When a court orders the release of a lifer on parole, statistics show the parolee does not return to prison. But when the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) releases a lifer, some wind up back behind bars. Why this discrepancy exists remains a mystery, but it is confirmed by recently released statistics from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Some inmates serving life sentences and who were later denied release by the state parole board eventually took their cases to court and successfully gained their … [Read more...] about Courts may be better than parole board at determining parolee risk
Board of Parole Hearings
Como expresar remordimiento
Sugerencias de como mostrar remordimiento. Cuando se trata de expresar remordimiento muchos de nosotros, (lifers), fallamos en la manera que lo expresamos ante la Junta de Audiencias de la Prisión (el Board of Prison Hearings [BPH]) y en lo que en realidad los comisionados quieren escuchar. Aunque verdaderamente sintamos remordimiento. Por lo tanto muchos reclusos deben de hacer una introspección personal de su[s] crimen [es]. Esta examinación debe incluir: asumir responsabilidad, mostrar remordimiento y hacer … [Read more...] about Como expresar remordimiento
CCWP advocates mount a fight to end LWOP
Advocates are mounting a fight to end the other death penalty—life without the possibility of parole. These “hidden death sentences” mean prisoners must live the rest of their lives in “prisons with extraordinarily high suicide rates, with substandard medical, dental, and mental health care and with scant rehabilitative programs. Prisons rife with gang violence, racism, and despair,” said Kenneth Hartman in a Truthout article. Hartman was recently released from a life without possibility of parole sentence by the California Parole Board, … [Read more...] about CCWP advocates mount a fight to end LWOP
After 22 years Antoine Brown is a free man
After receiving a commutation of his sentence from Gov. Jerry Brown, Antoine Brown became the latest Kid CAT member to be found suitable for parole. “During his 22 years of incarceration, Mr. Brown has demonstrated a clear commitment to his rehabilitation,” Governor Brown stated in his Dec. 23, 2017, commutation of Antoine Brown. “Mr. Brown committed a senseless crime, but he has shown a clear rejection of violence and gang activity for many years. In light of his age at the time of his crime, his positive conduct in prison, and … [Read more...] about After 22 years Antoine Brown is a free man
Sueños Que Se Desvanecen Libertad Condicional
“Me siento muy decepcionado con el sistema de mi país,” comentó Joe Ibarra de 85 años de edad, al San Quentin News. Ibarra es originario de Harlingen,Texas, pero sus padres son Mexicanos. Ibarra señaló las dificultades que enfrentan los reclusos de edad avanzada en las prisiones de California. “Soy uno de los pintos más viejos en el sistema,” añadió. Ibarra, junto con Ramón Pineda y Antonio Mancilla, de 74 y 76 años de edad respectivamente, han purgado más de un siglo en prisión por homicidio en segundo grado. Una entrevista … [Read more...] about Sueños Que Se Desvanecen Libertad Condicional
Restoring a community through healing dialogue
More than two dozen survivors of crime crossed the heavily riveted steel doors at San Quentin to face prisoners convicted of serious crimes, including murder. One of the key conclusions was that a healing dialogue is needed to improve communication between survivors and perpetrators. The event was held Oct. 27-28 in the Protestant Chapel. Participants included prisoners, crime victims and families of victims, prosecutors and criminal justice organizations. Dina Phillips has experienced the effects on both sides of crime. “Over 22 years … [Read more...] about Restoring a community through healing dialogue
Commutation granted to John Vaden
After serving 15 years of a 19-year-to-life term for second-degree murder, John Vaden received an exceptionally rare commutation from California Gov. Jerry Brown. In reaching his decision in April, the governor wrote, “Mr. Vaden’s crime has profoundly impacted (his victim’s family members), several of whom wrote to me to oppose clemency and express their enduring pain… “Nevertheless, after carefully weighing this matter, I have concluded that Mr. Vaden has earned the chance to make his case before the Board of Parole Hearings so they can … [Read more...] about Commutation granted to John Vaden
Higher age, fewer write-ups boost parole chances
Recent legal and regulatory changes have vastly improved the likelihood of an inmate being granted parole. During the past decades of California’s “tough on crime” era it seemed like a soccer game. No one ever seemed to score a parole grant. It was not just the parole board “referees” calling it close. If you were breathing, it seemed like you were issued a red card and ejected from the match. There is now a real chance of being found suitable for parole. In addition, we have a governor who is much less likely to revoke the board’s … [Read more...] about Higher age, fewer write-ups boost parole chances
Study explores lifers going before the parole board
California is releasing more lifers on parole, according to a Stanford University report. Between 2008 and 2015, the parole grant rate increased from 8 to 25 percent for those who appeared before the Parole Board in 2015. “Parole has been viewed increasingly as a means of managing the state prison population,” according to the April 2016 Federal Sentencing Reporter (Stanford Report). This has not always been the case. Between 1980 and 2008, the grant rate for lifers was virtually zero. Not only were there few grants, California’s reliance … [Read more...] about Study explores lifers going before the parole board
How lifers get better parole board deal
For decades, lifers were rarely found suitable for parole. Now more than 20 percent are being paroled. Why? Thanks to changes at the legal, executive, as well as an initiative petition and administrative levels. Many more prisoners will now have access to parole because of the passage of Proposition 57 in November 2016. It will likely allow thousands more inmates to go before the parole board. That’s great news for the men in San Quentin who yearn to go home. Now they just need to understand how to take advantage of the changes. In this … [Read more...] about How lifers get better parole board deal