Tommy Silverstein a memorial

©Renee Silverstein
Thank you to my daughter-in-law for putting this tribute video together for me
in my grief, I am unable to think.

It has been 3 weeks since Tommy left us.
There have been articles posted everywhere but they very are upsetting, I will not be sharing any of them.
 I know Tommy not as their "killer" headlines proclaim. I know Tommy as an amazing, resilient, loving, thoughtful, sensitive, artistic, talented, tortured by cruelty of isolation, humorous and strong man.
 This video shares some of  the family pictures, letters, and art he sent me over the years. Just a wee bit, the media has stolen our privacy by using stolen images, misquotes and assumptions. There is nothing Tommy kept from me. Though Tommy and I did not ever talk of gangs or murder; we are artists that shared a special bond.
 I have, to my delight; heard stories from people who's lives were saved by Tommy. And it was because of him a vegetarian diet is offered to other prisoners.
 Tommy basically, lived in a bathroom, but got up everyday with a purpose and a goal. How many people do you know that can show such mental strength?
 We were planning our next visit for this year. And he thought he might be able to be moved closer to me. He also had another goal that other prisoners in his situation, should have more phone calls. ADX only allows 2, 15 minute calls a month, which of course the prisoner pays to use the phone. The point is that prisoners "never getting out" should be allowed more time to talk. This is the Tommy I knew; always working toward bettering himself and others. There are no words to express the loss and anguish I feel over losing him. Rest well Tommy we miss you

Tommy did not enter the system as a killer he was turned into a killer.
©All rights reserved by Renee Silverstein
This video may not be shared or used by anyone other than Renee Silverstein
There is no other blog no "official" blog, if you see one its just for exploitation.
Before T past he wanted it removed, as the person calling themselves a  webmaster
did not follow Tom's instructions
Thank you
I want to also thank BOP Tom's unit manager for calling me to update final arrangements
yesterday.
* no one is collecting any money, thanks to all that have offered.

Tommy Silverstein the bitter end

It is bitter and agonizing. They kept him shackled until the bitter end.

Medical staff asked if he could be uncuffed, they got a resounding no.

Our last conversation he told me he kept insisting on his results, to which one C.O.

replied "Why you afraid to die?" He sent same conversation to his cousin, he was in pain couldn't breathe...

Then there was no more communication from him after January 19th, until I got a call

from ADX Tom's unit manager Mr. Charles Porco, saying Tom was not recovering from surgery(that I didn't even know he had) I flew to Denver saw him the 27th, he was not awake, I spoke to his surgeon, Tom had had a heart attack the surgeon said he was full of blood his heart bleeding so badly; I could only stay 24 hours.

Then steady updates from Laura Rovner until May 6th he had deteriorated so much, once again I went to Denver, I saw him the 9th, BOP graciously gave me 2 hours, he desperately tried to communicate, signing "COP, COP, COP" in the 1st visit hour 9-10am, he mouthed words but could not speak because of trachea. His hand pulling mine was surprisingly strong which gave me hope. 

But the afternoon 2-3pm he still trying to mouth words I told him "I love you forever and always he mouthed "forever" then he just could only sign "PAIN, PAIN, PAIN" 

I told him I had to go; he motioned me closer and was able to raise his head a bit as I strained over the bed, just enough for a kiss him good-bye

 Tom listed me as his next-of-kin, so with only kind support has been from Laura Rover I wait on the BOP.

Tommy died May 11th, then BOP coroner has to identify body, then his handlers at ADX can release his body.

Now day 3 dawning more waiting on the BOP, so I can make the arrangements

it is the final story of Tommy Silverstein strongest person I have ever known.

Tommy was not a footnote in my life, but the love of my life, and I his, Forever and Always.

©Renee Silverstein

After all this I wrote a few weeks back, I'm still waiting on BOP. I finally was able to sign all the documents May 17th. The 16th the prison could not even tell me where his body was, but I found him on my own. So during these weeks wanting to grieve for Tommy there is no closure there is still much to do.

Thomas E. Silverstein whom I love

Please give me time to deal with BOP and ADX before I share our story.
This is just a short announcement. My Tommy  passed yesterday, I will be making arrangements
starting Monday.
So much to say, but the blinding tears make it impossible.
Again I can always be reached reneesilverstein@hotmail.com
I will post his last photograph and art after I have mourned
thank you he appreciated his "pals"

new inmate mail rules for adx supermax

many of us have had our mail returned here are the rules

Reminder from Tommy Silverstein How to send Federal inmate money

Thank you all the write and ask how you can send money.
The best way is to go to the BOP website
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp

It explains how to send using MoneyGram, Western Union and postal money order
Tom is not allowed to receive anything other than a letter through the mail.
He is only allowed to purchase what he needs through the prison.

Please take the time to visit the Bureau of Prisons website.
It is very easy for anyone to use in U.S. or outside U.S.
Again thank you all for your support, generosity and kindness.

No the postal money order does not go to ADX but to a lock box in Iowa
please visit the website.
Thank you

For supporters not in U.S how to send Tommy Silverstein money directly

Tom has asked us to try to help those outside of U.S. to understand and know how they can send him money personally.
The problem is you all must go to these places, can not be done on-line or over phone.

Money Gram Its run by our Post Office, bit more complicated than Western Union, another you can't do on line, if your Post Office does it, they should help you, might be a bit different than ours(UK), sorry cant be more helpful~Barri


and also from our friend Barri in the UK that has no problem sending Tom money.

Western Union
any store / shop that deals with Western Union. tell them its for a federal inmate in USA. account number is the inmates 8 digit number, with no spaces or dashes. attention line, inmates full name. code city is always FBOP, DC. cant do it over the phone anymore, Western Union will show you your nearest Western Union outlet. Hope that helps.~Barri
Thank you Barri!!

Reader's call to action for Tommy Silverstein

A Twitter follower emailed me here is his message to me

" I contacted Donald on twitter about a pardon for Tommy The way I see it the more people who do helps his chances I briefly explained guards were busting his balls try to get him killed I call it Gladiator City to survive for entertainment for guards and make Time go hard for Tommy ! Prisoners are sent to prison for punishment not to BE punished by the system & Guards.. Try what ya got to lose ?"-- Uncle Bob Thank you from me and all that support Tom...
If you are not aware of "Gladiator school" there are videos on YouTube and 2 good movies one is Felon
the other is the new movie Shot Caller


My opinion echos Uncle Bob, prison is the punishment everything else is torture!

There needs to be a halt to solitary confinement, isolation, mental and physical abuse

So I along with T's cousin and friends in UK will be emailing the president.
We are planning the first Friday of August then every Friday until we have a reply.
My personal advice on writing government officials is to keep it short and respectful and do not ask a question( this will generate a form reply. Instead, state your opinion and desire for change.
Any question please ask me.

here is the link to email Write or call White House

I do not follow the president on twitter but I will find link if anyone would like to tweet the prez on behalf of Tommy, Donald J. Trump twitter
Thank you any questions write reneesilverstein@hotmail.com
@realDonaldTrump

Tommy Silverstein update

Thank you to all that reach out to us on twitter  @tommy_renee and facebook 

Tom let me know his book is coming along and is having a lot of success getting his manuscript out.

I'll ask him for an excerpt.

Recently he woke to the gas I have written about before. I guess it is ok to gas everyone.The gas for the offending prisoner permeates to all surrounding prisoners. Causes vomiting disorientation, gagging, sore throat, nausea...

Did I mention that I looked up the gas that is used on the prisoners? I sent it to Tom and the letter was rejected and sent back to me.  "They" can gas prisoners but they are not allowed to know what it is or what it does to their bodies.

I'd like to ask readers a favor just for me. Someone has written Tom that this blog isn't very good or done well . And I misspell things. Please write me with any suggestions how I might improve. This is an ad free blog I do not make money here ever.

I do not have a clue why anyone would put down this blog. Hey! we are # 3! Again it is you readers that have made this blog. Thank you

Now on to the topic of Mental Health. Tom had mentioned to me he was feeling low. I know in winter it is hard for us. These isolated prisoners have no way of grounding themselves. It pains me to think of the lack of touching the earth. To me it is like when in years past I see a lion ape or bear surrounded by concrete. We know grounding with the earth is essential. Tom is a vegetarian, so hopefully that helps(no angry food). Tom told me it was because of him that the vegetarian choice had been made available to other prisoners; I encourage  any to write him and ask about this, it is very interesting.

I will add the B.O.P. health director's address here and the director

My letter to them will include reminding that good health physical and mental comes from the ability to touch and see Mother earth.

I welcome any ideas and/or suggestions even criticism

 This is the B.O.P. website.

  Mark S. Inch    is  the director of Federal Bureau Of Prisons

Dr. Deborah G. Schult  is Assistant Director

 Health Services Division 

address to desired recipient and use the address below

Federal Bureau of Prisons

320 First St., NW

Washington, DC 20534

by Tom given to a man that helped us get to visit

Visit with Tommy Silverstein ADX

First Tom wants to thank everyone that helped us to get to this dream moment.
Tom was allowed to call me May 15th, to tell me they approved me for 18,19,20
So my cousin who drove me; we left the 16th. Whew! Talk about last minute!!

ADX was very easy to find, set behind 3 other prisons. I could see the water tower of ADX from my motel room.* see image below
From the gate to the entry desk pleasant, professional staff. I am still in shock I was approved, because prisoners are usually restricted to family and those they knew before prison
Upon entering filling out the paper work, through metal detector and a slight swipe of my clothing
with a wand to detect any explosive residue, ultraviolet stamp on back of the hand; there were no hiccups, issues or problems. When the officer at desk called down to tell them I was there for "approved" visit. Hearing it, the word "Approved"
The lobby of ADX was like entering an upscale lodge, clean, shiny.
Visits are listed as 8:30am to 3pm but you may get about 4 hours.
I had to wait a bit for an escort to visiting room, going through heavy electronic door, then 37 steps down stairs to next huge electronic steel door, where the stamp on hand is inspected. the huge door slides open to a 75 step walk to another steel door, once unlocked and opened, we were led into a spacious clean shiny room to the right the guard office that has glass you can not see into,4 closed windowless rooms for legal visits.  There are cameras everywhere, too many to count.
The far side of room there were 10 booths I was told I'd be at the #8 window. After a 2 hour wait; Tom was brought to me
shackled but thankfully the tight shackles that left marks on his wrists were removed, no leg shackles. But a woman there visiting her son had to visit her son shackled and watch his hands swell.
Meeting Tom I was so surprised how tall he is; I knew he is 6'2". But seeing him fill up his side of the glass was very surprising.
 He had to dial a series of numbers on the phone on his side of glass to ring the one on my side.

Tom's side of the glass

Tom's resilient demeanor was amazing and his easy smile and infectious laugh, inspired me.
On 2nd visit he got down on one knee and proposed to me; he said he wanted to do it right. Oh my God, I was blown away. He asked me 5 years ago on the phone.
The process for visiting was repeated 2 more times I visited 3 days in a row.
We never ran out of conversation just time. He was told there were certain things he was not allowed to discuss with me. One being the book he is writing.
Tom talked about his desire to further his education I had no idea there is no longer funding for prisoners to study.
The whole place shined so brightly trying to see him was a bit hard from the glare on the window, which was smudged by our fingers against the glass. Looking all the world like a history teacher, pushing his glasses up on his nose. to see the phone and enter code.

Front entrance

 Sadly for other prisoners; there were few visitors. In the 3 days there were only 4 other people there as visitors.
I would like to say if anyone has a loved one there please go visit them, Florence is a lovely town. My accommodations were 1/2 a mile from the prison at the Super 8 which actually sits on the same road. as the prison.
My last day we waved good bye Tom tears sneaking out of his brown eyes mustered a smile and blew kisses. I waited until I was in car before I broke down.
Again the most important thing Tommy wanted us to convey is our humble thanks to all who helped us be together. That includes Warden Fox, Tom's unit manager and counselor.

view from my room ADX is behind those far buildings

Bible verse considered disruptive

Where do I begin to tell the stress, unnerved, anguish, stomach ache, anxiety over this newest harrassment by the B.O.P.? I send Tommy my art, he's better than me; I ask him to fix, edit or recreate
So I sent (art below) with Bible verse; he redid art with verse it was confiscated sent to FBI, now Tom is receiving a shot. Because, verse is considered "disruptive". Tom has asked me not to send Bible verses anymore. Now whether you are a Christian or not this seems like undo harassment.
I can not sleep. What can be done? Last post I listed ACLU address I got letter from them they can't help "not enough funds" I wrote Jay Sekulow an email I have not heard back.

 Any one interested in giving me advice it would be greatly appreciated

I certainly do not know how much more stress I can take. I believe this is another tactic of the BOP to make sure these people have no supporters. At his disciplary hearing Tommy will have to say where he got Bible verse, now will I be under scrutiny? Because of the Bible?

The censors name is Bilbrey at ADX Florence Co.

ADX Tommy Silverstein Death of an Artist?

we will not be seeing anymore of this beautiful art by Tommy Silverstein

Since Tom has started writing his story, the prison, censor and other officials have continuously try to make his life more unbearable. They began taking his art for nefarious reasons. Anything going out of the prison.
Tom will spend a month on a drawing; for a friend or his book; he wanted to include art to express what he can not express always in word.  So far at least 3 pieces have been confiscated and not returned.The most recent, my Christmas present, a month's work, extra postage for receipt; posted Dec 5th 2016 (given to CO who gives it to censor). By January 5th 2017 receipt never came back he sent message to censor for answers. Finally around January 11th "they" came to calm him down and told him my gift had been confiscated(taken) and sent to the FBI. Tom had to really press for answer as to why. All he was told was there were 3 birds in the drawing.

To me the BOPPERS are looking at Tom's art like children look at clouds i.e; 'Look I see a bunny"
What they see is gang related, which there is none.
Tommy has announced to me he will no longer be drawing or creating art, he says "I will not give them the satisfaction"
Here is an excerpt from a recent letter;

I believe that ADX has killed this brilliant artist. My heart breaks for him and all that love his art.

If you are fortunate enough to own any of Tom's art, cherish it.

I am guessing the Feds have a very valuable collection of Tommy Silverstein's stolen art for made up, nefarious reason. Just another way to torture him. Just Much ado about nothing. And now because "they" have tormented him by stealing his art, "they" have killed him.

Before hearing what happened to my gift; I wrote Postmaster General 

(though he has no jurisdiction over prisoner mail) and BOP director Thomas Kane PhD and ADX; I only received response from Postmaster reminding me he has nothing to do with prison mail, he did offer this address to me that they might help. Our mail takes 14 to 30 days to reach each other the address for help is

 The address for the ACLU National Prison Project is 915 15th St NW, Washington, DC  20005-6016 or you can contact the ACLU at (202) 393-493

Tom made his mittens, they are not provided winter coats, glove boots...

Thank you 

www.zibbet.com/prisonart 

Tommy Silverstein Federal Correctional resolution forms

To resolve being inadvertently gassed; Tom must file paper work... There is 12 pages, of hand written forms. Thank God Tom is still resilient after all he's still enduring and is able to file this mess of paperwork, Which will probably be ignored. This is what it looks like.

pg1

pg2

pg3

pg4

pg5

pg6

pg7

pg8

pg9

pg10

pg11 

pg12

If any of this is not readable please leave a comment and I will transcribe from document

Tommy Silverstein documentation of civil rights violation

Government  lying about "timeliness" of his complaint for stolen art and rejected manuscript. See dates of when arrived and when signed How can something be signed 3 days before it is recieved?

notice when says delivered 3 days after warden signed

Add caption

Tommy Silverstein letters for sale A disclaimer

SLIME BALL ALERT

My name is Tom Silverstein.

please beware that an ex-penpal of mine (as of now)

since I just learned, is trying to sell one of my kites I wrote to her for $100.00

Please do not help these snakes profit from my kindness in responding to their initial kites.

Her name is Annie Reese and another named Heather

If anyone wants 2 buy a kite, please save yourself $100. and write me personally postage is .49

write me at: Tom Silverstein # 14634-116, D306

U.S.P. A.D.X.

P.O. Box 8500

Florence, CO. 81226-8500

 

Please note Tom refers to mail, letters and correspondence as Kites.

Torture in isolation illustration

I am so excited, so is Tom, not only is there a lawsuit against B.O.P. Julia Roberts will star and produce ADX, a movie about the torture of isolation.  In an earlier post and in a Solitary Watch article Tommy describes how prisoners are subjected to 4 point restraints. Tom wrote that a prisoner is handcuffed nude to a cement slab, sprayed with mace,  The portrait is an original by Tom, that he drew while in "The Hothouse life inside Leavenworth", U.S.P. Leavenworth. I hope this lawsuit will finally bring relief if not an end to isolation!!
TOMMY IS NOT PART OF THIS LAWSUIT!



4 point restraint

Also Tommy was recently moved back to D-unit which houses mostly mentally ill prisoners.

So yet another setback for Tommy. As he puts it; just another way to torture him and isolate him more. He has stopped even leaving cell for "recreation" Tom's, In spite of this Tom is in good spirits, no doubt because of lawsuit, meeting with the lawyer is a visit. He is able to see and talk to a person.
TOM HAS HIS OWN LAWSUIT

Thank you

please keep Tom in your thoughts and prayers

And wish attorney Aro luck, and Julia Roberts.

Thank you for reading please share.

I pray for all involved in this situation, SO MANY EFFECTED BY THE CRUELTY AT ADX

Torturing the isolated continued

At the end of this story I literally gasped. Please read the whole story here
A mouse and a murder
Here  is an excerpt:

" I had written a complaint against a SHU officer (for all the no good it would do) days before Mouse was killed, and in the days that followed he would let me know that it was he who had done the deed. I had known it immediately anyway, before he began taunting me about my friend’s bloody death.
On top of the sadness I felt over the loss of my buddy, I was angry in a monumental way, the Irish in me working its curse through a fiery temperament. I thought about making a counterattack on the man in blue who had murdered Mouse to punish me for writing what was a totally truthful complaint, but in the end I chose to handle the blow without riposte rather than get myself in serious trouble by serving the cop the comeuppance that he rightly deserved. Back then, in my younger and more foolish days, I did not always make this sort of smart choice: I did not always let an injustice or misdeed be served up to me without seeking to make the one who had served it wish to God that he had not, no matter what the consequences of the payback might be.
But we live and learn, and if we are smart we gain some wisdom along the way. I like to think that I have.
A complaint about one's treatment and going through correct channels usually leads to retaliation. I have written before about complaining about very late mail weeks to a month old then after complaint I receive mutilated mail, and I am a free  person.

Thank you for reading if you have a story please leave comment

Torturing the isolated has deadly consequences

Robert L. Hoffmann was the 2nd C.O. killed October 22, 1983.
And a quote from his obituary on the B.O.P.  web-site is "While it is believed that inmate Fountain was inspired by the killing of Officer Merle E. Clutts earlier that same day in the same unit, this murder was determined to be unrelated." So let's start looking at that fact.

The first, that day was Merle E. Clutts, Tom Silverstein's side of the story is that it was a personal beef between the 2 of them. Hopefully, over the next few days or weeks I am going to find other prisoners that were isolated and were tortured to such extremes they lashed out
Now go back to the death of Vern M. Jarvis January 26, 1969
He decided to punish and torture a man who was already being punished and tortured by taking away his candy, fruit, and magazines; Clutt's had taken away Tom's art supplies, threatened to kill him...we know the story, ( the story no one cares about).

I have a son that is a public servant so the words "Killed-in-the-line-of-duty" are chilling, sad and painful. But if a fire fighter set a fire that took his life, there is no scapegoat. If a fire fighter chooses to shut the door on someone needing help, he'd be a monster, that's not his job. A fire-fighter job is to rescue, a C.O.'s job is to guard, C.O.s need to remember their jobs. Not add dictator, sadist, and instigator to their jobs.
My opinion from these fractured one-sided stories, is that some CO.'s get pleasure or kicks from torturing people already tortured and losing their minds in isolation.
What we see more of is people hurting themselves as they are brutally tortured mentally and physically. Recently at ADX a prisoner was not receiving his mail, I can not talk about all that happened suffice to say With-holding the mail has been their favorite, one part is pure laziness of the person appointed to pick it up and carry it to the prisoner. These people are treated so much like animals it does not matter if they get their mail.
Mail is a story all by it self.
It's late I have some research.
Good night thank you for stopping by

Words can not express

This is a new piece of art from Tommy.

The anguish he hears. Again in a  letter he describes the screams of a man that can be heard from 2 tiers away. I continue to ponder how Tom endures.
The medium is ink. He is allowed the guts of an ink pen which he wraps in paper towel to grip the pen. Amazing what is expressed in this 5x7" work of art.http://tommysilverstein.blogspot.com/2015/05/words-can-not-express.html

From Richard Hartley

author of  PRISON ADVENTURES: MEMOIRS OF MY CHECKERED PAST
I've added Richard's comment to me, because like so many prisoners, after decades they are not the same as they were when they were young. Tom Silverstein is not a 20 year old angry kid anymore. He's done his time and some. I am a different person from what I was a young woman, physically and mentally we all change.
Tom should be allowed out of isolation and into a step down program like everyone else.
Here's Richard's comment:
""Resilience" is a under statement of His mental capacity.Some human beings have a Strength that is unbelievable and  that's T.
From what he has "endured" is amazing and remarkable...Thats what intrigued me to respond seriously.I want a opportunity to get to know him."
To Richard: You will be glad to know him. He is amazing. Thank you

©TommySept2014

Book recommendation The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracian

Tom has shared some passages from the book he's reading, he recommends it.
I say if it is a help to Tom where he's at, I take notice. He is truly unique because he survives this pit, this gray box existence. He has said "I'm not going to let them win" So that's part of his resilience.

Here are the passages he wrote out for me:
"...In the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, and the other that it may not be dismayed. For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think it done. On the other hand, patient industry overcomes impossibilities. Great undertakings are notto be brooded over, lest their difficulty when seen causes despair..."
"Peaceful Life, a Long Life

To live, let live. Peacemakers not only live: they rule life.
Hear, see and be silent. A day without dispute brings sleep without dreams.
Long life and a pleasant one is life enough for 2: that is the fruit of peace.
he makes nothing of what is nothing to him. There is no greater perversity than to take
everything to heart. There is equal folly in troubling your heart about what does not concern you
and not taking to heart what does."


he meant these for me because I am troubled upset and do not sleep mostly because of what I can not change; Tom's situation for one.

Happy reading if this has helped anyone out there please leave a comment.
 Tom has told me he's creating right now...drawing I hope to have new art to show off soon.