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SURVIVAL MANUAL FOR FAMILIES OF AMERICANS JAILED ABROAD

NCJ Number
60472
Author(s)
S Z RITZ
Date Published
1978
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THIS SURVIVAL MANUAL FOR FAMILIES OF AMERICANS JAILED ABROAD IS BASED ON EXPERIENCES OF FAMILIES FRUSTRATED BY THE NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF THEIR RELATIVES BY THE U.S. AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS; IT STRESSES POSITIVE SELF-ACTION.
Abstract
THE MANUAL DESCRIBES NOT ONLY THE RIGHTS OF FAMILIES AND AMERICAN RELATIVES IN FOREIGN JAILS BUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN DEALING WITH SUCH SITUATIONS. DEVELOPED BY THE COMMITTEE OF CONCERNED PARENTS (CCP), A GROUP OF 40 AMERICAN FAMILIES WITH RELATIVES IN BOLIVIAN JAILS CHARGED WITH DRUG-RELATED CRIMES, THE MANUAL IS PROBABLY MOST USEFUL TO FAMILIES WITH RELATIVES DETAINED IN LATIN AMERICA OR OTHER RELATIVELY POOR OR DEVELOPING REGIONS WHERE CODES OF JUSTICE DIFFER MOST SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THOSE IN THE U.S. INITIAL STEPS FOR FAMILIES IN SUCH PREDICAMENTS ARE TO FIND OUT WHERE THE RELATIVE IS JAILED; THE DATE, PLACE AND CIRCUMSTANCE OF THE ARREST; THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE DOCUMENTED BY THE POLICE AND COURT; THE CHARGES; THE NAMES AND TITLES OF THE ARRESTING OFFICERS AND THEIR AFFILIATIONS; DATA ON OTHERS INVOLVED IN THE CRIME; AND WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON HAS WAIVED PRIVACY. THE CITIZENS EMERGENCY CENTER ARRESTS UNIT IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS THE MOST IMMEDIATE SOURCE OF INFORMATION. RELATIVES SHOULD ALSO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF PRISON CONDITIONS IN THE PERTINENT COUNTRY AND REGULATIONS ON SENDING AND RECEIVING MAIL AND PACKAGES (AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS A SOURCE OF THIS INFORMATION). LEGAL SYSTEMS OF THE HOLDING COUNTRY MUST BE UNDERSTOOD, AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AMERICAN CONSULATE TO THE PRISONERS SHOULD BE KNOWN IN ORDER FOR THE FAMILY TO MONITOR ADHERENCE TO THESE REGULATIONS. INFORMATION IS GIVEN ABOUT SUCH ISSUES AS BUYING PRISONERS OUT OF PRISON, DEPORTATION, VISITATION RIGHTS, OFFICIAL CONTACTS IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND CONGRESS, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND READJUSTMENT AFTER THE PRISONER IS RELEASED. INSTRUCTIONS IN LOBBYING FOR LEGISLATIVE REFORM REGARDING CONSULAR SERVICES AND AMERICANS IN FOREIGN PRISONS ARE PROVIDED. ADDRESSES FOR CONCERNED ORGANIZATIONS ARE APPENDED AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (DAG)