The Terminator

I walked into the building after a busy day at work. I was going to relax for 15 minutes before going outside to exercise. An African American life prisoner called me to his table in the dayroom. With a smile on his face, he told me that the governor rejected his parole date.

He has been waiting for about two months to hear whether the governor will confirm his date after the Board of Prison Terms granted him parole. He said the governor only gave one reason to deny his parole: his crime. The governor did not like his crime and said that he shouldn't have done it.

With a scribble of his men, Arnold the Terminator terminated a man's hope for a second chance at life.

Why have a Board of Prison Terms when the governor does not allow it to do its job according to the law? How can it be logical for two commissioners to grant someone parole, but the governor does not agree with their decision?

I knew that Brother was sad and frustrated knowing that he was so close to freedom. It's like winning the lottery but couldn't collect the money. I know how he felt because the same thing happened to me a few years ago.

There're so many lifers who were granted parole three times and were rejected by the governor. It's no longer about whether the person is a threat to society if released. It's all about politics.

All I could offer that Brother was telling him to stay cool and seek relief in the courts. There is nothing he can do to change the crime. He has the keep hope alive and continue to embrace his challenger.

My friend Rico Remeidio was denied one year when he appeared in front fo the parole board last month. His spirit is still high and he continues to have faith in his God. He was also granted parole twice and fell victim to the Terminator. Thank you for your prayers and good vibes for Rico.