DOC inmate locator site: https://appsdoc.wi.gov/lop/.
Here we introduce you to a few of the men and women who are rehabilitated and ready to come home. There are about 2500 prisoners , all over 30years old ; over 1000 of them are over 55 .They do not need to be incarcerated and it is a human rights violation of the first order to hold them. But more than that, their release would go a long way to solving the overcrowding problem and resources could be put into programs and treatment that we lack now in our prisons and community. We are not being made safer by the present system for inmates are not rehabilitated- they are generally abused.
We begin with two urgent cases:
Parents not long to live, these men want most to be with them in their last days.
Scott Howard and James Schuman are both in their 60’S and long ago rehabilitated. They both have ailing parent and their most earnest desire is to be with them in their last days.
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| James Schuman( left) with parents. His mother recently died. He hopes to get back home to be with his father |
James Schuman 335144;
Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center;
N8375 County Line;Oneida, WI 54155
James Schuman plotted to kill his wife during a dark parole period of divorcing- the man he plotted with was government- no one was hurt. He was convicted in 1997 has been in prison for over 20 years and wants nothing more but to be with is father in his last few years. Born in 1950, he is 68 and has multiple health problems. His son’s wife has been battling cancer for years. He has taken full responsibility for his crime. Despite all these factors, he has been denied parole on numerous occasions.
Jim has no criminal record. He has an excellent work history and has job skills he could put to immediate use if paroled. Both his children strongly supported him throughout his trial. He has no major conduct reports. He has used his time in prison well, tutoring other inmates, working other jobs, and furthering his education where possible. Prison authorities have rated him as a low risk for violent behavior or committing another crime if released.
Here are his son’s Skip’s words after reading a transcript from his father’s parole hearing: “It is my opinion, in all the previous hearings,
the commissioners came across as completely biased with predetermined decisions.
The use of incendiary, misleading sophistry shows no actual consideration or
discussion for parole. One might think the parole commission would be more
useful investigating and assisting inmates to target how they will support and
establish themselves to be assets to society, rather than detaining a created,
continued expense for taxpayers.
"It is time to release James Schuman."
click here to read James Schuman's blogpost  |
| Scott Howard with aged parents |
| Oakhill Correctional Institution | ||
| PO Box 938; Oregon, WI 53575 | ||
Under “old law” he
became eligible for parole in 1997 and has had 10 parole hearings and waived
the eleventh. At each hearing he was denied for the same reasons of
"Unreasonable risk to society" and "Have not served enough time
for punishment". Both his codefendants have been released. He has taken
every program he can and met all requirements. His list of completed programs and
course covers an entire 8X11 page.
This is a case, again,
of deciding whether we believe that people change. Our answer is a resounding
“YES”. No matter how heinous his crime was 30 years ago, in 1985, this man is
no danger now and his family needs him back. They have backed him at every step
of this long prison process and the heartbreak in their stories is palpable.
Here is a bit of his mother’s letter:
"We have always
been a close, loving family and as his parents we have suffered great loss,
deep painful loss and Scott's absence has been very difficult for us to accept
and we miss him every day. We are at an age we need our son's help around our
house. Both of us had heart surgery and have not been able to
travel back to Wisconsin to visit him. We are 90 years of age and need more
help in getting around. Scott has no one close enough to visit him, which is
heart breaking for him to be so alone.
We raised his daughter
who is 40 now, we have watched how the absence of her father has greatly
affected her life. Her mother was not present in her life either. As a family
unit we gave her a good family life. She was affected emotionally. She went
through her share of problems; her son, Scott's grandson, has a dysfunctional
mental problem and would benefit from his grandfathers help."
Besides the incredible
heartbreak to so many, why are we wasting money keeping this man in prison when
those funds are needed so desperately elsewhere. We do not agree with this
incarceration and demand he be given his freedom as soon as possible.
click to see Scott Howard's blog for more info /
Compassionate Release Applications Denied
We did an application for compassionate release for three deserving Old Law prisoners and were denied with the statement that there is no compassionate release for old law prisoners, they just go to their parole board. There is an executive directive that specifically says otherwise. Here are the three:
application denied/are filing another soon:Here is old application- new one coming.
More about compassionate release for Old law Prisonsers:
More about compassionate release for Old law Prisonsers:
We did an application for compassionate release for three deserving Old Law prisoners and were denied with the statement that there is no compassionate release for old law prisoners, they just go to their parole board. There is an executive directive that specifically says otherwise. Here are the three:
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| Nancy Ezell several years ago |
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| Nancy Ezelll today |
054991
TCI, PO Box 3100,
Fond du Lac, 53933
Nancy Ezell was Born 1952 and is now 66. She was
convicted in 1998 of drug possession “with intent to manufacture, distribute or
deliver. (961.41.)” She has had multiple major heart surgeries, has type 2
diabetes and is on oxygen. She has had hip and knee surgery . Statistics show
that the crime rate drops dramatically (from 12 percent to 6 percent) for
people over 30. After 55 it drops to near zero. This would be enough to tell us
that Nancy is not dangerous but the fact that she carries around oxygen
wherever she goes makes this certain. Another factor is that she is in prison
for a non violent drug crime and was sentenced when the WAR ON DRUGS was at its
highest pitch. Then Excessive sentences for non violent crimes were the norm.
She also has children who would love to have her
home and who would care for her.
But the enormous cost of keeping Nancy in is not
the most important consideration. The prison cannot house someone as sick and
frail as Nancy humanely. Prisons were built for the healthy. She is very stressed
with the noise and commotion and lack of nurturing has taken its toll. Again
studies tell us that prisoners age much quicker than non prisoners- Some
studies name 50 , some 55 as “old”. Nancy is old and frail with a bad heart and
needs to be home with her loved ones.
Nancy's case is heartbreaking. We did a
compassionate release application for her and she was denied, and her time to
the next parole hearing was extended to two years. I am worried that her health
will give out with the stress and her inability to breathe well. There is no
good reason behind this and the parole board gives no reason except to
constantly reiterate her drug crime. Enough--this is not the same woman who
went to prison. She has learned what she needs and now we need to release her.
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| Terrance Shaw, now70 |
Terrance Shaw 138254 RCI PO Box 900; Sturtevant, WI 53177
Terrance was another of our compassionate release candidates and is one of the hardest workers I know. He has an opportunity with the Veteran's Hospital to get treatment for the first time for his PTSD and then to take their training to become a mentor for other Viet Nam veterans who are also suffering from this malady. He was one of our compassionate release candidates but was denied. This is another example of the DOC's refusal to take into account the fact that people change.
background:
Terrance Shaw born 1948, now 70, has been incarcerated since 1982.
This man is a clear example of why we need to
change from a revenge model to believing that people change. Terrance was a
Viet Nam War veteran with what would now be called PTSD. His crime was
horrendous and also he was horrendously ill . He has been in prison for 32
years on a life sentence. According to the statutes in place at the time , he
has been eligible for parole since 1995. He has been absolutely sincere in his
attempt to redeem himself and we ask that he be given a second chance.
"When I first came to prison in 1982 I
didn't even know my high school fractions, decimals, and percents. But during
my first year in prison I got clean and sober and had a Spiritual Awakening. I
studied hard for my own personal enrichment to remedy my mathematical deficit
and went on to the University of Wisconsin-Extension and got 4-credits in
Algebra and 3-credits in Accounting, and became a prison GED math tutor. "
He
has also completed a 4 year Bible correspondence course and went on to get his
master in Religious studies, doctorate in Bible studies and a PHD in philosophy
of religion.He has been accepted for treatment for his PTSD
at a veterans hospital and intends to go on to be one of their mentors. He is
very anxious to serve and is one of the most earnestly striving people we know.
Why is this man still in prison? We hold more
than 2500 prisoners who are eligible for parole and most are rehabilitated.
They have all been in prison more than 15 years and most spent much of that
time when there was good programming. Many, like Terrance, hold advanced
degrees. Now, largely because of the exorbitant health care costs for these
elderly prisoners (and Terrance at 66, has multiple health problems), there is
little treatment for the mentally ill and few effective programs for anyone.
He has a bright future ahead of him and is very anxious
to start the PTSD treatment at the Veteran's hospital and to go on to be a
mentor to others with PTSD.
Ron Schilling
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32219
KMCI PO Box 282, Plymouth WI 53073
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| Ron Schilling today |
: Born In 1951, Ron
Schilling is now 64 and has been incarcerated since 1976, 39 plus years. He
killed a man during a drug deal gone bad. He has never shied away from taking
responsibility for his crime and has served his time well, staying clear of
major conduct reports and earning several advanced degrees while PELL Grants
were still available. He is a fine musician, poet and litigator and an
inspiration to those around him.
Ron
was granted parole by former Parole Chairman Leonard Wells until he became a victim
of the new tough on crime rhetoric that cost him his parole and Leonard Wells
his job. Since then, he has been back and forth from Minimum to Medium security
and is transferred without a word on why, and is convinced there is retaliation
going on.
Ron
Schilling is an Old-Law prisoner and was eligible for parole after serving
13-1/2years . There is no good reason why we are wasting taxpayer money on
entombing this man and the more than 2500 others who are eligible and
rehabilitated.
Below
is a quote by Ron's Social Worker at Jackson Correctional Institution, written
in support of his parole bid in 2000: "Mr Schilling has a keen mind and a
good heart. If he is not a successful candidate for restoration to the
community, then no one on my caseload could possibly be!"
| http://freeronschilling.blogspot.com/ Ron schillings essays:http://schillingessays.blogspot.com/ |
It is an incredible fact that we have many prisoners from other countries who were eligible for parole many years ago and we ordered deported back to their homeland upon release. Why are we holding them? Families are waiting for them in their own country. Here are two:
JOSE FUENTES 309759;
SCI ;100 Corrections Drive; Stanley, WI 54768   
Jose Fuentes is one of many WI prisoners who
were ordered deported by the judge upon release from prison. In 2005 Jose had a
teleconference with a Federal Judge in Chicago where he issued a deportation
order to go back to Mexico. Jose was sentenced in 1995 and has served 23 years
of a 40 year sentence. He could have gone home 10 years ago, for pre 2000
statutes say he is eligible after serving one quarter of his sentence.
In his own words:” I have completed all of my
required programs.I have seen the Parole Board 8 times, and each time, instead
of discussing the deportation order, I am told that they want me to serve more
time.
I have the love and support of my entire family who have written several
letters over the years to the DOC expressing their support. My sister has a
kidney disease and has to go through kidney dialysis every week and I want to
give one of my kidneys to her. My father is 80 years old and his health is
failing and he needs me to help with the farming."
But after doing everything the DOC has asked of
me, it never seems to be enough. When is it time to give up?
And here are his final words to us and we think
we should heed them.
"Mr. and Mrs. taxpayer. What about the
incarcerated undocumented immigrants? Do you know that you are still footing
the bill to keep them incarcerated long after they have finished all their
required programs and long after a Federal Judge issued orders for these
inmates to be deported. These immigrants should be deported out of the United
States and no longer be a threat to society. Instead of deportation and saving
Wisconsin taxpayer money, the Department of Corrections and the Parole Board
are keeping them incarcerated to serve their entire sentence. Again, to fuel the
Wisconsin prison industry and a big waste of taxpayer money."
Here is Jose's blogpost |
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JOSE GARCIA 305468 SCI 100 Corrections Drive; Stanley, WI 54768 Jose Garcia is another prisoner in a miserable position. 
“Throughout my incarceration, I have, and
continue to request to participate in any and all programs which will assist me
in dealing with the issues which have led to my incarceration. I have been
consistently denied.
As I am to be deported to Colombia upon my
release from prison, despite the current policies which allow inmates to be
deported prior to their release, I have been denied such opportunities. As the
process is explained, the Department of Corrections is the final authority to
approve the early release and immediate deportation, and without reason, I have
been denied such opportunities.
I cannot say it enough, I take full responsibility
for my actions, yet, believe I am being unjustly denied the legitimate
opportunities to prove myself and no longer be a burden to the State of
Wisconsin.
Specifically, if I am eligible for parole, as I
currently am, how is it I am denied due to the fact I have not completed the
required rehabilitative programs, when such programs have been continuously
denied by the Department of Corrections? How can I be denied due to
insufficient time served, when current laws has permitted for review for early
release? If such laws provides for me to be deported prior to serving my
sentence, why not allow me to return to my country of origin? Is their any
fiscal or ethical way to justify keeping me in this State, costing the average
taxpayer 30,000 a year when Colombia will accept me back, as one of their
citizens? How can I be of any threat to the citizens of Wisconsin, when I am
deported?
I understand the need for justice and to protect
Wisconsin residents, yet, how is this accomplished by not providing the programs
it requires of me, or refusing to allow me to return to my home country?
I humbly ask for nothing more than what the law
provides, I ask to either be allowed to take the rehabilitative program
required of me or allow for my deportation.”
Lene Cespedes Torres
122605
NLCI Box 4000, New Lisbon, WI 53950
Lene came here at 16 on the Mariel Boatlift and lied
about his age, changed his name from Lenin to Lene. He knew little of the
language and was convicted of murder soon after, in 1981. He has always maintained
his innocence and has been a model prisoner. In his case, with a life sentence, he was eligible after about 13
years- since 1994- AND the judge ordered deportation upon release.
His family awaits him in Cuba.
  He is a fine poet and wonderful artist.
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We now know the injustice of sentencing a child to life in prison and the supreme Court is deciding crucial issues on this matter.. The brain is physically not developed to think long term, to understand consequences. There are many prisoners in WI who were sentenced as youngsters and received incredibly long sentences- many need to get back to court to get sentences reduced. Others just need parole. These petitions will help build public pressure . Please sign. here is a blog of many more juveniles waived into adult court and now mature Andre Bridges 248420 FLCI PO BOX 200; Fox Lake, Wi 53933
Was a juvenile when He committed his crime. He foolishly
fired into the air trying to stop a fight . This incited not the quiet he hoped
for, but mayhem and someone was killed. Andre was severely depressed when first
in prison and is not a changed man. His fiance awaits him and he deserves a
second chance-
Here is his blog: http://andraebridges.blogspot.com/
Andre entered the system as a Juvenile, 6 days after he
turned 16. He was charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide-party to a
crime, and was waived into adult court and sentenced to life in prison without
the possibility of parole until the year 2037. He had fired a gun into the air
during an argument between gangs, hoping to defuse the argument and instead it
escalated and 14-year-old Corzette Vance was killed. Andre claimed
responsibility but no one knows who fired the fatal shot.
Andre states: “I have never made excuses for my actions and
I never will. Many may wonder, how dare I plead for a second chance at life
after standing accused of taking the life of another. Well, it's because I
truly believe I have earned a second chance at the life I never had. I plead
for this chance with a clear conscience. I committed my crime when I was very
young--I am not the same person I was when I got arrested. In the nearly 23
years I've been incarcerated I have gained a real appreciation for life and
everything it has to offer. I have not only accomplished everything that was
asked of me but I have volunteered to participate in programs that changed me
for the better. My prison record indicates positive adjustment with good work
evaluations, as I have used my time productively.”
Andre has transformed himself since that day. He came to
prison with serious mental health problems and a history of being abused; he
has since written an autobiography and become a helper to many other inmates.
Not only has he completed an impressive list of programs, been employed as lead
food server, dishwasher, administrative clerk, segregation janitor to name a
few, he has many certificates, an Associates Degree in Theology and LVA tutor
training, and over 600 hours of community service.
Andre's final words:” However, I pride myself most on my
personal and spiritual growth, and having had the opportunity to participate in
the Reach Out Program once facilitated at Columbia Correctional for 10 years.
This program gave me the opportunity to educate and mentor at-risk youth. I am
blessed with an outstanding support system and a loving fiancée I'm planning a
life with. I have drafted an extensive release plan and will present well to
potential employers upon release. These factors, together with my level of
maturity, labor skills, and desire to give back will significantly reduce the
likelihood of me ever re-offending. The community does not need protection from
me!”
click to read on pdf: At The Hands Of His Mother- Why we tend to throw our lives away; a worse case scenario -
Andre's Writings on his blog
Shulbert Williams, 258920; SCI, 100 Corrections Drive, Stanley, WI 54768
a juvenile offender deserving of a second chance:
He was waived into adult court at the age of 16
, convicted in 1994 by jury trial of PTAC (party to a crime)felony murder and
armed robbery and burglary and given a total of 100 years with parole after 25
years.
Hayes describes himself and his position best:
“The type of person I was before my arrest, I
was more of a follower. I was peer pressured into a lot of things by friends. I
was always a good kid but got hooked up with the wrong crowd. I was a giving
person with a big heart, I was always making people laugh even when I knew that
they were going through a difficult time.
I was with this female who I gave my heart to
and thought that it was likewise, a young married couple as everyone seen us to
be. Then I got jammed up with the other two in a robbery and in the process of
that one of the victims got accidentally shot and died from the fatal shot. I
did not know anyone got shot because I was in a different room. Long story
short all I could think about was my girl who lived downstairs with our
kids-what have I done-one thought- the second thought -if I got this money she
wouldn't need anything. She was my rock and I would have done anything to make
her happy.
While being in prison I have gotten my HSED,
stayed away from conduct reports, looked at things a lot different through the
way the victim felt if it would had happened to someone I loved.
I have become a man who is patient, respectful,
understanding trustworthy, someone people would love to get to know if given a
chance. I see more deeply into things than many people who were not shackled by
my inhibitions. I have learned a lot to take back into the community and help
the younger kids who are going down the path I ones went down. Please don't let
the word “prison” define who they want you to think I am.”
Tommy Thames 297592
 Tommie's story and Parole decision and in pdf file. 
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