Colorado CURE, at the request of National CURE, has recently restarted a LIFE-LONG Chapter. The basic purpose of this chapter is to research the progress of parole in all states for lifers and long termers and the rate of recidivism. The focus is to make changes in legislation and parole rates for lifers and long termers. Most of you have probably heard of CURE as most states have a chapter. In case you haven't this statement was taken from the National CURE website.

Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) is a grassroots organization that was founded in Texas in 1972. It became a national organization in 1985.

We believe that prisons should be used only for those who absolutely must be incarcerated and that those who are incarcerated should have all of the resources they need to turn their lives around. We also believe that human rights documents provide a sound basis for ensuring that criminal justice systems meet these goals.

CURE is a membership organization. We work hard to provide our members with the information and tools necessary to help them understand the criminal justice system and to advocate for changes.


My son is serving a LWOP sentence. That makes this project very important to me. He's been incarcerated for almost 12 years. It is my hope to see legislation changed so that by the time he reaches 25 years he would be eligilbe for parole. It might be a pipe dream since Colorado like most states doesn't even grant parole to very many LWP at this time.

We have a very difficult journey ahead of us and researching each state is going to be a very time consuming project to say the least. I have come to you today to request your assistance. I know that California has an excellent lifers group. I would appreciate any information on that group that anyone can provide. Also any other lifers group that anyone knows of. I would also like to know if anyone knows of any other reform group that is working on a similiar project and lastly, if anyone has stats on their state regarding lifers and long termers parole and recidivism rates or knows how I can get them, that would be appreciated.

Any help that anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated. Even if you have incomplete information and don't think it's worthwhile, send it to me. It will probably help. I'm also open to suggestions from everyone.

Thanks

barbs, i may have someone who may offer some help as to what iowa may or may not do.. i am so new to this forum.. my love is doing lwop and has done 23 years so far.. i have know him since we were kids.. we are both in our 50's now. i am trying to help him atleast get some help. he was transferred to mt. pleasant a couple of months ago, after being in fort madison for 23 years.. we are so hoping to get his conviction down to 2nd degree murder so he can get paroled.. it just seems that our lifers are a forgotten communtity, and i think it is so sad. and yet they are paroling sex offenders that have offended 2 year olds.. im sorry, but i would rather have my lifer home. but that is iowa. anyway, here is the information i have from my lifer.. [personal address removed as per PTO policy]

I'm sorry, I must be dense today. Are you Jean or is the lifer? Do you want me to write to me? He can write me at CURE LIFE-LONG at PO Box 2093, Englewood, CO 80150. Twenty-three years is a very long time, I'm sure he's not the same person he was at conviction. Is he trying to get a redetermination of his sentence?

Barb


barbs, i may have someone who may offer some help as to what iowa may or may not do.. i am so new to this forum.. my love is doing lwop and has done 23 years so far.. i have know him since we were kids.. we are both in our 50's now. i am trying to help him atleast get some help. he was transferred to mt. pleasant a couple of months ago, after being in fort madison for 23 years.. we are so hoping to get his conviction down to 2nd degree murder so he can get paroled.. it just seems that our lifers are a forgotten communtity, and i think it is so sad. and yet they are paroling sex offenders that have offended 2 year olds.. im sorry, but i would rather have my lifer home. but that is iowa. anyway, here is the information i have from my lifer.. [personal address removed as per PTO policy]

Barbs,
I'm locating in California and know of two lifer organizations. There's a group of support to amend the three strikes law, that are focused on lifers that were given life sentences on their third strike, however I don't think any third strikers have went through the parole process yet.

Then we have another organization for lifers that have been denied parole. This organization is named TIPS that fights against the illegal actions of the parole board and had some success in winning appeals to establish a precedent for our state's lifers to appeal the board's decision.
If you need more information, you can pm me and I will be happy to share the information with you.
Your son is very blessed to have you in his corner.

no barbs, jean is a gal that is head of IowaCURE newsletter, so i just thought maybe you and her could exchange information.. my lifer is doing lwop. i answered your ad because of your plea.."I have come to you today to request your assistance. I know that California has an excellent lifers group. I would appreciate any information on that group that anyone can provide. Also any other lifers group that anyone knows of. I would also like to know if anyone knows of any other reform group that is working on a similiar project and lastly, if anyone has stats on their state regarding lifers and long termers parole and recidivism rates or knows how I can get them, that would be appreciated."

i too want to know what other states are doing in the hopes that iowa may follow suit and pay attention to our adult lifers and i came across jean's name thru my lifer and then also thru another source... i havent heard back from her yet

OH, THANK YOU!!! I LOVE YOU!!! TIPS is what I was looking for. I've gotten emails from them in the past, but haven't for quite awhile and couldn't remember their name. If you have any more info, you can email me at stephensonb8@comcast.net. Once again, THANK YOU!


Barbs,
I'm locating in California and know of two lifer organizations. There's a group of support to amend the three strikes law, that are focused on lifers that were given life sentences on their third strike, however I don't think any third strikers have went through the parole process yet.

Then we have another organization for lifers that have been denied parole. This organization is named TIPS that fights against the illegal actions of the parole board and had some success in winning appeals to establish a precedent for our state's lifers to appeal the board's decision.
If you need more information, you can pm me and I will be happy to share the information with you.
Your son is very blessed to have you in his corner.

I'm sorry, I told you I was being a little dense. I was in a hurry. I was on my way to a federal appeals hearing and obviously wasn't thinking straight. Iowa CURE was represented at the CURE board of directors meeting held in October where we presented the new issues chapter of CURE LIFE-LONG. I honestly don't remember who represented Iowa and haven't been able to get my hands on that info yet this morning. I can tell you this much. Florida introduced a bill early this year where anyone who had served 25 yrs and is over the age of 50 would be eligible for parole. The only exclusion is the DP. They don't have much support down there. Alabama is meeting with a couple of legislators the first of Dec to try to get a bill introduced. Their's is a flat 20 yrs, after that you are eligilbe for parole. The lady that is the head of CURE down there feels they have some support. Here in Colorado, we will be meeting with the executive director of DOC and the head of the parole board in January to get their input on the parole reform bill we are proposing. We would like to gather some support before we get the bill introduced. In California, TIPS is working on parole reform. There are a couple of other states that have something in the works, but nothing close yet. If we could just get one state to see the logic in this, then it will be easier to get other states to follow. If you don't hear back from Jean, let me know. I can email her also and try to give info for both of us.


no barbs, jean is a gal that is head of IowaCURE newsletter, so i just thought maybe you and her could exchange information.. my lifer is doing lwop. i answered your ad because of your plea.."I have come to you today to request your assistance. I know that California has an excellent lifers group. I would appreciate any information on that group that anyone can provide. Also any other lifers group that anyone knows of. I would also like to know if anyone knows of any other reform group that is working on a similiar project and lastly, if anyone has stats on their state regarding lifers and long termers parole and recidivism rates or knows how I can get them, that would be appreciated."

i too want to know what other states are doing in the hopes that iowa may follow suit and pay attention to our adult lifers and i came across jean's name thru my lifer and then also thru another source... i havent heard back from her yet

LOL...no problem...you're quite welcome..anything I can do to help.
I will pm you the address now and I also have some documents relating to what the board is now using to illegally deny lifers in California. I have cases and all that from a recent lifer meeting. I will try to find them to scan it and send them to you.:)

OH, THANK YOU!!! I LOVE YOU!!! TIPS is what I was looking for. I've gotten emails from them in the past, but haven't for quite awhile and couldn't remember their name. If you have any more info, you can email me at stephensonb8@comcast.net. Once again, THANK YOU!

I found out last night that Jean is out of the country. I'm getting you the email of the person who is handling CURE while she's gone.




I'm sorry, I told you I was being a little dense. I was in a hurry. I was on my way to a federal appeals hearing and obviously wasn't thinking straight. Iowa CURE was represented at the CURE board of directors meeting held in October where we presented the new issues chapter of CURE LIFE-LONG. I honestly don't remember who represented Iowa and haven't been able to get my hands on that info yet this morning. I can tell you this much. Florida introduced a bill early this year where anyone who had served 25 yrs and is over the age of 50 would be eligible for parole. The only exclusion is the DP. They don't have much support down there. Alabama is meeting with a couple of legislators the first of Dec to try to get a bill introduced. Their's is a flat 20 yrs, after that you are eligilbe for parole. The lady that is the head of CURE down there feels they have some support. Here in Colorado, we will be meeting with the executive director of DOC and the head of the parole board in January to get their input on the parole reform bill we are proposing. We would like to gather some support before we get the bill introduced. In California, TIPS is working on parole reform. There are a couple of other states that have something in the works, but nothing close yet. If we could just get one state to see the logic in this, then it will be easier to get other states to follow. If you don't hear back from Jean, let me know. I can email her also and try to give info for both of us.

The lady's name is Mary Kay Dial and her email is rogermarykay@msn.com. She's already been notified that she needs to expect to hear from you.




I found out last night that Jean is out of the country. I'm getting you the email of the person who is handling CURE while she's gone.