Spiritual adviser to death row inmates sues Oklahoma Corrections Department over statement
The spiritual adviser to the last inmate executed in Oklahoma is alleging in a $10 million federal lawsuit that the Oklahoma Department of Corrections defamed him in a statement to the media.
"They knew that this was false and they were willing to make the statement anyways," the Rev. Jeff Hood told reporters Monday.
"They thought they could do this with impunity. They didn't think I would respond like this."
Hood was the spiritual adviser to Scott Eizember, who was executed Jan. 12 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
He complains in his lawsuit about a statement sent to The Oklahoman, The Associated Press and other media Jan. 9 after he was denied access to the execution chamber.
In the statement, the Corrections Department told reporters the minister could only see Eizember in the time leading up to the execution and would have to witness it on a closed-circuit feed.
"The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) is tasked with professionally carrying out the orders of the court in accordance with state statute, ensuring the dignity of all involved," the statement continued.
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"Out of respect for the families of victims, ODOC will not allow the outbursts of activists to interfere, regardless of that activist’s declared role in this process.
"The spiritual advisor in this case has been arrested multiple times for such outbursts in other states, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the experiences of victims’ families and the solemnity of the process."
The Corrections Department eventually reversed its decision and allowed Hood access to prevent any postponement from a legal challenge.
“The family members of the victims in this case are ready for closure," said Steven Harpe, Corrections Department director.
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Hood, who lives in Arkansas, is the spiritual adviser for four other inmates awaiting execution in Oklahoma. Hood also was the spiritual adviser for Texas death row inmate Arthur Brown, who was executed March 9.
Hood, 37, sued the Corrections Department and spokesman Josh Ward on Friday in Oklahoma City federal court.
The Corrections Department declined comment because of a policy against discussing pending litigation.
Hood acknowledged in the lawsuit that he is an activist and that he has been arrested three times. But he said they were during peaceful protests and "only one had anything to do with the death penalty."
"Plaintiff Hood has never disrupted an execution," the lawsuit states.
Hood told reporters he was arrested in 2014 outside the White House during a protest of the Obama administration's policies on deportation.
He said he also was arrested in 2014 in Dallas at a Black Lives Matter protest.
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He said his third arrest was in 2016 outside the prison in Huntsville, Texas, during a protest of an execution.
He specifically denied during the news conference that he has ever been disrespectful to the families of victims.
"Our work is about being loving to all parties involved because that's the nature of being a minister," he said.
Death penalty opponent Abraham Bonowitz told reporters that the granddaughter of the victims talked to Hood after the execution of Eizember.
"She was driving, and she stopped in the middle of the road. She called Jeff over, and I heard her thank him for his work and express concern for his wellbeing," Bonowitz said.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Death row inmate spiritual adviser Jeff Hood sues Oklahoma DOC
