Moving Down and Out!

I don't seem to have any concept of time right now. I have been stuck on five months for the last five months, and it’s still five months—five months until my next parole hearing. But I am well and I know with the New Year is about to come and time will eventually dip under five months (Smile). 

I finally finished the first part of the paralegal course. For the most part I passed with a 90% or better on seven parts of the test. I got 100% percent on both Office Memo’s and passed all the tests required. But on two of the reflection assignments I got a 69% and a 64%, and another one went astray. They allowed me to resubmit those three parts of the test which I have done. Now I’m waiting for my final grade; I know I will pass. I should get my grade in a week or so, but that is just the first part of the test to become a paralegal. I can do part two of the course here—that is the part that concludes with the certificate that certifies me as paralegal. Or I can wait until I get home and get the certificate doing on-the-job training with the lawyers who are trying to get me home. So I may wait and start the second half of the course after I move from this place.

That’s the big thing; The Move. From a Level 3 prison to a Level 2. I had my early review and the unit manager signed off on it other day. So I should be eligible to drop to Level 2 once the central office in Columbus agrees. Going to Level 2 from where I am currently (Level 3) lowers my status, which is a good thing.

I've been getting mixed messages about Level 2. I guess it’s a lot faster there. There is a lot more freedom of movement and it’s easier to get caught up in prison life, but I have no intentions of getting caught up. I will stay my course for what we are trying to make happen with my freedom: I hope to be free in May.

The programs in Level 2 are much better and I may get in some courses I couldn't get here in Level 3. Here, they don't allow those sentenced to life-without parole to take any of the re-entry programs. You remember that Gov. Kasich sentenced me Life Without Parole after taking away the death sentence.

But I hope you also remember that Life without Parole was not the sentence the parole board recommended at my last clemency hearing. All 11 of the board members—appointed by the governor—voted to allow me to parole at some point. Six members voted for immediate parole eligibility; five members recommended two years for adjustment from death row to prison to home.

Those two years is going to be up in May 2016,and we are really hoping the governor has a change of heart and allows me to go home...Finally. I have been here 33 years now for a crime I did not commit. I have made what the parole board will see as “my adjustment”: I have moved from Level 5—death row—to Level 3 and now to Level 2 in less than the two years. I am up for clemency again in early May. If you'd like to help with letters to the governor, the parole board, and any politician you may feel can help, it may just bring this nightmare to an end.

Just making your voice of concern loud would be greatly appreciated, Any support you can lend will be welcome. I believe my attorneys will be putting everything in place come December. They don't want to do this too soon or too late, so watch this space and look for the GO. Then write your letters.Thank you all!

Sincerely,

Arthur