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September 08, 2007
Parole for VA Prisoners
Dear Supporters:
Do you have or know of an incarcerated person that is eligible for parole per the Sentencing Statue? Has been denied Continuously and Solely Due to the Serious Nature of the Crime and who has served an abundance of their sentence. (i.e. Conviction of 30 years, parole eligible/pre-1995 Sentencing, has served over 10-15 years, for the past 90% of the time served has maintained an exemplary conduct annual review/charged free, yet has been denied continuously and solely due to the serious nature of the crime).
Listed below are a few things you can do to assist with parole board reform:
1. Write, fax, email, call Governor Kaine and all the Senators that reside on the Senate Committee for Social Service and Rehabilitation requesting the establishment of a Parole Board Oversight Committee and why you believe there is a need (i.e., parole board administrative record of denying parole continuously and solely due to the serious nature of the crime). In your letters, we at RIHD suggest that you give a brief summary of the prisoner whom you believe has atoned, repented and shown rehabilitation and is NOT a threat to society. Feel free to enclose supportive documentation's and copies of all denials. Please make package as brief and too the point as possible. We ask that though you may be requesting on your incarcerated loved one, that you speak on behalf of the 9,000 mass of Virginia Prisoners.
Reminder: This is the State Election Year. Whether you have an incarcerated love one or not, whether they are parole eligible or not. Understand you, Joe and Latoya Public who are REGISTERED voters have the power to bring about Change, Resolution, Healing that goes towards Saving Lives and Communities. Make no mistake, RIHD does not endorse a blanket release of parole eligible, only those who have served, rehabilitated, are no longer a threat to our community, with a responsible reentry plan, in accordance to the sentencing and parole board guidelines without prejudice (i.e. warehousing of human beings in prisons for economic gain for the rich and powerful and for justifying the waste of taxpayer dollars for unnecessary new prisons).
Suggestion: When contacting any/all elected officials, let it be known that you are a "registered voter"; you support "smart" legisative laws that goes towards reducing crime and reducing recidivism. (i.e. The Prisoner Good Conduct, Mandatory Literacy Bill Patron Henry L. Marsh; Parole Board Guidline Patron Delegate M. BaCote; Senator Yvonne Miller)
It's been said many times "Todays Prisoner is Tomorrow's Neighbors," do unto others as we would want others to do unto us. Haven't we all made mistakes, maybe a crime for which we didn't get caught? For those who did and has paid their debt, who have "earned" a second chance, let's afford them the opportunity. Contact the Governor today, for tomorrow, he too may look for our support as President.
2. RIHD has endorsed a prewritten Parole Board Reform Letter/Petition addressed to the Governor. Those who wish to obtain a copy can do so by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the below address, or pick up a copy at any/all upcoming RIHD meetings and events. This letter is powerful, written by the prisoner for public awareness and support.
RIHD - Parole
PO Box 55
Highland Springs, Virginia 23075
3. Be in attendance and give support during the October 20th Prisoner Awareness & Feed the Homeless Day at Monroe Park in Richmond, Virginia. If you wish to be a guest speaker or speak on behalf of a VA prisoner, please contact Sean: vaprisonjustice@riseup.net Deadline: October 1, 2007
RIHD
PO Box 55
Highland Springs, Virginia 23075
(804) 562-2123
www.rihd.org
Posted by lois at September 8, 2007 11:39 AM