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2021 Parole Release Numbers Remain Disappointing
Since Governor Northam directed the Parole Board to prioritize their review of Fishback vs. Commonwealth cases (where juries had not been informed that parole had been abolished when they recommended a sentence), many old law parole eligible offenders' cases were pushed to the back of the line. This and the recent controversy regarding the Board's decision in the Vincent Martin case appears to have contributed to the reduction in the number of releases granted.
So the January to May geriatric and general parole release numbers were only 56 for regular parole, 18 for geriatric release, and 15 with dual eligibility.
Meanwhile, with the COVID epidemic appearing to be under control in Virginia prisons, the DOC is no longer releasing prisoners early for those medical reasons as of July 1.
One State Is Offering Free Phone Service To Prisoners
Connecticut Governor Lamont recently signed a bill that makes all phone, video and email communication free, saving families $14 million each year and helping them stay connected to their loved ones, something that is vital to improving reentry outcomes. Connecticut is following the lead of jurisdictions like New York City, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Fransisco, and some other state legislatures are considering similar measures, though Virginia doesn't appear to be among them--at least not yet.
Rising Summer Temperatures Create Health Risks For Prisoners
An estimated 25% of prisoners in Virginia are in crowded warehouse-like facilities with no air conditioning, which is true of 18 prisons in all. Lack of available funding is always cited as the reason, but increased medical costs and greater unrest resulting from severe heat are causing concern among many lawmakers and prison officials.
Some prisons have been reported to offer extra ice packs and cold water to help alleviate the stress, but elevated temperatures can make living conditions almost unbearable, and getting a normal night's sleep can be a serious problem. And once room temperatures become greater than normal body temperature, more fans can actually make the stress on the heart worse, resulting in heat strokes and heart attacks that can prove to be fatal.
Mandated Sex Offender Programs Can Be Costly And Stressful
There have been numerous complaints by persons required to take part in prolonged sex therapy treatments that are made conditions of their probation and parole. Attendees are sometimes subject to the questionable use of polygraph tests that supposedly help therapists determine whether to certify that an individual has successfully completed the program.
Meanwhile, one group member I know was recently notified that the cost of required attendance at bi-weekly group meetings would increase from $25 to $35 per session, and that once he was in Aftercare, the fee would be $55 per hour-long group session.
Failure to comply (and pay) can result in participants being held in violation of probation.
Prisoners Lament Poor Quality Meals, Small Portions
The VADOC currently spends an estimated $2.26 to $2.55 per prisoner per day on food, or about $.75 to $.85 per meal, according to one source.
Prisoners and their families frequently complain that meals must be supplemented with canteen purchases in order to avoid having to go to bed hungry. Prisoners who can't afford commissary items often beg or "borrow" from others or work for food, as in doing odd and end jobs like doing someone's laundry, providing sexual favors, cleaning their cells, etc. Some owe their minimal state paychecks to the prisoner run store, which may charge prisoners from 1 item for 2 in return or 2 items for 3. It is believed that this does benefit prison staff and helps reduce theft.
Prison commissaries are stocked with overpriced junk food items like cakes, candies, cookies, chips, sodas, but offer very few healthy, nutritional choices and virtually no fruits or vegetables. Meanwhile, prison diets include a disproportionate amount of potatoes, rice, spaghetti or other pastas, along with breads, cakes and biscuits or rolls. These carbs quickly turn into sugar and result in increased feelings of hunger.
Food service is just one of many areas in which the VADOC is attempting to save money, but the health costs can be staggering, as prison diets contribute to increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and many other chronic health conditions.
HARD TIME Editor Is Moving
At the end of July my wife and I will move to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community's Park Village, where my address will be Harvey Yoder, 1540 Hawthorne Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. I will continue serving as an unsalaried pastor of our house church congregation and work part time as a professional counselor.
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