Please bring back good time, we are begging

I am writing on behalf of my husband. He was wrongly accused of a serious crime he didn't commit. Currently we are in the process of Habeas Corpus. It is for cases like his that this bill needs to be passed. Thank you for taking into consideration the fact that there are people who deserve this bill to pass and are taking every advantage of their current situation to not only better themselves but to help those around them. Our loved one's are no different than yours. They are loved and missed and are missing out on a life they deserve to spend with us.

I support this bill

Please pass HB 5148 to expand earned sentence credits for ALL behind bars during the upcoming special session as it was originally submitted by Delegate Scott during the 2020 legislative session. Distinguishing between different classes of crime within legislation that is set to encourage rehabilitation and incentivize better behavior is unjust, unnecessary, and counter productive. Sentence length already reflects initial crime so POTENTIAL time earned off of sentences will reflect that as well. In addition, it is those who have done the most wrong who we should most give incentive to be better people. My son in law Travis E. Williams was accused of a violent crime, where no one was hurt or harmed. He has worked hard to be a good person during his time behind bars. He deserve a second chance, as do all. Thank you.

Hi. My name is Zuleika Flores I am from Roanoke VA and I am writing to ask that you pass legislation to expand earned sentence credits for ALL people behind bars. My husband Travis E. Williams is currently incarcerated in VA for a robbery he committed when he was 18 he was sentenced to 38 years no parole. No one was hurt during the robbery. Only money took. Which does not excuse the crime, but he has served 17 years now. He is now 36 years old, an author of 4 books now available on Amazon (Travis E Williams). A co owner of a business (OdalysLLC). Has helped other inmates pursue their dreams in writing. He graduated from Blackstone career institute & has a paralegal certificate and so on. He also has a pending petition on ‪change.org‬ with over 8,000 signatures of support of him coming home early. Needless to say he is now a man and not the boy he was at the time of the robbery he committed. He has self rehabilitated his self and ready to be a positive asset to his community and family. By passing this bill it will allow him to further his accolades in becoming a better man rather than wasting them locked up behind bars. Leaving out certain people from benefiting from the bill is wrong for many reasons. Not only would it leave out well over half of the people behind bars in Virginia, it would perpetuate the racial inequity that exists in the system. I urge you, vote to expand earned sentence credits for ALL people behind bars. Give good people hope and a second chance. Thank you! Sincerely, Zuleika Flores

I'm not happy that if this goes through did it can only affect some people I think everyone deserves a second chance they've made mistakes they deserve to show that they have become better people please give these people the chance they so well deserved I have done tie myself and since I have got out I have not been back and I know but they are some in there just like me they can come out of there then be a be a better person

If some inmates can be let out early for a second chance then ALL inmates should receive the second chance. A man/woman serving a sentence for a heinous crime deserves the second chance as well as the man/woman incarcerated for a minor crime. Please vote NO exclusions.

Dear Member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m writing to let you know that I support HB 5148 Increased Earned Sentence Credits for EVERYONE ! The Crime Commission recommended HB 5148 to include ALL offenders earning good time credits! An amendment was made to HB5148 today in the Courts of Justice to exclude certain offenders from earning the increased sentence credits, specifically in part " (i) a Class 1 felony; (ii) an act of violence as defined in § 19.2-297.1 involving a mino r victim unless such person is ineligible for earned sentence credits pursuant to subsection C of § 19.2- 297.1;". This amendment equates those convicted of a sex offense against a minor with those convicted of a Class 1 felony (murder). These sessions are run at break-neck speed, and amendments are added and substitutions offered without full aforethought to the consequences. The amendment to HB 5148 does not take into consideration those convicted of a sex offense against a minor that were falsely accused and convicted with no physical, forensic or DNA evidence simply because the alleged victim pointed a finger or lied about their age. It is my firm belief and opinion that this amendment applies earned sentence credits in an inequitable fashion, based on Stigmas of certain offenses and without taking into consideration the offender's behavior while incarcerated, completing programs, holding jobs and staying infraction free. Our prisons do have rehabilitation programs. If offenders have completed the rehabilitation programs, they should be allowed to re-enter society with a chance to prove themselves, in a reasonable amount of time. This includes those charged with a sex offense, because many have been falsely accused, will hold the stigma of their charge the rest of their lives, and will have to register the rest of their lives. Many are there because someone lied about their age, or simply pointed their finger with no evidence other than their statement. There is a specific treatment program in place, SORT, that those charged with a sex offense have to complete before being released. I support increasing the amount of good time credits that ALL residents in the VADOC can EARN , regardless of their charge. Residents have to earn this time off their sentence, it will not be given to them. This will in turn create safer prisons, a safer work environment for the correctional officers and other workers, and it will undoubtedly restore HOPE for residents and their families. Please re-consider the amendment to HB5148, to make it fair and equitable for all inmates participating in the Earned Credit Sentence program. Thank you for taking the time to read

My friend was murdered. Her husband was going to pay to have her killed. She was murdered and the killer and the estranged husband were found immediately. The killer was never paid, obviously but they are both serving time. My friend was stabbed so many times, her body was almost unrecognizable. The husband feels he should get out early. He took the mother of his two small boys' life but he feels he should have his? No way. He should for in jail. Maybe early parole is a good idea for some inmates but not him. He's truly evil and sociopathic. Please spare my friend's family more pain.

Good time expansion must be all inclusive!

Please pass HB 5148 to expand earned sentence credits for ALL behind bars during the upcoming special session. Lengthy and unjust prison sentences affect more than just the person behind bars. They affect their families and communities too. My family has been affected by mass incarceration and my fiancé Dequency Batts is a good person and needs to be home with us during this time. Everybody makes mistakes and he has paid dearly for his. Please pass this. Thank you.

Although I am representing Just Future Project and have submitted several comments over the course of this session on the organization's behalf, today I am writing from a personal stance. I believe that all victims should be heard and their responses and reactions should not be judged. Lawmakers seem to think that advocates for those convicted of sex crimes have never been victims and I can tell you from my personal experience and networking that is not true. Myself and several of my family members and friends were victimized as children by close personal friends who were never held accountable. Advocates for those accused and/or convicted are not trying to eliminate accountability, nor do we negate the serious harm that is caused by these crimes, but we see a system that is not working and focuses on punishment anywhere from exclusions from programs in prison such as educational programs and jobs and more markedly to exclusions from video visits with loved ones, even during a pandemic. In addition, many face a second incarceration through Virginia's unjust and draconian SVP laws which result in unproven and extremely costly "treatment" which according to research and data and even psychologists from VA's shadow prison itself would be more effective in the community as returning citizens re-integrate into society. The prison sentence itself is the punishment and although some believe that those convicted of sex offenses serve shorter sentences than deserved by taking plea deals so victims are not required to take the stand, many of the accused will take pleas even if they are innocent or overcharged in fear of long prison sentences. Many are also threatened with long sentences for technical probation violations if they do not take a plea and accept guilt. Due to assumptions of guilt until proven innocent in most of these cases, a fair trial is next to impossible unless you are a person of means. ("Better to be guilty and rich than innocent and poor"-Bryan Stevenson) In addition, laws in VA are so broad and vague that sexual violence in some cases is severely misconstrued. Any act of a sexual nature is wrong and the perpetrator should be held accountable, but we do need to look more closely at how we define violence and/or predatory behavior. Regardless, even those with the most serious offenses are unlikely to re-offend sexually once they have been held accountable for their crime. All research and data reflect this fact with the latest study citing recidivism rates of 3-5%. (If we in Virginia pride ourselves on science, data, and research, we need to look at facts and not give in to fear mongering.) Longer prison sentences do nothing to lower recidivism, but offering incentives and programs that every incarcerated person must earn will keep communities safer. They will be getting out at some point so don't we want them prepared to function in society? Keeping anyone in prison longer will not heal the hurt they have caused. But you as legislators can help to create better returning citizens by offering incentives FOR ALL! One additional note-By excluding some human beings from this bill, the prisons will become even more unstable than they already are and systemic racism will continue. Black citizens are already serving longer sentences and are disproportionately represented even in the excluded crimes. All or none!

Please pass HB 5148 to expand earned sentence credits for ALL behind bars during the upcoming special session as it was originally submitted by Delegate Scott during the 2020 legislative session. Distinguishing between different classes of crime within legislation that is set to encourage rehabilitation and incentivize better behavior is unjust, unnecessary, and counter productive. Sentence length already reflects initial crime so POTENTIAL time earned off of sentences will reflect that as well. In addition, it is those who have done the most wrong who we should most give incentive to be better people. Our son, Estifanos Mesghinna #1189915, was falsely accused of a violent crime, but has worked hard to prove his innocence and be a good person behind bars. He deserves a chance to come home to us, as do all. We am scared for him during this pandemic since he already tested positive for Covid-19 in June 2020. Social distancing is impossible behind bars currently and the conditions in our prisons right now are scary. Expanding earned sentence credits for all would help alleviate some of these problems for our prison systems while allowing our son to come home where he can help us during this crazy time. Please consider the well-being of all Virginia’s citizens as pass this legislation as it was originally submitted by Delegate Scott during the regular 2020 legislative session. Thank you. Meraf Ghebretatios (Mother) 3403 Spring Lane #201 Falls Church, Virginia 22041 Haile Mesghinna (Father) alehelmarhan@gmail.com Arlington, Virginia

Please pass HB 5148 to expand earned sentence credits for ALL behind bars during the upcoming special session as it was originally submitted by Delegate Scott during the 2020 legislative session. Distinguishing between different classes of crime within legislation that is set to encourage rehabilitation and incentivize better behavior is unjust, unnecessary, and counter productive. Sentence length already reflects initial crime so POTENTIAL time earned off of sentences will reflect that as well. In addition, it is those who have done the most wrong who we should most give incentive to be better people. Our son, Estifanos Mesghinna #1189915, was falsely accused of a violent crime, but has worked hard to prove his innocence and be a good person behind bars. He deserves a chance to come home to us, as do all. We am scared for him during this pandemic since he already tested positive for Covid-19 in June 2020. Social distancing is impossible behind bars currently and the conditions in our prisons right now are scary. Expanding earned sentence credits for all would help alleviate some of these problems for our prison systems while allowing our son to come home where he can help us during this crazy time. Please consider the well-being of all Virginia’s citizens as pass this legislation as it was originally submitted by Delegate Scott during the regular 2020 legislative session. Thank you. Meraf Ghebretatios (Mother) 3403 Spring Lane #201 Falls Church, Virginia 22041 Haile Mesghinna (Father) alehelmarhan@gmail.com Arlington, Virginia

As a former victim, providing shorter sentences for criminals undermines our experience and makes us feel even less valued in a system that already feels broken at times. I’ve seen too many cases, especially those involving sex crimes where the offender should have gotten more time.

My name is Santia from Henrico County and I support HB5148 for all. It’s the only way to provide relief for those wrongfully incarcerated, or those incarcerated for being poor. This is disproportionally affecting black and brown communities. Please help by putting money back into these communities to PREVENT future crime and money spent on prisons.

This bill should be for everybody you have guys/girls who have served at least 20 to 25yrs and are out of their crime yrs one in stance you say ur system rehabilitate n if that is so then free them a lot where over sentence when parole was abolished this bill will help correct this a lot of politicians use fear-mongering to try to scare the public when most of these guys have consistently been model inmates while in prison they say you are what you consistently do and their record reflects that and they are deserving of a second chance. It's time for a change in Virginia an if this panel cannot or will not get it done then we must find a way to get someone in office who has the balls to do so we need these guys in the community who can help teach the youth n keep them outta of trouble these men are eager to help n give back to their community

I am pleased to support HB 5043, which provides for the development and establishment of a mental health awareness response and community understanding services (Marcus) alert system in localities and areas throughout the Commonwealth.

Please, I beg you to think about the victims. If this passes the men that murder my dear friends little sister. A girl we all loved growing up. She was a victim of domestic violence and eventually died at the hands of two sorry cowards. Her two children have lost their mother and now they have to worry about her killer being released. Get real. This should not apply to violent offenders. Wake up!

I support Earned Good Time for All crimes. Everyone deserves a second chance.

We whole hearted support HB 5148 as its written. Everyone and I mean everyone deserves a second chance to get life right!

Support HB5148- At this point excluding violent all violent offenders from this bill is not for the greater good of criminal justice. Virginia leads the pack in regards to having a poor criminal justice system that caters to the warehousing of black and brown individuals. You have no incentive right now for anyone to earn any credits nor is there a parole system for people to have the potential to ever get out. Therefore VA is just collecting human surplus. It is a fact that blacks are incarcerated in record numbers, charged and convicted with more felonies than their white counter parts. It is a fact that more poor black and brown people sign pleas for perceived shorter sentences for crimes they do not commit. It is a fact that VA did not tell people that parole was abolished and that people who took pleas were shown old sentencing guides. Hence why my loved one sits 22 yrs incarcerated at 40 yrs old since 18 b/c he took a plea for a crime he did not commit but was offered a shorter sentence. Everyday you do a disservice to the incarcerated and their families and it is sad many delegates and senators still want to role with the same status quo. This bill does not benefit non violent offenders b/c they get less time and have high rates of recidivism. Also violent implies someone is violent as opposed to the crime being violent. Non violent makes it seem as though a person is exempt from ever becoming violent. Neither of which is true. It would behoove you all to really dig deep into your spirits and see the value in giving someone the opportunity to earn their right to be free. Freed is a right not a privilege. we all make mistakes. EVERYONE. lets not be the first to break our glass houses judging others for their wrongs. Give people a change. Sincere Allah #1131459 is a SAM therapeutic mentor, advocate for others, infraction free for several years and a first time offender. Tell me why he does not deserve to return home to his family. I am waiting,

I am writing for a friend, Princess Hepner, whose daughter Rachel M Abshire was killed in Jan 2013. Rachel's ex-husband is in jail for his part in this and does not deserve any consideration to be released if this bill passes. I feel that certain convictions(murder in any degree or accessory to murder) should not be eligible in regards to this bill. Victims families would have no say in the matter if someone was released early, possibly putting more lives in danger, disrupting family. Some families accept a plea deal to get a certain jail time/conviction and this could change that. Victims families at least know a time frame with a plea deal conviction. Please vote no on this bill. Sincerely, Suzanne E Carter

Im not sure why you would even consider this. Of course they will behave in jail. They don't exactly have freedom. The man that made a deal with his friend to kill my best friend Rachel doesn't deserve to be set free. Neither of those men do honestly. They made a choice and thought they'd get away with it. Them being in jail is the justice we got and now you want to let them out early because they were good in jail. So what they are behaving in jail. They chose to plot and take Rachel's life. They don't deserve to be rewarded. How is this justice for Rachel or for that matter her two boys that she was taken from? You really need to think of your actions and what your suggesting. Think of the people that are left behind trying to pick up the broken pieces that have been left do to someone's selfish decision. Them being in jail/prison is a justice for the victim and the ones left behind. If it had happened to you or someone you loved you definitely wouldn't even think about letting them out. How would you feel if the person that hurt you or your family was out of jail and one day they walked up to you as if nothing ever happened? Rachels boys will never see their mother again. Rachels mother will never see her daughter again. However if you release them for "good behavior" Rachel mother will have to face the man that set up her daughters murder. Think about Rachel's boys because the man that talked his buddy into killing Rachel happens to be their boys father. I hate to think of the other victims that may have lived to tell their story and found peace knowing their attacker was behind bars. Now you are purposing to let them out on good behavior. I'm sure even repeat offenders are on their best behavior in jail but once released they are back doing what got them behind bars in the first place. 2020 has been a year but this is the most mind-blowing thing I've been informed about this year. Good behavior what a joke seriously.