AMC2012
"TREAT ME AS GOOD AS AN ANIMAL"

THOMAS A HIGHTOWER J-98566
MULE CREEK STATE PRISON
P.O. BOX 409060 C-14-108L
IONE, CA 95640-9060

Your Honor(s):

As an incarcerated human being in the United States and as a barely qualifying layman of the law, I must bring a surprising and somewhat disturbing dilemma to your attention.

That outside the fundamental, yet vague stipulations of the constitution, animals are provided a more detailed, and factual protection under law that human beings namely humans who are incarcerated.

Laboratory non-humans primates are granted greater protection than humans in prison.

I question the court on the precedent this sets, that Federal Law grants greater protection to lab apes than human prisoners.

I draw the courts attention to the existing crisis in America and offer precedent to correct it

Or are we less deserving?

The actions of Plata, Coleman, Armstrong, and the other 50+ related court orders, or lack thereof give the apparent opinion that in California at least, prisoners do not.

Your Honor(s), I and many others ask for relief from the court, in relation to a unique circumstance of mental stress.

ENVY OF AN APE

Animal Welfare Act 1996 (AWA) 7USC[symbol]2131

This and amendments under the Standards for Laboratory Animals Act 1985, oblige researchers to provide a balanced diet of a wholesome food, "environmental enrichment" such as toys and socialization, "minimum requirements" for a physical environment to provide and promote "psychological well-being", and "clean and adequate housing".

Note that under the AWA, two 66 pound apes are required to have MORE square footage than two human prisoners who share a typical prison cell.

Facilities housing NON-HUMAN primates MUST have full time veterinary care on site and must establish a program of regular veterinary care, including regular examinations.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is allowed to make regular and unannounced visits to such facilities. "Corrective actions" including confiscation of animals and/or Civil penalties for the researcher/facility are possible for violations of the AWA.

There are NO such laws providing uniform regulations that give HUMAN prisoners enforceable rights related to the amount of living space, diets, medical care, living conditions, or psychological well-being.

Although a non-human primate, not having the skills to advocate for itself needs sound advocacy for humanitarian reasons, does not a human being deserve at least the same protections as an ape in a zoo?

Your opinions, rulings, or at minimum understanding are and will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Hightower [signature]

Thomas A. Hightower J-98566
Mule Creek State Prison
P.O. Box 409060 C-14-108L
Ione, CA 95640-9060

P.S. Please post this on the Internet, copy it and send it to others. Help me fight for the right to be treated as good as animals in America. For God's sake we are human beings. United State Citizens, stand up and be counted as a member of the human race. Demand from your representative that America bring its prisoners up to the standard we demand for animals.