RCI PO Box 900, Racine, WI 53177
Birth year: 1975 (43 y.o)
Danny Conner from his Uncle
Something has to change concerning those given life
sentences under the old law. Statistics show the low recidivism rates of
those who have served a significant amount of time and for lifers who have spent more than 20 years is
less than 1%. Currently we are simply warehousing men and women who could very well be productive
members of society. Many who have been incarcerated since their early 20's and even their late teen
years. They have completed al the recommended programming given by the court and their social workers
at the prisons they are in, maintained good behavior, gained an education, and have accepted and
acknowledge the wrong they've done not only to the person(s) immediately
affected by
their crime, but to their communities, their own family, and themselves. Now
having spent years in prison, some more than half their lives. These same men and
women are no longer who they were in their teens and early 20's. They
have a completely different mindset. They are for loving members of their
communities and households, and many want to give back to them by mentoring the
youth so that they don't follow their paths. They are now in their 40's, 50's,
and older with no thought of re-offending if and when they are given the
opportunity of being paroled.
I am in agreement with the WISDOM for Justice and Bridge
of Voices, Forum For Understanding Prisons(FFUP) who are advocating for the release or
parole of rehabilitated Old Law prisoners, some lifers with no parole date (or) with
parole dates so far into the future that many of these men and women who are ready to contribute to society
and their families may die in prison. I ask that you would view the (FFIJP) newsletter dated December
2015, January 2016 and support the PAC 1.06 (16) rule changes they are
submitting. I believe that you may view them at www.secondchancewi.org.
My nephew Danny Conner is one of these cases. He was
convicted of First Degree Intentional Homicide (Party to a Crime) on
May 15, 1996, and on July 16, 1996, the judge sentenced him to serve
life in
prison with a parole eligibility date of July 16, 2061. Yes, 65 years before
even being able to see a possibility.
My nephew has served 20 years in prison. He has had one
major violation for which even two of his then counselors testified in his
defense that he'd done no wrong. He has not done this on his own. He has given
his life over to the Lord and has not looked back. He is not the 20 year old
that went into prison. He is a 40 year
old who has accepted responsibility for what he's done. His character and
behavior are of righteousness. He has completed all of the programs given
to him by DOC, has a great work ethic having kept a job for the majority of his
incarceration, and should be given a second chance to be a productive member of
society. He is seeking to be a help to those at risk of traveling the path he
once chose, a help to his family, and an advocate for safety and doing what is
righteous in the community. Already he is giving back when he has the means to
help those in need, along with speaking up for those who've been harmed in any way, and this of his own
volition. Again he is not that 20 year old who went in, but a man who can be a help to his family and
community, instead of a hindrance.
I would like to add my voice to those like WISDOM for
Justice and Bridge of Voices, Forum For Understanding Prisons(FFUP) who
believe in forgiveness, second chances, and that we shouldn't just throw away or warehouse men and
women who could actually be contributing to society and who have served a very lengthy amount of
time in prison, even more than the 13Y2 required under the Old Law which our system has moved away from,
to the detriment of society and the family structure.
I pray that you would support (FFUP)'s action to get PAC
1.06 rule changed and senator Lena Taylor's bill on pardons so that those like my nephew can
actually get paroled. Thank you for your time and acknowledgment of this
very important matter.
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