It seems that as we've waited almost fifteen years for this, and learned so much about the Kansas system, we are suddenly struck dumb as to the current parole process. :confused: Although I've utilized the website, it is often just out there as a uniform, bland sort of site. Through my husband, I have learned that most in Kansas get passed for their first board. The recent budget cuts, have everyone wondering. My husband doubts anything will improve for his sake, but me, the optimist, believes that hanging on to lifers with that much time behind them, does not help the budget any further. Anyway, has anyone experienced the board and the process recently? I would greatly appreciate hearing from you!

Hello! I hope I'm not too late responding to this! My jusband came up for his first parole hearing last year in August. I'm really bitter at the parole board. He done an excellent job writing a parole plan for himself that he should've been helped with by his unit team at the prison he's in. There were two guys who owned businesses who guaranteed him a job once he got out. He completed several programs. When I and his family came up for his public hearing, the board members smiled in our faces-Patricia Briggs reminded me of Paula Abdul, smiling and approving of everybody in the room, in favor or opposed. Anyhow, Paul Feliciano interviewed my husband and stated three separate times how impressed he was with him and all he had accomplished. I will never condone what my husband did, but I feel like he's a differnt man-33 yrs old-from the 17 year old boy who committed the crime all those years ago and he's done enough time. They felt that he hadn't done enough time and passed him for five years. Their only recommendation was that he stay DR free. If they would've parolled him he would've still had to do three more years. So now we've just filed for a writ of habeas corpus. There is a service called Pardon and Parole Services and there's the National Clemency Project 423-843-2235-they help in all states. Unfortunately we didn't find out about them until after he was denied, they could've been more help to us before the hearing. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Hello! I hope I'm not too late responding to this! My jusband came up for his first parole hearing last year in August. I'm really bitter at the parole board. He done an excellent job writing a parole plan for himself that he should've been helped with by his unit team at the prison he's in. There were two guys who owned businesses who guaranteed him a job once he got out. He completed several programs. When I and his family came up for his public hearing, the board members smiled in our faces-Patricia Briggs reminded me of Paula Abdul, smiling and approving of everybody in the room, in favor or opposed. Anyhow, Paul Feliciano interviewed my husband and stated three separate times how impressed he was with him and all he had accomplished. I will never condone what my husband did, but I feel like he's a differnt man-33 yrs old-from the 17 year old boy who committed the crime all those years ago and he's done enough time. They felt that he hadn't done enough time and passed him for five years. Their only recommendation was that he stay DR free. If they would've parolled him he would've still had to do three more years. So now we've just filed for a writ of habeas corpus. There is a service called Pardon and Parole Services and there's the National Clemency Project 423-843-2235-they help in all states. Unfortunately we didn't find out about them until after he was denied, they could've been more help to us before the hearing. I hope this helps! Good luck!

I am sorry to hear about this. I did learn that the board has been commanded to supply backup documentation for all the passes they've given. They have never been required to do this until now, and the reason is because they have passed so many people for such a long period of time, surely to preserve their jobs. They can't hold people forever. It's just a shame how this goes on, without regards to the lives involved. Once the men pay their debt, they should not be strung through, along with their families, in this shameful process called Kansas Justice. It's not. Also, the recent budget cuts have caused a stir because now it is being requested that the board be cut off from the governor and placed under the department of corrections as a separate division. It's hugely opposed by the board and secretary of corrections, as well, but budget constraints are pushing that way. Also reducing their salaries and perks as well. We can only pray that Kansas will catch up with the U.S. and just convert the men to flat time. Of course I understand case by case situations, where some men sadly may not be able to be safe to us on the outside, but this is rarely the case. With all the prisons closing down, and the programs being shut down, the men can't even follow a parole plan because there aren't any means of complying. No funding means no programs. So it's a sad circle. I pray that change comes very soon. And my prayers to you and your husband, as well. Thank you for sharing your story. We know we are up against alot. But when God is ready, he is ready, and no one can stop the freedom process.

Yes, some men don't deserve the pass, but anyone who knows my husband believes tha tif anyone deserves a chance, it's him. I know of people who've done similar crimes and were released and then went back, but I have the upmost confidence that he'll have such a strong support system out here and that he's so determined that wouldn't be an issue.
I just had an idea. I'm actually going to someone else's public hearing in Topeka on the 22nd of this month. I hope more people will respond to this thread. I wonder if we could get any responses from people about the parole board's activity that I could submit to them personally when I go????
Just a thought, but not many people respond in thhis KS forum as you can see.