An Appeal For Prison Reform From The Inside

Charles Zellers has a stellar record of behavior over his nearly forty years of incarceration,and has been a positive role mentor for many younger incarcerated men at Buckingham and now at the Deerfield Correctional Center. Since he will likely not be eligible to serve on the Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections, I am posting some of his practical concerns here.

1). Remove the Keefe Group, LLC, from Commissary and Personal Property and allow Walmart, Sam's Club, etc. to bid on the commisary contract. Those who will provide inmates commissary and personal property at the lowest possible prices, lower than Keefe's.

2). Offer the following items on commissary and personal property:
> 1/8" = 1'0" scale drafting templates
> 3-ring binder
> Sharpie Pocket Style Highlighters, Assorted Fluorescent, chisel tip
> carbon paper
> healthier food items
> Reeves Sketching pencils - 12 artist grade - graphite
> Sharpie Highlighters Jumbo - assorted fluorescent colors
> wireless 2-way Headphone Splitter

3). Correctional Centers should be all about getting basic education, and should function as normal grades 1-12 schools. No one should be in regular school over 12 consecutive years. Once the inmate receives a GED, the inmate's case manager should look to see where the inmate will be released to, the businesses in that area that need help, or transfer the inmate to the facility that could provide him or her with the job skills needed to be released in that area.

4). State Prisons (Red Onion & Wallens Ridge): These two prisons should be used for the Incorrigible inmates only. Those inmates who refuse to follow their treatment plan such as obtaining a GED, Vocational Trade, Self-help Programs, etc. Housed in a separate housing unit shpuld be those with life and no possibility of parole and are willing to work.

5). Undercover Bosses: Insert undercover bosses into each VADOC facility secretively with only VADOC's Head of Security, Director, and other heads knowing. No one at the facility should know. Not even the Warden because they could be doing illegal things too.

6). Undercover Inmates: Selected inmates could have their reading or prescription glasses equipped with cameras to record the wrongdoings of staff.

7). Repeal Code of Virginia Section 53.1-190. Hold Account that authorizes VADOC to withhold a maximum of $25 from each inmates account until released. Move $25 to a new High-Yield Savings account for each inmate.

8). Repeal Code of Virginia Section 53.1-43.1. Savings Account that authorizes VADOC to withhold a maximum of $1,000 from each inmates account until released. Move all up to $1,000 to a new High-Yield Savings Account for each inmate.

9). High-Yield Savings Account (Fixed 6% APY tax free): Open each inmate their personal high-yield savings account that pays a fixed rate 6% APY that is tax free. 10% of all inmate received funds shall go into this account. The inmate can only remove funds from this account if s/he has a minimum of $25,000, is released from prison, has a medical code that will not allow the inmate to work any longer or has a terminal medical diagnosis.

10). Inmate Pay Increase (COV 53.1-32.1(c)(5)):
> unskilled pay increase $0.27 to $1.35
> semiskilled pay increase $0.35 to $1.75
> skilled pay increase $0.45 to $2.25
> ADA/Caregivers, Group Facilitators, Peer Mentors, Recovery Specialists and SAFETE Aides from $1.00 to $3.00 per hour

> Certified Peer Recovery Specialists and Vocational Aides/Tutors from $1.25 to $3.25 per hour

(these increases barely reflect the inflation rate since the current wages were set)

11). In-person and Video Visits: Every Inmate housed within the VADOC shall be allowed in-person and video visits with any immediate family member. This will include niece, nephew, great niece and nephew as long as they are with their legal parent or guardian. This includes all with barrier crimes or who have to be on the registry upon release. Those with sex offenses will be released one day too.

12). Close Marion Correctional Center: I have heard so many horror stories about how the staff at Marion C. C. abuses the inmates, I believe it should have an undercover boss and an undercover inmate housed there to investigate for 6 months to a year.

13). Governor Abigail Spanberger should work at reducing the VADOC population: Virginia prisons are overcrowded and understaffed leading to decompensations when left unmonitored. The inadequate training and unprofessionalism allows manipulations and extortions that lead to a humanitarian crisis.

14). VADOC is not protecting its disabled inmates. State law requires disabled inmates to be housed in a manner that provides for their Safety and Security. COV 53.1-266 and Virginia Administrative Code 6 VAC 15-45-530.

15). Online Services: Allow VADOC inmates to purchase online their local hometown newspaper or the one where their home plan is located.

16). Online Services: Unlimited access to career employment, vocational and job skill training apps and instructional videos. For example: Business and Office Management, College courses, AutoCAD, Computer-Aided Design, Drafting, Modeling and Rendering, Landscaping, Computer Game Design, Educational Games, Personal Finance, Adobe (Photoshop, Reader, PDF, PDF Layering), Technical Writing, Website Design, House Building, Surveying, Solar System Design and Installation, etc.

17). How To App: You type in what you want to know how to do and one or more How to videos pulls up and you watch them. FREE for ALL inmates.

18). VADOC Television: ALL VADOC Prisons shall have the following educational television stations and video series such as:
> Dirty Jobs
> Discovery
> HGTV
> How It Is Made
> Made In Virginia
> Modern Marvels
> MSNBC
> This Old House
> TVLAND.

Summer Edition Of A Newsletter For Prisoners

The Parole Board's mission is to assess an individual's readiness for release based on whether they have been fully "corrected" and rehabilitated during their Department of Corrections stay, and not to base their judgment on the seriousness of the crime or on the wishes of the original prosecutor or the family members of the victim. Victims and their families deserve every possible form of restitution, but not mere  revenge.

 HARDTIME VIRGINIA Summer 2026 Vol. 11, No. 2

 An occasional newsletter by and for the incarcerated, Harvey Yoder, editor 

What’s Up With The New Parole Board?
     Most of us were hopeful that the newly appointed Parole Board sworn in in March would be more generous in offering release to deserving men and women in prison. In its first official (April) report, however, it reported on the cases of only two persons, neither of them interested in parole, apparently determining they would be better off waiting until they were to have a clean discharge. In May the Board noted eight persons being continued on parole and on four having their parole revoked, with only two releases granted, each because of a terminal illness.  
     While this may seem puzzling, my understanding after talking with others with the same concerns is that the board is getting themselves set up with a process for making the best possible decisions while receiving a lot of new information to train themselves, as none of them have ever done this before. I know they’ve been interviewing incarcerated folks, just not making final decisions until they have a better understanding. They had also requested that the full implementation of the HB1030 bill creating objective criteria on which to base a release be in place  a year later to give them more time to get that into their system and to fully comply with its provisions.
    The reality of having a whole new board after the last one only said 'no' is that it requires five new people to learn what to do without anyone having any prior experience, and it has taken even more time because they are actually making a point to receive input from advocates and returning citizens in a way that has never been done before. 
    Three representatives from our Valley Justice Coalition, for example, were able to meet with members of the board for an hour last month via Zoom to share our concerns. So there is reason to believe a little delay now is better than a bunch of rushed decisions. With their jobs and the administration's reputation on the line, they will more likely resort to 'no' when hurried.

Governor Spanberger’s Press Conference Offers New Hope
      In a June 23 news conference with DOC Director Joseph Walters and Secretary of Public Safety Stanley Meadors, Governor Spanberger noted significant improvements in DOC stats on incidences of violence, lockdowns, drug overdoses, and the use of solitary confinement. She also used this occasion to announce the formation of a Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evnFkzYhed8.
     A major issue she did not address, however, was the need to reduce the number of persons incarcerated in the commonwealth, numbers which are causing a strain on a system lacking in necessary financial and personnel resources.

VDOC Posts “Second Chance Stories” on YouTube
     Three of us from the Valley Justice Coalition recently met with DOC Director Joseph Walters and nine of his staff for a conversation about prison reform. One of the ideas we suggested was that VDOC create a website highlighting the successes of individual “graduates” from the Commonwealth’s “School of Corrections.” None of us really expected this to be taken seriously, so we were pleasantly surprised to learn that Walters almost immediately directed a member of his staff to work on this. The result is 20 video-recordings by incarceration survivors, stories that inspire hope and will hopefully add to the public’s willingness to support second chances.

From The Editor’s Mailbag
• David Annarelli at Haynesville had a piece published in the recent Georgetown University’s American Criminal Law Review. He also has frequent commentaries on prisonradio.org and has his own website at https://davidannarelli.substack.com/
• Jeff Smith at Buckingham has drafted a bill to amend the code of Virginia by adding a section establishing a Second Look Resentencing Review for individuals serving life sentences for non-homocide offenses.
• David Carmichael at Lawrenceville has also drafted a bill, one that would provide for new work release and furlough provisions for deserving people, noting that  people who are able to enter society with a portfolio are far less likely to recidivate after their release.
• Charles Zellers, Sr. at Deerfield is seeking someone on the outside to build a small dwelling on a rural property his sisters have acquired in Lunenberg County.  He hopes to develop a community of homes on the property for incarceration survivors.
• Steve Colosi at Buckingham has created a “Roadmap to a Successful Parole Interview,”emphasizing factors like maintaining good posture and eye contact, accepting responsibility, expressing remorse, being precise and to the point in answering questions, and avoiding playing the victim or assuming the Board will be persuaded by stressing your family’s need for you or how much you deserve release.
• Shawn Weneta, a formerly incarcerated individual and a professional consultant, provided his Richmond Times column about the looming crisis in healthcare costs the DOC faces with a rapidly growing geriatric prison.

• William Thorpe, who has spent years in solitary confinement and has been transferred to a Texas prison, is advocating for a mandatory review of all sentences after a determined number of years.

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

To Send Christmas Cards To The Incarcerated

Forever Christmas. I like that.

I heard from a record number of people who sent cards to incarcerated persons last Christmas, and am again encouraging individuals, families and congregational groups to do so this season. 

The names below are of some folks with whom I have had some correspondence, and who I know would appreciate some good tidings from the outside.

One suggestion for selecting names would to put yourself alphabetically where you would appear on the list, then write to those whose names are next to yours. This way those at the top of the list won't get a disproportionate share of holiday cards.

Unfortunately, I only have addresses here for men. There are also two state prisons for women in Virginia, and the number of women behind bars in our prisons and jails is growing.

With each card you can include things like a copy of an inspirational piece or your family's Christmas newsletter. Regrettably, the Department of Corrections now makes photocopies of the envelope and its contents to be given to the prisoner, but getting any kind of mail is always appreciated, and for all too many, an all too rare an occurrence. 

Note: What you send may weigh no more than one ounce, and include no more than a total  of three items. Do not include cash, checks, postage stamps or prepaid envelopes. 

Mr. David J. Annarelli 1853639
Haynesville Correctional Center
421 Bergenfield Road
Haynesville, VA 22472

Mr James Bender, 1010837     
Lunenburg Correctional Center 
690 Falls Rd 
Victoria, VA. 23974-2213
 
Mr. Brian E. Brubaker 1315055        
Dillwyn Correctional Center
P.O. Box 670
Dillwyn, VA 23936
 
Mr. Brian Cable 1198947    
River North Correctional Center
329 Dell Brook Lane,
Independence, VA 24348

Mr. Kenneth Creamer 1398090
PSCC
P. O. Box 518
Pocahontas, VA 24635
 
Mr. Lawrence Davis, 1443841      
Keen Mountain
3402 Kennel Gap Road
Oakwood, VA 24631

Franklin A Debrot, 1950673
Dillwyn Correctional Center
P.O. Box 670
Dillwyn, VA 23936

Mr. Stephano Colosi, 1037581     
Buckingham Correctional Center
P. O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936-0430

Erich Ferguson 1179348
Lunenberg Correctional Center
690 Falls Road
Victoria, VA 23974
 
Mr. Branson Fink, 1011319 3
Bland Correctional Center   
256 Bland Farm Rd
Bland, VA. 24315

 Mr. Robert Davis Fitchett, 1035660       
Buckingham Correctional Center
P. O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936-0430

Lloyd Lamont Kip Gaither 1168875
Greensville Correctional Center
901 Corrections Way
Jarrett Va 23870

Mr. M. Steven W. Goodman 1028377     
Lawrenceville CC
1607 Planters Road
Lawrenceville, VA 23868
 
Mr. Robert Vernon Hostetter, 1054419       
Nottoway CC
2892 Schutt Road
Burkeville, VA 23922

Mr. Pernell Jefferson 1016207      
Buckingham Correctional Center
P. O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936

Mr. Preston King 1485660
Coffeewood CC
12352 Coffeewood Dr
Mitchells, VA. 22729

Mr. John Lafon 1151231
Greensville Correctional Center
901 Corrections Way
Jarratt, VA 23870-6914

Mr. Daniel Leneave 1084415
Lawrenceville CC
1607 Planters Road
Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Mr. John Livesay, 1108120 
Baskerville CC
4150 Hayes Mill Road
Baskerville, VA 23915 

Mr. Chander Matta, 1171204
Buckingham Correctional Center
P.O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936

Mr. Thomas Melnyczyn, 1007916       
Lunenberg Correctional Center
690 Falls Road
Victoria, VA 23974

Mr. Ronald Miles, 1067348    
Haynesville CC
421 Barnfield Road
Haynesville, VA 22472 

Mr. John Nissley, 1148222      
Buckingham Correctional Center
P.O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936
 
Mr. Kenneth R. Pack 1063808     
Buckingham Correctional Center 
P. O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936

Mr. Larry Patterson 1116462
Deerfield Correctional Center
21360 Deerfield Drive
Capron, VA 23829

Mr. Brandon Poff 1188921
River North Correctional Center
329 Dell Brook Lane,
Independence, VA 24348
 
Mr. Timothy Rankin 1208262     
Lawrenceville CC
1607 Planters Road
Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Thomas Reed-Bey 1112804
LVCC
1607 Planters Road
Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Mr. Thomas Roberts #1180343
Greensville Correctional Center
901 Corrections Way
Jarratt, VA 23870-6914

Mr. Khalid A. Shabazz 1157998
Keen Mountain
3402 Kennel Gap Road
Oakwood, VA 24631

Mr. Minor Junior Smith, 1158588 (blind)
Deerfield Correctional Center
21360 Deerfield Drive
Capron, VA 23829

 Mr. William Thorpe 2261982
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
P.O. Box 660400
Dallas, Texas 75266-0400

 Mr. Jerry Treadway 1021558
Lunenberg Correctional Center
690 Falls Road
Victoria, VA 23974
 
Mr. Jonathan D. Turner 1941213      
Coffeewood CC
12352 Coffeewood Drive
Mitchells, VA. 22729-2046

Mr. Daryl Van Donk, 1681547
Dillwyn Correctional Center
1522 Prison Road
Dillwyn, VA 23936

Mr. Michael Wallace 2105386
Lawrenceville CC
1607 Planters Road
Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Mr. Richard Webb 1174188       
Buckingham Correctional Center 
P. O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936

Mr. Jonathan D. White 1161021
Lawrenceville CC
1607 Planters Road
Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Mr. John Bennie Williams 1091323 (blind)     
Deerfield Correctional Center
21360 Deerfield Drive
Capron, VA 23829
 
Mr. Charles E. Zellers, Sr. 1036758      
Deerfield Correctional Center
21360 Deerfield Drive
Capron, VA 23829

If you prefer not to include your home address with your letter, and don't have a post office box, you could have the person respond to your place of worship or work, or to P.O. Box 434, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 and I'll relay their message to you (assuming I have your phone, email or other contact information). In my many years of corresponding with incarcerated individuals I have never had any problems resulting from disclosing my home address, but some do recommend against it.

And here's a link to a local citizen's group, the Valley Justice Coalition, if you are interested in becoming involved in criminal justice advocacy https://www.vjcharrisonburg.org/

HARDTIME VIRGINIA Fall 2025 Vol. 10, No. 3

An occasional newsletter by and for the incarcerated, Thanksgiving edition.

Voting Rights Restored by Virginia's Last Four Governors

Bob McDonnell (R) 2010–2014  10,000 Made rights restoration automatic for nonviolent felons who completed their sentence and any probation or parole.

Terry McAuliffe (D) 2014–2018  173,000  The Virginia Supreme Court blocked his attempt to issue a blanket order, so he began a streamlined, individualized review process for people who had completed their sentences.

Ralph Northam (D) 2018–2022  126,000  Removed the requirement for felons to complete parole or probation before having their rights restored.

Glenn Youngkin (R) 2022–2026  fewer that 4,000  Ended the automatic restoration process and returned to a case-by-case review, which has significantly slowed the pace of restorations.

Parole Board Grants Zero Releases in September

Of nearly 200 cases reviewed members of the Board were unable to find a single person they felt the VDOC had actually “corrected,” not even among those eligible for geriatric release. They did revoke the parole of four persons, however. Meanwhile, some men at Lawrenceville have come up with a 14-point rating scale that would give the Board a more objective way of making their decisions. Our Valley Justice Coalition has submitted these criteria to our local delegate, who is considering drafting it into a bill to be presented in the General Assembly in January. We’re praying for a positive result, and will keep you posted.

From the Mailbag

Regardless of the circumstances and conflicting emotions of our lives, God wants us to practice gratitude, knowing it will remind us of His love and power and enhance the quality of our lives. To Kingsway Prison and Family Outreach, I express my gratitude: Not only are they supplying me with spiritual guidance in the absence of our prison chaplain, they are assisting me in typing my first publication. Thanks! - Minor Junior Smith (legally blind), Deerfield Correctional Center

I proudly told my interviewer I had been in self-imposed sobriety on 3/3/01. I was floored when he told me my record showed I tested positive for opiates in 2019. It took me two years to finally got it cleared from my file. I had received Narco from Medical for radiation burns from throat cancer treatment.” - Daniel Leneave, Lawrenceville Correctional Center

I know good and respectful men here with over 50 years in prison. A friend of mine, Charles Zellers, had Covid and will have to be on oxygen all his life. Another friend, Minor Smith, is blind. Medical costs are going up, with prisons filled with old people. What could they do to hurt anyone?                            - Kenneth Pack Buckingham Correctional Center

Milestones by Friends on my Mail List

Steve Colosi and Thomas Reed-Bey, earned degrees, Greg Widener was granted parole earlier this year, and sadly, Henry Gorham, Jr., 69, died of cancer at the Greensville Correctional Center on July 10, one day after being denied release for health reasons. He had served 30 years.

A Much Appreciated Get Well Card From Friends at LCC

I was humbled and deeply grateful for a card signed by some good men at Lawrenceville Correctional Center. It arrived on the day before my surgery at UVA, where I had a small malignant tumor and a couple of lymph nodes removed from my neck. Nothing appears to have spread, so thanks for your prayers! 

Dear Harvey Yoder, May God's grace and mercy strengthen you every day. You are in our prayers on behalf of the men here. - David Carmichael

My friend, My prayer for you is that God has already healed you!   -Brother A. Parker

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in hope of a blessed healing. God bless you! -R. Robinson

Dear Harvey Yoder, May Allah continue to bless you in your struggle, and overcome it. I would like to thank you for your help!  - Muwakki S. B. Shabazzz

ou are in our prayers, Mr. Yoder. Hope you are doing okay and God looks obver you and your family and all of us. Take care, and God bless.  - Tim Rankin

Thanks for your love and work for us! God bless.  -Randy Clark

"When Jesus heard that, he said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of Man might be glorified through it.'" My dear brother and friend, You are always a shining light on my path and a sweet blessing in this journey of life. I pray daily for your healing. Thank you for being that special person in my life. Amen!  - Jonathan White

Mr. Yoder, May God bless you in all all you do on our behalf.  - Darrell Willis

The LORD is with you, mighty man of God. Be encouraged and know he is by your side. - Brother Lopez

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all your labor. By Jesus's stripes you are healed. Be blessed. Carl 😋

"For I will restore health to you, and will heal you of your wounds, says the Lord."

 JEREMIAH 30:17

Praying that the light

of God's presence

will chase away

every shadow of illness.

Wishing You

Health and Happiness!

****************************************

Editor Harvey Yoder co-chairs the Valley Justice Coalition, P.O. Box 434, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. He welcomes letters, and may sometimes quote from them unless you say otherwise.

Two More Deaths At Deerfield Prison Last Week

Deerfield Correctional Center houses over 1000 men, many with serious medical conditions requiring costly tax funded medical care. According to someone there I regularly correspond with they currently have no full time MD on staff. 

Last week's deaths were not untypical, with one person dying of cancer who had just been put on chemo, and the other with severe heart disease.

 Here are the names of some persons who have agreed to meet with Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections Chadwick Dotson at an upcoming visit of the facility. 

1) Charles Zellers, 1036758

Born: 04/10/68 (Age 57)

COMPAS Score: LOW RISK for General or Violent Recidivism
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Long COVID, severe sleep apnea, severe Peripheral Neuropathy, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Dupuytren's Contracture (both hands), and he must be on 2 Liters of continuous supplemental oxygen.
Home Plan: 1/3 ownership of home at 723 East 6th Avenue, Kenbridge, VA, with his two sisters
Financial Goal: To be on Full Disability
Mandatory Release Date: N/A
Infraction free over 25 years
First time in prison.
January 2026, would have served 33 consecutive years.

2) John Thomas Carter, 1419465
Born: 06/04/56
COMPAS Score: ?
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Legally blind, had reconstructive surgery to face, has a tube in his trachea to breathe, severe headaches, intestinal issues, and etc.
Home Plan: Live with son and daughter-in-law in Farmville, VA
Financial Goal: Social Security
Mandatory Release Date: 10/??/42

3) Denny Coggin Melton, 1177600
Born: 03/05/1954
COMPAS Score: ?
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Black lung, Cancer, Diabetic, COPD, etc.
Home Plan: To Brother Allen Thomason @ 28 Clover Hill Drive, Stafford, VA 22554 (540) 846-1550
Financial Goal: Social Security
Mandatory Release Date: N/A

4).Jackson Puckett, 1456242
Born: 10/19/51
COMPAS Score: LOW
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Stage 4 Kidney Disease, broken screw in neck (makes him shake), needs pacemaker, needs cataract surgery, type 1 diabetic, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hiatus hernia, acid reflux disease, and etc.
Home Plan: Own home at 403 Fields Avenue, Blue Ridge, VA 24064
Financial Goal: Social Security
Mandatory Release Date: 08/11/31

5) Linwood T. James, #1095666
Born: (Age 67)
COMPAS Score: Low/Low
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Back issues, disabled veteran
Home Plan: Live with sister
Financial Goal: Social Security, Veterans Administration
Mandatory Release Date: N/A
Infraction free 20 years
Served 37 years

6) Troy L. Weeks, 1037843
Born: (Age 58)
COMPAS Score: Medium/Low
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Crohns Disease, Hypoglycemic, Pancreas problems
Home Plan: with brother in Vinton, VA
Financial Goal: Working with DOC or P&P as a Peer Recovery Specialist
Mandatory Release Date: Single Life (Fishback)
Infraction free 17 years
Served 29 years

Some others willing to meet:
1) Dennis Ray Graves, 1176500 - Legally blind
2) Minor Junior Smith, 1158588 - Legally blind
3) Richard Palmer, 1092784 - Legally blind, Diabetic, Diabetic Neuropathy, Lower Back issues, Circulation issues, etc.
4) George Edward Cooley, 1135561 - Dementia
5) Oscar Lee Robbins, 1119888
6) John Bennie Williams, 1091323 - Legally blind

Heartbreaking And Hopeful Words From Inside

HARDTIME VIRGINIA Spring 2025 Vol. 10 No. 1 

(an occasional newsletter by and for the incarcerated) 

Excerpts From The Editor’s Mailbox (edited for brevity and clarity)

“I have been suffering from Long Covid and recently from congestive heart failure due to being taken off the Lasix my pulmonary doctor had ordered. I was at the hospital for a week and was feeling good when I came back to the facility. Then the Lasix that the hospital sent with me was kept from me for two days and I filled back up with fluid. The Nurse Practitioner ordered that I be given 40 mg of Lasix, but when she saw me the next day and I was still filled with fluid, she sent me to another hospital. They gave me a Lasix injection but not my KOP Lasix.     

“Meanwhile my aging friend, who is blind, is lying in the infirmary here waiting to die, along with others. Very sad. And my aging mother really needs me to help take of her, so I’m praying for a long awaited parole release after decades in prison.”  - Charles Zellers, Sr., Deerfield C.C.

“Instead of wasting millions on hired labor for unnecessary, oppressive ‘security measures’ the VADOC should be using the willing skilled labor available to create a campus community with adult literacy programs, music and art programs, and critical thinking and leadership classes, all of which are proven to help break the cycle.  Adding 21st century based vocational training like IT and coding would likewise be wise to supplement the existing HVAC and electrician classes which are the only real blue collar job training options.” - David Annarelli, Lawrenceville C. C.

“What got me in prison initially was one count of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery and two counts of use of a gun, for which I was given a sentence of 13 years. This was in 1980. What  Virginia is using to keep me in solitary confinement is that in my early years of imprisonment my response to the corruption and barbarity of the Virginia prison officers was to get physical with them, as in a 1996 incident when I and a couple of guys took a number of prison guards hostage and a couple of nurses as a statement against conditions at the prison, all of which has added a total of 80 years to my time.  Yes, criminal convictions are criminal convictions, but I can say I never physically harmed anyone. All of my convictions are as a black man against a savage and dehumanizing system.”       

- William Thorpe, now in solitary confinement in Texas

“On the day before my birthday two officers came to my pod and told me to pack up for a transfer. I was told that my DOC time was over and I was being sent to a jail. My mind was blown. Did the courts release me? Did some kind of good time bill cut my time? I quickly picked up the property I would need at the jail.  We had just received canteen items, but I figured my friends could celebrate my good fortune so I blessed them with it. That night I hardly slept. At around 9 am on my birthday the transportation officer picked me up. The jail was less than an hour away, but then I was told I was going to a different prison. “No, I am not,” I protested. My DOC time is over and I’m to go to a local jail.” “Not according to this,” the officer said, as she looked at the paper work. I was numb. I asked why they would do this to me and she said, “I have no idea.” About a month later my counselor sent an email admitting she had made a mistake. No apology, No accountability. No excuse. The problem of getting an ombudsman involved is that if you write stuff up using a grievance process you will likely face retaliation.”    

 - anonymous prisoner                                                                                                            

One Parole Release in January, None In February or March

In a recent visit to Lawrenceville Correctional Center Parole Board Chair Patricia West made it clear that she will never agree to grant parole in cases where individuals have committed serious violent crimes. Period. This in spite of its mission to do for “those whose release is compatible with public safety.” This also assumes that the Department of Corrections is incapable of “correcting” the individuals it incarcerates, and that the DOC is primarily a “Department of Punishment.”

Jonathan White and a friend at Lawrenceville are proposing legislation that would require the board to base their decisions on clearly defined criteria as outlined in a 14-point “Inmate Parole Criteria Score Sheet.” The following is from their introduction to the proposed legislation:

In Virginia parole has always been recognized as a societal good by all political parties for prisoners who have demonstrated rehabilitation and pro-social positive behavior. The parole system is a reflection of the penal system functioning as an institution of reform and transformation of individuals.

However the current board’s decision making has resulted in the lowest parole grant in the history of Virginia, not a mark of distinction. For the year 2024 the grant rate was a scant .5%, a mere 16 people… In total, approximately 3,200 of 24,000 women and men are parole eligible under existing law.

 The main reason for the abysmal parole rate, contrary to most people’s beliefs, is that the Board has no standard criteria for parole. Each member has their own voting concept. So for the five members there are five unknown criteria each prisoner has to overcome.

So how can the General Assembly fix the current parole voting system and ensure public safety? The answer is to release individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and have transformed their lives and that they will be successful returning citizens.

We need elected officials to radically change the Board’s decision-making process by passing a law that establishes a viable Static voting Criteria the Board must adhere to, one that establishes justice with fairness. The current board’s modus operandi was established in the 1940’s and is akin to boilerplate language, “Not Grant,” “Seriousness of the Crime,” etc. 

All crimes are serious but these continuous decisions undermine the idea of true criminal justice reform, rehabilitation and fairness.

The common sense attached amended C.O.V. 53.1-134.2 establishes a Compulsory Parole Criteria the Board must follow:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

That the code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 53.1-134.2 as follows: 

53.1-134.2 Parole Board compulsory voting requirements: parole criteria.

(this is followed by a four-page text of the bill and a 14 item score sheet) 

Feel free to contact Jonathan White 1161021 at LCC, 1607 Planters Road, Lawrenceville, VA 23868 with your comments or questions. ********************************************************

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

This year's Christmas newsletter to some of my incarcerated friends

    Holy and Happy Holidays!__

HARDTIME VIRGINIA, Vol. 9, No. 3                                     December, 2024

an occasionaol newsletter by and for Virginia prisoners

Sadly, Not Many Will Be Home For Christmas

Charles Zellers at Deerfield CC  writes: "I’ve been away from my family for 31 Christmases. Not being with my loved ones never gets any easier. I miss them very much. They used to visit me on holidays and we would eat sandwiches and snacks from a vending machine in the visiting room, but the DOC no longer permits that. Anyone used to be allowed to visit, but now my children are not even permitted to bring my grandchildren to visit me because of my offenses nearly 32 years ago. I have been parole eligible since July 30, 2005. I've not had a write-up March 1, 2000, but I'm continually being denied. How many times am I going to be punished for the same offenses?"

 

Jonathan White at Lawrenceville CC laments that here have been only 16 releases granted by the Virginia Parole Board from January through October of 2024, as follows: Discretionary parole, 4; Geriatric parole, 7; Dual parole: 2; Terminally ill medical release: 3.

Two Organizations Accuse Parole Board Of Policy Violations

In a letter dated October 14, 2024 the Virginia ACLU alleges the Virginia Parole Board is in violation of Va. Code § 53.1-136, which states they are to “Convene a public meeting . . . 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 letter goes on to say, “Further, whereas the Virginia Code previously required the Board to conduct a thorough investigation into each person being considered for parole, HB 2169 / SB 1361 provided that: All information collected through such investigation shall be made available to the prisoner or his attorney, provided that (i) neither the prisoner nor his attorney shall further disclose, reproduce, copy, or disseminate such information in any way and (ii) the Board shall redact all personal information of the victim. Va. Code § 53.1-155. 

 

Also, according to Karen Morrison, founding member and president of Fighting 4 Freedom, there have been 140 parole eligible applicants from August to September who have had only two Board members voting on their cases, specifically those who are serving life for homicide crimes. Given the fact that some members never grant parole releases in such cases, this is not likely to affect the outcome, but it is nevertheless contrary to official Board policy.

Wise and Encouraging Words From Two Men at Lawrencevillle

 

“Why do we spend our whole lives running from problems, sadness, hurt, and pain? God has promised all of us PEACE, JOY, and HAPPINESS, as we keep FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE in our hearts. Jesus himself went through misery.”                                        - John Crider

“Unlike people who waste their time being miserable... build and renew your character within you, because today is the day you can be your very best YOU, even when Christmas in prison seems to be no more than a gift in a empty box.”                         - Jonathan White 

The Startling Story of the Stolen Stihl

I gave myself the gift of a brand new chain saw back in 2009, a smooth running Stihl 250.

Some months later, just before Christmas, we had one of the heaviest snow storms ever. Soon thereafter, on a cold day while I was at work, a friendly stranger came to our door and asked my wife if he could shovel out our lower drive--for a modest fee. Among other things, he explained, he had just been awarded visitation of his ten-year-old son and needed some extra cash to buy him some things for Christmas.

While my kindhearted spouse had never met the man before, he seemed pleasant enough, and we did need more parking space cleared for holiday guests. So why not have him remove the snow, she thought, to surprise me and to do a needy person a favor?

“Just return the shovel to the utility room when you’re finished,” she said, “and I’ll have your money waiting for you there in an envelope.”

Meanwhile, she went about her work and only occasionally checked to see how he was doing. A phone call she received near the time he was finishing prevented her from actually seeing him leave, but when she checked everything out, she found the lower driveway clean, our shovel back in its place and the payment gone, so she felt satisfied that all was well. She also excused herself for the extra generous payment she had left for him. After all, it was Christmas.

When I came home that evening and learned about my wife's surprise move, I assured her it was fine. Whether or not his story was entirely true, I figured, it's always better to err on the side of generosity.

It was not until the next morning that I discovered my new chain saw, stored in the aforementioned utility room and with the word "stihl" emblazoned on it in bold letters, was missing. Just plain gone, nowhere to be found.

My wife was devastated, in spite of my assurances that a chain saw was quite replaceable, and that she needn’t be hard on herself. I also promised I would report the missing saw in case it showed up in a pawn shop somewhere and could be recovered. “Maybe I just loved my new toy a little too much,” I joked.

Much to our surprise, the sheriff’s deputy assigned to the case showed up with the stolen Stihl the very next day, Christmas Eve Day. “Here’s your saw,” he said, “Merry Christmas. And just to let you know, the gentleman who took it will be spending his holiday in jail.” Which seemed fair enough, on one hand, but we couldn't help feeling sorry for anyone having to be behind bars at this special time of the year.

But the story doesn’t end there. Over the next year we had a series of conversations and an exchange of letters with our unexpected friend. We learned he had earned the position of “trusty” in his jail pod and was scheduled to be released December 24, 2010, exactly a year after being locked up for stealing my Stihl.

In one of his letters he wrote, “Yes, it's a blessing to be leaving here on Christmas Eve. It makes me feel special to know God has plans for me.”

Among those plans was to spend his first months of freedom at Gemeinschaft Home, a local recovery and re-entry program for ex-offenders, Upon release he, like so many others who have ever been incarcerated, faced the daunting task of finding a job, a decent place to live and the kind of treatment and support network people need to remain free of their addictions.

I say, "God, please bless them every one."     

Harvey Yoder, editor