From the hearts of family and friends, on the behalf of Sylvester M. Williams (GDC:100181921), we are advocating on his behalf to be reconsidered and accepted into a Transitional Center to serve the remainder of his sentence. Our hearts have been made heavy hearing of his denial into a Transitional Center.

Mr. Williams is a great selection to be in a Transitional Center for these reasons and more. Aware of the criteria established for him to be selected to be transferred, Sylvester has exceed the qualifications. Proving that he can manage his behavior and patiently wait for the time frame in which he can apply, is evidence to why he should be considered and accepted in to a Transitional Center.

Before his transfer to Georgia’s Department of Corrections, Mr. Williams completed multiple certifications preparing him to be work-ready. He has certificates in the following areas: Welding, Paralegal, HVAC, Certified Worker, and Career Readiness. Along with those certificates, Sylvester has the innate ability to effectively and appropriately connect and socialize with anyone he meets.

While serving his sentence, Mr. Williams has completed all mandated classes established for him. Not only has he helped himself but has also helped many of his peers to achieve success by assisting them in obtaining their GED diplomas. At one point, Sylvester was enrolled in college and that privilege was taken from him as he was given hopes to transfer to a Transitional Center to begin his rehabilitation process into society as a law-abiding citizen.

So, you may ask yourselves, “What does Mr. Williams transfer mean to his family and friends?” We view this opportunity as one to place our loved one back into society and overcoming any negative stigmas established to someone having a prior conviction. As evidence by the 2017-2018 Report of the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform, “[Georgia has a] 30 percent recidivism rate that has not changed over [a decade].” We pose the question, Why not allow him to be a part of maintaining or possibly lowering this percentage with the ability of rehabilitation through the assistance of being placed in a Transitional Center to serve the remainder of his sentence?

Before his arrest, Mr. Williams was a positive influencer in his community. He helped mentor youth in academics as well as sports to find healthy outlets for personal growth. In addition to what he has endured over the past 10 years, his story could help detour the lives of many from one experiencing incarceration. Along with Sylvester, we believe that there is a life of thriving and success given in our second chances. His transfer to a Transitional Center will only be the beginning of a new story the world is yet to hear.

We thank you for taking the time to read and ingest our concerns and love on the behalf of Sylvester M. Williams (GDC: 100181921). We believe that you will find it in your hearts to grant this petition request for him to be transferred into a Transitional Center to begin the rehabilitation process of his second chance at life.

Sincerely,
The family and friends of Sylvester M. Williams