Justice For Patty Prewitt

The letter transcribed below was authored by Patty’s cellmate, Amy.  

My name is Amy.  I know Patty Prewitt and I know how she lends a helping hand to others.  I know all of this because I am Patty’s roommate and I see it all on a daily basis.  I want to walk you through a week in the life of Patty through my eyes.  Hold on to your hats; it can get intense, my friends!

Monday morning starts early, up before daylight, getting ready to go to her job as a computer programmer.  She’s the lead there and has all the extra responsibility that being 17 years at one job can bring.  On her lunch hour she grabs a bite to eat and takes time to call her family whom she adores, and they adore her.  After finishing her work day, she goes straight to the gym to teach an hour of aerobics.  It’s the most populated class always and, I can tell you firsthand, it is super physically taxing.  She’s 63-years-old and runs us youngsters hard!  Personally, I’m wore out, but her night is not done.  She takes the night to answer the multiple questions that are brought to the door, sits down with other inmates to give advice or help with a test they have, etc.

Now Tuesday rolls in - basically Monday through Friday is the full time job and calls to home.  But Tuesday nights she has Catholic services; Wednesday, she teaches another aerobics class the answers those countless questions that never seem to stop, at least from where I’m sitting.

I want to point out that Patty has such an approachable personality, a ferocious laugh, and a genuine daily positive attitude.  It’s impossible for people not to be drawn to her and just as impossible for her to turn anyone away.

Now, let’s gear up for Thursday.  Thursdays are what I call her long days.  She works in the morning, then goes directly to the Prison Performing Arts class where she earns college credits in the theatre class.  She is a huge part of the play process and twice a year a play is put on.  Then that night, as another part of the PPA, she attends the Spoken Word Poetry class.  She is so helpful to all the firls in the class and is always excited with everyone’s achievements.  

Then Friday aerobics class, more sweat, sweat, sweat for all!  Friday nights bring 4H class where the inmates can learn to stay involved and engaged with their children and grandchildren.  Once a month on Saturdays, 4H has all the kids come to the visiting room for multiple activities.  It’s great fun for all involved!

Sundays are spent catching up on the unbelievable volume of mail she receives, then a meditative Yoga class she teaches in the afternoon.  Then the whole process repeats itself along with the extra things that come along with being an inmate.

She’s a truly amazing woman that puts 110% into any and every project she undertakes.

I really hope you have enjoyed my play-by-play.  It’s exciting to witness all she is and all she does on a daily basis.

In a letter to the editor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Washington University Biology Professor Danny Kohl made a strong case for Patty’s release:

While I am absolutely convinced Patty Prewitt is innocent, you do not have to agree to conclude there is absolutely no public interest served by her continued incarceration. She poses no threat to society, has written job offers, a strong family plan, and strong support from the primary victims of the crime, Bill and Patty’s children. Many ex-Department of Corrections personnel have detailed her stellar record during her incarceration. Patty Prewitt is an excellent candidate for commutation of sentence to time served. She should be at home with her aged parents, her children and grandchildren, contributing to society rather than being an unnecessary financial drain on scarce state funds.

Read more here.

A St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial about Governor Nixon’s clemency record noted the broad support of Patty’s clemency petition.  The editorial board stated:

Last Easter,a group of 40 religious leaders placed a newspaper advertisement to urge Mr. Nixon to pardon Patty Prewitt, a 62-year-old grandmother who has served 26 years in jail for the murder of her husband. Some of her advocates have long believed she was innocent; others point to her model behavior in prison or the length of a sentence that seems out of line with the evidence in the case.

Lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, similarly have advocated for Ms. Prewitt’s pardon.

Our hope is that Governor Nixon will take action.  If you are interested in adding your voice in support of Patty, contact the Governor through his website at http://governor.mo.gov/contact/ or call his office at  (573) 751-3222.

In the St. Louis Beacon, former State Representative Bill Deeken (R- Jefferson City) voiced his support for Patty’s release.  Drawing inspiration from Governor Nixon’s recent election victory speech, Representative Deeken reflected on Patty’s contributions to her prison community:

As a certified fitness trainer, Patty has helped many women get jobs as aerobics instructors. She has tutored countless women as the pursued their GED. Patty herself serves her state as a computer programmer helping the government manage important data. Outside of work, Patty brings richness and joy to her community as a leader of a performing arts program. She has recruited many of her neighbors to join who are initially reluctant to take on Shakespeare for the first time, but soon value this creative outlet and become budding thespians.

In short, Patty is exactly the type of person the governor referred to in his speech—someone who, each day, works to bring a sense of purpose and love to those around her.

Representative Deeken continued:

In this holiday season, I sincerely hope that Gov. Nixon reflects on the manner in which Patty has led her life over the 26 years she has been in prison. I hope that he concludes, like so many others have, that Patty deserves to be free and continue her life of service to others beyond the prison walls. She would obviously benefit from such a decision, but I am confident that her community would benefit even more

The entire article can be read here.

In recent days, people from all across Missouri have contacted Governor Nixon to request that he act on Patty’s clemency petition. The petition was submitted to the Governor in December 2010.  In this holiday season, many of Patty’s supporters are hopeful that the Governor will grant Patty the opportunity to be home with her family.

 Patty reciting poetry at a July Prison Performing Arts event.

A couple from St. Louis wrote, “On November 6, 2012, you were re-elected to office by the people of Missouri; calling for our state and country to move FORWARD with renewed hope.  We now personally invite you to respond to that same call and move forward with renewed hope for Patty Prewitt.” 

Another supporter wrote, “Patty participates fully in the life of the prison, supporting other women in their struggles…Please grant clemency to Patty.”

If you are interested in adding your voice in support of Patty, contact the Governor through his website at http://governor.mo.gov/contact/ or call his office at  (573) 751-3222.

Last month, Patty participated as an actor and assistant director of Prison Performing Art’s presentation of the stories of Metamorphoses by Roman poet Ovid.  Among the more popular of these stories are King Midas and the Golden Touch and Orpheus and Eurydice.  The audience enjoyed the modern take on many of these old classics.  Patty has been involved with Prison Performing Arts since its inception at Women’s Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center.  Once again, new actors were encouraged to participate by Patty.  The next performance will be in early 2013.  Learn more at PPA’s website. 

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.