News Release

(For Immediate Release)

Why Can't Rev. Matt Hale be Allowed to Play

his Violin in his Prison Cell?

Pressure Grows for the B.O.P. to Relent

12/14/2014

Contact:  evelynhutcheson1938@gmail.com

Websites:  creativitymovement.net, FREEMATTHALE.com

        Reverend Matt Hale, former leader of the pro-White and anti-Jewish Church of the Creator and America's most well-known political prisoner, announced today that a new campaign is under way by his supporters, as well as himself, to persuade officials at the Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado to allow him to have his beloved violin in his solitary prison cell.  Not only have many letters been mailed to new warden J. Oliver but Reverend Hale himself has met with prison officials in the hopes that this small gesture of humanity may in fact be achieved.

        It will be recalled that Reverend Hale, an accomplished classical violinist specializing in the concertos of Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, and Bach, was convicted on politically motivated and phony charges of soliciting the murder of Chicago federal judge Joan Lefkow in 2004 even though there is no evidence that any such solicitation occurred.  Though he has been imprisoned in solitary confinement now for nearly twelve years on an outrageous forty year sentence, he continues to fight for his rightful freedom in the federal courts and he also has a lawsuit pending against the Bureau of Prisons in Denver federal district court alleging  the violation of his constitutional rights, as well as his rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, on account of his Creativity religious faith.  That case is Reverend Matt Hale v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, et al.  No. 14-cv-245.  Notably, the defendants recently filed a frivolous 62 page motion to dismiss the case and Reverend Hale has filed a 151 page response.  A copy of these legal filings is available from the court clerk.  Hale had asked for his violin as part of a settlement offer in the case but the offer was rejected in early September.

        The question that people are continuing to ask themselves is this: why can't Reverend Hale be allowed to play his violin in his solitary cell?  Even Charles Manson, a mass murderer, is allowed to play the guitar in his own prison cell so why should Reverend Hale, a man with no record of violence whatsoever, not be allowed this privilege?  He is already in solitary confinement for goodness sakes.  Exactly whom would it hurt if he were to play his violin again?  Furthermore, he is willing to use a mute to greatly lessen the volume of his playing and he is also willing to purchase insurance on the instrument itself.  Thus neither noise nor any potential financial risk are at issue here.

From his solitary cell at Supermax, Reverend Hale had this to say today about the ongoing controversy:

        "I'm asking all of my supporters around the world, as well as my fellow musicians who may not even particularly care for me personally, to write Warden Oliver at U.S.P. Florence Admax, U.S. Penitentiary, P.O. Box 8500, Florence, CO. 81226 or call him at (719) 784-9464 and urge him to allow me to have my violin.  Not only would the attainment of that end provide me with great joy but I think that the principle involved is an important one too, that while prison officials may have the right to imprison those who have been convicted of a crime, it is unnecessary that their captives lose their ability to play music too.  Music serves an important rehabilitative function, even if in my particular case there is nothing in need of rehabilitation.  It is also important for its own sake and my imprisonment is punishment enough without adding the loss of my violin playing on to that.  In sum, there is no sensible reason why the federal government should bar me from playing my violin.  Being locked up at the highest security prison in America is punishment enough."

        For an interview with Rev. Hale's mother, email the address above or call her at (309) 699-0785

* End of News Release*