Justice For Patty Prewitt

Yesterday, the Columbia Daily Tribune published Rev. June Pearse’s letter to Governor Nixon asking that he grant Patty clemency.  Rev. Pearse wrote, “I’ve known Patty since 1986, when her children visited her in prison for the first time through Prison PATCH, a visitation program I directed. Little did I know then what a positive impact she would have on her fellow prisoners, corrections staff and visitors. Over the course of the next 26 years, Patty has served as an amazing inspiration to all who come to know her.”  Read more here.

Today, over 40 religious leaders from across Missouri signed a letter calling on Governor Nixon to act on Patty’s clemency petition.  The letter, published in the Jefferson City News Tribune, is transcribed below:

Although we come from different faith traditions as religious leaders, we are united in our shared belief in justice, fairness, and mercy.  We are guided by these values when we ask that you grant clemency to Patricia “Patty” Prewitt, a 62 year-old grandmother of ten.

The clemency petition submitted to you in 2010 articulates specific legal, fiscal, and moral arguments for granting Patty clemency.  Indeed, many people believe Patty is innocent.  But we are neither the judge nor jury of her case.

As people with religious vocations, we are compelled by the testimony of prison chaplains, staff, and former inmates who bear witness to the many ways Patty brings faith and hope to her fellow inmates, inspiring others to live more godly and productive lives. For nearly 26 years, Patty has led an exemplary life in prison, availing herself of every opportunity not only to enrich her own life, but to serve others. This commitment to service is the foundation of our ministry, and we see Patty as a lay person who embodies that sense of vocation and continues to live the imperatives and values of her faith, even while living for years within a setting that would cripple the faith of many believers.  Her strength, hope and astonishing work with others in prison are clearly animated by the spirit of God in her.  

It is time for Patty to be able to serve those beyond the prison gates and be reunited with her loving family who has stood vigil for well over two decades awaiting her return.  We now stand beside them and all those who have petitioned you for Patty’s release.

We ask you, as Governor, to exercise the executive power that belongs exclusively to you in this case.  The power to grant clemency is a weighty responsibility, but one that we hope, pray, and trust you will use in the name of what is right and just.  We appeal, above all, to your compassion and understanding as a man of profound faith who knows the central role mercy must have if we are to realize God’s grace and presence in a wounded world so in need of healing.  In freeing Patty Prewitt you release not only a model prison inmate, but free her elderly parents, her children, and her grandchildren from the nightmare of her long incarceration.

We humbly ask you to allow Patty to come home.  As you consider her petition during this time when many of us celebrate Easter, we will pray for you as you make this and other important decisions that affect the lives of so many Missourians.

An image of the full-page letter along with the names of those who signed it can be viewed here.  Call Governor Nixon today at (573) 751-3222 and make your own voice heard!

In an article published in today’s Spingfield News-Leader, Rev. June Pearse, a former director of a visitation program at Patty’s prison, wrote movingly of Patty’s volunteer work in prison and mentorship of fellow inmates over the years.  Pearse wrote, “[Patty] has mentored more women than could be counted. Many of those women are back in their own communities and are paying forward what has been offered to them in Patty’s kindness, wisdom, and encouragement.”  She concluded, “Today as we celebrate the Easter season and Patty nears 26 years in prison, [Governor] Nixon has an opportunity to exhibit compassion and mercy. I pray that he does.”  Read the full article here.

The Village Pariah, a bi-annual literary journal sponsored by the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, recently published an essay by Patty in their second issue.  Patty wrote the essay about a former fellow inmate.  The Village Pariah, can be purchased here.  You can read some of Patty’s earlier writings here.

Patty recently joined the advisory board of Missouri CURE.  Missouri CURE organizes and unites offenders, their families, and others for education and advocacy in criminal justice issues.  Her membership on this board demonstrates yet another example of Patty’s productivity behind prison walls.

The Columbia Missourian highlights Prison Performing Arts in a feature article.  Patty has participated in the program for years and will be performing in Part 2 of Shakespeare’s The Tempest next week.  As shown in the article, Patty encourages other inmates to get involved in this literacy and performing arts program.  Read more here.

Frank Slaughter, Patty’s 87 year-old father, wrote a moving letter to the people of his state asking for help to free Patty.  Please read it here.

On Monday, Patty performed in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest as part of the Prison Perform Arts program.  Patty played Caliban to the delight of dozens of visitors at an afternoon and evening performance.  Along with several other inmates, Patty read a poem after the play.  You can read many of Patty’s poems here.  At a post-performance question and answer session, Patty shared that she makes an effort to recruit as many of the other inmates as possible to participate in Prison Performing Arts.

On April 29, the 25th anniversary of Patty’s incarceration, hundreds of students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland gathered to express their support for Patty Prewitt’s clemency.  Footage from that day can be seen below.  This event was just one of the many instances of an outpouring of support for Patty on her 25th anniversary.  Hundreds of Missourians and individuals across the country wrote Governor Nixon to ask him to grant Patty clemency. We remain hopeful that the Governor will do the right thing and send Patty home to her family.

Columbia-based radio station KBIA featured Patty on the program Talking Politics.  Patty is interviewed for this moving piece.  In recent weeks hundreds of people from across Missouri have asked Governor Nixon to grant Patty clemency.  Like Patty, we remain hopeful that Governor Nixon will make the right decision.  Click here to listen.