Petitioning for a Conditional Pardon of Eddie Matthews
The Issue
Eddie Matthews is an inmate in the Virginia Department of Corrections system and has been imprisoned for the last 25 years. This petition is an ambitious attempt to demonstrate the successful rehabilitation of Eddie. We hope that you will lend us a helping hand in reintroducing Eddie into the world and assist us in petitioning the Governor of Virginia to grant him a conditional pardon.
Eddie Matthews was very young when he committed the crime that landed him in prison. Even though there were reasonable sentencing recommendations for a lesser sentence, he was handed down a harsher, de facto life sentence, meaning the sentencing was so long, there was very little chance he would live to make it out.
Even in spite of this heavy sentencing, Eddie Matthews took the steps to better himself and to transform into an honorable person. He has always taken accountability in the role he played to lead him to his current situation. During his time served, he has kept himself busy with numerous jobs earning him a reputation as a dependable worker, earned his GED, and has become a religious leader and mentor to those around him. Eddie is a personified example of what it means to serve your time and be rehabilitated.
In the words of one staff member: “Inmate [Eddie Matthews] is a role model to other inmates and even staff. He is respectable to staff and inmates…”. In the words of another, “I can attest to the fact that [Eddie Matthews] is a responsible, hardworking, and dedicated individual who has taken steps to improve his life and make positive changes. He has shown a strong commitment to self-improvement, participating in educational and vocational programs offered by the prison.”
We are now asking for your help in petitioning the Governor of Virginia to issue a conditional pardon for Eddie Matthews, on the basis of him doing his time with very little bad behavior, and the demonstration that he has turned his life around and could become a model citizen.
In his own words, “No words can express my remorse and regret for the crime I committed…This tragedy woke me up to the changes I badly needed to make in my life. So, I have spent this time trying to make amends by making myself into someone my family, friends, and all I encounter can respect. I want to be a man I could be proud of…Please give me the chance to show I am someone better.”
We hope that you will join us in this effort to advocate for Eddie’s release. We think society, as a whole, will benefit from his re-entry. We appreciate your time in reading this, and we hope that you will move mountains with your signature.
Please note: The donation link attached to this petition does not go directly to Eddie Matthew. It goes to the Change.org platform, and is completely voluntary. If you would like to know how to further help Eddie, please reach out to jamitchell0202@gmail.com
Address your Letter to the Governor:
Virginia Governor
Glenn Youngkin
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
804-786-2211
148
The Issue
Eddie Matthews is an inmate in the Virginia Department of Corrections system and has been imprisoned for the last 25 years. This petition is an ambitious attempt to demonstrate the successful rehabilitation of Eddie. We hope that you will lend us a helping hand in reintroducing Eddie into the world and assist us in petitioning the Governor of Virginia to grant him a conditional pardon.
Eddie Matthews was very young when he committed the crime that landed him in prison. Even though there were reasonable sentencing recommendations for a lesser sentence, he was handed down a harsher, de facto life sentence, meaning the sentencing was so long, there was very little chance he would live to make it out.
Even in spite of this heavy sentencing, Eddie Matthews took the steps to better himself and to transform into an honorable person. He has always taken accountability in the role he played to lead him to his current situation. During his time served, he has kept himself busy with numerous jobs earning him a reputation as a dependable worker, earned his GED, and has become a religious leader and mentor to those around him. Eddie is a personified example of what it means to serve your time and be rehabilitated.
In the words of one staff member: “Inmate [Eddie Matthews] is a role model to other inmates and even staff. He is respectable to staff and inmates…”. In the words of another, “I can attest to the fact that [Eddie Matthews] is a responsible, hardworking, and dedicated individual who has taken steps to improve his life and make positive changes. He has shown a strong commitment to self-improvement, participating in educational and vocational programs offered by the prison.”
We are now asking for your help in petitioning the Governor of Virginia to issue a conditional pardon for Eddie Matthews, on the basis of him doing his time with very little bad behavior, and the demonstration that he has turned his life around and could become a model citizen.
In his own words, “No words can express my remorse and regret for the crime I committed…This tragedy woke me up to the changes I badly needed to make in my life. So, I have spent this time trying to make amends by making myself into someone my family, friends, and all I encounter can respect. I want to be a man I could be proud of…Please give me the chance to show I am someone better.”
We hope that you will join us in this effort to advocate for Eddie’s release. We think society, as a whole, will benefit from his re-entry. We appreciate your time in reading this, and we hope that you will move mountains with your signature.
Please note: The donation link attached to this petition does not go directly to Eddie Matthew. It goes to the Change.org platform, and is completely voluntary. If you would like to know how to further help Eddie, please reach out to jamitchell0202@gmail.com
Address your Letter to the Governor:
Virginia Governor
Glenn Youngkin
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
804-786-2211
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Petition created on January 10, 2025