Another Heartwrenching Parole Turndown

Minor Junior Smith

By now I should be used to hearing news of deserving prisoners being turned down for parole. In our state scores of individuals behind bars who have been infraction free for decades, and who have proven themselves good citizens in the worst kind of neighborhood imaginable, nevertheless are turned down for parole time and time again.

But the rejection letter blind poet and author Minor Junior Smith sent me this week was especially heartbreaking. At 72, and incarcerated for 47 years, Mr. Smith, far from being a threat to society, could be a tax-paying asset to any community, in spite of his age.

The letter, identical to all of the dozens I've seen before, states in part, "The Board, in determining whether you should be released on parole, considered a number of factors, including, but not limited to, whether your release would be compatible with public safety and the mutual interests of society and you; whether your character, conduct, vocational training and other developmental activities during your incarceration reflect the probability that you will lead a law-abiding life in the community and live up to all conditions of parole, if released...

"...In accordance with Virginia Code Section 53:1-155 and in consideration of the factors listed above and the information available to us, The Virginia Parole Board's decision to not grant parole on February 13, 2019, is based primarily on the following reasons:

• Release at this time would diminish seriousness of crime
• Crimes committed
• Serious nature and circumstances of your offense(s)
• History of violence

"While this may not be the answer you hoped for, please continue your hard work...etc., etc."

As aways, there is no recognition given to the fact that Mr. Smith, in this case, is blind, has already served 47 years of hard time, is legally eligible for both geriatric release and release on the basis of an exemplary record of behavior while in prison, has been an exceptionally hard worker during that entire time, was recommended by his counselor and other prison personnel for release, and has gone out of his way to help others, especially other visually impaired inmates.

Here's a link to earlier post on Mr. Smith:
https://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2017/06/blind-poet-at-70-still-yearns-for.html

To read one of his poems:
https://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2017/02/hard-time-virginia-volume-2-number-2_25.html

And here's a link to send appeals to the Parole Board:
https://vpb.virginia.gov/contact/

And to the Governor: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services/communicating-with-the-governors-office/