Comments on: What Mormon Prisoners Want

By: From the Blawgernacle – September 22, 2009 « LDS Law

From the Blawgernacle – September 22, 2009 « LDS Law — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:43:51 +0000

[...] again delivers top-rate and entertaining stuff in his series of legal posts on Mormon Matters. In What Mormon Prisoners Want, Jeff examines the sort of prisoner cases filed by Mormon inmates. Most of them are along the [...]

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:27:04 +0000

Fascinating research and writing!

By: Steve G.

Steve G. — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:35:26 +0000

I recently attended a fireside of a mormon who 20 years ago was sentenced to prison for fraud. Fraud had been committed by his boss and he was framed and left holding the bag. He had been given legal advice to cop to lesser charges in order to avoid the chance of prison. The judge apparantly wasn’t in on that gameplan and as soon as he plead guilty he was sentenced to prison. He was told by his Bishop and Stake President, that even though he could still hold a temple recommend, he could not wear the temple garments in the prison. It was an interesting and faith promoting story from a mormon perspective and very eye opening to hear of what goes on in prison.

By: AMae

AMae — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:54:44 +0000

My dad counsels prisoners on a fairly regular basis. Recently an incarcerated investigator wanted some “Mormon bling.” The CTR ring was considered a weapon and not allowed, but he was allowed a Young Women’s medallion.

By: Jeff Breinholt

Jeff Breinholt — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:23:22 +0000

One of the cases involving the argument that Mormon prisoners are given preferential treatment in the Utah State Prison was brought by a very angry guy named Treff, who I remember from my criminal tax prosecuting days in Utah. He put a bullet in his wife’s head and was on his way to do the same thing to Carol Fay, the IRS District Director, when he was arrested. I think he still sends Judge Jenkins love letters from prison. We got him for the attempted federal murder of a government official. I can tell you if he was ever a Mormon, he would have been excommunicated (Treff, not Judge Jenkins).

If you guys thought these cases were interesting, wait until you read about the wild Mormon conspiracy lawsuits on Saturday.

By: Keri Brooks

Keri Brooks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:18:10 +0000

Are all crimes excommunicable offenses? (I’m not familiar with the policies.)

By: Ian Cook

Ian Cook — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:01:52 +0000

Very interesting. Not sure that too many prisoners were endowed prior to being sent to prison, and if they were, they probably understood that they would be ex’ed dis-fellowshipped while there. That shouldn’t stop one from suing for that right however. lol.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:48:54 +0000

Oh, my favorite is definitely Jame Allen Boyd. Nice try, my friend, but even Mormons can’t claim a religious basis for conjugal visits.

By: CatherineWO

CatherineWO — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:29:06 +0000

Yes, fascinating. Thanks.

By: Hawkgrrrl

Hawkgrrrl — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:54:56 +0000

“I’m surprised there were no cases about LDS prisoners wanting to wear the temple garment.” No comment.

Jeff – your posts are fascinating!

By: Keri Brooks

Keri Brooks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:50:49 +0000

These posts are extremely interesting to me. I’m surprised there were no cases about LDS prisoners wanting to wear the temple garment.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:01:53 +0000

My favorite is the JW who wanted to be let out on weekends to knock on doors. Maybe next a Mormon should seek a two-year prison furlough to serve a mission?

Thanks for all of your recent posts on these legal themes, Jeff. They’re fascinating to consider, even if I have no brilliant comment to offer.