ON NOVEMBER 19TH 2002 I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE NC PAROLE BOARD FOR BUTCH. DURING OUR 30 MINUTE TIME I MUST GIVE THEM INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN USE TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO RELEASE HIM ON PAROLE OR NOT.

AS MOST OF YOU KNOW ON JUNE 6TH 2002 HE HAS HAD 3 SEPARATE WRITE UPS OVER HIS GIRLFRIEND AND SITUATIONS ARISING FROM THAT. THEN, HIS VISITATION WAS TAKEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 17TH, AND HE WAS PUT INTO SEGREGATION FOR 90 DAYS.

THIS WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR A PAROLE HEARING. WHAT CAN I DO TO PRESENT HIM? HOW CAN I PUT HIS CASE FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS AND WE HAVE TAKEN THINGS HE HAS ACOMPLISHED, THINGS HE AS DONE TO BETTER HIMSELF IN THE PRISON AND MANY MANY OTHER THINGS. NONE OF THAT HAS WORKED.

NOW, SHOULD WE CHANGE OUR PRESENTATION? SHOULD MAYBE WE ASK THEM WHAT HE CAN DO TO OBTAIN PAROLE? THERE IS ONLY ONE PAROLE OFFICER FOR THE STATE NOW SINCE THE SENTENCING LAWS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. AFTER ALL THE INMATES SENTENCED UNDER THE OLD LAW ARE OUT OF PRISON N.C. WILL HAVE NO PAROLE.

I REALLY NEED SOME HELP TO PREPARE THIS PRESENTATION BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT AND HOW TO PRESENT HIS CASE. HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MEET WITH THE PAROLE BOARD HIMSELF. N.C. DOES NOT DO THINGS LIKE OTHER STATES DO. THEY WILL NEVER MEET HIM PERSONALLY, THEY ONLY LOOK AT HIS RECORD AND HIS JACKET.

HELP, HELP, HELP

DONNA

Donna....
I would be MORE than happy to help in ANY way possible.... let me put some thoughts together and drop you a PM tomorrow when I am thinking more clearly, ok??
:)

I think we need to ask Butch also cause he has some ideas on what he wants me to say on that day.

Renee

BUTCH HAS ALREADY TOLD ME WHAT HE WANTS TO SAY. AND BECAUSE OF THE LAST THREE WRITE UPS, THE PAROLE BOARD WILL PROBABLY DENY HIS PAROLE. THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING FOR SOME NEW IDEAS TO PRESENT FOR HIM. HE KNOWS THAT TOO.

YOU CANNOT RECEIVE THREE WRITE UPS IN A 2 MONTHS PERIOD AND THE PAROLE BOARD NOT LOOK DOWN ON IT. BUT, THERE ARE OTHER GOOD THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE. OF COURS, HE HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING THIS YEAR. SO IT WILL BE A HARD ONE. WE ALREADY HAVE 5 PEOPLE GOING TO THE MEETING AND NO ONE ELSE CAN GO. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP HIM AND NOT HINDER HIM

I CERTAINLY DO NEED YOUR INPUT. IF YOU WANT TO E-MAIL ME OR SEND ME A PM.

THANKS
DONNA

Donna I wish I could send information that would help. This is all new to me. Richard actually was granted Parole by the board and he thought he was out. He was packing his box. and then the Oklahoma Governor under political pressure (not to early release any more prisoners) reversed it.

I think your classy stance and the person you are will represent Butch and will do as much as what you say. I would focus on everything positive. What ever he has suffered and survived put it all positive. Do a mental inventory and purge all the anger and hate you have towards the prison system.
If your in a great peaceful state of mind you will calmly and strongly do and say everything that needs to be.

I know the right answers will come to you. You have strong and intelligent people all around you.

Butch and I have discussed this issue and as his Fiancee he wants me to go to Raleigh and meet with the Board. This is Butch's life we are talking about and if he wants me there then I believe that is what is important. I would hope that a Christian woman would understand this. According to the rules unless it has changed, 5 people cannot go, only 3 unless that was false information I recieved. Just curious about that one?

Anyway I will be there with bells on so look for me.

Renee

Just thought I would drop in and make sure the A/C is set at the proper level. Wish everyone the best at the parole hearing. I don't have a lot of experience with them since I was pretty much timed out for state and they had to cut me loose. I know it might not look good for Butch this go round, but the worst case is that they will hear good things and know lots of people are pulling for him.

David

Donna and Renne no matter what I'd hope that you both can go to the hearing because it will probably help them to understand more on what has been going on with Butch.

With all the things that he has accomplished in the past that should still be brought as the main focus. But I'd also address what has happened this past year and not ignore it. I'm doing research right now regarding the importance of inmates in maintaining strong connections to social support. Any published research supports the contention that inmates who maintain positive relationships with those outside the prison system will have a more opportunities to successfully reintegrate into society. This is all that Butch has tried to do. Maintain his relationships and yet has been punished and sanctioned for this. (I wouldn't put it that way to the parole board though!)

If you want published reports/stats/figures...let me know!
More than anything, I hope that you can all be there for the right reasons, and speak for what Butch is not able to do so personally!

(HUGS)

Pamela

Ok at the risk of stepping on toes which I do well. I am going to say what I think about what I have observed from the past post I have read here on the Butch saga. I've followed this through all the bad write ups, and segregations.

From what I understand Butch has been in trouble over Renee.

If this is correct maybe it would be better if Renee "the reasons for Butches segregation" not be present when it comes time to decide if he should be paroled or not.

I'm so sorry Renee, I know you love each other very much and will do anything and everything for each other but if you look at it from the view of those in authority, rather rightly or not, they will see you as the reason he has got in trouble.

I know things were not your fault because of unfair visitation rules, changing them, I agree that was not right. Stupid as it is they are anal about "rules are rules."

Just think about this from the parole board view and not your breaking heart. The parole board will not hear your justifications of Butches past write-ups. We all know they were bogus but that is not what they want to discuss. You can bet your name is all over his file. I'm not judging you just trying to give you an idea of how they will look at you two. Not two people in love but two people that break rules.

Just something to think about Renee I know you want the best thing to happen to get him out. Everyone does. Please just consider this.
I wish both Renee and Donna God's strength and wisdom.

Donna here is some more information that might help you:
(I'll be writing my support for Butch, very soon!)

Families of inmates are encouraged by the Board of Prison Terms to provide evidence of outside support prior/pending their release on parole. One way this can be accomplished is for the Inmate to obtain positive information letters from outside sources showing their support for the release of said Inmate. These letters may be provided by the Inmate Family, Relative, Loved Ones, Friend, Businessman, Minister, School Teachers, Religious Leaders, Past and Prospective Employers. As well as in prison Counselor, Teachers, Chaplain, as well as outside Volunteers.

There are not any Rules or Regulations concerning support letters, only guidelines and suggestions. Each Inmate must use information that fits his own special situation.
There are many people who care and are willing to HELP, "If only asked to do so."
Your request for Help may provide your supporter with a better understanding of the Correctional process.


The letters should be continual throughout the year/years to show the consistency of active support as well as informs the Board of prison Terms you are serious about the support you may offer. These letters also provide evidence that the Inmate has a network of supporters upon his release.

Guidelines for what to say in your support letters:
1. The relationship to the inmate.
2. How long you have known the Inmate.
3. Your belief that the Inmate will be a useful and law abiding citizen in the community.
4. Your belief, that despite his mistakes, He is a good person.
5. You may describe improvements in the inmates attitude, behavior, as well as any effort he has made to improve himself. i.e. (school, etc.)
6. If you will provide housing, Please give the address and telephone number.

You can also mention any type of help you are willing to provide; such as Transportation, Clothing, etc.

Other people who write support letters may include the same type of information. Some people are willing to help, but can not provide money or a job, these people can offer to spend time with the Inmate upon his release with encouragement doing positive and worthwhile things. This kind of support is also necessary for someone just released from prison.

The Support Letter should be neat in appearance. If the letter is from a Business or a professional person, it should be written on Letterhead stationary when possible.

Any person may submit information concerning any prisoner/parolee as well as the offenses. Written comments from the public shall be directed to the Executive officer of the Board of Prison Terms, who shall forward the comments to the Inmates central file for consideration of future hearing panels. The Board of Prison Terms shall consider, in deciding whether to release a prisoner on parole all information received from the public.

I hope some of this information will help you in Butch's upcoming hearing! (hugs)

Pamela

Budwoman...

Bless your heart I can sense the stress and urgency in your words,,,,If I was good at this sort of thing....(with words ) I mean I'd be more than willing to help ......if your like me the stress can really wear you out.....I'll pray for you and that you can carry out your task calmly and efficiently and that your son might finally get paroled and come home.....God Bless.....Lucy

Torrey, you said something very tactfully and I do agree with you. When you love someone, you have to put your feelings aside and do what is best for the loved one. At this parole hearing there needs to be a show of support, of unity and if there is ANY probelms between the support systems..... it's over. Renee, since the write ups were because of you, it may not be in the best interest of Butch for you to be there. I do understand the need to be in the middle of everything and fight for the one you love, sometimes though we need to do things that we don't want to do. Just because you arn't there doesn't mean you love him anyless and that will show the board that you do love him and do respect their laws. THAT is what is going to get Butch out.

This, again is just my opinion and all I want is the best for everyone around, especially for Butch.

Joy