THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 29, 1995 TAG: 9511290008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
I am a convict in the state prison at Greensville Correction Center.
In light of all that's being thrown at us by Gov. George Allen, the director of the Department of Corrections and the officials of this institution, the inmates of this prison are to be commended for their behavior. They have maintained a calm and peaceful demeanor. But how much more can we be expected to take?
The governor's office and correction officials are giving people false impressions about what life is like in prison.
Just because an inmate is able to purchase an overpriced TV or a Walkman doesn't mean he's living in luxury. We make from 23 cents to 45 cents an hour. We are allowed to work a maximum of 120 hours a month. With the price of 5-inch televisions running from $115 to $225, and Walkmans costing between $27 and $46, it requires a lot of saving to purchase these items. It takes 500 hours, at 23 cents an hour, to purchase the cheapest TV. That's more than four months of labor!
A lot of these men will never leave here alive, and those who do leave will be old. Having something as simple as a TV shouldn't bother people. But it does. We trudge on from day to day, just trying to survive. We don't ask for much; just the opportunity to do the sentences imposed upon us without undue hassle.
This is why some of us pump iron. Some of us walk/run around the rec yard, while others play basketball. Even these activities have lots of restrictions attached to them. All we're trying to do is to find some relief for this pent-up tension. Why would the powers-that-be want to tamper with this?
Gov. George Allen talks about not releasing violent offenders on parole. What he's not telling the people is that there is a substantial number of nonviolent offenders whom they are not paroling either.
There are old men who have been incarcerated for more than 20 years and who don't present a threat to anyone whom his hand-picked Parole Board members refuse to grant parole. If they did, it would free up thousands of beds! That would save money on unneeded prison construction.
Don't assume that because I'm a convict I advocate swinging open the gates. Nor am I saying that we should have all the amenities enjoyed by free people. I am saying we need not be constantly jabbed at as cruel people do to caged animals. We need not be severely restricted in movement. We shouldn't have to awaken each morning wondering what changes in procedures will confront us today.
I pray that the hearts of these officials will soften.
As I conclude this letter, I've just been handed the newspaper. The chairman of the Parole Board has been found to be as crooked as those on whom he has passed judgment.
SPELLMAN B. SMITH JR., (NU)176003
Greensville Correction Center
Jarratt, Nov. 17, 1995 by CNB