UPDATED May 8, 2008
I visited Debra on March 11, 2008. She was in good spirits. She always appreciates hearing from those who are concerned about her. She may not be able to write everyone back, but she does appreciate the contact. There is another Debra Rogers in prison and mail has been mixed up...sometimes Debra has not received all her mail. Be sure to CIRCLE her number on the envelope. Also, be sure to have your complete mailing address. I'm quoting from what I had written before
Debbie loves to get mail. She told me that she can feel the power of all the prayers of those who have cared for her. She is praying for those who pray for her. She asked me to tell everyone writing to please be sure to be sure to have your exact, complete return address with your full name included. You can’t just have a last name and an address. Also, no initials. Such mail will immediately be returned to the post office from the prison. She often gets notices that she has had mail sent to her, but because the return address was not properly written, the letter was returned. You are not allowed to send anything having monetary or exchange value in the letter such as stamps. You are not even allowed to send her stationery to write back. Books cannot be sent to her from a private individual. They have to be ordered from a place like Amazon and shipped directly from there.
Debra Rogers 5070-496
Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women
P.O. Box 337
Pewee Valley, Kentucky 40056
UPDATED March 30, 2006
Yesterday, March 29th I visited Debbie Rogers who is imprisoned at the
Kentucky Women’s Correctional Institution. It’s been almost eleven years
since I had seen her. That was in the summer of 1996 shortly after Bev and I
moved to Indianapolis. Our last visit was like yesterday. It’s hard to
imagine that it was eleven years since I seeing Debbie. I think often of
her, but have simply not gone down to visit her.
Mark Winner, pastor in Louisville arranged for me to make a clergy visit.
She is only allowed two non-clergy to be on the visitors list outside of
family. I followed her high profile case in 1992 when I worked in Church
Administration in California. I was very sad when I heard about her
conviction and sentence. She was a member of the Worldwide Church of God and
is now a member of the United Church of God.
While I normally don’t discuss people I visit, I do have Debbie’s permission
to tell some about her to acquaint her with you and her life and for those
who like to write to her.
When I entered the prison, all I could have in my possession was my photo
ID, ordination certificate and car key. Nothing else was allowed. Then I was
sent through the same kind of security device that you go through at
airports. Then a young lady working in the chaplain’s office area walked me
through many doors, past razor wire fences until we got to the chapel on the
grounds which is an island of kindness. Otherwise, the women’s prison is
huge and foreboding. It has a population of 700.
At the chapel I met good-natured chaplain Kenny Talbert who first gave me a
tour of the chapel and explained the work that he and volunteers do for the
ladies. They have services every day in the chapel. He does three services
on Sunday and the rest of the week volunteer churches come in to do
services. I understood that 500 of the 700 women participate in church or
Bible Study. I told Kenny that in my 37 years in the ministry I did not do
much in the way of prison visits. He replied, “then you must have a lot of
good people in your churches.” I had to think about that for a second.
Then I was led to an office where I met Debbie again. She looked great. She
had a sparkle in her eyes and no way looked like she had been imprisoned for
15 years. We had no trouble conversing, catching up from where we left off
last. Her health has been fine. We talked for an hour and half.
Two years ago her last parole appeal was denied and no more appeals are allowed.
The good news is that the sentence is going to be shortened and she will be
out in late 2009 which is in less than three years. By how quickly time
flies, it will be no time when she is free.
I was impressed by her faith and outlook on life. A visitor can easily see
that being locked up could make you angry, resentful, withdrawn, bitter and
more. Debbie does not show any of this. She is hopeful and understanding
without a harsh word about anyone at the prison. She has learned to cope
with the challenges.
Debbie loves to get mail. She told me that she can feel the power of all the
prayers of those who have cared for her. She is praying for those who pray
for her. She asked me to tell everyone writing to please be sure to be sure
to have your exact, complete return address with your full name included.
You can’t just have a last name and an address. Also, no initials. Such mail
will immediately be returned to the post office from the prison. She often
gets notices that she has had mail sent to her, but because the return
address was not properly written, the letter was returned. You are not
allowed to send anything having monetary or exchange value in the letter
such as stamps. You are not even allowed to send her stationery to write
back.
One thing Debbie would like are a few books. I asked her for some titles,
but she said she will think about it and let me know in a letter. Books
cannot be sent to her from a private individual. They have to be ordered
from a place like Amazon and shipped directly from there.
Debbie works as a supervisor in the bulk mail facility at the prison. The
State of Kentucky uses the women’s labor to mail all kinds of government
printings. Her group of women processes about 600,000 pieces of mail a year.
We visited privately in an office with glass doors. Through the glass we saw
a group of people come in with babies. These were the children of mothers
who were imprisoned and this was a volunteer group that came in once a week
for “bonding time” when the mothers could hold their babies.
Debbie and I talked about her family. Her two children have brought her a
great deal of joy. One is studying at a major university and the other is studying at a culinary school in France.
I would love to help Debbie all I can with the transition from 17 years of
imprisonment back to freedom in a few years.
She will be keeping the Passover alone again as she always has. This year
for the first time they are allowing her to listen to a prerecorded Passover
service.
We ended our visit with a prayer. I felt emotional especially at this
self-examination time of year when we look at the very underpinnings of
life: God, good, evil, sin, forgiveness, repentance, hope and love. We
prayed about learning from suffering as Christ did.
It was a wonderful and meaningful visit.
Debra Rogers 5070-496
Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women
P.O. Box 337
Pewee Valley, Kentucky 40056
UPDATED March 6, 2005
Debra's hearing did not go well. Her parole request was turned down and it appears that there will be no more parole hearings. She could really use encouragement and you write to hear at:
Debra Rogers 5070-496
Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women
P.O. Box 337
Pewee Valley, Kentucky 40056
UPDATED November 6, 2004
Debra Rogers is coming up for a parole hearing on Tuesday November 9, 2004 and has asked for prayers on her behalf.
UPDATED June 12, 2000
Debra Rogers wrote us a wonderful letter. She is doing well and wishes to thank all who have been praying for her. She is very happy for her children who are doing well. Her daughter graduated from high school this past year and was chosen as one of only two graduating seniors in Indiana to be a presidential scholar. She will be going to Washington D.C. in late June 2000 where President Clinton will present her with a medal.
Debra is thankful to all who have written her from the address given on this website but she regrets not being able to answer every letter. The regulations changed regarding receipt of stamps, so she has to purchase them directly from the prison canteen. Her monthly allowance is very small. Debra asked me to let everyone that she may not always respond right away, although she appreciates receiving mail.
She asks for your prayers. It's sometimes difficult to stay in a good attitude, especially at anniversaries and birthdays of the children. She is thankful for God taking care of her...and has had no problem observing the Sabbath and Holy Days.
Debra would appreciate getting a listing of prayer requests and will continue to be a "prayer warrior" for others.
-Vic Kubik
July 26, 1996
Debra Rogers is serving a 28 year sentence at a women's correctional institution outside Louisville, Kentucky. She has almost 23 more years to go. Debra is a member of the United Church of God. She would greatly appreciate getting mail from some of you.
I don't guarantee that she will be able to respond to all mail right away, however, she told me that she'd love to hear from some of you.
She is very encouraged by those of you have gotten her address here and have written to her. It helps here feel more connected.