It has become clear through personal accounts and the extensive U.S. Department of Justice Report released in July 2009 that prisoners in the Erie County Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility are subject to inhumane conditions, and that the Erie County Executive Chris Collins, Attorney Cheryl A. Green and Sheriff Timothy B. Howard are doing little to proactively bring about justice. We are shocked and disgusted as more and more tales of abuse unfold every day. Prisoners are people; they may be our friends, family members and neighbors. They deserve their human and constitutional rights. We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens of Erie County who urge our leaders to act now to reverse the trend of violation of prisoner's rights in Erie County facilities. Prisoners are entitled to access to sound medical care, mental health care, and decent living conditions free from physical abuse. We encourage better nutrition, sanitation, better access to education and vocational training, and a variety of religious services for the prisoners. We want prisoners to rejoin our community free from the burden of prison abuse and prepared to be productive citizens once again. We will not stand for further abuse in Erie County facilities!

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