Gov. Jack Markell: Fred Stephen Copening

"Stephen needs to be held at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center until he becomes competent enough to stand trial" - Judge

(WILMINGTON, Del) - Hello, I am Patrice Copening and my sister is Britney Foote. We decided to start a petition on Change.org for my brother Stephen Copening so that he may be released from the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. We want Stephen released from this prison because this correctional facility is not capable of caring for his needs due to his psychological disorder. We believe that Governor Jack Markell and Commissioner Robert Coupe can bring about this change.

Since my brother was a teenager he has been in and out of group homes, psychiatric centers, and prisons due to being diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. In December of 2011, Stephen was arrested for a petty theft crime. He was accused of stealing two dollars from a man, when in fact he had over thirty dollars in his pocket at the time. Since his arrest he has only been to a preliminary hearing, and the presuming judge stated, "Stephen needs to be held at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center until he becomes competent enough to stand trial." I don't understand how any judge could render such a decision without using better judgment or discretion. However, this decision is violating my brother's constitutional right to a speedy trial as well as his civil rights.

In December of 2011, Stephen was released from prison for a week without any antipsychotics. He weighed between 140 to 150 pounds; he walked with a noticeable limp; and he looked partially blind in his left eye. I also noticed bruises on his face and body, seeing the state that my brother was in caused alarm, because his normal height and weight is 6'3" and approximately 260 pounds. Stephen has been incarcerated for the last two years and my mother has only seen him once. She has not been able to visit Stephen since the last visit because the prison staff claims he can no longer have visits. They never give any explanations as to why, but his counselor who my mother has contacted on numerous occasions claims that he is doing fine but that is all he can reveal because of HIPAA Laws.

The reason for this petition is because I received word that my brother is 90 pounds. This seems absurd when I have a child who weighs just about the same weight. Without the help of the public and proper healthcare, I believe the reality of my brother's situation will become more grim and he may die. My sister and I hope that this petition will reach those who are in power to bring about change. This petition could be a catalyst for people who are in prison that have psychological disorders that may not have a voice so it is up to us the people to make sure that they have the same rights as us. Please sign our petition asking the Governor of Delaware and the Commissioner of the Delaware DOC to free Stephen Copening. Thank you for your help and support in advance

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Britney Foote March 20, 2014 6:02 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you Briggs for giving your experiences first hand. Jail is not a place for the mentally ill or people with disabilities.

Briggs March 19, 2014 12:24 pm (Pacific time)

I spent a great deal of my younger days in and out of the pen. I did the tour and hit nearly every state facility in California. It wasn't my family or my up bringing it was all choices that I made and did time for. Let me tell you about the penitentiary it is not a place for reform and especially if you are sick or ill. Nobody gives a damn about anyone, the answer is to just throw in the SHU. This dude could be locked down for weeks or months which is why your mom is being turned away and not givin an answer. The justice system is a joke, I became used to the system so it was a point where it didn't matter if I was on the streets or at home. I got my homies in the pen and outside and I was a beast so I had no fear as a youngster. I feel for your brother because either he is locked down or some youngster like I was 20 years ago is making things a little difficult for him cause he don't seem like the kind of dude that knows how to maneuver. This dude should be in a hospital not in gen pop with the beasts.

Britney Foote March 18, 2014 5:36 pm (Pacific time)

Claude it's close minded people like you that try to sound like you really care but your opinion shows that you don't. My mother was never barred from seeing Stephen, but yet you assume that she was. A person can grow up in a great environment and still turn out bad. So you suggest that my brother's environment was the reason for him being incarcerated? Please take your asinine comments else where. My brother has schizophrenia and jail is not the right place for him. This is our brother, who we love and care about and want to see him do well in society, but you're judging him and my mom and you don't know any of us from Adam or Eve. Thanks for your opinion, but no thanks!

Patrice C March 16, 2014 8:45 pm (Pacific time)

Claude,
I could not provide my brother with antipsychotic drugs. I am not a doctor. In fact most prisons don't provide good health care to prisoners. Yes, I could guarantee my brother would be in a much healthier state being free instead of being incarcerated in prison. My mother was never barred from seeing my brother. She has made a numerous attempts to see my brother and is always turned away. A person with common sense would suspect someone is trying to hide something if you were not allowed to see a relative. My mother did a fine job raising us. How do you know it was his environment that caused his condition?

ClaudeA March 15, 2014 9:46 am (Pacific time)

Thank you, Patrice, for bringing this out.

However, you make it clear - and I thank you for being candid - that the family of Stephen did not provide him with sufficient means to reform his behavior for safely living a "free" life. This is why I support the court's choice, and I am certain it was a very hard choice on their part.

If Stephen was in a "free" state, can you guarantee he would be in better health?

In fact, it is the history of most prisons that pressure on them is making them take fairly good health care of inmates, and it may well be that Stephen's alive still due to his incarceration.

That his mother is barred from visits is most likely due to why Stephen is incarcerated in the first place, since she did raise him. The undisclosed evidence you give supports their position.

I am truly sorry for you, in all this suffering. Still, do look on the good side of this, and I am certain you will discover a way to help Stephen, and your family better than merely releasing him back to the environment that his troubled mind was formed in.

People die in prison from substandard health care all the time and nobody even knows about it except the inmates and maybe family of the convict. How sad to root for somebody in his state being locked up, cruel thinking.

Anonymous March 7, 2014 7:14 am (Pacific time)

John before you assume and pass judgement first you need to understand that my brother has a psychological disorder and that is the reason why he has been in and out of different institutions. He is not out in society victimizing people like you or anyone else for that matter. He is not a violent criminal but rather a gentle giant and I should know I grew up with him and I'm proud to have a brother like him. It's murderers, rapists, and child molesters out walking free everyday, so are they a threat to you as well. So please don't take your comments else where.

Patrice Copening March 5, 2014 11:44 am (Pacific time)

John, My brother was accused of stealing two dollars. I was not there neither were you. My brother did not go around the city victimizing people. People commit crime everyday some more serious than others and are treated differently. I just want my brother in a place where he can receive proper care and treatment. Prison is not that place.

John March 5, 2014 5:31 am (Pacific time)

If this man is free, what protection is there for all of us who are his future victims? According to his sister: "Since my brother was a teenager he has been in and out of group homes, psychiatric centers, and prisons due to being diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia." The criminal justice system is, first and foremost, to benefit everyone who did NOT do the crime.

sterling March 4, 2014 10:31 pm (Pacific time)

Has the family tried the ACLU or meet personally with lawmakers? Just don't seem right..

Britney Foote March 4, 2014 9:01 pm (Pacific time)

My family and I really appreciate Salem News for sharing my brother Stephen's Petition. I'm very grateful

Britney our heart goes out to your family, glad you are doing something about it, I just posted this on the front of my Facebook page for you also, keep us updated please.

Patrice Copening March 4, 2014 4:54 pm (Pacific time)

I just want my brother's story to be heard. Thanks for the support.

You are so welcome Patrice, let us know if you want to do more.

Robert J. Burrowes March 1, 2014 6:56 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Patrice Thankyou for drawing this grotesque injustice to our attention! In support of Stephen; Robert Burrowes

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