Prison Reform Unity Project

It is the intention of the "Prison Reform Unity Project" to coordinate an annual day of unity for all human rights and prison reform groups, facilitate with organizations, the families and friends of prisoners and people of conscience to conduct annual rallies at state capitols, prisons and other appropriate sites across America in support of human rights and prison reform. For further details, visit the PRUP 2000 Web site at: http://www.prup.net

PRESS RELEASE 15 July 2000 CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz 800-973-6548 561-371-5204 PRISON  REFORM  UNITY  PROJECT (P.R.U.P.) DAY OF ACTION LOCAL ACTIVISTS TARGET WACKENHUT WHO: Local Prison Reform Activists WHAT: Demonstration For Prison Reform WHEN: TODAY, Saturday, 15 July 2000, 4pm EDT WHERE: WACKENHUT CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS (Off I-95 at PGA, next to the Marriot Hotel) At 4pm EDT THIS SATURDAY, 15 July 2000, prison reform activists will gather in front of prisons nationwide in support of human rights for all Americans, calling for an end to abusive prison conditions and for a redirection of prison resources from retribution to restoration. "There is no question that people who commit crimes must be punished and society must be protected from them," said Abe Bonowitz, a local P.R.U.P. Organizer.  "But 95% of all prisoners will eventually be released.  When you treat a person like a dog, he or she will eventually bite back. Physical and mental abuse are not part of a prisoner's sentence." Local activists chose to target Wackenhut Corporation to highlight concerns with the privatization (read: "Profitization") of public services.  "Wackenhut has chosen to increase profits by hiring untrained and poorly resourced personnel," said Bonowitz.  "I think there is a basic philosophical problem when you turn over administration of prisons to corporations which have an interest in keeping people locked up." For further details, visit the PRUP 2000 Web site at:  <www.prup.net>		Click image to view full size