Amid his sudden death — and scrutiny over past wrongs — Lawrence Phillips was a prisoner just like the rest of the inmates in Kern State — who had rights and may have had them violated on a daily basis.
Phillips reportedly complained — via letters to family and friends — that prison guards and staffers were harassing him on a daily basis leading up to his death.
Staffers reportedly played games with his mail and broke his television.
In letters sent to his old high school football coach — obtained by TMZ Sports — Phillips implied staffers at Kern Valley State Prison weren’t delivering his mail.
“The mail situation is terrible,” Phillips wrote.
“Everyone is pointing the finger at everyone else. I surely am not receiving all my mail as well as mail I am sending is not being received. There were two letters you mentioned that I never received. This new attorney has said he is addressing the issue.”
There’s more … in the letter, Phillips implies prison staffers also broke the TV in his cell … a 1-man cell that was segregated from the general population.
“I am allowed a television or a radio. They broke my television so I am listening to the radio. I get a lot more done without the television anyway.”
It was reported by prison officials — that Phillips committed suicide early Wednesday morning — but close friends and family aren’t buying that cause of death.
Flip the page to read Phillips letter in its entirety.
