Huddersfield’s woman campaign to save Death Row killer

Jul 8 2009 by Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield’s woman campaign to save Death Row killer

“Life on death row is obviously pretty awful. But he keeps himself fit mentally and physically. He has an exercise regime that he keeps to.

“An hour a day on the exercise yard is what the men get, if they're lucky. It can be cancelled for any number of reasons.

“Three times a week, they are allowed a shower. They're always handcuffed when taken out of the cell. Food is not very good.

“Getting mail is the highlight of the day. He has several other pen-pals, but insists I'm his favourite Brit.”

Sandra says Horning is very religious and studies the Bible. He is also a good artist and sends her pictures, some of which have been printed in the Human Writes magazine.

When she flies to California, she will be accompanied by husband Chris and they will stay in San Francisco. She plans to visit Horning three times, probably on her own.

She admits to being a bit apprehensive. “It’s going to be scary, but I’m sure I can cope with it,” she said.

“I just see it as visiting a special friend who needs support.

“I have taken advice from those who have already visited death row and there are strict regulations, such as how you should dress, and all possessions have to be in a clear bag.

“I believe that in the visiting room I will be able to sit across the table from him, but that he will be shackled. There will be a guard in the same room.”

Sandra has developed her involvement with Human Writes since retiring from her job at a Manchester primary school five years ago. She now works in the Cuckoo’s Nest charity shop in Marsden.

She is no stranger to campaigning and stood as a Green Party candidate in the European elections in 1989 and has also been a candidate in Kirklees Council elections in Colne Valley West.

For the last 18 months, she has been the Human Writes co-ordinator for Oklahoma, which means she matches up pen friends with the 85 prisoners on death row in that state – and offers support to British letter writers.

She says it is very stressful for them when the death penalty is carried out. Four prisoners have been executed in Oklahoma since she took up her role and three of them had pen friends.

“Since 1976, 130 men who were on death row in the United States have been exonerated – how many more have been executed who were innocent?” she asked.

“America should be ashamed that it still has the death penalty. But the climate is slowly changing.

“New Mexico is the latest state to abolish the death penalty and I hope the process continues until no state carries out this abominable act.”