4/1/2013: Let's start with justice. What is it? Many people have their own opinion of it. But here's a case that I read about & you tell me, is this justice?

In 2008 a middle aged college professor bludgeoned his wife to death during the heat of an argument. (This means he beat her to death). The trial judge called this case "the most savage act I have ever encountered during almost 40 years as a prosecutor and a judge". The district attorney who is usually tough on crime, gave the professor a plea deal for pleading guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a 5-10 year sentence in prison. And this means that after 5 years, he would be eligible for parole. The state parole board did not release him on his first attempt at parole but, when he went to see the state parole board the 2nd time, they approved his release. (We have another but coming). But then the victim's family, with the aid of a state legislator, weighed in on this decision with the public's expression of outrage and the parole board reversed its decision and did not parole the professor who beat his wife to death. The prosecutor said that this killing was done in "hot blood" and not "cold blood" so he felt it was manslaughter and not murder. He stated "that this was an act committed in a "blind rage" (remember those words blind rage) and the killer's emotions overtook his ability to exercise reason & judgment."

I have met so many men who have done this exact same thing. Fights gone bad, killings that were not premeditated or planned but were done in "hot blood" or in the heat of passion. But these men are not wealthy college professors. They are white, black and Spanish, most from the cities. I came to prison at 21 years old. I've done this college professor's entire sentence plus some but there is no justice for me. Will there ever be a 2nd chance for me? Will I ever see freedom again? Some people argue that a person's mind is not fully developed until they are 26 years old. Again, I was 21. Maybe I'll never get that 2nd chance that I ache for but even if I don't, let us not forget the thousands of men & women who do deserve another chance at freedom, being a part of a family again, being a parent, being a citizen again. So I ask everyone reading this once again, please support PA lifers for a chance at parole. There is no parole in this state right now but with your help, we can change that. Sign on to the petition and let your voice be heard.

www.pasentencing.com

I would love the chance at being a real father to my daughter. Will this ever be in the cards for me? I don't know, but without your help, I'll never even have the chance at it. If anyone is interested in reading a great publication, please check out Graterfriends at: www.prisonsociety.org.

For any women who have a man in prison, there is a group for you. To talk, to understand, to correspond by e-mail, whatever. They are there to help. For more information, please contact:

Reesy Floyd-Thompson (PWGP)
PO Box 14241
Norfolk, VA 23518

It's not easy having someone you love in prison. We all need to stick together to make this struggle a little bit easier. Well, I thank you's for reading and I hope I haven't bored anyone. I would like to know how people feel about this issue. Especially people who don't know or understand the prison life. People who have never been in jail. Your questions and comments are all welcome. What you think out there, it matters to us in here, so please feel free to share. We might be in prison but we're still just like you. Thanx for listening. More soon from Prison Dad. Ciao.

P.S. In Pennsylvania, a sentence of life, is a sentence of death.