Fair Parole Initiative

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.

Juvenile offender Dontavien Harrison was a teenager lost and made mistakes. 

Now, 24 years later Dontavien is a man with goals, dreams, and aspirations.  Read Dontaviens brief story....

 I fall under juvenile parole and my current date for my next parole hearing is on September 12,2024
Hi ,how yall doing??my name is Dontavien Harrison,& I'm an inmate at state farm correctional center. I've been incarcerated since May of 2000, which I was only 17years old at the time of my offense.. Throughout my incarceration I've attended numerous programs, classes and seminars ..I've taken and completed every class that has been guideline for me to do in my treatment plan and I've also taken extra steps to insure that I'm growing and learning from these programs, such as victim impact, thinking for a change ,restorative justice and cognitive behavior interventions for substance abuse , I've been an teacher aide in DCE, as well as I've been in numerous vocational trades and have just recently completed electrical. I've been turned down on 3 separate occasions and the most common reason for denial is.. I need to serve more time and I need, longer stable adjustment. which I've been charged free for over 3 years. At the time my home plan is pending because as a grown man and as someone who has spent his entire life incarcerated, my plan is to go to an transitional house upon release instead of going with any family members because its so many things and responsibilities that I have to learn on my own. Life as I once knew has changed a lot, so overall my plan is to use the tools that I've learnt over the years to show my growth and hopefully one day soon, I'll get a chance to be a productive citizen back into society. 

17 Year Old Offender whom is now a man, changes his life and has a bright future. Read the brief story of Maurice Harris....

This is not just another man that’s incarcerated, he’s not just another prison number. His name is Maurice Harris who was given 168 years for armed robbery and other charges where no one lost their life. He was a 17 year old boy who could not read nor write, looking to fit in, got with the wrong crowd and made a bad decision one night. Now 26 years later he has taught himself to read and write received his GED, completed numerous trade classes, and is now in his last semester in college. He’s a mentor to his peers, he works in the re-entry resource center, received no major infractions, no dirty urines. However he qualified for juvenile parole and every year the answer is always the same “NOT GRANT”. 1)No for release at this time will diminish the serious nature of the crime, 2) need to serve more time ,3) Need to show a longer period of stable adjustment. You claim you believe in second chances but do you really??  Do you even care that he has a family and friends willing to make sure he has everything he needs to succeed. If you would just say “granted” he could give back to himself, his society and his family at an age where he is able to show his growth. He is scheduled to go up again this month let’s pray they finally see his change and allow him to give back !!!