Publisher’s Note: The publisher has had no role in editing this column, which is published as the writer submitted it with the intention of publication in BEACONS.
By Marisa Latinville
Jeffery Gerritt is the editor of the Palestine Herald-Press in Texas. Gerritt has won many awards in the past including the 2107 Sigma Delta Chi Award, the 2018 Carmage Walls Commentary Prize and the 2007 Michigan Excellence in Journalism Award. Gerritt’s Pulitzer Prize winning works were very interesting to read. Gerritt uses great voice and
The first column was called Death without conviction: Texas needs access to jail videos. This column by Gerritt was an informative piece that was meant to educate on the topic of misusing surveillance videos in jails in the state of Texas. By their laws in Texas, if prison guards feel the action shown in the surveillance videos does not demonstrate proper safety precautions done by the guards, they are not legally obligated to publicly show the videos. This is an issue that had not been brought to my attention until I read this column. I believe Gerritt wrote this column to inform the readers of this issue while using examples from other state laws. I like his use of educating his audience while giving out examples/scenarios because this is how I learn best.
Death without conviction: High cost of neglect was the next column by Gerritt that I read. This piece was on the tragic death of Rhonda Newsome who died alone in her jail cell due to the neglect of the prison guards. This was another interesting piece to read that yet again educated me on the lack of proper care that some prisons lack. Gerritt used great detail to describe exactly the condition Newsome was left in when she died. Although it is disturbing and tragic to think about, I like Gerritt’s use of detail because it allows for the readers to fully understand how horrible some of the inmates can be treated at times. Gerritt also used other examples of cases similar to Newsome’s when comparing the trail the family members had to go through. This is another use of Gerritt’s writing that I like because I learn best when led by example.
Death without conviction: Deadly jails need stronger state oversight is another Gerritt piece I read that was about the tragic death of an inmate who was left untreated. I really liked the way Gerritt uses great detail when describing just exactly what happened as well as the commentary from the other prisoners from the night before James Dean Davis’ tragic death. Although it is disturbing, Gerritt’s use of description allows for me to paint a picture of the trac]gic night in my head while reading this column. Gerritt breaks up his columns into smaller sections and labels each section which creates better organization and breaks up the reading which is something else I like when reading his work.
Death without conviction: Close dangerous loophole in public information law is another piece by Jeffrey Gerritt about Texas law enforcement agencies twisting the law in order to get away with not sharing vital information of the death of an inmate. Gerritt describes when this type of twisting the law was used, while stating his opinion on how he thinks this issue could be resolved towards the end of this piece. I agree with Gerritt and I think the way to end all of the mistreatment and twisting of the kaw is to just abolish the law.
The last piece I read was, Death without conviction: Death reckoning is about the number of deaths in Texas jails and how this number is increasing each year. Gerritt used factual numbers when describing the amount of Texas jail death to emphasize the importance of this issue. Gerritt says, “By mid-November, the list from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards totaled 99 in-custody deaths. The AG's list reported a far smaller number, but still included cases not on the TCJS list.” Towards the end of his piece Gerritt, again, states his opinion on what he thinks will happen in the future for these prisoners in Texas. Gerritt says, “Without oversight and enforcement, prisoners without convictions will continue to die in large numbers, despite commendable legislative reforms such as the Sandra Bland Act of 2017. Working together, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and Office of Attorney General offer could accomplish something amazing: Making state government smart enough to, not only measure custodial deaths, but also save some lives.” I like Gerritt’s style of writing. He states all evidence using facts throughout the whole reading and then saves his opinion on what he thinks could be done differently/ better for the end of the piece.
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