I was wondering.... If someone has a life sentence WITH the possibility of parole, that means that while there IS a chance that he may be released at some point, there is no guarantee right? He COULD still be incarcerated for the duration of his natural life?

That is what my boyfriend was sentenced to, after having ORIGINALLY received a life WITHOUT the possibility of parole sentence. So, I guess that gives us some reason to hope. But I am worried that because of the nature of his crime, and some past behavioral problems while IN prison he might have a hard time. His first parole hearing is in 20016 which seems so far off. He has pledged to start making better choices, and to work hard to make it more likely that he will be granted parole. But I am worried about him. I don't want him to get his hopes up you know?:( What are the chances of an inmate getting paroled on the FIRST try?

It terrifies me to think that he might never get out of prison, and it hurts me to think that life is passing him by. He was only twenty years old when he went to prison! He had his entire life ahead of him. He is now 29, and missing out on the best years of his life. My heart just breaks for him, because deep down inside he IS a good man. I think he deserves a second chance, but unfortunately there is a good possiblilty that the parole board won't feel the same way! I love him so very much, and I can't imagine having to go through life without him by my side. I want to believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but I don't want to get my hopes up either.:( Is there anyone out here that has a loved one in a similar situation? My sweetie is at Holman. Any thoughts, or words of advice? Thanks!

Lisa

Lisa my heart goes out to you. I wish there was something I could tell you that would make it better, but there's not. About all I can tell you is I hope everything works out well for you and I will keep you in my prayers. And if you need someone to talk to I am always willing to listen.

Misty

Sis1980:

Thank you for your kind and heartfelt words. It's nice to know that there ARE people out there that understand how I feel, and sympathize. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We both appreciate it very much.:)

Lisa

My man is also doing life with the possibility of parole and has been in since he was 18 years old. I don't know what to tell you, the truth is that the system is very vindictive and doesn't seem to believe that someone given a life sentence could ever redeem themselves and contribute to society in a positive and meaningful manner. It boggles my mind that very few doing life are ever given that second chance. I've said it many times on these boards and will say it again, who of us is the same as we were as teenagers??? Who of us has not changed, matured??? Why is it so hard for parole boards, or governors in our case to believe that a lifer can be granted his freedom and not be a risk to re-offend.

In our case I believe that he is now more of a victim of politics than his sentence as he has already been down for 28 years, 29 next month. There are no more programs for him to complete, he's done them all. Rehabilitated??? I don't even know what that means at this point in his incarceration. What I know is this, our governor here, and so many parole boards across the country are terrified of the political backlash that may come their way should the public become aware that a lifer is going to be released, after all, aren't they all mad-dog inmates, unfit to walk our streets again??? What a crock!!!!! Yet I believe this is what the public believes about most of our men. Oh my god, let them out and they are going to commit some sort of heinous crime again!!!!!
Let me tell you, at 47 years of age, my man has no intention of doing anything ever again that would land him back in prison, he has tons of ability and could contribute to society. Whether or not he'll ever get that chance, I have my doubts, yet we will keep trying, who knows maybe someday, somewhere, somehow, someone will have the moral fiber to grant his freedom. Til then I will remain by his side knowing that this man is more of a man than most I've met despite his crime.
I know this is not what you want to hear, yet for us it is our reality.

I was wondering.... If someone has a life sentence WITH the possibility of parole, that means that while there IS a chance that he may be released at some point, there is no guarantee right? He COULD still be incarcerated for the duration of his natural life?

What are the chances of an inmate getting paroled on the FIRST try?

Any thoughts, or words of advice? Thanks!

Lisa


Lisa you are right there is no guarantee. i have heard of cases where the inmate gets paroled the first time but I have heard many get denied too. There really is no method to the parole board and how they make there decisions. I realy think it all boils down to politics...

My hubby has a 20yr sentence and has been denied twice and has taken everything under the sun in classes and some twice..I hope I am not bringing you down, tell your man to do right and not get in trouble and to continue to take classes and when he completes the class send the certificate to the parole board. Keep sending letters of support to the board from you, family, and friends. Don't ever give up...:thumbsup:

We are hear for you anytime you want to vent, ask questions...etc...

Sometimes people to get paroled on their first time around. Alot of times they dont.It just depends on what the nature of their crime was. I also believe people deserve a second chance, however most of the world does not thin the way we do.The people on the parole board have probably never had a loved one in the system or they might go alittle easier on those that deserve it. I DO NOT think they should judge these men by their actions once they are in prison (completely) Prison is a horrible place to be and alot of times they cant help getting in trouble there.
All in all I dont know what to tell you about your man getting out. My man is serving a life W/O parole sentence, however he has his lawyers trying to get him a new trial. Like your man mine is guilty of what he is charged with,but I do believe he should get a second chance. Who knows maybe we both will get what we want!
:)

JKB's Girl:

I agree with you one hundred percent! I am NOT the same person I was when I was sixteen or eighteen, or even 20 for that matter! People DO mature, and change with time. It upsets me(almost to the point of tears) whenever I hear of a young person being sentenced to life without parole.:( It is a terrible thing to do to a man. Strip him of ANY and ALL hope. It gives them NO incentive to better themselves, and to turn their lives around. I believe that EVERYONE should be at least eligible for parole, and that the person's age at the time of the crime, should be taken into consideration. But unfortunately, most people do not agree with my perspective.:(

I also agree that the people who sit on the parole board and people in positions of power like the Governor, are more concerned with protecting their public image, than with doing what is right. And that is very sad and disheartening(sigh).:( Shame on them!:mad: I think that in more conservative states like Texas and Alabama, this is an even bigger problem for inmates and their loved ones. It just seems so damn unfair!:mad:

Wow, 29 years? That is a hell of a long time! I admire your loved one for keeping the faith after all that time. I am sure it helps to have a woman who loves him unconditionally, and believes in him standing by his side! Kudos to you! :thumbsup: I hope that your love will remain strong, and only grow stronger with time. And I hope that ONE DAY he will get that second chance!

I wonder though. Does he ever get down? You know, start to get discouraged, and talk about just giving up? :( If so, what do you say/do to lift his spirits, and keep him going? It helps SO much to have people to confide in that understand. I am also fairly new to all of this, so I could use the encouragement and support, as well as some words of advice.

Blueyez94:

You mentioned that letter's to the parole board, on behalf of the inmate can be helpful. Any tips for writing such a letter? I have never written one before? I'd imagine that I would want to send that letter, a few weeks or perhaps a month prior to the review? Thanks!

CrystalMarie:

I wanted to mention that I also agree wholeheartedly with your assertion that the inmate should NOT be judged(at least not entirely) by his behavior on the "inside". It is a totally different world, then the one we live in. And sometimes, if one wants to survive, violence is the ONLY answer(as much as I HATE to admit that). From what I understand, those who do not stand up for themselves, are taken advantage of and victimized. God knows the warden and prison staff do VERY little(if anything at all!):mad: to keep inmates safe. Who can blame them for being violent? Who wouldn't be in that environment?

In the episode of "LockUp" that was filmed at Holman, one of the inmates(I believe that it was Michelle's loved one actually) explained that while citizens have the option of removing themselves from a volatile situation, or have some form of recourse if someone assaults them or steals from them, inmates do NOT have that option. We can call the police, or take someone to small claims court for example. And if we are in a situation where we feel ourselves losing our temper, we have the option of getting up and WALKING AWAY! For these men, there is NOWHERE to go! And that is true! Something that the prison administration and the parole board doesn't seem to take into account, which is unfair to the inmate!

I hope that your loved one will be granted a new trial. I wish you both the best of luck! Steven chose to waive his right to a trial, which was a dumb move!:no: However, given his mental state at the time, I understand why he reacted the way that he did. He regrets it now, I'm sure! :(
I wish there was SOME WAY to go back. If a defendant waives their right to a trial, CAN he go back? I mean, could his lawyer argue that he was not in the right frame of mind, or that he was under duress at the time? I don't know whether or not you know the answer to that question, but I thought I would ask. Like your loved one, my man was guilty of the crime, but there were extenuating circumstances which I feel should have been taken into consideration. But since he never went to trial, those facts never came to light.:(

Thanks again to all of you for your help!:) It means more to me than you will ever know!

Lisa

Hi Lisa, Read your stuff. My husband waived a trial a long time ago. They told him he would not get life if he went before a judge. Guess what?? That was 29 + years ago. He has said some things about a retrial, but he does not want to do that.

I agree with your concerns about their life inside. It is awful. We are now praying for God to release him. We have no parole in Maine. So, God is the only way. He applies for a reduction in sentence each year, now, but so far there is nothing. Just keep praying.

Bless you. K