New Parole Chair Meets With Buckingham Men

The Honorable Chadwick S. Dotson has been  appointed as
chair of the new Virginia Parole Board (TimesNews photo)

The new Virginia Parole Board Chair Chadwick S. Dotson is to be commended for taking the time to meet face to face recently with two groups of parole eligible men at the Buckingham Correctional Center and to respond to their questions and concerns. It remains to be seen whether the chairman's promising words will translate into more actual releases for those deserving of a second chance, given the fact that the newly appointed board (yet to be officially approved) released no one in March and only two individuals in April.

Charles Zellers, Sr., incarcerated for over 29 years and currently serving time at BKCC sent me a summary of the notes he took at this unprecedented meeting, as follows:

Notes from 11:30 am Friday, May 13, 2022 with Chadwick S. Dotson, Parole Chair, who described his mission as follows:

> Parole eligible inmates are not just a number but human beings.

> Governor Youngkin believes in second chances deeply. He told Chadwick Dotson to be serious about second chances.

> Chadwick Dotson wants to improve outcomes for parole eligible inmates and their family.

> Chadwick Dotson meets with board members once a week face to face or virtually over a computer screen.

> Chadwick Dotson will encourage other board members to listen to all who speak on behalf of parole eligible inmates.

> Chadwick Dotson knows that the crime will never change and he is working on a solution to provide parole eligible inmates more feedback on reasons for denial of parole (other than the seriousness of their crime.

> Chadwick Dotson wants parole eligible inmates to have face to face examinations with board members

> Chadwick Dotson wants to hear that inmates are remorseful and understands how my choice affected my family and the victim's family. He is more concerned on who we are today. Wants to know if he and his board members can take a chance with releasing people like me.

> Chadwick Dotson said if you committed my crime before age 25, let him know because studies have shown the brain is not fully developed until age 25.

> Chadwick Dotson said he came to Buckingham today so that he could look us in our eyes and tell us personally that he believes in parole and that he voted for parole.

> Chadwick Dotson has to convince other board members and society that inmates deserve second chances.

> Chadwick Dotson said that he has never been a politician. Parole eligible inmates are the biggest stakeholders. The parole process needs to be fair and transparent.

> Chadwick Dotson said he will be working every day to improve outcomes in the parole decisions.

Chadwick Dotson ended his speaking at 11:42 AM.

Then the following questions were taken:

1). Q. How will you prove to us that you believe in parole?

A. By the way the board will conduct business in the future.

2). Q. At what point will the board no longer allow the victim input to be the deciding factor for release? Some will never forgive.

A. Victim input is only one part of the parole process. He is working on some things he didn't wish to comment on today.

3). Q. What if a parole eligible inmate claims his innocence?

A. On day one he told the parole board investigators that if someone claims they are innocent they are to get to the bottom of it immediately.

4). Parole board members need more face time with other board members.

5). Appeal process - The Parole Board needs to provide better feedback to parole eligible inmates.

6). Chadwick Dotson, said that the Parole Board is not serving us parole eligible inmates well. He said that he did learn that today from us.

7). Chadwick Dotson is working on a structured decision-making process.

8). Chadwick Dotson said Virginia's parole system is currently not a fair system and he plans to fix it.

9). Chadwick Dotson said that not having a Home Plan is not a good reason to deny someone parole.

10). Chadwick Dotson said that it didn't matter to him what a person's crime was but he said he can't speak for the other members. Each parole eligible inmate should be judged individually.

Zellers' comments: Over all, I think that the new Chairman, if he was being truthful, will be the person to get us out and the parole system in Virginia fixed where it is fair for all.

I am launching H.O.P.E. IN VIRGINIA ("Helping Offenders who are Parole Eligible") and appreciate any help and support for the parole release of deserving individuals. In my case, my elderly ailing mother Judy Zellers needs me home to care for her and her affairs. 

Please contact the Virginia Parole Board at 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225 (804-674-3081) and let them know your concerns, or send an email https://vpb.virginia.gov/contact/.

Respectfully requested, Charles E. Zellers, Sr. 

Thank you for your time, efforts and concerns.