Federal Prison Warden Denies Inmate Early Release to be with Dying 10-year-old Daughter

March 24, 2008

The prison system in the United States is as flawed as the prison systems in most third world countries.  We are frustrated and saddened by reports of severe overcrowding and staff misconduct.  However, as rampant as those abuses have become, they pale in comparison to the lack of compassion shown by the warden of the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, South Dakota.

Jason Yaeger is one of 837 convicts currently serving time at the Yankton prison.  Jason has nearly a year left to serve on a 5½-year sentence for a methamphetamine conviction, and prison officials plan to release him to a halfway house in August.  Jason's case differs little from the cases of other inmates serving time at the minimum-security facility.  However, unlike most other inmates, Jason's daughter, 10-year-old Jayci Yaeger, is dying of brain cancer and is not expected to live long enough to see her father be released from prison.  Jayci's health is rapidly declining and her doctors say that nothing can be done to save her. 

It is truly heartbreaking when a child falls ill with a terminal illness, but it is even more distressing when that child is denied her dying wish.  In Jayci's case, her wish is to have her father by her side, holding her as she passes from this life to the next.  Although this request seems simple enough, Warden J. D. Whitehead does not see fit to grant her final wish, and has denied repeated requests by her father for an early release to a halfway house.

In a statement to the press released on Thursday, a Yankton prison spokesperson said: "Bureau of Prisons officials have reviewed Inmate Yaeger’s request for a compassionate release and have determined his situation does not meet the criteria...Our agency's mission is to protect society by confining offenders in controlled environments of prisons and community based facilities which are safe, humane, and appropriately secure."

"I am sorry for what I have done,'' Jason said in a interview with ABCnews.com.  "I'm not asking to get out of my sentence — just to go from one place of imprisonment to another so I can be with my family.  Jayci is sitting in a hospice fighting for her life and [her mother] thinks she is holding on for me to get there.  She wants me and needs me and I want to be there with her on her last day."

To read the complete article, click here.

I urge everyone to take a moment to contact Whitehead and let him know your own thoughts on this case. His telephone number is (605) 665-3262, his fax number is (605) 668-1113 and his e-mail address is yan/execassistant@bop.gov.  Snail mail letters should be addressed to:  Warden Whitehead FPC, Yankton Federal Prison Camp, P.O. Box 680, Yankton, SD 57078.

In addition to contacting the Warden, you can also help the Yaeger family with medical expenses by sending donations to: Jayci Yaeger Fund, c/o Wells Fargo, 1248 "O" Street, Lincoln, NE 68508.

Comments

[PublicRecordsGuy]

Thanks for your reporting on this TRAGIC story. I too have been following it and am trying my best to help this little girl have her dying wish honored. People seem to forget that Jayci did not pick her parents nor pick cancer, let her pick who is bedside as she succumbs to her brain cancer. I wish this world could show a little more MERCY and COMPASSION. The Warden Jim Whitehead actually is a member of the United Way board in his city. How does he allow the wishes of non-terminal children be honored by UW, but when he has the sole discretion to allow for an extended furlough, he cold-heartedly refuses? This isn't about Jason Yaeger, it's about JAYCI YAEGER.

[Mike]

Please sign this petition to help Jayci.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Have-Mercy-on-Jayci

[rita hernandez]

Please let this beautiful child see her Father before she goes to be with Jesus. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!

[Kenneth L. Thaxton, Sr.]

Warden Whitehead is evidently as cold hearted as they come. There are ways that he can allow this father to be with his daughter and he knows that. How would he feel if this was his daughter? Would he not give up all to be by her side even for a little? That is one of the problems with America today. Americans have lost their family values. True this is one reason that this father is where he is, if he had been thinking of his family when he did what he did, he probably would not be in this problem. But enough of my soap box. Warden get off you selfish a## and do what you know is right.

[Minerva]

David, Thank you for your time on Jason Yaeger. I emailed, called, and mailed a letter to Warden J.D. Whitehead. I also emailed Gov Mike Rounds of S. Dakota. I think my letter was moving, persuasive and factual. It should make an impact. There is no point emoting about this. What we need is action, folks. WRITE!! It does make a tremendous difference.

[Minnie Harreld]

OK so we're upset about it but in these days as we all know hearts are hard of many. and I have discovered ONLY God of whom I have heard so much about and now know and absolutely positively sure will loose that judges heart. Let's pray you guys; for this specifically.

[THERESA FORT WORTH TEXAS]

Its not to late for Jayci. Thats what this is really about, her dying wish. Her dying wish can be fulfilled as long as we pull together. We will feel good about this situation if we read and take action. I refuse to believe this world has grown cold. Let's write the governer and our president. My only comment to the warden is i'm grateful to GOD i won't be in your shoes on judgement day. but if you read this it's not to late. I'll be praying for Jayci and her family. Life is about mimacking jesus. GOD allows us to make our own choices. Let's Pray for Jayci. May her dying wish be fulfilled. May GOD help us all to make right choices.

[me]

Whitehead needs to remember that WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. He will NEED someone to have mercy on him one day and his plea will fall on deaf ears.
At least have enough compassion for the CHILD's SAKE! I am appauled!