For almost 18 years, my husband George Riddick has been incarcerated, separated from his family. This long-term separation is taking a significant toll on our children. Our story is not unique; there are thousands of families in Virginia experiencing the same hardship due to the absence of parole.

In 1995, Virginia abolished discretionary parole - a decision that affects many families like ours today. The lack of parole opportunities means that offenders are often serving sentences far longer than necessary, with no chance for early release based on good behavior or rehabilitation progress.

According to the Justice Policy Institute (2017), states with discretionary parole do not have higher recidivism rates compared to states without it. This suggests that reintroducing parole could be done without compromising public safety.

We believe in second chances and rehabilitation. We believe that people can change and should be given an opportunity to prove it through their actions within prison walls and beyond.

My husband have been incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit due to the fact the commonwealth failed to do their due diligence which caused an innocent man to be taken away from his family. George Have 6 children who were all babies and toddlers when he was imprisoned and one child had to be hospitalized two times a mental breakdown four times  trying to cope with the traumatic experience of his father being absent, and it hurts the other children as well they handle it differently. George life has been taken as well he deserves justice our children deserve their father like many others. We deserve to go on vacation have picnics, eat at a table as family, we deserve to make memories we, he deserve freedom, he deserves his family and happiness. Currently my husband is taking trades such as commercial cleaning which he completed and seeking to start electrician,Agriculture which teaches how to plant  and grow your own food. He already completed the anger management, thinking for a change required programs always kept steady employment and low points.

We urge the state of Virginia to reinstate parole as an option for offenders who have demonstrated their commitment towards transformation and reintegration into society. Please sign this petition if you stand with us in advocating for second chances and family reunification.