Religious and Racial persecution in Texas.

Greetings Odinist Brothers and Sisters

It has been brought to the attention of the Court of Gothar of the Odinic Rite that, followers of our Holy Religion who are incarcerated within the Texas prison system are being persecuted. As you are all aware, the Odinic Rite has an increasing membership among US prison inmates. In some states and prisons the authorities seem to be realising that it is a very positive path for those inmates who are sincerely adhering to the tenets of the Odinic Rite, teaching as it does self responsibility, respect etc. In such facilities Odinist's are accorded the rights given to followers of other religions. However, not all facilities or states show such a sensible attitude. Texas TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) stands out as something from the dark ages in comparison.

Prisoners within this state are not allowed to study or use the runes in anyway. The are not allowed to receive publication which contain runes, where until recently articles say in ORB which contained runes were cut out, now they will no longer receive them as there is an outright ban on such material, which of course will effect not only our publications but those of other Odinist / Asatru groups. It is claimed by the prison authorities (TDCJ) the runes are related to hate groups and used for 'secret codes' and communications between gang members. This of course is quite simply untrue. It should be noted that religious works in Hebrew, Arabic etc have not been banned or censored and yet could be equally unintelligible (if not more so) to the authorities. The Runes are a vital and integral part of our Holy Religion, (among other things) they are an alphabet of the Northern European people so to single them out as this state does is racist and religious discrimination. What outcry there be if say the Torah in Hebrew or the Koran in Arabic where banned. Barring the Runes is denying the basic religious rights of our Odinist comrades within the prison system this is persecution!

It is somewhat ironic then that the President of the United States of America, George W Bush has repeatedly assured the world that he opposes neo Stalinist regimes where religious and ethnic rights are denied, in fact he and Prime Minster Blair have recently destroyed a regime he deemed as practicing just that, yet in his own State a regime is carrying out exactly that.

As you will all know the Odinic Rite are active members of the NPKA (National Prison Kindred Alliance). The Chairman of the NPKA has been in contact with the TDCJ in regards to this matter and as all other informal attempts to lift this outrageous ban have failed, we are now calling on you to show your support for your comrades by taking part in a letter-writing campaign to lobby the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to desist from continuing their ban the Runes.

Below are the details of three members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ).
Overview:

The nine member Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) is appointed by the governor to oversee the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), which provides confinement, supervision, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the state's convicted felons. The board members, who are appointed for staggered, six-year terms, are responsible for hiring the executive director of the department and setting rules and policies which guide the agency.

Texas Board of Criminal Justice P. O. Box 13084 Austin, Texas 78711

Don Jones, Secretary (Term expires 2/2005) - was appointed in 1999. Mr. Jones chairs the Programs and Services Committee. Within the Programs and Services Committee, he is responsible for Faith Based Programs and Volunteerism. In addition, Mr. Jones chairs the Management Information System Committee.

Judge Mary Bacon, Member (Term expires 2/2005) - was appointed in 1999 and again in 2000. Judge Bacon chairs the Committee on Community Justice Assistance, Parole and State Jail Divisions. She also serves on the Health Care Committee, the Institutional Division Committee, the Legal Committee and Victim Services. As a member of the Programs and Services Committee, she is responsible for overseeing the agency's Aftercare Programs.

Christina Melton Crain, Chairman (Term expires 2/2007) - was appointed to the board in 2001 and appointed as Chairman in February 2003. She chairs the board's Health Care Committee, which oversees the medical services provided to offenders. As a member of the Programs and Services Committee, she is also responsible for overseeing the agency's community services activities and educational programs. Continued over PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DIVISION DON JONES
Subcommittees:
FAITH BASED PROGRAMS AND VOLUNTEERISM, Don Jones

It would appear that Mr Don Jones would be the best person to contact being involved in the 'Faith based programs', but we recommend you send letters to all of these members so as to make the biggest possible impression upon the TBCJ. We also recommend you send a letter to the American Ambassador to the UK. This may apply added pressure to our campaign especially as this whole matter is in violation of the United States Constitution.

Mr William S Farish (American Ambassador) 24 Grosvenor Sqaure London, W1A 1AE

Below are links to two examples of letters you can send to each of the five named people. You may copy these completely or write your own letter, all we ask is that you remain polite and behave with honour. Please send your letters as soon as possible, do not delay; your Odinist comrades need your help now.

We will of course keep you updated.

Hael the High Ones
Hael the Runes
Odin Hael.