Centre County Community

A&SK

“When we visit Subu, we discuss for hours various current issues, from sports, national and local events, climate, finance, health, travel - all because he is extremely well-read. We could even continue conversations at length about Energy and Materials Science topics, my own research areas at Penn State, because his general knowledge is tremendous. [...] Out of his passion for reading and gathering knowledge, he helped found Literacy Council for inmates, a first such initiative in the country, and helped it grow by obtaining funding from the National Institute of Corrections.”

 

GB

“At our first meeting, not having visited anyone in prison before, I think I was expecting to encounter someone who had been crushed by prison, someone who felt abandoned by justice. Instead, I was immediately struck by how empathetic, grounded, reflective, reciprocal and fully himself Subu is. Through him, I have come to understand something I have never seen before to this degree: that the self can face impossibly hard challenges seemingly without end, yetnurture and deepen a core belief in goodness and justice.”
–

 

“ I am so moved by the way he survived this: with a sense of healing not only of himself but also of others. He embodies his innocence and therefore has managed to achieve an almost impossible balance: investing himself fully into his life in prison and becoming a valued member of the community there, yet never, ever accepting that he deserves to be there. His utter assuredness of his innocence is something he lives into his daily reality.”
–

 

“I have observed during the past two decades that, despite the calculated narrowness and limits of the prison, Subu has not only survived the injustice of his confinement, but nourished a core  of hope, belief and empathy within himself. Most importantly of all, he has found a way to face the years he has spent in prison and retain a belief in the future and in the possibility of justice. As someone who grew up under apartheid in South Africa, an unjust system that lasted for 46 years, there is no one for whom I wish freedom and justice more than Subu.”

 

A&SG
“We have been regularly visiting Subu in prison for about the past fifteen years. During that period, we came to know him on a face-to-face basis as opposed to simply learning ‘about’ his evolution from his family and from our mutual acquaintances. This gave us an opportunity to learn about and then actually witness his growth from the teenager we used to see on occasion, to a very compassionate individual with a remarkably peaceful demeanor and with genuine caring for everyone in his immediate and distant social sphere.”

 

MG
“Subu and I began a pen pal friendship that has continued regularly since summer 2020. We write to one another about state and local politics, our families and daily lives, and what we have recently been reading. Subu’s voracious reading helped me to pick up more books for the sake of pleasure and curiosity at a time when I was exhausted by graduate school. Incidentally, my professional life has intersected with Subu’s current circumstances as some of my research in bioethics has turned toward addressing the sorry state of prison healthcare and arguments in favor of the release of incarcerated elders statistically who are statistically very unlikely to reoffendlead to recidivism. The combined effects of my research and my conversations with Subu have made it clear to me that prison is no place for him. I am delighted that there is a possibility for his release and wish to express my strongest possible support for that decision.”

 

MBO
“Subu is an extraordinary individual. He is one of the most gentle and sincere people I have ever met. His kindness is evident, and despite his circumstances, he harbors no ill feelings. Rather, he has devoted his time to learning about the world, reading, and sharing his abilities to help his fellow inmates. [...] Subu is the type of person that is a “builder” in a community. He is devoted to working with others to improve their life circumstances. He operates with an air of kindness and compassion.”

 

DS
“In relationship to Subu, I have known what it feels like to be “held” over time, to have concerns and interests and actions remembered and cared for. Such “holding” is indicative of Subu’s capacity to love and to enact his love. What’s more, I have directly witnessed a quality of human heart—an active compassion—one that has inspired many in his vast circle of relationships to greater service in their own communities and spheres of influence. These qualities of Subu’s heart—peaceable, justice-oriented, intellectually-curious, kind—are all the more remarkable for how they’ve endured, grown and have extended outward despite the harsh conditions which incarceration has inarguably imposed.”
–

 

“If “citizen” can be applied within the prison context, then Subu was beyond “model” or even “exemplary.” In fact, I don’t have sufficient language or superlatives. I would simply conclude that Subu was the best of us, that Subu was actively living a life characterized by its generous service to others, to the betterment of himself extending to others, to learning that matters toward making “the world” a more just, compassionate, humble, and love-filled place. Another conclusion: that Subu’s life in prison was and is who he is … that his actions are part of a “fabric” of giving and learning and serving that extends back to his loving mother and father and forward to his sister and ever widening circle of family and friends.”

 

PMP
“It may be hard to imagine now, but State College in the late 1970s and early 1980s was a much more homogeneous community than it is now. [...] Persons of color were easily identified and noted in the give and take of community life. This carried with it an extra burden of scrutiny and, at times, suspicion. [...] We will focus on his personal characteristics since he was sentenced. Subu has been exemplary, developing his skills (both academic and industrial), showing leadership in organizing others to benefit others (e.g. through his work in literacy tutoring and other mentoring), and productively using his time in prison to improve himself (e.g. through earning degrees) and others.”

 

Former State College friends

JDR
“Subu and I met through mutual friends when I was a student at Penn State around 1979. [He was intelligent, funny, a bit of an oddball, a comic, a braggart, and a good friend. [...] When it was later reported that he was being charged with Mr. Kinser’s murder, I and many who knew him were shocked, and did not think it was possible he could have committed such an act, not by his temperament nor by the circumstances of the crime as we understood them. [...] Personally, I have never believed Subu to be guilty of Mr. Kinser’s murder. At the time of his arrest, the community attitude was very negative. The press carried speculative coverage of the circumstances of the case, with Subu portrayed as an immigrant and a misfit.”

 

KE
“As a member of the Indian community in State College, I grew up with a visceral knowledge of Subu Vedam’s reality. For me, it was one of my first windows into the justice system and how it treats people who look like me. [...] By the time I met Subu, we were already decades past his alleged crimes. The man I met was thoughtful, kind, if anything professorial. I would see Subu in a jumpsuit emblazoned with “department of corrections” and wonder what was being corrected? Who benefited from keeping him behind bars? In whose name was this bizarre justice meted out? It always felt like a hamster wheel whose only purpose was keeping the wheel spinning. [...] Whatever your sense of justice, Subu’s reality is a waste. It rights no wrongs, it keeps no one safer, it simply keeps a hamster wheel spinning because no one has the sense to stop it.”

 

LF
“Subu was indeed like a brother, but without the sibling rivalry that frequently got in the way with my own brothers. We talked about real things of importance, instead of the everyday superficial stuff that permeates conversation with my other friends in my community at the time. In some ways, that has continued in the years since then while he has been incarcerated.

 

I have thrown out a lot of papers from my desk, but I have kept my correspondence with Subu s and have a thick file with his letters to me that always ended with “tu amigo, Subu”. My Spanish is crap, but I can feel the full meaning of that. Subu taught himself Spanish so that he could teach more people to read. He did not do that to improve his chances of impressing someone enough to get out of prison. He did that to help people less fortunate than even his own hopeless situation. [...] He worked hard to better himself through his extensive reading and research so that he could be a better instrument to assist others. His accomplishments and efforts are great for the prison population, but they would also be wonderful for the nonincarcerated population too. I think it is time to let him out of there”

 

AJ
“People whom you don’t see regularly only persist in your conscience when they make a more profound connection to your own emotions and spirit. Far more impressive than Subu’s intellectual acumen is his spiritual and emotional integrity. Such qualities of character are more precious and rare, and are what make Subu unique.”
–

 

“Subu is a morally conscientious person who holds himself to high standards. Inside prison, Subu navigated challenging people and circumstances on the strength of his honesty, trustworthiness, and his moral character. It pains me that a person of such brilliant and steadfast character is not allowed to fulfill his great potential and contribute to the larger world.”

 

CK
“In all my time knowing Subu, however, I can't say I knew of most of his accomplishments until only recently when I was told about them by others; I believe this speaks volumes about his humility. Subu always seemed to have the self-awareness and the wisdom to speak well and, more importantly, listen well to those around him.”
–

 

“I have talked about Subu frequently to my older child but to a five year old it is impossible to grasp the idea that someone capable, someone loving, someone innocent can be dealt a fate so unjust. It breaks my heart to have to tell him that this world is not always kind, even to those who are deserving of kindness. As a small child he insists a superhero will come one day to save Subu and that the good guy will always win. Subu is deserving of kindness and our world has dealt him an incredibly unjust fate. While there is no way to give him back the life that was so severely and cruelly taken away from him I hope I can tell my son someday soon that many superheros: a whole community of people, who love and see Subu for the truly amazing person that he is, were able to help him find the freedom he absolutely deserves.”

 

Professionals:

PE  (prison health)
“Given the collective instruction that Mr. Vedam has inspired, I am confident that Mr. Vedam will continue to be a productive member of society, particularly upon release. I speak from personal experience as a chief medical officer caring for inmates and managing our team of providers. I actively see patients within different prisons and as they transition out to halfway houses. I know you have likely seen many other letters reaffirming Mr. Vedam’s positive impacts on so many lives. His internal motivation, documented self-education, and capacity to motivate others demonstrates that he is more than able to be a productive citizen who can shape positively the lives of others if given the opportunity. I wholeheartedly believe Mr. Vedam is a gem whose amazing attributes should be shared in person with others.”

 

LM  (social worker)
“I have previously worked for three prisons [...] whereby I was responsible for managing the treatment programmes delivered which were designed to reduce the risk of reoffending. [...] One of the things which the general public can never truly understand is how enclosed an individual’s world view can become when they are incarcerated; it can feel like the prison is its own microsystem entirely separate from the wider society with its own structures, rules and norms. [...]  One of the things which struck me the most when I first started talking to Subu was how this was not the case with him and how he was different to many people I had met  previously. His interests are in the wider world and are not confined to Huntington Prison. I enjoyed our discussions about European politics, films, economics and how he thought society could be improved; he has a curiosity for the outside world which I have never known from anyone in his situation. This is important because the main concerns about when people are released after a long period is how they would adapt to life in the community. I have worked with people who have been detained for lengthy times, and there is no one that I would have more confidence to make that step into the community than Subu.”
–

 

“I believe that many of the family relations for individuals in prison are transactional or conditional; this is often because the person is focused solely on the world they now inhabit, they can’t relate to the outside world, and because of this they need something from their loved ones to help them survive, whether this is in the form of visits, money or gifts. However, this is far from the case with Subu where the love that he has for his family and they have for him is unconditional. I can’t describe how striking this is for someone with my professional background and how different this is to the norm. My first thought when I was asked to write this letter was about the love that he demonstrated for his family, how they would have known they were loved by him and how he would have known he was loved by them.”

 

AS  (mitigation specialist)
“Through countless letters and emails, I have gotten to know one of the most wonderful human beings I’ve ever encountered. As I’m sure you can tell from the many letters submitted on his behalf, Subu is a compassionate, empathetic, and peaceful soul. His excellent prison record speaks for himself; he has been a resident of the Honor Block for over 35 years and I know he has been an asset to incarcerated people and staff alike. From my experience working with people navigating lengthy sentences in prison, it is virtually impossible to endure 40 years of incarceration with clear conduct, a full resume of educational and vocational achievements, and a strong and growing network of social support—especially during a global pandemic. Yet Subu has accomplished it all.”

 

Family:

KN   (cousin)
“When I try to encapsulate everything that Subu means to my family, I picture a lone, bright light in a dark cell. In traditional Indian culture, we light candles and oil lamps in the evening. The light that drives away nighttime darkness also symbolizes the struggle of knowledge over ignorance. Subu represents this light though his love of books, his commitment to self-improvement, and the intellectual depth he brings to every conversation. He’s a Renaissance man, just as comfortable talking about calculus and economics as his beloved Nittany Lions or college football in general. Anyone who spends enough time talking to him wants to master that range of knowledge, too, whether by literally going back to school at an older age, like I did, or just reading more widely and regularly, learning new languages, or developing ourselves professionally and culturally.”
–

 

“ Subu’s desire to stay connected to the outside world and learn about places he’s never been (or hasn’t been since he was a young child) is remarkable. […] He can hold a conversation with my 8-year-old son, who likes pirates, as easily as with my 83-year-old father, who likes physics. When I visit with my wife and kids or with other family members, he talks to each person about whatever they’re interested in. Subu encourages all of us to pursue learning in whatever form best suits each of us.”
–

 

“A few minutes inside a prison can be a frightening and alienating experience. I can’t imagine a lifetime. But when Subu walks into the visiting room, I instantly feel better. He greets me with the biggest smile. Those of us on the outside should be there to cheer him up. Instead, he cheers us up! He never complains about his hardships behind bars. He wants to hear about what we’re all doing. Often, he’s kept in touch with distant relatives much better than I have, so he fills me in on everything going with the family.”

 

KR  (nephew)
“I grew up in India and my grandfather would encourage the family to write individual letters to Subu which he would aggregate and send to Subu. Subu would respond to each of us individually and even though we had never met in person it was as if he knew us intimately. He knew details of our life and would write letters tailored to each of our individual circumstances. For the 30 years I have known him, he has been a source of calmness and peace in my life. I go to him for advice and counsel as well as for friendship. He has the ability to make relationships spanning generations and maintain relations with people of all ages. It is not an exaggeration to say that Subu knows me better than all the other uncles and aunts I have despite the limitations on our relationship put there by his being incarcerated for 4 decades now.”

 

AL (niece)

“Having entered my late twenties this year, I often grapple with wondering what my life’s work should be or what my purpose truly is. Then, I think of my uncle. He has taught me that finding purpose means waking up and choosing to believe the little moments matter, because all the little ones domino into bigger ones. Subu has mastered what most will struggle to over the course of a lifetime – the art of creating meaning out of simple moments and living with an agency to be good and do good, regardless of trying circumstance. He leads us all by example.”

 

MI  (cousin)
Subu's peaceful and compassionate nature has been a constant source of inspiration for me. Despite his challenging circumstances, he has always remained focused on the well-being of others, both inside and outside the prison walls. His commitment to bettering the lives of those around him has been truly remarkable, and I am in awe of his selflessness.

 

JWM (brother-in-law)
“ Others may speak of his tutoring activity, but I shared one particular aspect of his service. I am a physician and Subu often asked me about health issues faced by his fellow inmates. Diabetes, hepatitis, obesity and arthritis are common in the inmate community. Health literacy is low among the imprisoned population. Health personnel in the prison may not have the time to educate patients regarding health issues. Subu frequently seeks plain-language explanations that he could share with his acquaintances. I believe he provides understanding and reassurance to many fellow inmates struggling with health concerns in isolation.

 

Although Subu has aided many members of the Huntingdon SCF community, it is his role as uncle, friend and counselor to my children that I value the most. My four daughters have only known their uncle “Subu-Mama” through the filter of incarceration. …. From my perspective, he has played a role as a parent. He has built an active relationship with each of them. He keeps track of their goings and doings even better than I. ….. He speaks with them on a nearly daily basis and offers the kind of unconditional support, advice, and affection that every child needs to grow. It takes a village to raise a child, and Subu has served as village leader and elder.”

 

ZCMV (niece)
“My uncle calls me every week. Our conversations are wide ranging – from politics, to books, to science and innovation, to my knitting obsession. In fact, he is one of my favorite people to argue with, always pushing me to critically examine my assumptions. The one consistency in our conversations is his genuine interest in my opinions and my life. He is always my champion. I have never met anyone with a wider range of interests or such a love of learning. Whatever topic we speak about, he is inevitably more informed and thoughtful or quickly becomes so. This is all the more remarkable given the severe limitations he has on his ability to learn about the outside world.”

 

SV (sister)
“ This community has, in part, sustained his natural curiosity, and yearning for knowledge of the changing outside world. But that cannot account for how he is viewed in the world he lives in. In the harshest and most complex environment for navigating relationships, he is somehow respected by guards and fellow inmates alike – known for his calm, his generosity, his willing donation of intelligence and resources, his dedication, and his mentorship. Yet, as his sister, I know that he does not walk lightly through this mire. He is deeply aware of the daily indignities and losses that his fellow inmates experience, both inside and outside the walls. Still he does not stop, still he is striving –not just to survive, but to thrive, both alongside and walking behind the next generation;

 

Subu has been my longest companion in life. We have shared so much – our beloved parents, cross-national identities, backyard sledding and swinging on a ladder, running behind and in front of bicycles, imaginary and real friends, the Indian diaspora, far away cousin brothers and sisters, the love of reading, teaching and mentoring younger ones, caring for our elders, most of all sharing a philosophy and ethic for living. He still calls me “Akka”, an endearing term for elder sister. It is my greatest dream that I will someday be able to welcome him home.”