November 25, 2001 Mr. E. Roe, Warden

California State Prison-Los Angles County

47750 60th Street West

Lancaster, CA. 93536

In regard to: Raymond Morrison K-50636 - Jewish Inmate, Request for Transfer to Illinois State Prison, Dixon. Based on the extreme and cruel punishment for his Orthodox Jewish practice of not cutting his facial hair! He is classified as a program failure and treated inhumanly with accrued points placing him in Level Four -C Status! Locked down 23 hours, no privileges! This is the result of reinstated CA Prison Grooming Standards, May 1998!

FEDERAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW PASSED JULY 27, 2000 SENATE BILL 2869

Dear Warden Roe;

Again I find it imperative to write on my son's behalf! Raymond has continued to study and practice his Orthodox Jewish faith' since his incarceration in 1997! This has caused undue stress and humiliation for him and extended time in segregation in Level Four! I ask you to transfer him to Illinois as he has spent half his sentence without religious freedom in the state of CA! He is from Illinois and there are not grooming restrictions for religious reasons in the State Prison System! In CA he went from a Level Two, A status,( under forty points ) to currently over one hundred twenty points and Level four, C status! The numerous additional points were for grooming infractions ( There were minimal other points due to inmate fights related to his religion!) He has suffered cruel and unusual punishment for his religious beliefs and not shaving his beard! For four years he was kept at C Level with NO privileges! Locked in his cell for twenty-three hours, no calls, job or family visits! Along with this he has spent extended time in segregation and not allowed to wear anything but his underwear! He has been targeted for abuse, and given ultimatives by some staff to shave or suffer whatever punishment they deemed appropriate. My son faced daily danger on the Level Four yard with those sentenced to twenty-five years to life. Stabbings are common, hopelessness and rage promote violence! One year ago he was moved to a Level Two yard and A status. He has been able to work, take classes and was even asked to teach an auto class. He was allowed to get calls, receive a box from home and eligible for a family visit and library use. He has continued his studies with Rabbi Lazar, he still has a full beard as does his Rabbi. He seemed to be doing ok at Level two. Now the situation has changed again. He must serve the full ten-year sentence. He is not entitled to the year and a half early off good time because of the grooming points! Other inmates in your facility have beards and long hair. They have not faced the persecution and hostility that Ray has. The reason for the change is this.... Ray was recently moved to A yard, a new Assistant Warden named Mr. Kitterman has threatened Ray, that he must shave his beard or go back to C status and Level Four and he is adding more points to his file! This is intolerable and must stop. For this reason and the possibility of harm to my son I ask that he be transferred to Illinois where there are no restrictions for religious believes and practices. Under the circumstances and the Law passed in July 2000 this seems the correct placement for Raymond. Please review his files. I am sending this letter and other documents to California Legislators, Illinois Legislators and media. This information is respectfully sent and I appreciate your immediate attention.

Sincerely,

Donna Goldstein-Kekstadt 303 Slippery Rock Drive Dixon, IL 61021

Cc: Rabbi Lazar Cc: Speaker Dennis Hastert

Cc: Sen. Boxer Cc: Gov. Ryan

cc: Sen. Feinstein cc: Sen. Sieben

cc: Gov. Daviess cc: Rep. Boland

Cc: Sen. Schiff cc: Rep. Mitchelle

Cc: ADL Mr. Levinson cc: Rep Wirsing

Cc: NCCI Board of Rabbis of Southern CA