Our Member's spotlight

We have chosen Douglas Johnson as our member of the month!

Congratulations to the participants of the victim impact-related "416-2-911 RUNNING CLUB" program at RNCC. Due to the years-long waiting list for the Victim Impact Program at RNCC, incarcerated military Veterans took the initiative to start a running club in honor of the victims in their cases, their families, and their own families. The running club also doubles as an empathy-building, mentoring/peer-support program.

On 4-16 (2007), there were 32 Virginia Tech students and faculty members killed in a mass shooting. On 9-11 (2001), there were 2,977 people killed in the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

In the five months between 16 April and 11 September, the twenty-man Veteran and non-Veteran running club ran a combined total of 2055 laps (222 miles) around their recreation yard. On 9-11, they closed out their run with an Army cadence.

The requirements to be in the running club:
1.) Request to be added to the RNCC Victim Impact Program wait list.
2.) Watch the VADOC Victim Impact video (on JP6 players).
3.) Participate in H.O.P.E. (Helping Ourselves Progress and Evolve) Self-Awareness Program discussions/conversations.
4.) Intend to stay infraction-free, and
5.) Most importantly, to realize that they are running with a purpose.

If we are genuinely striving towards personal growth, it is critical we realize our crimes still have a tremendous ripple effect on others. The greatest service that we can do now, is to not waste the time they are serving in prison.

Although program opportunities and mental health services may be severely limited while we are incarcerated, let us all continue to take the initiative in creating our own opportunities for our personal growth.

DOUGLAS V. JOHNSON, II (#1937011)
RNCC Veterans Support Group
Mentorship Committee Chairman"
http://www.jpay.com/IncomingMailView.aspx#:~:text=From%3A,Mentorship%20Committee%20Chairman 

We have chosen Charles Zellers as our member of the month!

   
FAIR PAROLE HEARINGS INITIATIVE

Buford S. Batter by, # 1119827 Continued - Deerfield Correctional Center

PAROLE BOARD'S REASONS TO DENY PAROLE:
Reasons for denial that are currently listed within CORIS. HOW DOES ANY OF THE BELOW FIT YOU MR. BATTERBY? If it does not apply type N/A below each!

> Considering your offense and your institutional records, the Board concludes that you should serve more of your sentence before being paroled
Crime will never change

> Conviction of a new crime while incarcerated
N/A

> Crimes committed
Crime will never change

> Extensive criminal record
N/A

> History of substance abuse
N/A

> History of violence
N/A

> Other (specify)
N/A

> Poor institutional adjustment (for example, motivation/attitude, unfavorable reports, lack of program involvement
N/A

> Release at this would diminish the seriousness of the crime
Not according to statute

> Serious Nature & Circumstances of the offense
N/A

> The Board concludes that you should serve more of your sentence prior to release on parole (Almost the same as first one)
N/A

> The Board concludes that you be a risk to the community
N/A

> You need further participation in institutional work and/or educational programs to indicate your positive progression towards re-entry into society
N/A

> You need to show a longer period of stable adjustment
N/A

> Your prior failure(s) and/or convictions while under community supervision indicate that you are unlikely to comply with the conditions of release
N/A

> Your record indicates a serious disregard for the property rights of others
N/A

> Your record of institutional infractions indicates a disregard for rules and that you are not ready to conform to society
N/A

REASONS FOR GRANTING PAROLE: Answer each that applies to you.

> Age at the time of offense
Age 27

> Demonstrated rehabilitation
I've done everything under my power and feel I'm ready to be given a chance at parole with all that I've accomplished since my incarceration

> Excellent institutional adjustment
True, with all that I've accomplished including programming

> Excessive sentence
I was given two 40 year sentences, 40 for murder and 40 for robbery in which my codefendant took a plea bargain for the murder and the robbery conviction was non-prossed

> Infraction-free for at least 24 months
True

> Infraction-free since incarceration
No, I've only had one infraction in 33+ years and it was in 2005 for disobeying an order from a correctional officer, due to my medical conditions after my first stroke

> Medical conditional
January 1, 2005 was my first 3 strokes. They have left me suffering with nerve damage on about 85% of damage down my whole left side, starting with my hands and the pain gets worst as it reaches my toes. Catching the COVID-19 virus has left the upper half of my lung's all scared up, leaving me short of breath very often, and I'm taking about 6 different medications

> No history of substance abuse
I have tried illegal drugs, but they were never my
thing. I did drink a few beers on accusations with friends and sometimes after work

> No history of violence
I've been in a few fights and did assault a police officer after he broke my arm and I convicted for it and served my time

> No previous felony convictions
Correct

> No victim opposition
N/A

> Release is compatible with public safety
Yes, I believe that I've shown great belief in myself and in others with the rehabilitation and programming that I've accomplished since incarceration within the past 33+ years

> Released to detainer: Must serve a prison sentence in another jurisdiction
None

> Risk assessment score low
Yes, Low for Violent Recidivism

> Significant community support
Yes, my family and friends

> Stable release plan
Yes, my home plan is set forth with my stepparents where I'll have my own room and they have given me a small portion of land to build a small house on or to put a trailer, which is located in Amherst Va., and I've also got the support of my daughter Shanna in Chesterfield and my son Andrew in Richmond Va. Plus I want to start my own business and a Non-profit using my creative abilities

> Successful participation in correctional and vocational programs
1. Parole Board Seminar
2. Horticulture: Greenhouse/Nursery Room Horticulture
3. PREPS (Twice)
4. T4C (Thinking for a Change) Monday/Wednesday
5. Electricity (DOC-School) Historical
6. Commercial Arts/Design (DCE-School) Historical
7. G.E.D. (DCE-School) Historical
8. Started an Art Program at Buckingham Correctional Center 2004-2011)
9. Thinking for a Change
10. Biohazard: Certificate of training
11. Breaking Barriers
12. Maintained the same "dorm laundry job" since 2011. I'm the Lead-man, training others
13. AA/NA
14. Virginia Correctional Enterprises
a. Assistant Lead-man in Powdercoat Department: train other inmates, inventory, maintenance
b. Spotwelding: I volunteered to Crosstrain
c. Assembly: I volunteered to Crosstrain
d. Packing Department: I volunteered to Crosstrain
15. Floor Maintenance: Stripping and buffing floors