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Prisoners Families Rights
  1. Signatures
    152 out of 3,000
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The U.S. Senate
      • Your Governor
      • Your State Senate
  2. Created By
    Flozelle Woodmore
    Los Angeles, CA
About this Petition Petition Letter
Why This Is Important

We believe indeterminate sentences upon following all of the requirements to become suitable for release has been accomplished our loved ones should be set free.  Although the laws pertaining to setting such dates give the Parole Board wide discretion, it was understood by the courts and the people of the communities that the parole board would be fair in releasing people accordingly.  However, this is NOT the case resulting in the victimization of families effected by the continued incarceration of their loved ones.  When someone is made to feel helpless, afraid, shame, hopeless, sad, guilty, pain, and or in bondage they are a victim and sense victims have a right to attend parole board hearings WHY does this right exclude the families of prisoners??? If a person is kept in prison beyond what is required per law and suitability factors, this is a violation of their rights and to violate prisoners rights causes their family and friends sufferings that are unimaginable including death.  Therefore, the family and friends of prisoners ask that they too as a victim be allowed to attend such hearings and participate in behalf of their loved ones release just as family and friends of a victims are allowed to participate in the denials of the release of those they know are deserving.  An accused should always be allowed to present evidence of rehabilitation just as the laws allow them to do so prior to conviction.  Many prisoners serving indeterminate sentences were told they would only do one third of their time IF they accomplished the requirements of suitability as set by the parole board.  Many have done so four times over, so, WHY are they still incarceration????  HELP these families be heard by supporting their request to attend their loved ones parole hearings AND MAYBE getting Legislatures involved in setting fair and adequate laws that protect ALL people RIGHTS!!

Recent Signatures

Prisoners Families Rights

Dear Representative

I am writing to you today to ask that you support granting the rights of family members and friends of prisoners to testify in front of parole boards, just as victims of 20, 30, and 40 year old cases are heard. When my loved one was sentenced we were told by the Public Defender and the Courts that our loved one would only do up to one third of their time if they accomplished the requirements of the Suitability Factors of the parole board. My loved has done so four times over and still a parole release date as NOT been set. I feel hopeless in obtaining a fair and adequate parole hearing for my loved one that is incarcerated. Upon researching what could cause such arbitrary hearings, I found that the Parole Board consist of members of law enforcement!! How in the world will my loved receive a fair hearing with such a panel? I further understand that the victims of a crime are allowed to attend my loved ones hearing which ensures most people are denied parole repeatedly. Unfortunately, these things were never discussed during plea bargain cases and or during the sentencing phase of our loved ones. Being that this is the case not only is my loved being held arbitrarily I now feel like a victim and believe I too should be allowed to participate in parole hearings on behalf of FAIRNESS, JUSTICE, and Proof of REHABILITATION. Our laws should be used to ensure justice for all people. People remain in prison, serving sentences based on laws from 20, 30, or 40 years ago. Many of these laws are now obsolete and carry out of date sentences. So I come to you with a plea for justice. I am asking you to allow my loved one to come home before I too pass on. Every time they deny someone parole unjustly it kills many of our spirits and breaks our hearts. This is why we, as family members, are asking to be allowed to speak before the parole board.

[Your name]