Documentation of Phone Call with Florida State Prison Chaplain Homer White
To Validate Beginning of Hunger Strike at FSP

(Thursday, July 1, 2004)  11:50 a.m. PST

I needed the prison to verify if a Hunger Strike began today at FSP.  I also wanted to find out what is going on with Ronald Wayne Clark Jr., the death row inmate who is going without food to bring attention to three vital issues within the prisons.

I called FSP (904) 368-2500, was transferred to the Warden’s office then to the Colonel’s office.  None of the prison workers would not tell me anything.  They wouldn’t verify the Hunger Strike nor if Ronald Clark was OK.  They were very closed mouthed and suggested that I call the Public Affairs Dept. in Tallahassee, (850) 410-4244.

Tallahassee wouldn’t verify any information either and referred me back to the prison, this time to the Chaplain’s office (904) 368-2522.

I called the Chaplain’s office and spoke to Homer White, who was actually quite nice although he was reluctant to do anything.  I asked about the Hunger Strike and he said nothing had been reported.  I asked if Ronnie was ok and Mr. White said the Chaplain’s office did weekly rounds; one had been done on 6/30/04 and one the prior week.

I told him that word from Ronald Clark was that he had begun a Hunger Strike today in protest of several inhumane conditions and I itemized them briefly.  I informed Chaplain White that Ronald had written to the Warden, James Crosby, the Inspector General’s office, Governor Bush and President Bush about these conditions with no response.  I explained that Ronnie feared his life was in great danger.  The department hates him because he is outspoken and blows the whistle on these abusive conditions.  [A bad prison worker knows it is fairly easy to bribe inmates with nothing left to lose to do their dirty work for them - It doesn't take much when you have nothing.

I also explained that Ronnie has been considering giving up his appeals as he was in such great fear for his life that he would choose death by execution rather than wait to be the next Frank Valdes.  In fact, Ronnie is in fear of that happening [a beating such as killed Frank Valdes] because other inmates and guards have made comments to him to that effect.

Mr. White said he was not the warden at the time of Valdes death, and I assured him I was very familiar with the Valdes case.

Chaplain White said there was a lot of inmate psychological problems at FSP, and that the prison staff did not take this type of thing seriously.  White claimed inmates banged their head against bars, attempted suicide, beat themselves up, etc. and blamed it on the guards.

I told Mr. White that I was sure there was a lot of psychosis going on there, but Ronald Clark was the most sane man I know, and I would stake my life on the fact that he is not making up these allegations. I told him that I had a foot high stack in front of me of grievances that Ronnie had filed that were never taken seriously and a huge paper trial as to the danger he was in, and that his recent pleas to James Crosby had not even been addressed.

I pled to Chaplain White as a humanitarian and a man of God to please just walk down the hall and have a look at Ronnie and make sure he was ok and call me back.  I told him I understand that I don't have the priviledges a wife or family member has, but that I needed to report back to his mother and the prisoner rights groups who are posting updates on the internet and to the media.  I told him that we’d already had 2 interviews with the media thus far today about this situation.  I asked that my call be documented and he said he was taking notes.  I also stated that it may not be policy, but requested that he let Ronnie know that Jillian, his Mom and KayLee were waiting to know he is OK.

Chaplain White did call me back in about an hour to report that he had 'gone down the hall' and that Ronnie was fine.  Chaplain White reported that Ronnie had indeed refused his last two trays of food, but the great news is that Ronnie wanted us to know that he is drinking water.  We are grateful for that because his first intention had been to do this strike without water. Many people have urged him not to do so, especially in this heat so we are pleased that he has made this choice.

Chaplain White stated that Ronnie was jovial, happy, laughing and looked fine.  He also reported that Ronnie had received letters from his Mom and me and that he’d heard from his lawyer.  Chaplain White also stated that Ronnie was 'stirring up trouble' and seemed pleased about that. Chaplain White made it known that he did not approve of Ronnie's attitude.  I agreed with him.  If that is true, I told him I agreed with him and would write Ronnie immediately and urge him to conduct himself with dignity.

I thanked Mr. White very much for his time, assistance and kindness. 

~Jillian O’Brine
FORUM FOR RONALD CLARK
The Death Row Poet (Welcome To My World):
http://www.ronaldclark.us/forum

RETURN TO
Day 1 of Ronald Clark's Hunger Strike