by CDR Charles F. Kerchner, Jr. (Ret), blogging at CDRKerchner, ©2023 (Jul. 4, 2023) — Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original. Online source: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript In Congress, […]
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Posted inEditorials
CoreCivic Abuses Prisoner
“CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT” by Robert Z. Whipple, III, ©2019 (Oct. 23, 2019) — [Editor’s Note: The following email was sent to TDOC Commissioner Tony Parker; TDOC Communications Director Neysa Taylor; CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger and other company officials; and more than a dozen members of the media, including this reporter. CoreCivic, formerly Corrections Corporation […]
Posted inPolitics
Tennessee Inmates File Suit Against Parole Board, Alleging Arbitrary Detainment after Sentences Served
CLASS ACTION ALLEGES FIFTH, EIGHTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT VIOLATIONS by Sharon Rondeau (May 20, 2019) — In February, a 58-page lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee by 14 inmates at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) alleging that the Tennessee Board of Parole is not adhering to […]
Posted inPolitics
Former Inmate Finds Employment
“I AM REALLY ENJOYING IT SO FAR” by Sharon Rondeau (Oct. 17, 2018) — The Post & Email learned late last week that Robert Z. Whipple, III, a former Tennessee state inmate, is now employed full-time on a permanent basis. Whipple has a background in customer service and holds an Associate’s Degree. He was imprisoned […]
Posted inStates
Report: Gang Member Assaults Disabled Inmate in Protective Custody
“I HATE PEOPLE WHO PREY ON THE HANDICAP” by Sharon Rondeau (Aug. 2, 2018) — A letter received on Thursday from Morgan County Correctional Complex (MCCX) inmate Grenda Ray Harmer reported that a Corporal Chad Wagner “is being soft towards gang members” based on an alleged assault by a gang member against an older disabled […]
Posted inStates
Inmate Lawsuit Challenging Denial of Court Access to be Settled
“NEGOTIATED IN GOOD FAITH” by Sharon Rondeau (Jul. 7, 2018) — A federal lawsuit filed in 2014 by former TDOC inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III has reached a tentative settlement, according to a document dated July 3, 2018 posted at the federal PACER repository. The order is signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Bryant […]
Posted inStates
Update from Parolee Robert Z. Whipple, III
“IT’S ALL WORKING OUT OKAY” by Sharon Rondeau (Jun. 22, 2018) — On Friday morning The Post & Email received an update from former TDOC inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III, who was released on parole last month to a halfway house after spending nearly eight years in prison on a drug charge. Although now out […]
Posted inStates
The Post & Email Interviews Former TDOC Inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III
“I REALLY DID NOT EXPECT IT” by Sharon Rondeau (May 24, 2018) — On Thursday afternoon, The Post & Email was able to speak with former TDOC prisoner Robert Z. Whipple, III, who was released from the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) at approximately 5:00 PM local time on Tuesday to parole status. Whipple had […]
Posted inStates
Robert Z. Whipple Released from Prison
FIVE WEEKS AFTER PAROLE GRANTED by Sharon Rondeau (May 23, 2018) — On Wednesday evening The Post & Email received a message from Robert Z. Whipple, III that at long last he was released from prison to parole. His April 18 parole hearing concluded in a positive outcome, but his actual release to a halfway […]
Posted inStates
Inmate Robert Whipple Remains Incarcerated after Parole Granted a Month Ago
CLAIMS “RETALIATION,” “BAD FAITH” NEGOTIATIONS; CONTINUES LAWSUIT FOR COURT ACCESS by Sharon Rondeau (May 18, 2018) — Copies of two letters received on Friday from Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III, #399615, indicate that not only has he not been released from prison after the Tennessee Board of Parole awarded him […]
Posted inStates
Robert Z. Whipple III Reports Parole Granted
A “GOOD” KIND OF “NERVOUS” by Sharon Rondeau (May 1, 2018) — In a letter received on Tuesday, Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) inmate Robert Z. Whipple III wrote that his parole hearing on April 18 has resulted in a positive decision for his release from prison “in a couple weeks.” Whipple said that he […]
Posted inStates
Will Robert Z. Whipple III Receive Parole?
HEARING HELD WEDNESDAY, MORE THAN FOUR YEARS PAST ELIGIBILITY DATE by Sharon Rondeau (Apr. 19, 2018) — As was discussed on Thursday morning’s edition of the “Nooganomics” radio show hosted by David Tulis, TDOC inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III had a parole hearing on Wednesday which, according to his TDOC online record, was long overdue. […]
Posted inNational
The Post & Email to Appear on “Nooganomics” Radio Show Thursday Morning
TOPIC: RECENT TENNESSEE PRISON ISSUES by Sharon Rondeau (Apr. 18, 2018) — David Tulis of the “Nooganomics” radio show will be hosting this writer on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EDT to discuss recent developments in the federal lawsuit filed by Robert Z. Whipple, III against the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) for allegedly preventing him […]
Posted inNational
Federal Judge Orders Telephone Conference in Prison Law Library Case
OVER “BAD FAITH NEGOTIATION” CLAIM by Sharon Rondeau (Apr. 17, 2018) — On April 3, 2018, BCCX inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III notified Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner (TDOC) Tony Parker that the “negotiated” installation of the Westlaw legal research tool as a substitute for the access he was denied to the prison’s federal law […]
Posted inStates
Tennessee: Prison Law Library Access Granted…
THEN TAKEN AWAY BY STEALTH by Sharon Rondeau (Apr. 10, 2018) — After reporting approximately five weeks ago that the “Westlaw” legal resource had been installed at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) in Pikeville for use by the prison population, inmate Robert Z. Whipple III, #399615, reported in an April 3, 2018 letter that […]
Posted inStates
Tennessee: Trousdale Inmate Reports Medication Reinstated after Two Months
PAROLE HEARING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 23 by Sharon Rondeau (Apr. 5, 2018) — An inmate whose name was mentioned on the “Nooganomics” radio show approximately three weeks ago reported in a recent letter that the Omeprazole he has been taking for years for acid reflux disease was reordered after a two-month hiatus. Trousdale Turner Correctional […]
Posted inStates
NoogaRadio Again Hosts The Post & Email
DO PRISONS REHABILITATE OR INCUBATE? by Sharon Rondeau (Mar. 12, 2018) — As he has several times previously, on Monday morning, NoogaRadio host David Tulis again hosted this writer to discuss conditions in Tennessee prisons. Tulis’s show focuses on the local Chattanooga, TN economy, commerce and government corruption. The show airs from 9:00 to 11:00 […]
Posted inStates
Why the Hassle about Law Library Access?
REPORT: FINALLY, BCCX ANNEX INMATES PROVIDED MEANS TO CONDUCT LEGAL RESEARCH by Sharon Rondeau (Mar. 4, 2018) — In a letter received on Thursday dated February 26, 2018, Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) inmate Robert Z. Whipple, III provided an update on his reported lack of access to the prison law library for a number […]
Posted inStates
Father of Inmate Reports Diabetic Shoes Finally Received
AFTER HE IS FORCED TO PAY FOR THEM by Sharon Rondeau (Feb. 6, 2018) — On Tuesday evening, Mr. Robert Z. Whipple, father of a Tennessee prison inmate by the same name, reported that his son finally received the diabetic shoes prescribed for him by a TDOC physician nearly three months ago. Just before Christmas, […]
Posted inStates
Tennessee Inmate Reports He Has Been Promised Diabetic Shoes
“THEY DON’T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY” by Sharon Rondeau (Jan. 24, 2018) — TDOC inmate Robert Z. Whipple, #399615, reported in a letter received on Tuesday that an associate warden at his facility has finally approved him to receive prescribed diabetic shoes with the caveat that he pay for them out of his own […]