My name is Charles "Chas" Ransome. In 1983, I was a scared 19-year-old exile from NYS's Foster care system living on the streets of NYC. Physically and emotionally abused as a child, I ran away at 13 years old. Abandoned by family, I stayed in the same school after running away, yet no one came to look for me.

Arrested at 19 for 2' Homicide I have been imprisoned for more than 24 years. Educated myself in prison. Achievements include College, Program Fund Raiser, Special event Program Coordinator and Peer Educator, Facilitator and Motivational Speaker from a Psycho/Social perspective. I use life experiences to tell a story and share what my life is like behind the walls.

Prison Officials punitively target me for teaching other prisoners about their Civil and Constitutional Rights. Prison Officials often levy False Charges against me for helping other prisoners exercise their Rights to Due Process during Administrative Disciplinary, Parole, Temporary Release and other hearings. I'm also capriciously persecuted, with long periods in Solitary Confinement, for Coordinating successful Special Events with outside Community Guest to undermine my character in General Population. Only with consistent outside support and concern will these malicious Administrative Officials of the Department of Corruption be forced to follow Due Process, Correctional Laws and NY5 Directives and Policies.

With continued support, I can help others break free of the strangling yoke of oppression and repressive tactics used by the Department Of Corruption to subjugate prisoners. NYS-DOCS uses draconian tactics to abuse prisoners and attempt to break the spirits of individuals whom have realized they've made mistakes and take necessary steps to ameliorate themselves. I will continue to help motivate others, no matter what they attempt to do to me, because... WE NEED HELP! NYS Prison Officials misguided attempts to break my spirit without attention paid to the aggregate human condition are futile. Habilitation comes from within! This system is designed to undermine every real effort to ameliorate and return to society as productive citizens.

I will continue to teach, motivate and help others educate themselves even if it means my being placed, once again, in Solitary Confinement (SHU) for extended periods. The strength and character of a Warriors Spirit is tempered by the Warriors experiences. "MY SPIRIT IS STRONG BUT, MY KNEE'S ARE WEEK!" I NEED YOUR HELP! To learn more about me, or find out how you can help, please feel free to contact me directly at:

Chas Ransome, 85-A-1643
Otisville Medium State Prison
57 Sanitorium Road - P.O. Box 8,
Otisville, New York 10963

Also, please make sure to read the areas where supplies and resources are needed in this posting. Thank you so much! Many thanks to the following: Brother Mumia Abu Jamal for his inspiration; The NYS Chapter Staff, Volunteers and Supporters of Free Mumia Coalition; Staff, Volunteer and Supporters of Radio Stations: WBAI-NYC, WRPI-TROY, WPKN-Bridgeport, CT and WVKR-Vassar College Radio Stations. May the peace and blessings of the Creator be with you. Always.     

- Hotep!

- Any person whose a Registered Lawyer with NYS BAR Association or a Para-Legal may assist with Arguing cases prepared by me before the Court. Legal Research and Dialogue on strategy is also needed.

- All funds or donations will go to paying Court Cost, Index Case filing fee's, Certified Return Receipt Mailings, Typewriter Supplies, Stationary and Copies needed.

ACTIVE CASES:

- 1983 Highly publicized Criminal Conviction for Homicide 2nd degree. During trial: Flagrant Prosecutor Misconduct, Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel, Improper Jury Charge, Excessive Sentence, Ineffective Assistance of Appellant Counsel and more... Issues being fought. NOTE: Court approved trial Lawyer’s Wife to second chair without certification or her being registered by NYS BAR as Paralegal or Lawyer. Also, Prosecution argued facts not in evidence nor charged. Psychiatrist testimony rebutted by District Attorney without The People calling an expert witness to testify.

- CPLR Article 78 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: Challenging a 1999 arbitrary administrative Disciplinary sanction resulting in 18 Months Solitary Confinement for being an Elected Liaison Representative and Active in Prison resolution. This arbitrary sanction resulted after I successfully coordinated a "90 Day PEACE Initiative" program which unified the prisoners through Civilian Guest Speakers, Events, Games and Workshops which focused on constructive ways to deter and resolve potentially violent situations. For 90 Days, there was NO VIOLENCE in the prison. Two guards who attacked a prisoner broke the Peace. These Two guards are no longer employed with the NYS Department of Corruption.

- CPLR Article 78 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: Challenging an arbitrary administrative Disciplinary sanction in 2004 after I successfully coordinated and MC'd a Cultural Kwanzaa Event for 275 members of population. Charges brought to retaliate against me for Filing Formal Assault Charges against Green Haven State Prison administrators for abuse of discretion, violation of Constitutional rights to be free from harm and Deliberate indifference to my medical needs by forcing me to Double Cell against Valid Medical Restrictions months before Event. The Green Haven Administration directed a Prison Doctor to alter my Medical records changing restrictions to read that I COULD double cell on the bottom bunk.

This was done without appropriate test: MRI's, CAT Scans, etc., to appease a prison policy purely for economic reasons. This contradicts and violated existing medical restrictions on DOCS state-wide computer NOT BE DOUBLE CELLED, per medical specialist and DOCS Doctors, since December 2001. The administrations punitive and malicious abuse of authority clearly violates my Rights to be Free from Harm and Cruel and Unusual Punishment and not to have false charges levied against me for retaliatory purposes.

- NYS State Court of Claims: NYS Claim for damages resulting from being forced to double cell against valid Medical Restrictions, which caused additional injuries and exacerbated existing injuries to Lumbar region of spine. Causable action resulting from Deliberate Indifference to existing Medical Treatment Plan and Needs. New MRI taken in 2004 after removal from double cell showed New Spinal Injury to Disk.

- USC 1983 Civil Suit: Violation of my Constitutional Rights to be Free from Harm in forcing double bunk, Deliberate Indifference to Medical and Injuries and damages sustained as a result of Retaliatory actions having false charges levied against me for exercising my Rights under the U.S. Constitution. Deliberately transferring me to Double Bunk SHU Confinement prison further violating Medical. Property Damage to Clothes, Property, Legal Materials, Books and Typewriter. Also, Property Loss, intentionally stolen and destroyed by guards in a misguided attempt to suppress my spirit without attention paid to the aggregate human condition.

These are some of the pressing cases presently being pursued. Many of these arose from my helping other prisoners to educate and empower themselves. Administrators and Guards DO NOT want me to teach, assist or otherwise help prisoners to learn about and begin to exercise their rights!

For this reason, I have been politicised and targeted as an antagonist against administrative arbitrary policies and abuse of prisoners. I^- will continue to teach, empower and speak out against abuses at all cost. The fight against oppression behind the walls, over the past 23 years, has exacted a costly toll on me physically.

Unjustly being thrown in Solitary Confinement for speaking out against injustices, starved of nutritious food portions, intentional mass property damage and property loss by vindictive and abusive guards when they take you to Solitary (SHU), physical abuses, assaults and withholding appropriate Medical attention and treatment are the more serious abuses.

Continued harassment by charging indigent prisoners massive postage encumbrances to mail personal property (usually legal work or personal affects) from prison to prison when transferred which seizes up your prison account so you can't buy the food, stamps, stationary, toiletries and cosmetic s needed to survive in here. These are only some of the ways the Department of Corruption harasses and attempts to break the spirits of those who exercise their Rights. "My Spirit is Strong, but my Knee's are weak!"

Deciding to help a prisoner whose aware and fights against these abuses will help to make sure that they DON'T get away with it! Help us to keep the fight against oppression Strong, Focused and with Spirit "Behind The Walls!" Anyone wishing to contact me directly can do so.

The points I find merit with are:

POINT ONE: JURY'S REJECTION OF APPELLANT'S DEFENSE OF EXTREME EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE WAS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE WHERE THE AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE WAS SUFFICIENTLY ESTABLISHED BY APPELLANT'S DESCRIPTION OF HIS LOSS OF CONTROL AND BY HIS PSYCHIATRIC EXPERT'S EXPLANATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT CAUSED THAT TEMPORARY LOSS OF RATIONALITY.....

POINT TWO: APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF HIS DUE PROCESS RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL BY THE PROSECUTION'S

LINE OF QUESTIONING WHICH SOUGHT TO CONVEY THE IMPRESSION THAT APPELLANT WAS OF AN ASSAULTIVE CHARACTER;

INTRODUCTION INTO EVIDENCE OF PROOF OF UNCHARGED CRIMES; AND

PREJUDICIAL USE OF UNCHARGED CRIMES ON SUMMATION AMOUNTING TO PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT. U.S. CONST., AMEND. XIV; N.Y.

CONST., ART. I, B6.......        .

POINT THREE: APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF HIS DUE PROCESS RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL BY THE PROSECUTOR'S SUMMATION, IN WHICH SHE MADE DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT APPELLANT'S DEFENSE, MIS-REPRESENTED PROOF, ENGAGED IN UNWARRANTED SPECULATION AND ARGUED FROM FACTS NOT IN EVIDENCE AMOUNTING TO PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT. U.S. CONST., AMEND. XIV; N.Y.

CONST., ART. I. B6..............

POINT FOUR: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS TO LIFE SENTENCE IMPOSED UPON THE MENTALLY UNSTABLE APPELLANT IS EXCESSIVE AND AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE WHEREAS NO INTENT WAS PROVEN BY PROSECUTION.......

POINT FIVE: APPELLANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF APPELLATE COUNSEL ON AN APPEAL AS OF RIGHT IN VIOLATION OF HIS STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. N.Y. CONST. ART 1, B6; VI AND XIV AMENDMENTS OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

POINT SIX: TRIAL COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE IN VIOLATION OF DEFENDANTS RIGHT TO ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION WHEREAS TRIAL COUNSEL WAS HEAVILY MEDICATED AND WAS SLEEP DURING IMPORTANT PORTION OF MOTIONS, HEARING AND TRIAL. DEFENDANTS ATTORNEY HAD TO BE AWAKENED BY HIS WIFE WHO WAS ALLOWED TO SIT AT DEFENSE TABLE.

POINT SEVEN: DEFENDANT WAS DENIED BY COURT A FAIR TRIAL WHEREAS DEFENSE ATTORNEY'S WIFE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT AT DEFENSE TABLE AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DEFENSE PLANNING AND STRATEGY WITHOUT BEING A REGISTERED AS AN ATTORNEY OR PARA­LEGAL.

POINT EIGHT: APPELLANT COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE FOR FAILING TO RAISE A MERITORIOUS ISSUE OF INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSEL WHEN TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED TO PRESERVE ISSUES OF MERIT FOR FEDERAL REVIEW AND WAS DERELICT IN ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION.

CHECK*** OTHER ISSUES FROM THE RECORD.

NYS DIVISION OF PAROLE
THE LAST HURDLE TO LIBERTY'.

NYS DIVISION OF PAROLE'S INCEPTION:
            In 1977, then Governor Hugh, Carey, enacted the current parole scheme to address the legitimate concerns of prisoners, made to the NYS Legislature concerning the lack of programs, services, education and viable training, for ex-offender's re-entry to society.
He stated, the new statute would permit: "a [reasonable expectation] of parole when a minimum sentence, qpplied in accordance with the guidelines, has been served, provided the "prisoner" fulfills the requirements of the statute. (Sessions Laws, L. 1977, p. 2538)."

PAROLE,'S INTENT TO UNDERMINE THE JUDICIARY & LEGISLATURE
           Now, some 33 years later, parole commissioners --vested with statutory authority to consider all relevant factors-- have high-jacked the parole process and intentionally set out to undermine parole for a "specific class" of eligible candidates. That class is anyone convicted of a A-1 violent felony offense.
Therefore, any decisions made by parole concerning the eligibility of a candidate within the scope of this mind-set is the product of an irrational determination which borders upon impropriety.

PAROLE BOARD'S MANDATE UNDER EXECUTIVE LAW 259-i:
           What is the parole board's mandate under Executive Law §259 -i? And, what statutory factors are they supposed to consider when determining the eligibility of any perspective candidate? The factors mandated for parole to consider, under Executive Law 259-i (2) (c), included:
             a) The prisoners institutional record, including program goals, accomplishments, academic achievements,       vocational & educational training or work assignments, therapy and interpersonal relationships with staff and prisoners;
            b) Performance, if any, as a participant in a temporary release program;
            c) Release plans, including community, resources, employment, education, training and support services available to the prisoners;
           d) Any deportation orders issued... ;
           e) Any statement made to the board by the crime victim of the victim's representative ... ;

APPLICANT'S REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF A FAIR REVIEW
            With this in mind, it seems fair to believe that in order to be eligible for parole, a prisoner must display remorse, take responsibility for their transgressions, meet the statutory criteria above and have shown that "the applicant" is someone that will "most likely" live at liberty without further violating the law.
However, the deliberate actions by parole commissioner's to violate the statute, and undermine the "reasonable expectations" of eligible applicants, using the statutory language of Executive Law 259-i, is played out in the over-whelming number of parole denials received by otherwise eligible candidates.

PAROLE'S BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE LAWFUL APPLICATION §259-I
             In an argument against an eligible applicant's appeal for his denial, received by one prisoner at Franklin Medium State Prison, the NYS Division of Parole emphatically stated that, "THE NEW YORK STATE PAROLE SCHEME IS NOT ONE THAT CREATES, IN ANY PRISONER, A LEGITIMATE EXPECTANCY OF RELEASE!"
This statement, by Parole, openly declares that there's nothing a "prisoner" [as an eligible applicant] can do that will be recognized by Parole. This is a blatant disregard for the fair and impartial application of the law. And, parole's actions undermines the integrity of the process and not only discriminates against eligible applicants, but it violates an applicants "due process rights" to be heard by a "fair and impartial" panel.
            With this mind-set, the board has openly defied judicial and legislative authority by merely using the statutory language of, "Due to the serious nature of the crime...", or "Due to your past criminal history...", to deny parole to eligible candidates if the parole commissioner's believe the applicants sentence was not appropriate.
While the severity of the offense may be considered, the court in King v. NYS Division of Parole, made it clear that:
"... the serious nature of the crime in NOT to be the detemining factor when the board is considering a prisoner's parole application."
           The court appropriately further chastised the NYS Division of Parole by stating:
"The determination of the appropriate penalty for the commissioner of a particular crime is exclusively a legislature function, insofar, as the legislature has entrusted the imposition of individual sentences to the judiciary... The Parole Board's failure to qualitatively determine whether petitioners presented a current danger to society, based on all the relevant statutory factors, was a clear abdication of its statutory duty. Furthermore, its unjustifiable reliance solely on the "severity of the crime" was in excess of its administration discretionary... !"
 

PUBLIC SCRUTINY NECESSARY TO ENSURE APPROPRIATE OVERSIGHT
           Something has to be done to stop the NYS Division of Parole from continuing to circumvent the judiciary, abusing its discretionary authority and intentionally denying parole to those eligible, with 24 Months Holds each time, for political reasons.
           This practice contravenes the discretionary parole scheme mandated by statute, and it -effectively constitutes an unfair and unauthorized re¬sentencing defendants.
Without the "reasonable expectations" of a fair and impartial review, prisoners are at the mercy of unscrupulous politicians "playing the dozens" with an individual's liberty and playing on the publics' fear to "allegedly" keep violent felony offenders in prison longer!

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES FOR PAROLE NEED YOUR HELP!
           So the question remains, if the New York State Parole scheme is not one that creates --in any prisoner-- a legitimate expectancy of release, as former Governor Hugh Carey stated, (Sessions Law, L. 1977. P. 2538.) THAN WHAT ARE THOSE ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES TO DO?
We can not simply rely, through the application of blind faith, on the NYS Division of Parole to carry out their duty in a air and impartial manner without Legislative and Judicial oversight as well as public scrutiny.
They have not only shown a blatant disregard for the authority of both the judiciary and the legislature, but they have displayed an unwillingness to appropriately apply the law with "due consideration" to those statutory factors outlined above. '
             Its obvious to all eligible candidates for parole that without judicial and legislative supervision and public scrutiny, these discriminatory practices will continue!

THE FINAL WORD
             From my stand point, as an eligible candidate for parole after serving 26'/2 years with an exemplary record and numerous achievements, how can I be expected to live and remain at liberty without violating the law if I am not granted "a serious, fair and impartial review" to appropriately evaluate the following factors:
             a) my behavior over the past 26'/2 years: my character, attitudes and beliefs, interpersonal relationships with staff and other prisoners;
             b) my release plans and preparedness to actualize these plans, and;
             c) community resources: employment education, training and support services available to the prisoner;
Especially, if there is no credible indication in the record to allow them to draw a conclusion that I would violate the law!

             Furthermore, once these parole commissioners, who believe themselves to be above the law, find themselves under legislative and judicial supervision and intense public scrutiny, they will no longer be able to abuse their authority by merely reciting statutory language by quoting, "to release [petitioner] would be incompatible with the public's safety and welfare."
             It is this type of empty recitation of the statutory exception, without any reasons much less the requested detailed reasons, and without a record to suggest otherwise, that the NYS Division of Parole's findings are, in these instances, determinations that are "irrational bordering upon impropriety!" ,
             Thus, qualifying those eligible candidates for parole, who have been denied unlawfully, the right to seek an otherwise "fair and impartial" parole review through judicial intervention.
             In times like these, when I am struggling against the odds to maintain my sanity in such a vile place as prison can be, I remember to remain focused on the things in life that mean the most: Family, Community and Life! Although, at times, the battle to retain my humanity throughout my incarceration has been both intense and arduous, I know that I have to remain hopeful! There is a saying that I have made up and it usually brings me comfort:
            "IN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT... ONE CLINGS TO HOPE... THAT A NEW DAY WILL BRING ~ A BRIGHTER  TOMORROW!"

             In all honesty, I wish I could turn back the hands of time to erase the trauma and pain that my actions caused, --all concerned-- but it is not possible! Yet, with all that I have learned --and with all that I have accomplished-- I just hope that God will grant me an opportunity to once again be at liberty to actualize my full potential through positive endeavors. I shall always keep the memory of the life lost in the forefront of my mind to remember my purpose to help others!

            This article was written and submitted by Chas Ransome. Chas is a prisoner at Otisville Medium State Prison, in Otisville, NY. Chas was denied his initial parole application after serving his minimum of 25 years. He is due to re-appear for parole release eligibility in February 2011. Chas is often targeted by conservative administrations for educating other prisoners of their Constitutional, Civil and Human Rights.

           Chas has earned college degree's. He -has created and implemented various programs for the prison pouplation. Chas has facilitated programs and special event fund raisers for various charities. He continues to facilitate various therapeutic and behavioral programs inside the prison system and beyond the walls with Organizations, Churches, Groups and Schools.
           Chas continues to focused on helping others while "habilitating" himself. His amelioration through introspection was both beautiful and painful. Chas has continued to display an insight into his crime and past personal history that makes it obvious that Chas is no longer the underdeveloped "broken vessel" of a person that he acknowledges he used to be!
           If you would like support Chas for parole release or want to learn more information about Chas, please feel free to contact him directly at:

Chas Ransome, 85-A-1643
Otisville Medium State Prison
57 Sanitorium Road - P.O. Box 8,
Otisville, New York 10963

           Or, if you want to support other eligible candidates for parole release you can make your voice heard and do so by contacting your official NYS Representatives at:

The State Senate
Capitol, Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-2800 or, on the web at: www.senate,state.ny.us

Or, you can write a letter to:
NYS Governor Executive Chambers State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224 (518) 474-8390 or (212) 681-4580
Or, write a letter to:
Charles Barron (D) NYC City Council 718 Pennsylvania Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11207 (718) 649-9495

Let them know that you support Chas Ransome and those eligible candidates for parole release.

PRISON JUSTICE DAY 2010
OTISVILLE MEDIUM STATE PRISON
       CHAS RANSOME