I go to sleep this evening with a little more hope regarding my petition for executive clemency. Receiving a commutation is a long shot and I feel convinced that prison reform legislation should include a more effective system for clemency review. A system that provides no mechanism for review of prisoners after years or decades pass fails to serve the needs of an enlightened society. I have hope in President Obama’s leadership.
Over the years I have built significant support from the academic arena. My earlier work with universities, together with my writing projects, has brought me into relationships with some of America’s leading penologists. Some have become close friends and mentors to me. I remain grounded in reality, of course. The worst case is that I serve about three years before I release to a halfway house. The plans that Carole and I have made ensure that we are ready for that likelihood. I feel proud that my writing and publishing generated our ability to put Carole through nursing school, and I feel other preparations I’ve made will help me triumph over the obstacles that thwart so many other long-term prisoners. Still, I would feel blessed to return home sooner, and with more support I know a commutation of my sentence becomes more possible.
My focus must remain on the steps I can take to prepare for release. This morning I began writing at 3:45. It was a later start than I would have liked, but I needed the rest after last night’s presentation for the TOAD group. I ran only nine miles, bringing my tally up to 1,292 miles over the past 146 consecutive days.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
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