Jean Gump
Last December, The Times ran a three-part series on Jean Gump, peace activist. An update on this Morton Grove, Ill., mother of 12 and grandmother now serving time in women’s federal prison is her sentence of 60 days in solitary.
Jean Gump, “prisoner of conscience,” has served 2 1/2 years of her 6-year sentence for her civil disobedience in an anti-nuclear missile peace protest. Her recent crime that brought her the harsh isolation confinement punishment was her refusal to take a drug test in front of guards. She had requested this be done in the privacy of the doctor’s office at the prison.
The prison officials charged her with a 110 Code violation, which is among the most serious charges, for her refusal and for her desire for a modicum of modesty and dignity.
A 60-day sentence of solitary confinement does seem like an overly severe sentence for her grandmotherly reserve. However, being a peace activist can have most unpleasant and lingering consequences.
Perhaps the term “justice system” is a misnomer.
CARMEN PAPPAS
Lincolnwood, Ill.
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