We demand the Minnesota Department of Corrections, specifically Commissioner Paul Schnell, release Philip Vance from solitary confinement immediately. Philip Vance is a caring father, mentor, educator and artist loved by many. He has been imprisoned since 2004 on a life sentence despite ample evidence supporting his innocence.
On Sunday, September 3rd, Philip and 130 other men protested against inhumane and degrading conditions at Stillwater prison amid continuous lockdowns and severe heat waves. The men housed in B-East work industry jobs and had labored all week. Ordered to lock down in sweltering cells, yet again, without showers, clean water, ice, recreational time, or access to their families, the courageous men in Philip’s unit refused. Instead of returning to their cells, they stayed in the common areas, some playing cards and others socializing.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, prison officials chose severe repression for at least four men and potentially more, cruelly punishing them with 90-180 days in solitary confinement. We do not know all of their names. Philip Vance was singled out for his leadership and truth telling, in part because he publicly exposed the lies within the DOC’s riot narrative and because he clearly articulated the horrific conditions that sparked the protest. Philip was given 180 days and is now locked in a cell for 23 hours a day with no access to yard time and limited access to communication. This six month punishment came just as a public push to spread awareness about Philip’s case garnered increased support and media attention. See
www.freephilipvance.com to learn more about his wrongful conviction.
