HARDTIME VIRGINIA, Vol. 9, No. 2 Summer 2024

This is a little news sheet I send to some of the prisoners I've heard from over the years:

How Can Communities Help Returning Prisoners Succeed?

     According the US Bureau of Justice statistics, at least 95% of all state prisoners will eventually be released, ready or not. Due to Virginia's Earned Sentence Credit (ESC) bill that went into effect in July, the Commonwealth will see up to 2000 prisoners released early over the next two years, with 870 already having been granted their freedom on July 1.

     Some people, including Virginia's Attorney General, fear this will make communities less safe, given the fact that 82% of those currently being released from prisons are rearrested at least once within 10 years, and 43% within their first year of freedom. 

     There is reason to believe, however, that those released through the ESC bill will prove to be an exception to those numbers. All will have completed certain required reentry programs, have proven to be dependable workers at their prison jobs, and have been infraction free for an extended period of time. In other words, they will all have demonstrated hard work and responsibility in meeting goals that contribute to their success. 

     The other vital factor affecting their success will be the support of caring and engaged communities. In the state of Washington congregations have offered mentoring and support to returning prisoners through a One Prisoner, One Parish program, in which communities of faith adopt someone with whom they correspond and visit while in prison, then offer care, friendship and practical help as needed when they return to their communities. 

     According to the Harvard University Criminal Justice Policy Group, seven factors are critical for successful outcomes, adequate healthcare, gainful employment, affordable housing, necessary skill development, one on one mentoring, and supportive social networks. Caring communities can be a vital part of helping individuals access all of these.                       

- Harvey Yoder, editor

Is The Virginia Parole Board In Violation Of SB 1361?

     What follows is from the text of a bill enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia May 12, 2023 that gives specific directions about how they are to make and report their decisions, as in “An Act to amend and reenact Section(s) 2.2-3703, 53.1-136, 53.1-154, and 53.1-154, and 53.1-155 of the Code of Virginia…”

     In addition to the other powers and duties imposed upon the Board by this article, the Board shall:

     9. Ensure that each person eligible for parole receives a timely and through review of his/her suitability for release on parole, including a review of any relevant post-sentencing information. If parole is denied, the basis for the denial of parole shall be in writing and shall give specific individualized reasons for such denial to such inmate, and

     10. Convene a public meeting, either in person or via video conference, when conducting the final deliberation and vote regarding whether the Board will grant parole to a prisoner. The prisoner being considered for parole or his attorney shall be permitted to attend such meeting either, in the Board's discretion, in person or via video conference. The victim shall be permitted to attend and participate in such meeting either, in the Board's discretion, in person or via video or phone conference or to provide written or recorded testimony. No decision to grant discretionary parole shall be made by the Board unless such decision was discussed and debated at a meeting at which a majority of the Board members were present. Whether the Board grants or denies discretionary parole to an inmate, each Board member shall identify his/her reasoning for such decision at the time such member's vote is cast.

A Survivor of Childhood Abuse Shares His Story

     

     My name is Richard “Rick” Webb, and I am serving a life sentence without parole in Virginia. I am a survivor of childhood sex abuse and of being bullied when I was a child. I know that I am not alone and that most never take things to the extreme that I did. I understand, and for anyone hearing my story for the first time, I own my crimes, acknowledge the terrible harm I caused, and I am truly sorry for what I did.

     For years I didn't know how to talk about what I went through nor did I know how to handle hearing that the reason I went through some of what I did was because my aunt and my mom were also both victimized as children by the people I shot, their parents (my grand parents).

     These were among the very people who didn't try to help me when the one and only time as a five year old I tried to let them know I was being molested, nothing was done but to tell me to be quiet. Over the next several years I would deal with other sexual traumas from outside of the family, and all of these went unreported and were left unchecked. They finally boiled over after over 12 years of pain and depression.

     I committed my crimes when I was 18 years old, still young and immature in so many ways. Emotionally I was still a little boy with no clue as to the longterm ramifications of my actions.

     I hit rock bottom in prison. But without any hope for freedom I set out to help people who have been, or still are, dealing with trauma. I became a mentor to my peers, creating and teaching my own version of a conflict resolution class as well as a communication class. I've completed just about all classes offered to prisoners over the years.

     I've remained institutional infraction free for the better part of the past 23 straight years. I've been in honor pods at multiple institutions, I've had the sensitive area jobs in prison that are normally reserved for those of us who are not trouble makers.

     There is so much more. but I'm trying to keep this as short as possible. Should people be willing to help me and others like me in our fight for freedom, it would be deeply appreciated.

Richard "Ric" Webb 1174188, Buckingham Correctional Center

The Virginia Parole Board Released No One In July

     In light of the Virginia Parole Board’s mission “to grant parole or conditional release to those inmates whose release is compatible with public safety,” one wonders what the current members of the Board are being paid for. They approved two persons being continued on parole, but no one was granted either a discretionary or a geriatric release in July. 

     Here are the total numbers so far for 2024: Continued on Parole: 11, Discharged Sentence: 1, Geriatric Release: 4. Discretionary Release: 2, Dual Discretionary and Geriatric Release: 2, Terminally ill: 3, Total Grants Released on Parole: 11.

     This is unbelievable.

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"Remember those who are in prison, as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as though you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

Harvey Yoder, editor, Valley Justice Coalition, P.O. Box 434, Harrisonburg, VA 22803

I may not always be able to respond promptly to every correspondent but I do value hearing from readers.