Smuggled Camera Blog Post

Posted April 14th, 2008 by Eric V.

It has taken me a couple of months to understand what to do with this site and the community that formed around it, but, with time, it was that community itself, through letters and suggestions, that helped come up with this redesign and blog concept. It is my intention to merge what we learned through the development of this powerful community of supporters to expand the dialog about justice and related issues to a larger scope.

I greatly value and anticipate your contribution to the vitality of this on-going conversation. Please feel free to contact the site via e-mail with any questions you may have about our on-going efforts.

For the first official blog post I present the following:

In my second month in prison I was able to smuggle a digital camera into the prison. I did it for three reasons: First, I wanted all my friends, family, and supporters to be able to see and hear me to assure them that I was holding firm. Second, I wanted to thank them for their efforts in a format that could be easily circulated. And third, I wanted to try and document some of the sub-human conditions that prisoners are forced to live in.

I offer the following video as a token of my appreciation to those who followed my arrest and illegal imprisonment and the events that followed; and to all those who provided moral and practical support to my family and defense team.

This is a short video from my cell taken January 10, 2007, the day Daniel Ortega was inaugurated President of Nicaragua. I have some insane photographs and video that I took secretly inside the prison that will be released in the future. This footage could not be released while I was still in prison because the Nicaraguan authorities would most certainly have charged me with violating the rules of the prison and potentially open a new case against me. In fact, getting caught with a camera in prison is more serious than a weapon, because corrections officers can be incriminated by evidence of the Human Rights violations that occur on their watch.

I'm sure the warden, Oscar Molina, will be delighted?!

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Comments

had the chance to hear erics

On April 19th, 2008 kilian (not verified) says:

had the chance to hear erics story from shawn...made me thinking a lot, its awful that helping people is punished that way. keep doing well!

Hi, Shawn told us your

On April 19th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

Hi,
Shawn told us your story, and we we're very glad to here that you're finally home and safe again!!
all the best
Johanna & Jonas (Germany)

Eric, your story continues

On April 16th, 2008 watsopd says:

Eric, your story continues to inspire me every day. Whenever I feel like I am having a rough day, I'm always reminded that it pales in comparison to the days you spent in that hell of a prison/hospital. What a wonderful thing your camera footage is; now everyone can hear and see what was going on in your life during that time and relate it to the stories from your letters. I hope one day soon I will be able to meet you. My sister Michelle told me she has seen you a couple of times since you've been back, so hopefully, if I go out with her, I'll get lucky enough to run into you. Until then, I'll be constantly thinking of you and your amazing story.

Paige

Dude, I was surfing Maderas

On April 15th, 2008 rasthomas says:

Dude, I was surfing Maderas for 6 weeks and was at Big Wave Dave's munching some breakfast burritos when the news broke. It was a crazy time. So glad you made it out alive, you are a very lucky man. What a nightmare.

Peace,

Tom Lally

"Thank you so much for

On April 15th, 2008 llyons says:

"Thank you so much for getting your freeericvolz. com website up and going agin. I am so overwhelmed by all that you have undergone, and having the information laid out so sequentually and in full has let me see how desperate of a place you were in.

When a person has so little reason to hope, it is not too much of a stretch to say that only providence could have reached out its hand and lifted that person up.

When a person is so touched by god they cannot hope but do great things. I grew up in the shadows of such happenings, where some of the worlds greatest writers, artists, and composers were persecuted and died in the military prisons of the Soviet Sattelite Countries the Communist Diaspora. When the Soviet and Communist Diaspora fell I was overjoyed, thinking that freedom had at last come to the world. Nelson Mendela was released from his prison in South Africa and I seriously thought that we were approaching a global peace unlike anything that has ever been seen on this planet. Your case along with many others have taught me something; That only through vigilence can we ever hope to insure global justice, only through equality can we hope to have true liberty, and finally and most importanly that we must not turn our eyes from the injustice that comes from being poor and having no one to back you up, no one to protect you and to bring your words to the rest of the world.

For this I thank you. You are one of the worlds last true crusaders and I hope that those who are like-minded will accumulate around you, that your efforts bear fruit and that you realize a harvest of unexpected magnitudes.

I am waiting expectantly for the transcripts from your trial and more news. I am also glad to see what you are doing since you came back.

God Bless You- David T."

As a prosecutor I've often

On April 15th, 2008 glowingrock says:

As a prosecutor I've often complained about the difficulties in convicting guilty people. The juries often defy the evidence, logic, and reason to cut someone loose who obviously did it. However, after reading your story I'm thankful that we live in a country where the burden of proof is a high one in a criminal case so that I can feel certain that I'm not sending people to jail or prison for crimes they did not commit. I called Court TV numerous times, contacted both of my U.S. Senators, put the "Free Eric Volz" bumper sticker on my car, wore the T-shirt, and told everyone I knew about you trying to make sure the world knew of the injustice that was taking place. I'm so happy that finally someone was brave enough to do the right thing and go against the will of the people in Nicaragua who were obviously blinded by their hatred for Americans and just wanted someone to pay. By the way, what, if anything is being done about trying to hold the real killer(s) of Doris Jiménez?

Unbelievable - except for

On April 15th, 2008 Mary Stephens says:

Unbelievable - except for someone like you. Throughout this entire event, as we watched feeling so helpless and afraid for you, I always knew that you were a man of amazing strength, savvy, intelligence and faith. I am not surprised at all you accomplished, but I am so very sorry you had to endure all of this. My prayer is that God will use all of this to make changes and that He will reward you with untold blessings for the rest of your life!

I just don't know what to

On April 15th, 2008 Paola says:

I just don't know what to say. I will like this never happend to you.
Only a person like you can be good and working this hard.
I hope you are ok and getting better.

love,
pao

Wow!!! I have followed this

On April 15th, 2008 Barb (not verified) says:

Wow!!! I have followed this story for quite sometime now and I still can't believe you finally found your freedom. I am so happy for you and I am so happy that you are now safe. You took a big risk having that camera in your cell, but I'm glad you did so we can all see the injustices done. Good work Eric!! My prayers and thoughts are always with you and your family. Welcome home again!!!!

I think it was interesting

On April 14th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

I think it was interesting that Eric said bringing a camera into prison is more dangerous than bringing a weapon into prison. But it provides hard evidence of the human rights violations that occur in prison. Also, from what I understand, Eric was one of the most heavily guarded prisoners in the country. I'm sure this video will be embarrassing for the prison authorities. I can't wait to see what else Eric has planned for the site.

So glad to hear you are out!