Local Citizens Group Supports 'Second Look' Bill

Serving Harrisonburg, Rockingham County and Surrounding Communities
P. O. Box 434, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
https://www.vjcharrisonburg.org/

THE PROBLEM: Our Prisons are filled with people over sentenced  and costing the State of Virginia as much as $50K per person per year—10x what we spend per pupil in our schools. Many have aged out of the time when they are most likely to commit another crime. One in seven people in Virginia prisons, 4,193 individuals, is serving a life sentence or a virtual life sentence (at least 50 years). Since the 1970s, this number has increased by more than 90 percent. Currently, Virginia is ranked 20th in the nation for the number of people serving a life or virtual life sentence and 13th for the number of people serving a life sentence.

THE SOLUTION: IF PASSED, THE BILL WOULD allow certain people to petition the court to review and adjust their sentences if the person meets certain eligibility criteria and the court finds good cause to change the sentence. It is NOT a “get out of jail free” card.

A FACE FOR THE BILL: Jonathan Daryl White is serving multiple life sentences at Augusta Correctional Center. onathan was a 22-year-old Army veteran, a husband, father of two and fully employed with no prior criminal history when he was convicted. He has remained infraction free for his more than 42 years of incarceration.

I have had the opportunity to visit and correspond with 
Jonathan for well over a decade, and consider him and others
behind bars as valued friends. 

Jonathan graduated with honors from Indian River HS in Chesapeake VA and completed his Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Psychology from

Liberty University in 1996 while incarcerated. He has completed Advanced HVAC Technician Training, has a Universal 609 Automotive MVAC
Refrigerant Handling License, and has completed Advanced Training and Certification in Air Conditioning, Heat Pump and Electric Climate Control Installation for residential and commercial buildings.

While incarcerated, he earned apprenticeship journeyman trades in custom shoe manufacturing & as an industrial sewing mechanic. He also worked as a Chemical Technician in the Silk Screen & Sign Shop. He developed administrative office skills as Foodservice Director and Administrative Clerk and completed an apprenticeship as a journeyman Cook. His clerical computer skills helped the Foodservice Dept to incorporate a balanced computerized inventory control program.

He has developed a relationship with God as a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a Bible Study Coordinator. He has led Bible study classes, assisted in baptism, communion, and has delivered messages of faith to outside volunteers and inmates.

Jonathan has completed all available treatment and reentry programs and would be an asset to his community. He is not the 22-year-old man who came to VADOC 42 years ago, but the mature 65-year-old who has demonstrated that he deserves a Second Chance and a Second Look.

POST SCRIPT: Of the thousands in VADOC custody who are already eligible for parole or for geriatric release, the Virginia Parole Board granted parole to only two people in December.