Linda Brecht wrote a letter to Death Row Speaks book reviewer Christine Hasan and attached a letter with it, that was written by a her pen-friend on death row. She asked us to place it online and with the following words she expressed why she felt this would be needed: "I am attaching a letter my pen-pal recently wrote to me. The purpose of this attachment is to show others, who do not understand, how death row inmates are human souls with compassion, intelligence and hope for the world. President Bush is also getting a copy of the letter!"

We like to thank Linda and the letter is placed below.

July 4, 2005

Dear Friend

It has been a long holiday weekend. I've kept busy working out, cleaning, reading and writing letters, teaching out to family and friends I haven't written to in a while. If I write ten letters, I might get two responses.

We actually had a halfway decent meal today - baked Bar-B-Q chicken, potato salad, turnip greens, biscuits, baked beans and chocolate cake. They switched supper tonight and we had PB&J sandwiches and salami. I try not to complain because every night somewhere in the world people and especially children go to bed hungry.

I hope that this letter finds you and your family in good health, spirits and in God's care. Please say hello and give my respects to all.

That was truly a blessing finding that little girl alive in Idaho after being missing for six weeks. Can you imagine the nerve of that pervert going into a Denny's with her to eat? I will never understand what goes through the minds of some people - and trust me I see and hear a lot up close and personal right here on the row. The prison system in this country seems to be turning out a lot more sick people than what they're locking up. These sick people are simply being warehouse, not treated, making most more dangerous coming out of prison than when they went in.

I don't know who's to blame, but it's certainly not right. Society really needs to re-evaluate it's priorities. We're fighting a war thousands of miles from home, with no end in sight, while our streets are filling up with the homeless, unemployed, drugs and perverts hunting our children.

The military is having a big problem coming up with new recruits. If I was the President, I would find a way to tap into the thousands of young, able-bodied young men locked up in prison. I saw a segment on 60 Minutes where they're recalling soldiers that have done their time and forcing them back to serve. I would go into the military if they gave me a choice between that and this prison cell. If they need to force people back against their own will, why not give prisoners who qualify a second chance?

Peace,

Alphonso