Breaking the Silence
 Brave family members of residents confined to Reeves and even some prisoners have provided brief testimonials about the deplorable living conditions at the Reeves County Detention Center.  These people are giving a voice to the hundreds who have died in detention across the United States and the thousands left behind who still need our help.

"We never saw or heard from the Inspector [speaking to latest visit by BOP inspector]. You see elderly men in wheel chairs who do nothing but watch TV all day. For them, this is practically torture. There are no options for rehabilitation, no learning opportunities, nothing. We are more than 53 persons per tank (cell), locked in 21 hours a day. We eat where we sleep.” ~Ramon Garza, RCDC prisoner


"When the riot first took place, all guards abandoned the prisoners. Some even shot rubber bullets at them. They had to break through the windows in order to escape the flames. Now it is they who are being blamed. My son was going to be released on August 19th, but he has since been transferred to West Virginia after spending time in solitary confinement in Louisiana. They keep threatening him and have taken away his right to receive visits and make phone calls. Now we only communicate through open letters." ~Graciela Orredondo, mother of former RCDC prisoner who was indicted on aiding and abetting in a mutiny or riot


“No one wants to listen to them, that is why we are here supporting them. We will not remain silent! They are not animals! This prison is in very bad conditions; even today they are only allowed to leave their cells for 1-2 hours. He can’t tolerate that kind of lock up.” ~Maria Reynaga, sister


“My son was sentenced to 10 years in prison for re-entry into the U.S. He tells me that it’s hard to live in Mexico and that he has nothing to do there because all of his family lives here, you know. He’s been here since the age of 14, but has spent most of his life in jail. My mother worries for him daily and became real sick after the riots. All she wants is to be alive by the time he is released in 2013.” ~Verenica Espino, mother


 “There are no doctors. I had an ingrown nail and they gave me a band-aid. They say things were going change but those words have gone with the wind. They’ve added crossbars to the cell doors to reinforce our lockdown. The food is for animals and if you’re not ready to listen to the call for recreation time, you miss out’…‘A cellmate of mine died over 15 days ago. We got real mad here because he was a really good guy. We can’t even get mad though or it’ll go worse on you. The guards abuse their power by threatening to take some of your good time…27 days, 29 days just for nothing. I understand that we’ve made mistakes, but it shouldn’t be this way. To serve 8 years here is going to drive me insane.” ~Huilbert Hernandez Salgado, RCDC prisoner


“Were on lock down 21 hours a day. When you’re sick they don’t call you till a week or a month later. There’s people that put in request for surgery over six months ago and they still haven’t gotten it. In my case, my detainer was lifted and I was told by BOP that I qualify for a halfway house, but the case managers who are supposed to help you with that process never did and now I have been told it’s too late. I could have been out since July, but I’m stuck in this hell.” ~Daniel Cantu, RCDC prisoner