A Plea for Clemency: Justice for Michael Swick, Prisoner #1013255 Keeping a man in prison long after he has paid his dues is cruel, wrong, and counterproductive. Michael Swick, who has spent 24 years behind bars, represents the profound injustice that arises from outdated sentencing laws. We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, both within and beyond the Commonwealth of Virginia, petition the Honorable Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia, to grant executive clemency to Michael Swick, Prisoner #1013255. ---    *A Flawed System and a Disproportionate Sentence* Michael Swick was sentenced during a time when Virginia’s criminal justice system prioritized harshness over fairness. In 1995, Virginia eliminated parole and adopted a “Truth in Sentencing” system, which aimed to reduce bias by standardizing punishments but instead led to disproportionately long sentences. Michael’s case highlights these systemic flaws. Convicted as an accomplice in a case involving multiple co-defendants, Michael received a harsher sentence than the individual who committed the actual crime. His co-defendant cooperated with authorities, while Michael exercised his constitutional right to a jury trial. This decision left him at the mercy of a system that prioritized punishment over justice. ---   *Virginia Recognizes the Problem* Virginia has acknowledged the injustices stemming from its excessive sentencing practices. For over two centuries, juries in Virginia handed down sentences without guidance, leading to disproportionate punishments. Jurors, often unfamiliar with sentencing guidelines or the long-term implications of their decisions, issued sentences that far exceeded the severity of the crime. In 2021, Virginia enacted a historic reform, allowing defendants to be sentenced by a judge instead of a jury. Judges, unlike jurors, are bound by sentencing recommendations and must explain any deviations, ensuring greater fairness and consistency. Senior State Senator Joe Morrissey hailed the reform as “the end of excessive sentencing in Virginia.” The passage of this law acknowledges that the old system was broken and unjust. --- **The Gap in Reform: Addressing Past Sentences**While the reform is a significant step forward, it fails to address the plight of those already sentenced under the old system. Virginia currently has no mechanism to review or correct excessive sentences imposed before the reforms were enacted. Michael’s case exemplifies the problem. Convicted as an accomplice under the outdated system, Michael has already served 24 years—longer than many individuals convicted of murder in modern Virginia. Today, the average sentence for murder is approximately 20 years. Yet Michael, who was convicted of malicious wounding and later received an additional sentence after a fight in prison, faces decades more behind bars. This discrepancy is a miscarriage of justice. Virginia’s reforms acknowledge the flaws of the old system, but without addressing past excessive sentences, the reforms are incomplete. Justice cannot be truly served if people like Michael remain imprisoned under the very system the state has recognized as unjust. ---   *Michael’s Rehabilitation and Personal Growth* During his 24 years in prison, Michael has dedicated himself to personal growth and rehabilitation. His achievements include: - *GED Program*  Custodial Maintenance Program - *Drywall and Painting Program*  - *Biohazard Certification*   - OSHA Compliance Certification   - *Serve Safe Certification* - *Victim Impact Program* - Thinking for a Change Program - Distress Tolerance Program - Completion of college courses in *Business Management*.  In addition, Michael has contributed significantly to the prison community by: -  Writing and refining self-improvement programs for inmates, including: - Recovery Behind Bars -  Keys to Rehabilitation -   Suicide Awareness -  Writing and polishing children’s books.   These accomplishments demonstrate Michael’s transformation and his commitment to creating a better future for himself and others. --- *A Life Marked by Loss* Michael’s time in prison has been marked by significant personal tragedies. He lost his wife to a drunk driving accident and both of his younger brothers to a road rage incident. The trauma of these events overwhelmed his father, who developed early-onset dementia and passed away just six months later. Now, Michael’s mother is in declining health. These losses compound the injustice of keeping a rehabilitated individual like Michael behind bars. ---  *A Call for Justice* Michael Swick is not asking for his crimes to be erased or forgotten. He is asking for fairness—a chance to rebuild his life and contribute positively to his family and community. Virginia’s overcrowded and understaffed prison 
  system is ill-equipped to hold rehabilitated individuals indefinitely. Releasing people like Michael would alleviate these challenges and allow them to reintegrate into society as productive citizens. Michael has paid his debt to society and has demonstrated his readiness to reenter it as a responsible, compassionate, and contributing member. His story is one of redemption and resilience—a testament to the human capacity for change.    *Governor Spanburger: The Power to Act* Governor Albigail Spanberger has the authority to right this wrong. By granting clemency to Michael Swick, the Governor can demonstrate Virginia’s commitment to justice, fairness, and redemption. Let Michael have the opportunity to be the father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend his family needs. Let him show the world the man he has become. **We, the people, respectfully urge Governor Spanberger to grant clemency to Michael Swick. Justice delayed is justice denied.** Donations are NOT required here to sign the petition. Keeping a man in prison, long after pragmatic thinkers consider that he has paid his dues, is wrong, cruel, and plain injudicious . –  David Robinson, VADOC Central Administration, P.O. Box 26963, Richmond, VA 23261, 804-887-8078, david.robinson@vadoc.virginia.gov –  Virginia DOC Director Chadwick S Dotson, 804-674-3081, Chadwick.Dotson@vadoc.virginia.gov –  Rose L. Durbin, VADOC Central Administration, 804-887-7921, Rose.Durbin@vadoc.virginia.gov –  Beth Cabell, Division of Institutions, 804-834-9967, beth.cabell@vadoc.virginia.gov –  Gov. Abigail Spanberger 804-786-2211, Abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov Conclusion: This is not an attempt for the said person to avoid or attempt to mislead or fail to take responsibility for any involvement or association in his past lifestyle. Thank you for reading this. My family and I would greatly appreciate it if you sign my petition. Please be blessed!