Thread by @ScottHech

PLEASE READ: Jerome Wright is 58 years old. Was imprisoned at 18. Released 30 yrs later. Beloved community member. Justice activist. Church deacon. Caregiver to son w/ down syndrome. But he’s been jailed for last 6 months. Why? Parole falsely claims he tested positive for drugs.

Jerome denies drug use. Those who know him say it’s implausible. Was clean for decades. And the day he was tested, he went voluntarily to parole to request a travel pass to attend an out-of-state conference for his job. He’d just choose to use on that day? washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

But it shouldn’t matter whether Jerome used. For 10 years his parole record was impeccable. No missed meetings, curfew, rule violations. Worked w/ parole, helping others home from prison. Mentored at-risk youth. But no credit for any of that. One alleged violation, it’s over.

Since his release, Jerome has been employed in public service. Most recently at Urban Justice Center. He has been an avid voice, educator & organizer to end torture of solitary confinement in NY. Won service awards. But no credit for any of that. One alleged violation, it’s over.

Jerome’s family needs him. His wife, Susan, has a debilitating health condition. She is homebound. Bedridden. His 23 y/o son, Justin has down syndrome. He also has a daughter & grandchild. None of this matters to parole. One alleged violation, it’s over.

Jerome has health issues too. The day of the alleged positive test, he had a pre-surgery consult for a hip replacement. Scheduled for replacement on December 19. Has not received surgery due to his incarceration. None of this matters to parole. One alleged violation, it’s over.

Jerome spoke w/ @radleybalko by phone from Erie County Jail. “I’m lucky. I’ve had time to accumulate a good record. I’ve had the opportunity to earn the trust of some important people. I have an incredible support network of people speaking up for me."washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

Perpetual punishment: “But this kind of thing happens all the time. Most of the people this happens to, they never got the chance to earn that trust, to contribute, to be their best selves. This system just destroys them before they get the chance to show what theyre capable of."

In NY, like the rest of country, parole is unforgiving. If your parole officer claims you violated a condition, you can be arrested, jailed (w/ no possibility of release pre-violation hearing), denied appointed counsel, & held near-indefinitely, facing even more prison time.

Another recent similar example is experience of Cadeem Gibbs. Also an incredible activist & success story. With a near-perfect record on parole. 12 days before 5 years of parole was up, he was jailed on Rikers for being out of state presenting at a Children’s Defense Fund event.

Cadeem was a key expert on @emilybazelon’s excellent Podcast “Charged.” While still in production, she got a text from his girlfriend. Parole had arrested & jailed him. No one could believe it. Listen to the story of what happened to him here: bit.ly/2W3MwIF

But back to issues with parole more generally, the current plight of Jerome Wright, & what you can do to #FreeJeromeWright & start overhauling/ending parole as we know it.

A set up: People on parole already face near impossible challenges. A record excludes you from most housing, jobs, benefits. Then add on avg 20 restrictions from curfew & onerous reporting to no events w/ alcohol & no associating w/ anyone w/ a record. One slip means prison.

Majority of parole violations are “technical” violations of these strict rules. NOT new arrests. In NY: These violations make up 1/3 of ALL new prison admissions. And before prison, people spend on average 99 days in jail awaiting their hearing to ultimately send them there.

Parole originated as an “alternative to incarceration.” Supposed to be rehabilitative. Historically parole officers were trained social workers. Goal was rooted in fairness & logic. Help release more people earlier & give them tools to stay out of prison & heal. What happened?

The same forces that drove mass incarceration created “mass supervision.” Parole officers no longer trained in social work but in law enforcement. Punishment mentality took over. Rehabilitation didn’t just dissapear. It became impossible. I’ll explain:

While budget for prison grew in proportion to numbers of people being incarcerated, parole budgets stagnated. While parole numbers grew over 200% from 1980-2007, budget only increased 12%. Historically, parole would “step up” resources if things went wrong. No longer $$ for that.

Now there’s only one viable option if you violate conditions of parole: Incarceration. Parole incurs zero costs. All costs externalized onto prison budgets. Also: Parole officers, are inherently risk averse. Something goes wrong, they get blamed. Incarceration is “safe” option.

Good news: states finally starting to make needed changes: “Earned time credit”—For every 30 days successful get 30 days shaved off end of parole. Restrictions on incarceration for technical violations. The “Less is More” bill in NY would be transformative:nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-ope…

“Less is More” would:

-Prohibit arrests/incarceration for most technical violations.
-Give earned time credit for good behavior.
-Require robust due process.
-Enhance rehabilitation.

*In short, Jerome Wright would not have been arrested, let alone jailed under this new law.*

To support parole overhaul in NY please visit here (👇) to call on your legislators to support the Less is More bill. katalcenter.org/takeaction4lim

To support Jerome Wright:

1. Write a letter to Parole urging his release. Email his lawyer at [e-mail].

2. Tell Jerome you care. Send card/letter to Jerome Wright, DIN 20960, Erie County Correctional Facility, 11581 Walden Ave., Alden, NY 14004.

3. Share widely!