NOTE: Please send all letters of support to Orie Ross, P.O. Box 575, Times Square Station, New York, NY 10108-0575 so they can be reviewed and sent to the Board. If possible, please send your letter so it arrives by Monday, September 29th. The final deadline for letters will be Friday, October 24th.
Sample Letter:
Board of Probation and Parole
Attn: Inmate Inquiry
1001 South Front Street, Suite 5300
Harrisburg, PA 17104
September 18, 2014
Regarding October 2014 Parole Hearing for: Edward Goodman #AM-4974
Dear Honorable Members of the Parole Board:
As a concerned citizen interested in helping Mr. Goodman successfully
transition into life outside prison, I am writing to ask that you
please grant him parole. He has served over 35 years of a 30-100 year
sentence, even though the average sentence for his charges is 10-15
years. He is still in prison years after his minimum sentence despite
having no major disciplinary problems in the last three decades.
The notice provided to Mr. Goodman for his last parole denial lists
the reasons for the denial as:
"Your minimization/denial of the nature and circumstances of the
offense(s) committed," “Your refusal to accept responsibility for the
offense(s) committed” and
"The negative recommendation made by the prosecuting attorney."
I understand the severe nature of the crime of which Mr. Goodman was
convicted, however, I am concerned that Mr. Goodman maintaining his
innocence is seen as an attempt to minimize or deny the nature and
circumstances of the offense(s) or refuse to take responsibility, even
while there is evidence that corroborates that the shot was fired from
a location where it is well known he was nowhere near. This
phenomenon is referred to as "the innocent prisoner's dilemma"
implying that it is unfair and unethical to require someone who may
have been wrongly convicted to provide false admission of guilt or
remorse. Please take this dilemma into consideration.
I also understand that Mr. Goodman has not been recommended for parole
by the institution where he is held despite having a clear
disciplinary record for many years. In fact, the only time he
received a disciplinary infraction in the last fifteen years was for
not cutting his hair. He has completed all of the institutional
programs he was asked to complete and has volunteered for others.
Please take into consideration his good conduct as well as him having
housing and employment secured upon his release. These factors, along
with strong family and community support, make it very unlikely that
Mr. Goodman will recidivate and I firmly believe that he is an
excellent candidate for parole. I will personally help him acclimate
in any way I can upon his release.
Mr. Goodman has now spent most of his life in prison, and the
recidivism rate for people released at his age is very low. Please
grant parole and allow him to be a part of, and contribute to, society
as free citizen, a loving father and grandfather.
Sincerely,
[Name and signature]
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