Fair Parole Initiative

 
Hello, Forty Strong!   

This is my first time writing, my name is Christopher James Moltz#1159242, I am currently incarcerated at RNCC. I'm writing concerning Fishback parolees and parole eligible citizens, I've been up for parole four times now and have been denied for (Need to serve more time on my sentence) (need more work trades) The crime in Question (1st degree murder) Happened in DEC. 1997. The circumstances in my case are rare and its shocking that I'm still in prison after all these years. The sole purpose of Fishback law was so fair sentences would be passed down by jurors!!! My argument is that the current parole board is NOT granting on these criteria. The parole board should consider that, If I were to be RESENTENCED today with the same circumstances of my case, I WOULD BE SENTENCED TO LESS TIME THAN I HAVE ALREADY SERVED!! Fishback inmates were originally ruled to be resentenced, but eventually were just made parole eligible, to save taxpayer dollars and time off the courts dockets. I believe all Fishback inmates should address this issue at there next parole interview/hearing. And maybe hire a attorney who could argue for resentencing for ALL Fishback eligible citizens incarcerated in Vadoc facilities. thank you for your time and hard work!! Oh yeah, I just recently graduated from level 2 brick masonry here at river north and attended graduation, Now I have to wait FIVE years to take another trade??? Parole eligible citizens incarcerated in Vadoc should not have to wait FIVE years to take another trade!!! please inquire Vadoc about this policy if possible? or address both these issues in your next newsletter? Thank u again!! Christopher James Moltz (gizmo)
 

 Good afternoon, my name is Joseph Royall

How's it going? In answer to these questions I see in the latest Newsletter, I'm under the juvenile parole bill. 1st let me start by making it known, this parole board doesn't care about Juvenile or none of that there, they don't respect that. I've already had 3 hearings, (should've been 4, but D.O.C. does what D.O.C. does every time something is about to go our way...they started screaming about needing at least a year," to study the costs and impact. ") I've already served 25 out of 33 years of my sentence. I turned 17 in custody; I'll be 42 on the 28th of this month!! I got my G.E.D. in 2001. I have 7 certifications in HVAC already, and I'm waiting to get in the welding class. I completed Serve safe just to have something to do that'd be almost a year ago now! I've been turned down 3 times so far, and it's pretty much the EXACT same wording that the old law guys get (1). Serious nature/circumstances of the offense (s)(2) release at this time would diminish the seriousness of the offense. (3) the parole board concludes you should serve more of your sentence prior to release on parole supervision. In only one instance, the board added a fourth," Your case was reviewed under the juvenile statutes. (The ones that nobody seems to have ever seen, and so far, as I've been able to gather, have never been published.) That was the subject, in part of my appeal that time. My home plan is in northern Virginia where my dad is, where I'm from. (I've considered it a sign that all the way down to this day, the parole board has never even attempted to contact my people to verify the information.) If that wasn't enough, unless it's simply a misprint, The parole board is using my original good time release date as if that were my discretionary parole date. release date prior to the enactment of the juvenile bill was 3/8/29...my discretionary parole release date is shown as 3/8/29!! At that rate, they're telling me flat out, I got nothing coming. Hopefully, things that benefit others will come through, but, at this rate I've already told my people don't expect anything from this board,' cause I don't. Well, in closing, should you need anything further to help out, reach out, I'll try to get my brother Mr. Eric Rogers to send the most recent picture of me. J. Royall
 

Greetings Honorable Senators,

 Always hoping you are well! We typically get 100 plus emails from our members every week. Over the past month or so we've been sorting through Fair Parole Hearings letters. Its certain mitigating factors in a letter that makes it stand out. Here's one by James Gating--Bey... 

Top 5 Standout Points

* Mr. Gatling -Bey had no adult or juvenile arrest history at time of his offense.

*Guidelines recommended 23-38 years, but he was sentenced to life. 

*22 years old at time of offense now 49 years old.

* Has NEVER had an intuitional infraction-----22 years NO infraction!

*A Reentry mentor will live with his mom and has a job ready.

Dear 40strong,

My name is James Gatling-Bey, and I am a member and facility leader at Pocahontas State Correctional Center in Pocohontas, Virginia. I am sending my story in hopes of being included in the bios collected for a second chance. 
I was arrested in 1997 and convicted in 1999 of first-degree murder. Although I didn't have any prior arrests as an adult or juvenile and although my pre-sentence report gave my guidelines as 23 - 38 years (30 being my midpoint), I was given a life sentence. 
I was 22 at the time I was arrested. I turned 49 a couple of months ago. Since being incarcerated, I have been charge-free the entire time, have maintained employment, and completed many programs. 
I currently work as a re-entry mentor. I have also been employed as a head cook, regular cook, teacher's aide, and an inmate advisor. I have completed courses in Anger Management, Breaking Barriers, Thinking for a Change, Cognitive Restructuring, Decision Points, and most recently, been certified as an Interactive Journaling Facilitator. I also graduated from curriculums in Custodial Maintenance as well as How to Start, Own, and Operate a Small Business. 
My mother has recently relocated to Maryland and she has room for me in her residence. I also know someone who is familiar with my cooking experience and is willing to offer me a job in a restaurant if and/or when I am released.  
I've spent nearly 27 years growing into someone my family can be proud of. I'm just asking for the chance to prove it.
Sincerely,

James Gatling-Bey 40 Strong Member.