
I am aware what he is incarcerated for and that he has been incarcerated for 19 years on a 15 to life sentence. I am knowingly and willingly allowing him to live with me. I can be contacted via phone for verification if needed at _______ (your phone number).
I hope you approve Mr. Henderson’s parole.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
PHONE NUMBER
3) EMPLOYMENT LETTER
FILL IN THE DATE
To the California Parole Board,
I am aware that Jackie Henderson, H-90256, is up for parole. I support parole for him, and if he is granted parole, I am prepared to offer him employment at _____ (company/organization name), located at _____ (address of company and state). His work would consist of _________ (job title, type of work, short description of duties). He would be employed for ____ hours a week, at _____ an hour.
I am aware what he is incarcerated for and that he has been incarcerated for 19 years on a 15 to life sentence, and I knowingly and willingly offer employment with our company. I believe that he will be a useful member of our team.
I can be contacted via phone for verification if needed at _______ (your phone number).
I hope you approve Mr. Henderson’s parole.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
BUSINESS NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
PHONE NUMBER
Parole for my brother Kakamia
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