Hello! My name is Jalyssa Richardson and I am the daughter of Barbara Chavez. Please take the time to read and sign this petition for my mother's well deserved freedom.

Barbara Chavez is a mother of three and a survivor of domestic violence who has been incarcerated for over 20 years. Please join us in asking Governor Jerry Brown to commute Barbara Chavez’s sentence from Life Without Parole to a parole-eligible sentence so she has a chance to secure her freedom.

My mother was only 22 years old, younger than the age I am now, when she became a single mother with little education, no money, and and desperately trying to take care of her two children. On April 9, 1996, my mother agreed to provide a ride to receive payment from a robbery in which she thought no one would get hurt. As the attempted robbery was about to take place, she backed out and began running back to the car. As she was heading back she heard a gunshot and a scream, and she was devastated to learn that the person who had been robbed had also been fatally shot.

In California, the felony murder rule states that when two or more people conspire to commit a crime -- in this case it was robbery -- all parties are held equally accountable for anything that happens after that initial crime, whether or not they were directly involved. Therefore, my mother was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

My mother gave birth to my baby brother shortly after being incarcerated,

My mother, a mother of 3, is still incarcerated and still fighting for freedom, but the person who was arrested 18 years ago is now a completely transformed woman. My mother has proven to be the exact opposite of what the law says about her. Despite the horrific situation she's in, she has become a rehabilitated and incredible person. She has accomplished many levels of education, mentored many women, created and participated in peace programs, has received certificates in various skills/jobs, and is in the process of becoming a state certified drug and alcohol counselor. Along with all of those accomplishments, my mother has never once, in almost 20 years, received any form of punishment for bad behavior of any kind. Truly a caterpillar to butterfly metamorphosis.

My brothers and myself have suffered the terrible loss of an incredible woman. We have grown up and endured, but we are ready for her to be returned to us. She is ready to be considered an asset to society, to provide any positive contributions to her communities, and to be reunited with her children and grandchildren.

I believe Barbara Chavez (CDCR #W82460), my mom, deserves a second chance to seek parole. She will be surrounded by a supportive community who can help guide her to a positive new phase of her life. Barbarass commutation log # is COM-1961-14. I urge you to commute Barbara's life without parole sentence and allow her the opportunity to show the Board of Parole that she is fully prepared to come back home.

Through God's wonderful grace and underserved mercy this butterfly has been unleashed. Now we rely on His goodness to see our prayers answered and have her in our arms, seeing her grandchildren grow up, and being a part of our adult lives.

"I am a victim of my own poor choices. I have worked hard accepting the opportunity offered me within these walls. You see, prison is either a tomb or a womb. I chose to view it as the latter." -Barbara Chavez

Please assist me in making this dream and hope of my family, become a reality by signing this petition. May God's good and perfect will be done.