In loving memory of Jesse Hatch

From CTJC Organizer, Mark Clements:

I am sad to inform you that Chicago Police Torture Survivor Jesse Hatch is reported to have died from COVID 19. Hatch was incarcerated at the Lawrence Correctional Center and was rushed from the prison to an outside hospital where he later died.

Hatch was taken to Area 2 violent crime unit in August, 1980 where he was tortured. He was found guilty of the crime and subsequently sentenced to natural life without parole.

It would take Hatch nearly forty (40) years to be able to litigate his claim of torture in a court. Torture absent a confession has proven to be a different task when it has come to cases of police torture. Hatch and Virgil Robinson fall into this category, and both have served over 40 years incarcerated in separate cases.

Last year Mr. Hatch was successful with his petition before the Illinois Torture Inquiry Relief Commission, and was likely to win his freedom.

Chicago Torture Justice Center - CTJC remains to call for the release of all who are incarcerated. COVID 19 is a death sentence in detention, while evidence shows that the Illinois Department of Corrections, Cook County Jail, and Cook County Juvenile Detention Center medical treatment has been ineffective for over 5 decades.

Hatch was a fighter, a person that fought for change, and sought reforms within the Chicago Police Department - CPD. This is a loss that affects torture survivors and their families. Keep the Hatch family in your prayers as we remain to fight for speedy hearings before TIRC and Cook County courts.