Sentencing Reform
On January 1, 1995 Virginia abolished parole leaving individuals to serve 85% of their sentences, earning little or no good time credit to be released back into their community. August 11, 1995 I was arrested at the age of 18. I was sentenced to 35 years. I have dedicated myself to, at least, reform and rehabilitate my life. The task hasn't been easy. I've made a lot of mistakes while in prison but I've never stopped striving to better myself as a person. While incarcera
On Recidivism
They say that Virginia has the lowest recidivism rate. I suppose so being that they don't want to let people out of the cinder blocks! The sad thing about it all, is that the ones they do choose to release are the recidivists! What about the rest of us? Those of us that would return to society better and would be citizens in good standing? What happened to our chance? Would it be because they know that they could no longer receive the funds to hold us as "wards" of the sta
Bring Back Parole in 2019
"Rehabilitate" is defined as being restored to a former capacity, rank, right, or health, but being redeemable is more in line with the goal of incarceration as it describes the aim to recover or rescue by paying a price. The price that a felon has to pay is the debt to society. Now one must consider not only the mind state at the time of the act that led to prison, but also the circumstances. According to members in the science community, the male mind doesn't fully mature u
Reinstate Parole for Real Prison Reform
Regarding prison reform, if there will be no chance of re-instating parole, then there must be a way for the incarcerated to earn more "good-time" credit especially if they demonstrate rehabilitative skills and have a positive institutional adjustment. Also, sentencing is biased on the financial stability and sometimes education of an offender. Offenders with deeper pockets that could afford attorneys are sentenced to lesser sentences for the same crimes that those without pa
Federal Prison Reform and the State
Recently Congress passed a prison reform bill attacking harsh sentences in a bipartisan effort to address injustices within the system which have resulted in mass incarceration. Many people are under the impression that this also applies to the states. What must be understood is that this is only for the Federal Prison System. In order for any type of prison reform to take place in Virginia, the General Assembly has to pass it through legislation first. I have had to explain
