Here's The letter I sent in
***** Jones February 19, 2008
2918 S. Freya St.
Spokane, Wa. 99223
Dear Maryland Parole Board Members and Hearing Officer.
I am writing you today in regards to Mr. Phillip Jones, MD DOC # 214715, Wa. DOC # 881507, and his up coming parole hearing in March. My name is ***** wife.
Myself as not only his wife but his best friend want to see him succeed. I stand with him, Not behind him or in front of him but by his side. Willing to do or go as far as needed in order to help him be the man he has become. Not cradle him or cater to him but help him. I am very strong willed and determined just as Mr. Jones and together as a team with our children and the support we have with our family who are all of good people, Mr. Jones will succeed as a husband, father and an up right good citizen. We are a family of good morals and of religion. Mr. Jones doesn't have a hand out here, he has an obligation not only to himself but his family.
Mr. Jones has a home to go to upon his release. I don't use drugs, I don't drink and I am a very stable person. I have 2 special needs children, one of which requires skilled nursing care in the home. There are medical personnel in our home on a regular basis, so you can imagine that things are ran in a very structured setting.
Mr. Jones has grown a bond not only with his children but my children as well, through the bars of the institution he has been a wonderful father. He talks an relates to the children better than I have ever seen. His desire to keep them pointed in the right direction is very strong.
We will continue to participate in our religious services once he is home. We have every opportunity to participate with other members of our religion.
So in brief conclusion; I, as his loving wife who not only supports him but is capable of being strong for him, am willing to stand up, not sit down to re-introduce him to society and keep him on the straight and narrow. I will keep in contact as need be with his parole officer. Mr. Jones has children that look up to him and his desire to be there for them is beautiful. He has a very stable and structured home to be released to as well as responsibilities. He's not getting a free ride or a hand out. What he is getting a chance at a normal life, one he hasn't seen in 17 years. He was a child when he was incarcerated; and now, at 37 is ready to be a man, a father, and a husband. His desire is very strong an he has the capability to do so much if given the chance.
I thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
***** Jones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY
Well I called the last day or so of Feb and asked how come he hasn't had his hearing an they said there was some paper work missing from WSP. Figures this is how the system is. They really don't care! We also found out that they would conduct the hearing in Baltimore WITH OUT him, Is that crazy or what. So there not giving him a chance to speak in his own defense. They said they'll let him know how things go. Just absolutely bananas
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UPDATE May 24th -POSSIBLY FREEDOM IN THE AIR
So Phillip called me and said they called him to the counselors office and asked for an address an phone number. They want to check out the house he will be released to if his hearing goes in his favor. I think he said they also want to check out his job. How exciting is this. After 17 years he can actually breath the possibility's of being free. I can not imagine the thoughts an excitement running threw him.
So his hearing will be held in Baltimore in July. The bad news, they wont let him attend or speak for himself. They will conduct the hearing an notify him of the outcome. In my opinion this is bananas. How can they not let him defend his freedom. They wont let him speak on his behalf other then through a letter if he chooses to. I think if he were given the opportunity to speak to them in person or via satellite he would be able to convince them he deserves his freedom. But God knows best. So If God so wills he'll be home soon.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE July- Another Bump
So I called the Parole board to see when his hearing will be held, an the supervisor Ruth Ogle said that there is a delay. She said when Phillip filled out the paper work he check the box saying he wanted a representative to review his file prior to the hearing. So I called an Attorney that had helped him in the previous years an asked if he could possibly review it, that this was our only hold up. He agreed an made arrangements to go down there July 30th. So God willing this will be the last hurdle...
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UPDATE July 30th - Seriously.....
So John Morris went down there and reviewed Phillips file. He said he doesn't see any updates in there. No letters from us, no letters saying he has a Job upon release, no letter from his boss at WSP, no letter from the Religious Sponsor Brian Shahid, Nothing.... Not even his certificates of achievement nor his GED completion. This is bananas,m will these hurdles ever go away? All praises to God I saved some of them on my computer and made X-tra copies.
Here we go again, the letter campaign...
( NEXT PAGE) Inocence projects & Pro Bono
***** Jones February 19, 2008
2918 S. Freya St.
Spokane, Wa. 99223
Dear Maryland Parole Board Members and Hearing Officer.
I am writing you today in regards to Mr. Phillip Jones, MD DOC # 214715, Wa. DOC # 881507, and his up coming parole hearing in March. My name is ***** wife.
Myself as not only his wife but his best friend want to see him succeed. I stand with him, Not behind him or in front of him but by his side. Willing to do or go as far as needed in order to help him be the man he has become. Not cradle him or cater to him but help him. I am very strong willed and determined just as Mr. Jones and together as a team with our children and the support we have with our family who are all of good people, Mr. Jones will succeed as a husband, father and an up right good citizen. We are a family of good morals and of religion. Mr. Jones doesn't have a hand out here, he has an obligation not only to himself but his family.
Mr. Jones has a home to go to upon his release. I don't use drugs, I don't drink and I am a very stable person. I have 2 special needs children, one of which requires skilled nursing care in the home. There are medical personnel in our home on a regular basis, so you can imagine that things are ran in a very structured setting.
Mr. Jones has grown a bond not only with his children but my children as well, through the bars of the institution he has been a wonderful father. He talks an relates to the children better than I have ever seen. His desire to keep them pointed in the right direction is very strong.
We will continue to participate in our religious services once he is home. We have every opportunity to participate with other members of our religion.
So in brief conclusion; I, as his loving wife who not only supports him but is capable of being strong for him, am willing to stand up, not sit down to re-introduce him to society and keep him on the straight and narrow. I will keep in contact as need be with his parole officer. Mr. Jones has children that look up to him and his desire to be there for them is beautiful. He has a very stable and structured home to be released to as well as responsibilities. He's not getting a free ride or a hand out. What he is getting a chance at a normal life, one he hasn't seen in 17 years. He was a child when he was incarcerated; and now, at 37 is ready to be a man, a father, and a husband. His desire is very strong an he has the capability to do so much if given the chance.
I thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
***** Jones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY
Well I called the last day or so of Feb and asked how come he hasn't had his hearing an they said there was some paper work missing from WSP. Figures this is how the system is. They really don't care! We also found out that they would conduct the hearing in Baltimore WITH OUT him, Is that crazy or what. So there not giving him a chance to speak in his own defense. They said they'll let him know how things go. Just absolutely bananas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE May 24th -POSSIBLY FREEDOM IN THE AIR
So Phillip called me and said they called him to the counselors office and asked for an address an phone number. They want to check out the house he will be released to if his hearing goes in his favor. I think he said they also want to check out his job. How exciting is this. After 17 years he can actually breath the possibility's of being free. I can not imagine the thoughts an excitement running threw him.
So his hearing will be held in Baltimore in July. The bad news, they wont let him attend or speak for himself. They will conduct the hearing an notify him of the outcome. In my opinion this is bananas. How can they not let him defend his freedom. They wont let him speak on his behalf other then through a letter if he chooses to. I think if he were given the opportunity to speak to them in person or via satellite he would be able to convince them he deserves his freedom. But God knows best. So If God so wills he'll be home soon.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE July- Another Bump
So I called the Parole board to see when his hearing will be held, an the supervisor Ruth Ogle said that there is a delay. She said when Phillip filled out the paper work he check the box saying he wanted a representative to review his file prior to the hearing. So I called an Attorney that had helped him in the previous years an asked if he could possibly review it, that this was our only hold up. He agreed an made arrangements to go down there July 30th. So God willing this will be the last hurdle...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE July 30th - Seriously.....
So John Morris went down there and reviewed Phillips file. He said he doesn't see any updates in there. No letters from us, no letters saying he has a Job upon release, no letter from his boss at WSP, no letter from the Religious Sponsor Brian Shahid, Nothing.... Not even his certificates of achievement nor his GED completion. This is bananas,m will these hurdles ever go away? All praises to God I saved some of them on my computer and made X-tra copies.
Here we go again, the letter campaign...
( NEXT PAGE) Inocence projects & Pro Bono
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