The Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project sent an advocacy letter on behalf of it’s client, Mr. Johnnie McCollum, who experienced racial harassment from staff members while incarcerated at SCI Pine Grove in the fall of 2024.
The harassment Mr. McCollum, who is currently incarcerated at faced included the use of racial slurs, threats against Mr.McCollum and his family, and attempts to incite violence against Mr. McCollum by telling other incarcerated people that he was guilty of sexual crimes against minors, which is patently false. Despite his attempts to inform SCI Pine Grove leadership of the abuse through the grievance process, conversations with security staff, and written correspondence with the superintendent, the harassment continued.
Read the full letter below or linked here.