Joan Andrews, 39, from Newark, Delaware, is a pro-life prisoner of conscience serving a harsh five-year sentence to “teach her a lesson,” for saving the lives of unborn children during a Rescue Mission in Pensacola, Florida, on March 26, 1986. The plan called for Joan and three other activists to enter a local abortuary and unplug the killing machines. Even though the Rescue was carried out in full view of the police and news media, and lasted less than 30 seconds, she was arrested, tried, and convicted of criminal mischief, resisting arrest without violence, and burglary.
The real trial for Joan however, began after she was incarcerated. While held in the Escambia County Jail, she was subjected to strip searches every time someone attempted to visit her. In a latter from jail she advised that “…the searches were done at night in a large, brightly-lit holding tank facing large outdoor windows where officers, male and females, frequented. Two inmates would be stripped together at a time, thus affording no privacy on any score. I refused to cooperate in the way it was being done, and I was subsequently forcibly stripped. I went limp and was handcuffed, dragged across the cell to the bars, handcuffed to the bars and stripped and searched by two female officers.” Under these conditions, Joan refused further visits while in jail.
She was subsequently transferred to the infamous Broward Correctional Institute which houses a large lesbian population, among both the prisoner and staff population. Routine privileges were denied her. She was given only eight pieces of paper and two envelopes a week at Broward. During her first three months there she was forbidden to write to anyone except an attorney.
During her initial seven weeks of incarceration, Joann made a total of ten written requests to speak to her attorney. All of the letters were bottle-necked by someone at the jail as the warden denied receiving any of them. In November 1986, she was placed in solitary confinement where she has been held these part 13 months, and denied even an opportunity to see outside her tiny cell.
Her physical condition requires regular care and cleaning of an artificial eye, which replaced one she lost to cancer. From April 1986 to February 1987, Joan made weekly requests for lubricant for her glass eye. These requests were not responded to for almost a year! She developed a series of sores around the eye socket because of her lack of treatment in the Florida system.
A devout Catholic, Joan was forbidden to attend Sunday Mass. Only occasional visits by a priest were permitted. The press has consistently been denied access to her. All requests to conduct video interviews have been denied. In effect, she has been denied even the most basic of humane considerations.
In a move apparently contrived to offset the recent increase in pro-life phone calls to the office of Florida’s Governor Robert Martinez, and as a result of almost 20,000 unanswered letters that have been set to day, on Christmas Eve the Governor’s office announced that Joan Andrews was to be released from the Broward facility and sent to a Delaware prison. She will eventually be exchanged for another prisoner in Delaware who will be sent to Florida.
On Christmas, in the middle of the night, Joan was rousted out of bed and removed from her solitary cell. She was not allowed to take anything with her, including her extensive paper files and correspondence and was taken to a van under escort – destination unknown. Her frightened pleas for information on what was happening fell on deaf ears.
Sources in the Governor’s office indicated that the transfer was made to facilitate her release while permitting the Florida chief executive “to save face.” It was suggested that she might be quietly released at a later date, when no further confrontation with Florida officials could take place.
However, most pro-life leaders felt that this move is merely a smokescreen to take the heat off the Governor. The repeated phone calls and letters on Joan’s behalf recently took on a new dimension when several influential Church officials began contacting him.
God’s will
The van carrying Joan eventually arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution for Women in Alderson, West Virginia. It is expected that Joan will be held at the federal prison for a minimum of four weeks while the paperwork for her transfer to a Delaware jail is completed.
Recently activist Peter Lennox, who has taken a personal interest in the plight of this brace Christian woman, was able to participate in a conference call to Joan at her at her temporary home. In her characteristic manner, Joan found comfort in her present situation because of her knowledge that she is doing God’s will. She was pleased to be able to see outside – for the first time in almost two years – and reported jubilantly about seeing “snow covered hills and trees outside the windows.” She was also happy that the van carrying her had windows out of which she could view the countryside during her drive to West Virginia.
Abuse and cruelty
The constant devotion to God and love of His children and the unpretentious attitude of this saintly lady, should serve as a guiding light for all pro-lifers. She has endured so much pain for the sake of the unborn that the simple things we take for granted each day mean so much to her.
The irony of this present situation, according to Lennox, is that “Joan Andrews was subjected to extremely cruel and unusual punishment for dedicating her life to Christ and saving the little babies, and is now, albeit briefly, living in a better environment. She has temporarily entered the world of the federal prison system, which hosts the likes of Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme. Fromme, a cult follower of mass-murderer Charles Manson, is serving a life sentence for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford in 1975. She has never been subjected to the abuse and cruelty heaped upon Joan, and has been confined in a college dormitory setting with full privileges.
Her future
Under the terms of Joan’s transfer, she could serve out the entire balance of her five-year sentence in Delaware, and thus give the Florida Governor an opportunity to emulate Pontius Pilate and “wash his hands” of any responsibility.
The Governor has claimed all along that he is pro-life. However, he has never given any indication that he really is. In fact, the horrible treatment afforded to Joan, and the refusal of Florida officials to permit the media to look into her story, suggests the contrary.
With Joan conveniently out of the way in Delaware, the Florida Governor can now choose from two options: grant immediate clemency and release through the Delaware prison system; or drag his feet and tell everyone that it is now “out of his hands” (like the sentencing Judge is doing) – which it is not. Please bear in mind that Joan was transferred because of the Governor’s order, and only he can have her released.
The state parole and Probation Commission recently recommended that the Governor call a hearing on the matter of the request for executive clemency for Joan. Under Florida law clemency cannot be granted by the Governor alone. He serves on a cabinet composed of six other elected officials. Together this group of seven reviews requests for clemency. Approval can be obtained only with the vote of the Governor and three other cabinet members.
Martinez, a Republican, is faced with a cabinet composed of five Democrats and one Republican. The Governor has not yet recommended that a hearing be convened.
Your help needed
The pressure on Martinez must not let up. All pro-lifers are urgently asked to mount an ongoing effort to FREE JOAN NOW! One three-to-five-minute long distance phone call each week, to inquire about the latest developments in Joan’s plight, will help her get out where she belongs.
If you call the Governor, you will only be able to speak to an aide in the Citizen Assistance office, although he will get the message. This number is (904) 488-4441. Sarah Porter, his executive secretary, can be reached directly at (904) 488-2272. Should you prefer, you may reach Andrea Hillyer, the legal caseworker assigned to Joan’s case, at (904) 488-3494. Updates can also be provided through the press office manager by John Pack. He can be reached at (904) 488-5394.
By calling any one of these people and requesting a transfer to another, you can have an opportunity to speak to all of them and be charged with only one call.
Please don’t forget “judge” William Anderson, who was responsible for Joan’s nightmare in the first place. He may be contacted as follows: Mr. & Mrs. William H. Anderson, 116 Mango Street, Pensacola, FL 32503. Their phone number is (904) 438-8331.
An accelerated campaign, with 40 to 50 calls a day from around the country, each inquiring into the status of Joan Andrews, will produce the desired effect on the Governor who is still blinded to God’s will. You can still write to the Governor, of course, and keep additional pressure on him. He may be written to: Gov. Robert Martinez, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
All pro-lifers are also asked to respect the recently announced FLORDIA BOYCOTT. You may want the Governor to know how you feel about Florida, her produce and attractions. A copy of your letter to the Governor should also be sent to: Mr. Everett Fisher, Gen. Mgr. The Florida Citrus Growers Association, P.O. Box 69, Winter Garden, FL 32787; Mr. Richard minus, President, Walt Disneyworld Outdoor Attractions, P.O. Box 1000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830; Mr. Jack Snyder, President Seaworld, 7007 Seaworld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821; Mr. Joe Fincher, Gen. Mgr. Busch Gardens, 3000 Busch Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612; Mr. Kenneth C. Smith, President, Cypress Gardens, P.O. Box 1, Cypress Gardens, FL 33884.
These businessmen represent some of the largest tourist oriented industries in the state. They should appreciate hearing from you about the FLORIDA BOYCOTT.
