News of Brandon Hein 12.21.07
Hello To All,
We're writing to let you know that yesterday Brandon was bused to Centinela Prison in Imperial, CA. This one is located to the left of San Diego, in the desert, down nearer to the border of CA and Mexico.
Why did they move him?
Brandon's custody level states that he should be on a Level 4/270 Yard rather than a Level 4/180 Yard. There is not a huge difference between the two - it is somewhat less restricted on the 270 Yard. According to prison officials, the state is mandating that inmates be moved to a yard matching their exact custody level to make room for additional inmates at the higher level. Centinela has space available in their Level 4/270 Yard so Brandon was sent there.
What does this mean for Brandon?
Distance - This prison is much further from many of his family and friends than Tehachapi was. For us, we will be driving well over 4 hours one-way rather than the 2 1/2 hours one-way required to get to Tehachapi. We'll probably plan to stay overnight near Imperial more often than not now.
Art - The biggest drawback so far is that Centinela has no hobby program. Brandon will no longer be able to have paint and canvas. He can order colored pencils but that is all. Not being able to express himself with the art supplies he's worked so hard to master will be a loss for him.
Heat - This facility is in the desert with the high temperatures that accompany the geography.
Shipping Out - Inmates are given short notice to pack their stuff and be ready for transport. Once they arrive at the new facility, they cannot receive contact visits for 3 weeks. They can however, be visited over the phone/through a glass partition. We are hoping Brandon at least got to enjoy the view on the trip. He has not seen the outside world for over 7 years (since the last time the prison moved him).
Christmas - We were planning to see Brandon in Tehachapi on Christmas Day but will drive to Imperial on Monday instead and visit him through the glass on Christmas (Tuesday). Brandon knows we'll find our way to him. He doesn't let us down and we don't let him down. We love him. That's all there is to it.
New Address - We have a new address for him so those who wish to write should drop us an email at freebh@brandonhein.com
The Appeal - All of the attorneys have agreed to file a joint brief on February 15, 2008 (coincidentally, just two days before Brandon's 31st birthday). As mentioned in our last posting , the attorneys are Erwin Chemerinsky for Jason Holland, Manny Abascal and Daniel Seltzer for Michah Holland, Tracy Dressner for Tony Miliotti, and William Genego for Brandon.
Our warmest wishes to all of you who have chosen to share this journey with us. We couldn't do it without your generous love and support. May 2008 be the year of freedom.
Love and Thanks,
Gene and Janice Hein
We're writing to let you know that yesterday Brandon was bused to Centinela Prison in Imperial, CA. This one is located to the left of San Diego, in the desert, down nearer to the border of CA and Mexico.
Why did they move him?
Brandon's custody level states that he should be on a Level 4/270 Yard rather than a Level 4/180 Yard. There is not a huge difference between the two - it is somewhat less restricted on the 270 Yard. According to prison officials, the state is mandating that inmates be moved to a yard matching their exact custody level to make room for additional inmates at the higher level. Centinela has space available in their Level 4/270 Yard so Brandon was sent there.
What does this mean for Brandon?
Distance - This prison is much further from many of his family and friends than Tehachapi was. For us, we will be driving well over 4 hours one-way rather than the 2 1/2 hours one-way required to get to Tehachapi. We'll probably plan to stay overnight near Imperial more often than not now.
Art - The biggest drawback so far is that Centinela has no hobby program. Brandon will no longer be able to have paint and canvas. He can order colored pencils but that is all. Not being able to express himself with the art supplies he's worked so hard to master will be a loss for him.
Heat - This facility is in the desert with the high temperatures that accompany the geography.
Shipping Out - Inmates are given short notice to pack their stuff and be ready for transport. Once they arrive at the new facility, they cannot receive contact visits for 3 weeks. They can however, be visited over the phone/through a glass partition. We are hoping Brandon at least got to enjoy the view on the trip. He has not seen the outside world for over 7 years (since the last time the prison moved him).
Christmas - We were planning to see Brandon in Tehachapi on Christmas Day but will drive to Imperial on Monday instead and visit him through the glass on Christmas (Tuesday). Brandon knows we'll find our way to him. He doesn't let us down and we don't let him down. We love him. That's all there is to it.
New Address - We have a new address for him so those who wish to write should drop us an email at freebh@brandonhein.com
The Appeal - All of the attorneys have agreed to file a joint brief on February 15, 2008 (coincidentally, just two days before Brandon's 31st birthday). As mentioned in our last posting , the attorneys are Erwin Chemerinsky for Jason Holland, Manny Abascal and Daniel Seltzer for Michah Holland, Tracy Dressner for Tony Miliotti, and William Genego for Brandon.
Our warmest wishes to all of you who have chosen to share this journey with us. We couldn't do it without your generous love and support. May 2008 be the year of freedom.
Love and Thanks,
Gene and Janice Hein
posted by Gene and Janice Hein at 4:21 PM
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