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Families Fight for Inmates' Cases to be Heard
Written by Jacqueline Sprague   
Saturday, 13 March 2010 22:18
Jacqueline Sprague

It's been almost seven months since inmates rioted at Northpoint Prison in Danville. There's over 100 criminal cases that will be presented to a Boyle County Grand Jury starting this month as a result. Now, the family members of inmates say they're fighting to get their incarcerated loved ones treated fairly. Mark Cheatham's 25-year-old stepson, Greg Reed, is currently serving a ten year sentence at Northampton for armed robbery. He's been at the facility for 8 years. His case is coming up for review by the parole board this May and Cheatham says there's no way his stepson wouldn't have jeopardized his freedom by taking part in the riot.

"He was so happy to be going up. I don't see where my son would have anything to do with the riot. He was happy to be possibly getting out in seven months. Now, you should go visit him, his whole morale, attitude has totally changed. He feels like desperation," explains Cheatham.

The Justice Cabinet says over 174 inmates were involved in the riot. No criminal charges have been filed but all are being disciplined within the prison system on administrative charges. They're being held in segregation units. Reed is one of the 146 inmates currently serving time in segregation. His stepfather is questioning the evidence being used to keep him there.

"At least review the cases that they've done, let witnesses be called and let the truth come out," comments Cheatham.

And Cheatham says he just wants justice for his stepson.

"We're sad that he went down the road he did and robbed a store, but we're also sad he's spent eight years of his life in there. I think he's paid he's debt to society. He needs to be out and given a fresh chance," explains Cheatham.

Cheatham says his stepson is in the process of filing an appeal to the administrative charges. 16 other inmates have already done so and have been moved from Northpoint to other state prisons. The Justice Cabinet has asked for those appeals to be dismissed, but the cases have yet to be heard.

The United Missionary Church in Louisville, along with the inmates' family members, are holding a rally at Frankfort Capitol at the end of the month to protest for better treatment of the inmates.

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