December 12, 1997

El Paso, Texas

European Parliament,

I am writing to you from a Texas prison, where I have been the last 5 years and will probably be here many more.

I received a 25 years sentence for 7 prescription pain pills. The pills belonged to my wife, who had cancer and a legal prescription for the pills.

I am trying to find out what the rest of the world thinks about our "drug war" here in America. It is a farce and a lie, most of the people in prison are for small drug offenses and most are black, (I am white). must of us (first time drug offenders) have larger sentences than the murderers and rapist!

Also is the rest of the world aware that rural Texas country sheriffs are responsible for smuggling in drugs along the Mexican borders? The "drug warriors" out in West Texas are nothing more than armed thugs. It is obvious that these "sheriffs" have an "extra-income" by the way they live, especially in the unpopulated western areas of Texas (Ward County, Ector County, Lubbock County) yet they are immune from prosecutions!

In Texas, prisons now the 1 industry, our schools and everything else have suffered as a result yet the "mob" cries out for even more punishment, more prisons.

I have written all the English speaking countries in the world but cannot get a response (maybe the F.B.I. is stopping my letters) but if you receive this letter, would you please respond?

Before I was arrested I owned my own home and business and me and my wife were raising our children. My wife died last year and in 1994 Texas passed laws that will prohibit me from getting my plumbing licence again (for what purpose?)

I am so sad for the U.S. and the future, everything seems to be in the hands of the "drug police" and our corrupt "justice system". Please respond with something so I will know this letter got out. I need to know what the "civilized world" thinks of all of this "justice in America".

Sincerely,

T. Leslie THOMPSON

#671615

Sanchez Prison

3901 State Jail Road

El Paso, Texas 79938

U.S.A.

P.S. I am trying to get a new trial on my "7 pain pills". Please consider writing to federal judge and ask for a FAIR HEARING for me.U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE, W. ROYAL FURGESON

200 E. WALL

MIDLAND TEXAS 79701

U.S.A.

IN RE: LESLIE THOMPSON VS. TEXAS DEPARTMENT of CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CASE P-97-CA-028-F (ask for a FAIR HEARING).