James Earl Jackson

My Life, My Struggles, My Story

James Earl Jackson and his Dughter 2012, now 20

James Earl Jackson #200607

RCI

PO Box 900

james Sturtevant, Wi 53177

My name is James Earl Jackson. I was born in St. Louis, MO on April 1, l976. I am now 36 years old. I am the second oldest of four. I am my mothers only son.

I grew up on the north side of Milwaukee. My mother moved here after my father was killed in St. Louis. My father was shot and killed just two weeks after my second birthday. I was too young to remember my father but I was told that my father was a good man and loved me as his own. I always wanted a father when I was growing up! And for some reason I always wanted to meet the person who murdered my Dad.

My mother’s name was Irishstina Ann Jackson and for whatever reason, she always told people that she was from the ‘show me state” whenever she became upset. My mother was a good mother as a single mother of four(3 girls, one boy) . She did the best that she could to raise and to provide for us. I love my mother very much and I will always remember her as the number one mom in the world.

Unfortunately my mother was not strong enough to continue facing and standing up to all the problems that life put on her. She looked for and found her peace of mind in the use of drugs and alcohol. Tragically on June 1, l990 at 6:30 pm that Friday evening my mother was pronounced dead.

The cause of my mother’s death was a drug overdose. Sadly my mother was pregnant with twins when she died. My mother was 33 years old at the time of her death. She was so young and certainly too young to have died.

I was l4 years old when my mother died. I remember feeling like life doesn’t matter to me anymore and as I had no father and now no mother, I felt like I wanted to die myself.

I never had a male figure in my life to guide me positively to the duties of manhood. I never had a positive example to follow in my transformation from a boy to a man! I was a little boy in pain being emotionally destroyed by all that was happening to me in my life. I just wanted to feel loved and accepted by somebody. I wanted a family I just wanted to feel like somebody.

At 14 years old I felt like I had nobody to turn to. I felt like nobody understood me and how I was feeling about the loss of my mother. I turned to my childhood friends in my neighborhood because they are the only people that I felt understood me. For the most part we all was fatherless and had drug addicted mothers. Everyone called us trouble makers and told us that we all would be dead or in prison before our 18th birthdays ( Sadly, these predictions were correct).

By this time in my life I didn’t care about what people said about me or my childhood friends because the truth is that, I found love and acceptance in my friends they were the only family that I had known. None of us had parents to tell us what to do or when to come in , or where to go to school etc… For the most part we all did whatever we wanted to do. We had no curfew so staying out on the streets until two or three oclock in the morning was normal for us.

As a child I had so much anger inside of me, I didn’t care about who I hurt nor did I care about what might happen tome. I hated God. I hated life and honestly I hated being me.

In l992 shortly before my daughter was born, I committed a horrifying crime. I shot and killed a man in his own home. On June 10 1992(at 16 years old) I turned myself in to the Milwaukee police department for the crime I had committed. I was sent to a juvenile detention center and shortly thereafter I was waived and moved to the adult court system. ( I never seen or hugged my daughter as a free man).

My being 16 years old at the time, I didn’t understand anything about the law nor the legal troubles that I was in. I was kept among adult repeat offenders and they repeatedly told me to go to jury trial and to not take the plea deal that my public defender attorney advised me to take. As I listened to these adults , I went to jury trial, (against my own choice) and I was found guilty of 1st degree intentional homicide.

On Jan. 5, l993 – 3 months before my 17th birthday- I was sentenced to life in prison with a parole eligibility date set for January, 2025.

At the time I committed my crime I didn’t understand the seriousness of what I had done. I didn’t understand the seriousness of what I had done to the victim or myself.

I wasn’t until I was around 29 years old, that I finally began to realize the truly reality of what I had done. It was at this time that I began to realize and fully understand how much pain that I had caused my victim’s family, and that I had taken a life from this world.

I then started thinking about the relationship between actions and consequences. This started me to thinking about good choices rather than fast bad choices. With this I began to adopt positive change in my life. I begin to think before acting. I started to understand the importance of making productive decisions rather than destructive decisions. I finally understand the power of positive thinking.

I have learned so much in prison. I understand that some mistakes I will never stop paying for and that I have to learn to live the and deal with my life problems in a responsible manner. I have learned how to accept responsibility for all my actions. As a child I didn’t know how to accept responsibility for my actions because I always made an excuse and put blame for my action on the things that I been through as a child.

As my mind matured, I came to realize that I am the only person that is responsible for my actions, and for all the choice that I make in my life. As a man I accept full responsibility for everything I have done. I have made so many mistakes and I have learned from my mistakes but most importantly I have also learned from the mistakes of others.

As a mentally matured adult I don’t believe that I should be let off the hook for my crimes as a juvenile. I believe that everyone should be punished for any and all criminal activity in which he or she involve themselves in whether he or she be a juvenile or an adult, however I strongly believe in second chances! I don’t believe that a 15 year old or a l6 year old juvenile should be sent to prison for life as if a juvenile can’t change his or her ways of thinking. . Juveniles can change and I believe that all juveniles should be given a second chance to prove that their destructive behavior could be transformed into positive constructive behavior if given the chance to prove it. I’m a 36 year old man . I been in prison since I was 16 years old and since I been in prison I have changed my way of thinking and I have changed my behavioral patters. I have earned my H.S.E.D. and I became a licensed barber/cosmetologist. I have took classes on character development and I’m constantly trying to better myself as a person.

My goals are to be home with my 20 year old daughter that would love for me to be a part of her life. If paroled I want to open my own barbershop and start an Intervention program for troubled teen to help them to not make the same mistakes that I have made.

I am praying for a second chance at real life. If you have any questions or comments please write me at address listed above.

James Earl Jackson #200607

Joseph Orosco

Essay by Joseph Orosco who was waived into adult court at 16.

I have a question. What constitutes an 'adult offense' v. a juvenile offense? I ask because here I sit, in prison, for a crime I committed at 16. I do not believe that there should be NO consequences for my actions. I agree, I was wrong. Nonetheless, it's the length and rationale with which I have the disagreement with. How can a person be told that at 16 yrs. old, once he/she has done a certain behavior, they are subject to the 'adult' standard of consequences, Where's the logic in all of this? The Supreme Court ruled in its Roper decision that a juvenile cannot be sentenced to the death penalty because they are not capable of making a fully informed decision. That the adolescent doesn't have the full use of the brain's ability to make a decision on the long term consequences (whether good or bad) because the pre-frontal cortex hasn't reached it's fully developed stage. This is science telling people this and the Court agreed. Include the other choices that are reserved for a person who is 'of age'. Not until a person is 18 can they purchase any tobacco products, vote, live on their own, buy alcohol (even that age was upped l8 to 21 because of the ability to make an informed decision), cannot graduate from high school nor complete the GED/HSED testing. A teenager must acquire a work permit before they can get a job even! But let that same adolescent/juvenile commit a crime that's been determined to be an adult offense and they're automatically waived into the criminal courts. The adult court. Where's the logic?! Who determined this? Is that a fundamentally sound decision? So, this juvenile is instantaneously considered an adult and stuck into a legal system that everyone else has gone to school for- they've all completed high school and have spent another 3-6 years in college afterwards. On top of that they've had other courtroom experience, and said juvenile is to aid the appointed advocate (he/she cannot afford an attorney. He/She doesn't work)in putting forth a viable defense, Really? All of that from a teenager who, by an action alone, is assumed to be cognizant? This is what is acceptable? "Oh, sure, that young person is getting what's best." What about the evolving standard of decency? In a country revered for its fairness and justice, this hardly seems to bolster that dogma. One of two countries in the world who sentence a juvenile to such a lengthy term (Life) and yet this is overlooked. The other is considered a third world country. The USA and Somalia. Love that patrio­tism... It just feels like a second wrong is being done here. It's not because I feel sorry for myself and this isn't to be taken as a boo-hoo. I don't EVER forget what it is that I did. It's fact and it is my burden. My gripe is the fact I continue to see others similarly situated who come into prison at a young age and become warehoused. There is no designed or special treatment given to a juvenile coming into the adult prison system. You get here and you sit down. No shrink comes to visit you. Except for the one that is customary during your arrival at Dodge for the Assessment and Evaluation phase. And that's to determine if you're a security threat. After that, there is no on-going mental evaluation. The person is an adult now, thanks to the predetermination based on the age at the time of an action. It's ridiculous. Anybody can have psittacistic behavior as to what is fed to person in school, but can that alone be equated to being "fully informed"? That's enough for "automatic waiver"? I'm coming up on 30yrs. old and have been really thinking about this for some time now. What is really taken into account on the part of the p s e u d o - a d u 1 t ? A Life sentence? Yet a drunk driver is given leeway because they're impaired. How many times do you see a drunk driver charged with First degree Intentional Homicide and receive a prison term equatable to that of what a pseudo-adult has been given. Let's keep in mind that a great majority of those convicted for a drunk driving offense resulting in a death are ADULTS!. And they've seen countless commercials informing said persons of the dangers. I don't know guys...pseudo-adults v. legitimate adults.... Cogitative processes... um..ouch. A dope dealer can sell to someone KNOWING that drugs can and do kill but, when a person dies as a result of the drug, and the dealer is identified, how likely is the dealer to receive a sentence like that which the pseudo-adult received? Fairness in full effect. So, who asks for a change? Who wants an overhaul? Or, at least, at least, a long and "fully informed" second look at the issue? This is okay to continue? What other options can be put forth? Who’s willing to say something other than myself in a 'social dia­tribe'? I am not asking just on my behalf but for all us who 're stuck with little recourse and otherwise stymied.

A voice with maturation,
Joseph Orosco 335933
Waupun Corr. Inst.
P.O. Box351
Waupun, WI 53963

Introduction

Second Chance For Juvenile Offenders
In this blog we will introduce and discuss a proposed program developed by two prisoners who have been incarcerated since they were children. It asks us to not only acknowledge that youthful offenders can and do change but to support their attempt at a second chance at life as a result of the significant changes they've made. Due to the fact that the majority of youthful offenders profiled here never had the opportunity to experience life before getting incarcerated for LIFE, it's safe to say that Second Chance For For Juvenile Offenders is advocating a second, first time at life for these now adult men and women. Men and women who are no longer the violent, self-destructive, misguided, youth they once were. Although the number of cases where a juvenile is sentenced to life without parole in Wisconsin are low, the number of those sentenced to life with parole are high. However, many of them aren't eligible to see the parole board for 20, 30, or 45 years or more. That's essentially life without parole. In 1989 judges were given the ability to set parole dates. What they failed to consider was the fact that people do change, especially children who are less culpable than the adults they were sentenced as.
We ask you to read the proposal and the profiles of the prisoners we have here. There will be more profiles and essays coming. We hope to encourage what is becoming a national discussion. As I put this blog together, the fate of juvenile offenders waived into adult courts is being discussed in the U.S. Supreme Court. Please read these young men/women's writings and you will agree that there has to be a time when we say enough !

Andre Bridges Above

Roy Rogers above

Andrae Bridges tells story

Above: Andrae at time of arrest, Andrae now
Andrae Bridges #248420
FCI
PO Box 200
Fox Lake, WI 53933-0200

At The Hands Of His Mother
- Why we tend to throw our lives away; a worse case scenario -
- -' I knew of a little boy who suffered severe abuse at the hands of his mother. Such abuse consisted of verbal put-downs and insults, tons of head games and life threatening physical attacks. This young boy loved his mother dearly and practically worshipped the ground she walked on. If only I could get her attention without being beaten all would be all right, he thought. As a result, by the age of eight this young boy could cook, clean, sew, shop and do just about everything else within the guidelines of properly running a household. For he was obsessed with impressing his mother in the hopes that he would in turn receive the love he so freely gave.
Just when he thought he saw signs that his mother loved him, they were soon erased by her abuse. For he couldn't understand why he was constantly being subjected to such awful brutality. And it could have been for the smallest reasons; like forgetting to tie his shoe or losing the door key. He also got beat for the things his three younger siblings did, or didn't do. If that meant getting a black eye then so be it. He didn't want his brothers to go through what he was going through so he felt obligated to protect them and thereby took the blame for everything.
Aside from what this young boy underwent at home he was a high achiever who made the honor roll on a consistent basis and thereby loved school. Bright and intelligent beyond his years was this young boy. Unfortunately he had a few problems with his behavior. Teachers termed it hyperactive disorder but it was nothing more than this young boy's desire for attention manifesting itself. He was a class clown who really didn't take anything seriously. This resulted in classroom disruptions. Which ultimately led to some of the worse physical punishments any child should have to endure. Yet and still this boy protected his mother, for she could do no wrong! Besides, who would believe him?!
One incident in particular his mother beat him for what seemed like hours. Only to beat him more because he would not cry. This left the boy with two black eyes and a badly bruised body. Upon attending school the next day teachers saw this. Being concerned, they asked the boy, "What happened to you?" Without coaching from his mother, the boy simply stated, "I fell from the pear tree I was raiding." Although the teachers knew better, they accepted his story. Again, in his mind, Momma could do no wrong.
As time went on, so did the abuse. This young boy started to realize that there was no real way of escaping his mother. Often times he fantasized about running away, killing her, or simply killing himself, but he couldn't find the courage to do either. Along came an older friend. Someone he could consider a big brother, and someone he could put the blame on in the hopes of being spared a beating from time to time. God had looked upon him. For his plan seemed to work. But at what cost?
Simply put, at the cost of sexual abuse. Yeap! The someone he considered a friend and loved like a brother was sexually molesting this young boy. Thankfully that was short-lived (3 years) but the damage was done. All he had to contend with now was the abuse his mother had to offer.
As the young boy matured into a young man, so did the abuse at the hands of his mother. It was apparent that every time she attacked him, it was in the hopes of killing him. Not only had his mother broken several of his ribs but she chipped teeth and broke his jaw with an iron. That wasn't the worst part. Upon breaking his jaw, she refused to take him to the hospital until
several hours and a whole lot of swelling later. Staff at the hospital called the law because signs of child abuse were apparent. The boy wanted so bad to tell of the things he had not only been through but was going through as well. But he refused to make his mother look bad, even at the expense of his own safety.
Due to the fact that the young man's mother became a drug addict it was either prepare for a beat down because she didn't have and/or couldn't afford any drugs or make her "happy" by going to get some. As awful as it made him feel, the boy took it upon himself to purchase dope for her. For he still yearned for his mother's attention and affection. In addition to that, he was tired of suffering. All of that ultimately led to the young man using and selling drugs himself. For he could not only take care of the house, his little brothers and himself, but he could use his dope as a means to get his mother to let him hang out.
When the young man hung out, he practically stayed out. A beating was always in store but the little freedom he attained was well worth it. Besides, his friends showed him love and seemed to care, unlike his mother. Therefore in order to keep their love and attention he felt he needed to impress them; and impress them he did. School was no longer a priority, money didn't matter and neither did the opposite sex. In fact, he had a certain dislike toward females but he pretended to like them for the sole purpose of getting what he wanted, be it sex or money.
See, it was all about his gang. The one avenue he used as a means to "act out" his deep seeded anger and self-hatred. Therefore, when it came to gang-banging, he banged with the best. As a result he was considered crazy by his peers for the stunts he'd pull during shoot-outs or in general. To be considered crazy was to be looked upon as "not to be fucked with!" But the boy had an ugly secret. He never really intended to hurt anyone while letting his anger and rage free. NOPE! That was not the case. He just wanted to die. So upon acting out he hoped and prayed he'd one day receive the short end of the stick, as did many of those around him. That would be the ultimate escape from the abuse at the hands of his mother.
One frightful morning the young man unexpectingly got his wish. For he died a quick,, painless death at the hands of those who could have helped him had he "chose" to be helped!
- The End -
QUESTION:
"How" did this young man die and who killed him?
Without even knowing your answers I'm willing to bet they're wrong. Good! But wrong! You see, that young man is NOT dead at all. Not in the physical sense at least; which is exactly what you all may have concluded. "For he was killed by the Justice System." Whereupon at the age of sixteen he received a life sentence for First Degree Intentional Homicide-P.T.A.C. this in turn left him "institutionally dead!"
Andrae L. Bridges would be that young man and this is my story. I've been incarcerated for nearly eleven years and I have a lifetime to go. Although I've written about my life, this isn't about me at all. Better yet, it's about YOU! It is through my story I hope you all realize just how precious life is before you throw it away, as I did my own. Sure, you may have been abused as I was, or perhaps worse; you may still be getting abused which leaves you feeling worthless. Thus suffering from low self-esteem, depression, etc., etc., all together making you very angry! You're not alone! But trust me, nothing or no one is worthy of you throwing away your opportunity to live a positive and productive life! Love yourself enough to get help; You do have a choice! I don't intend to make anyone feel sorry for me, nor do I make excuses for my childhood behavior. My only goal now is to educate; in the hopes that you will not end up like me!

"That Kid" , Roy Rogers

THAT KID
My name is Roy Rogers, I'm 32 years old. When I was 16 years old I was sentenced to life in prison for first degree intentional homicide party to a crime.

If someone asked the question, "Roy how was your childhood, what was your life like?" My response would be, "I was that kid."

You know "that kid" that other parents wanted their kid to be like, that kid who was quiet and obedient to his parents. That kid who enjoyed to read and enjoyed school. That kid who got good grades and made the honor role. I was that kid that parents referred to when they chided their kids saying, "You need to be more like Roy!" Yeah, that kid. I was that kid, the least likely candidate for prison. This is who I was. So from elementary school to middle school I was an average kid who did not smoke, use drugs nor gang bang. The thought of doing so was stupid to me.

However, at the age of 13 I became obsessed with "the cool" and the "in crowd." You see I grew up in Mississippi, in the country and wasn't introduced to city life till I was 11 years old. So at 13, my country boy image was inter­fering with what was considered "cool" and "in." Consequently, I found a new set of friends who were not interested in comic books grades and band. They smoked weed, cigarettes, got drunk and hung out on the block. Most of the activities they engaged in were illegal, harmful and potentially life threatening and I was well aware of this.
However, these facts alone, the mere possibility of danger excited me; I was seeking a new experience.

So now I'm hanging out with thugs and gang members, I was more or less curious about the lifestyle; I was attracted to the image. I wanted to know for myself what it was all about. I wanted to know was it as bad as it was told to me by moms, teachers and media shows. As I spent more time out of the house on the block with them, my identity began to be shaped into theirs and I enjoyed being around them in that atmosphere. There likes and dislikes, creeds and way of life became mine.

So how did this begin to affect family, and friends where did it lead to?
How did these choices affect my family relationships? Well, I began to spend more of my free time with the guys on the block, wherever they were, I was expected to be there as well. Family events and activities took third place in my life, the "hood came first." Hood values took the place of my family values. I started lying to my family about where I was going and who I was with because I knew my family would strongly disapprove of my new friends and our brand of fun. I would hide things from my love ones specifically my secret lifestyle of thuggin’.
Also,I broke household rules moms laid out for me. Rules like, the established curfew, no drugs, smoking or drinking in the house. I neglected my house duties and my attitudes towards moms and her rules were negative which showed in my behavior.

How did these choices affect my friendships? The friends that I normally made time for and spent time with, took a back seat in my life. Why? Well, I felt they were boring and wasn't "on nothin," they were square. My new friends and old friends were from two different worlds and these two worlds didn't mix. I no longer shared the same interests as my old friends. My interests were now informed by the streets and my new set of friends. Having nothing in common with my old friends, we soon grew apart. They went their way and I continued to go my way. The things I was getting involved with they wanted nothing to do with.

And school? Well, as I said I did enjoy school; I valued education because this is how I was raised. When I began to rotate on the block more, I would skip school just to hang out with them. First, it would be just one class I would skip, then it would be the whole afternoon, then I would skip whole days! Kickin it, so I thought. My school attendance dropped, my grades dropped, my enthusiasm for school dropped. When I did go to school I was always tardy.
Where did all this lead to? Well, before I made the choice to see what them streets had to offer me, I was a kid who loved school, received good grades, didn't use drugs or alcohol, didn't smoke, never skipped school, no police contacts, no criminal record and involved in the church. I had big dreams and ambitions of graduating from college, owning my own business, raising a family and even pursuing a political career.

Sadly to say, the choice I made to sample the streets were connected to consequences that didn't lead me down a course of academic achievement, entrepreneur-ship, family building and political success. Instead, the choice I made at the age of 13 gave birth to a lifestyle. A style of
living that destroyed life and diminished the quality of life. Three years later found myself sitting in prison with a life sentence. That's what I became.

While in prison it took me a few years to actually come to grips with my new reality. I was depressed and didn't know I was depressed. I was traumatized and didn't know it was trauma. I recall during my waiver hearing that a social worker testified about me and said, " I think Roy hates himself." I went thru a period of self-loathing where I had given up on life and family, I embraced suffering and kept it within myself. Any wrong that occurred and any miscarriage of justice I experienced I felt it was part of my redemptive suffering. My communication with the outside world diminished.

I struggled with the question of why bother to better self, to what end and for what purpose and does it even matter. I was becoming a pessimist without knowing what pessimism was!
This is what characterized my years between 16-20. All these things played itself out in the context of the prison violence around me. Turing this time Jesse Anderson and Jeffrey Dahmer were murdered.

Prior to Dahmer’s death I witnessed an earlier attempt on his life while in a church service. Things erupted so suddenly I was shaken. Being one of the youngest inmates in a "double max" made physical, mental and emotional development difficult to say the least. There were no process mental health groups to help me work thru all of this; the chapel was limited in its resources and there was no one I felt comfortable with talking to about this ... this was prison.

However, I came to an understanding of the forgiveness of God and the sacrifice of Jesus for sins and what it really meant to confess my sin. I faced the ugliness of my deeds, looked the monster in the eye and took ownership of it and buried it. I realized I was much much better than the worst I had done. I realized I had to go beyond remorse to repentance. My thinking and attitudes had to change and in turn my life, personality and character would change. I realized that I was obligated to live life. Live my life in light of my crime not in the shadow of my crime.

Meaning the source of all that was good in me derives from an understanding of the pain and destruction my crime caused and the determination to not allow such pain and destruction to happen again. And the only way to do that is to destroy the conditions that could potentially produce such pain and destruct­ion. I had to undergo a radical transformation that began at the thought level which moved to the word level, which manifested on the action level, which influenced the habit level which developed a new and improved character which has reset the course of my destiny from now till eternity.

Consequently, I began to engage life intensively. I began to study and educate myself any and everything to better myself. I engrossed myself in the pursuit of God. Three things saved my life in prison. Jesus, the Reach Out Program and Restorative Justice at CCI. My conversion set in motion what I would eventually achieve and accomplish. The reach out program was juvenile delinquency prevention program that targeted at risk youth to keep them from making the same mistakes we made. I was recruited for that group at the age of 16, talking to kids my age and younger about my life, mistakes and regrets. I grew up in that group. Hearing the stories of the other convicts in that group helped me just as much as it helped the kids who were attending the program. That was from 1994 till 2002.

In 1999, I was introduced to the philosophy of Restorative Justice by Warden Jeffrey P. Endicott. This gave me a frame of reference to explore victim awareness issues and the triangular impact of my crime on the victim, the community and the offender. This philosophy gave me the tools needed to do my part to live out restorative justice by involving myself in community service projects, victim awareness programming; writing music and songs that deal with victim awareness themes. From that point on I tried to measure all my activities by the standard of repairing the hurt because I acknowledged the hurt my crime caused.

These three life savers drove me to express myself as a musician and songwriter. I learned to play piano in prison. At CCI, GBCI and OSCI I operated as the chapel's choir director and chief musician. I'm currently the keyboard player here at SCI. At these prisons I have provided musical services for graduations, veterans' programs, victim awareness programs, volunteer banquet programs and memorial services for fellow deceased inmates. This is who I am.

With these words I have attempted to paint a picture of who I was, what I became and who I am now. I have reaped what I have sown. Now I am sowing good things and I am expecting to reap the same. And whether the doors of the prison open for me or not; I will continue to serve Jesus, live life as a whole human being and be blessing to those around me

Redemptive Reentry Proposal

Date: December 14, 2009

To: Interested Parties

By: Roy Rogers 1273696 & Andrae L. Bridges #248420

Re: Redemptive Re-Entry Program (Revised 12/09)

I. INTRODUCTION

This is a proposal for a program entitled Redemptive Re-Entry for juvenile offenders who were waived into adult court between the years 1988-1999, were charged with and convicted of Class A felonies, sentenced to a term of life in prison, with or without parole, and have served a substantial amount of time thus far, ten (10) years or more.

The purpose of this program is twofold as it was initially intended to facilitate the re-entry of offenders who committed crimes as juveniles back into the community. However, the lengthy sentences of said offenders remove any and in some cases, all chances of them ever re-entering the community. Therefore, we have decided that the first and most important purpose of this program is and should be to shorten the lengthy sentences of said juvenile offenders. Which would then give them a realistic opportunity to work towards re-entering the community. It should be noted that this program is aimed at shortening long juvenile sentences ONLY in cases where the offender has shown significant rehabilitation.

II. PROGRAM TARGETS
This program has been designed to target offenders like the authors of this proposal who:

A. Were waived into adult court between the years 1988-1999.
B. Were charged with and convicted of a Class A felony.
C. Were sentenced to a term of life in prison, with or without the possibility of parole. (In 1992 Andrae L. Bridges was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole until the year 2037. In 1993 Roy Rogers was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole until the year 2020.)
D. Entered an adult correctional institution as a child.
E. Grew up and matured in prison.
F. Have served ten (10) years or more.
G. Have received their HSED/GED's while incarcerated. •
H. Have learned a vocational trade while incarcerated.
I. Have completed both mandatory and non-mandatory programs like AODA, CGIP, Anger Management, Responsible Thinking, etc.
J. Have invested a substantial amount of time in juvenile crime
prevention programs which target at-risk youth/ etc.
K. Have invested a substantial amount of time in/with Victim Awareness, Community Service, and Restorative Justice projects, etc.
L. Have demonstrated positive change through consistent and positive institution adjustment.
M. Have maintained prison employment with good evaluations from employers throughout.
N. Have received tutor certification from Literary Volunteers of America.
O. Who have not only used their time wisely but have matured mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and now truly understand the err in their thinking, and past violent and self-destructive ways.
P. Have taken an active role in bettering their lives by fully cooperating with the rehabilitation process and have thereby allowed their time served thus far to work for them as opposed to against them.

And this program will also target offenders who/ under the normal structure of their sentence will:
A. Never get out of prison. •
B. Eventually get out but at an age where they will be unable to gain and maintain meaningful employment, be independent and self-sufficient, and effect change within the community.
C. Only be released by discretionary action of the parole commission.

III. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
This program will serve the objectives of:
A. Bringing real meaning to the term Earned Release by giving offenders who committed crimes as juveniles the opportunity to have their sentences reduced as a result of demonstrating their rehabilitative efforts. Thereby proving that one time juvenile offenders such as the authors of this proposal can be rehabilitated without having to spend the majority of their life in prison.

B. Giving one time juvenile offenders the opportunity to;
1. Be valuable assets to the community.
2. Live out the rest of their life as productive and constructive members of society. -
3. Use the skills they've learned to prevent others from making the same mistakes as they once did; namely at-risk youth.
C. Easing overcrowding in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and the cost of incarceration.
D. Affirming the Restorative Justice philosophy by connecting the
offender with the community by which they can begin to earn the community’s trust through community service projects of all kinds.
E.Supporting the idealism of Juvenile Justice Reform and the fact that the person you are at the age of fifteen (15) or sixteen (16) is not the person you are at the age twenty-five (25)/ thirty (30), or thirty-five (35) so why must one continue to be punished as such? Hence, if only I knew then what I know now! An excerpt from an article entitled Juvenile Injustice? by Jacquelin Sutton in the Isthmus dated March 7/ 2008 reads as follows:

What the public thinks
A national survey revealed the following attitudes toward juvenile justice reform:

.89% of those surveyed agreed that "almost all youth who commit crimes have the potential to change," and more than seven out of 10 agreed that "incarcerating youth offenders without rehabilitation is the same as giving up on them."

. The public supports providing counseling, education and job training programs to youth offenders. Eight out of 10 favor relocating state government money from incarceration to programs that seek to help young people become productive citizens.

. Treatment and services are widely seen as more effective than locking people up. Less than 15% of those surveyed thought incarceration was a "very effective" way to rehabilitate youth.

. More than three-quarters of the public favors keeping non-violent youth in small facilities in their own communities; six in 10 favor community supervision for nonviolent youth.

. The public believes the juvenile justice system treats low-income/ African American and Hispanic youth unfairly. Almost two-thirds of respondents said poor youth receive worse treatment than middle-class youth who get arrested for the same offense.

SOURCE: THE MACARTHUR FOUNDATION "THE POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE: PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND POLICY REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS REFORM."

IV. GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Although the Redemptive Re-Entry Program can be formatted in many different ways, we have come up with three. These three range from the very simple, void any further programming or group participation; to the very
Complex, which will consist of an assortment of groups and programs. Upon completing one of the three programs described here, the offender will receive a Special Sentence Modification.

A. Special Sentence Modification - A Special Sentence Modification will be just that. Given the fact that this program pertains to one time juvenile offenders who were sentenced to life with either no parole or no parole until the offender has reached an old age, the Special Sentence Modification will change that. In other words, the offender who once had life without parole would receive a reasonable parole date. While the offender who once had life without parole until he has reached an old age will receive a parole date for well before he reaches an old age. ONLY- in cases where the offender has shown significant rehabilitation. These modifications are to be determined by the RRPRC (See: Section V) and other governing bodies. Taking into consideration all relevant factors such as:
1. Offense • \ .
2. Sentence
3. Time served
4. Program completion
5. Institution adjustment, etc.
6. Initial A & E program recommendations
7. Pre-Sentence Investigation report
8. Other
Upon receiving a Special Sentence Modification one of the following custody reductions should be granted so the offender might go on to work towards receiving a Special Parole Grant:
1. Minimum Security/Work Release
2. Halfway House/Work Release
B. Special Parole Grant - One automatically becomes eligible to receive a Special Parole Grant after receiving a Special Sentence Modification simply because with a favorable sentence modification, release should become attainable, thus inevitable. However, while in minimum security and/or on work release one will have to work towards actually receiving the Special Parole Grant. Such work should consist of further programming prescribed by the RRPRC. Perhaps programming similar to the current pre-release curriculum will be sufficient. A Special Parole Grant will simply allow the offender to be released on parole after being reviewed by the parole board; not to be mistaken with the RRPRC.
C. First Program Format - The first and simplest program format for the Redemptive Re-Entry Program does not consist of any further program requirements as the selected participants will have already completed all of their required program needs and some. This does not, however, include pre-release programs. Therefore, the RRPRC will go on to determine whether or not he should receive a Special
Sentence Modification. With that, everything listed under section IV:A & B. This simple review can be conducted at any facility.

D. Second Program Format - The second format is a group type similar to that of CGIP Phases I and II, Anger Management/ or Restorative Justice which can be conducted at any facility. The length of this particular program format would be 4-6 months. The subject matters and overall time frame could change depending upon the needs of the participants. For example, the RRPRC might want to see an individual complete Restorative Justice and re-take Anger Management before determining whether or not he should receive a Special Sentence Modification. In the event of an individual being required to take a specific program(s), it is expected that he will be sent to the facility that offers said program(s). Successful completion results in a Special Sentence Modification and everything listed under section IV:A & B.

E. Third Program Format - The third and final format considered for the Redemptive Re-Entry Program is the lengthiest and most intense when compared to the First and Second Program Formats. Format three is one that should be a unit based program that further motivates participants to minimize their risk of offending by challenging and changing the beliefs and thoughts that support their criminal behaviors and allow them to continue learning, developing, and practicing new skills in order to live a more pro-social life.

The unit should be designed to provide an environment within a medium-security institution to support the delivery of CGIP Phases I-IV, Vocational Training, Tutor Training, Restorative Justice, and other treatment programs. The unit should exist as an alternative community within the institution that helps to isolate the offenders from the anti-social prison subculture. The unit should also encourage involvement in pro-social activities such as support groups and community service. Program length should be 18-36 months. Upon successfully completing the programs on the unit the offender should be granted a Special Sentence Modification and everything listed under section IV:A & B.

Y. REDEMPTIVE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE (RRPRC)
The Redemptive Re-Entry Program Review Committee (RRPRC) should be made up of a group of prison administrators similar to the already established Program Review Committee, with the exception of a judge and/or parole agent being available as sentence modifications and parole grants are at stake. Note; the RRPRC is not to be mistaken with the parole board as it is not the goal of this program to take over the general role of the parole commission. The RRPRC should and must be created to:
A. Investigate and collect data on the offenders who were waived into adult court between the years 1988-1999, convicted of Class A felonies/ and sentenced to life/ with or without parole.
B. Select the appropriate programs Redemptive Re-Entry Program participants will be required to take and successfully complete, if any/ as many of us have already received our HSED/GED's/ Vocational Training/ and other programs such as CGIP, Tutor Training, Restorative Justice, etc. (See: Institution Resumes)

C. Develop a criteria of eligibility for this program; accepting input from prison staff, offenders, law officials, and the community as a whole. This criteria should take offense, sentence, time served, program completion, institution adjustment, etc. into consideration.

D. Review and recommend suitable participants for the Redemptive Re-Entry Program.
E. Determine whether or not a Redemptive Re-Entry Program participant should receive a Special Sentence Modification.
F. Determine what that modification should be.

VI. CONCLUSION
In light of the ever growing WDOC population, budget woes, and the changing roles of the parole commission, the creation of such a program would help alleviate some of the problems. As well as provide programming for a group of offenders that have continuously been overlooked in the development of new programs that tend to target everyone except the type of offenders this program targets. Which means this program will give the WDOC a viable option of WHO to release and HOW to release them. As well as acknowledge that children who committed horrible crimes are not beyond redemption, contrary to what was once popular belief.

The underlying notion of the Redemptive Re-Entry Program is that children who committed horrible crimes should have received stiff sentences. However, when those sentences were handed down judges failed to consider the fact that children can be rehabilitated. And that they can grow to be productive members of society and it doesn't take a lifetime to do so; which many were sentenced to.
"The court explained that juveniles were less culpable because inexperience, less education, and less intelligence make [a juvenile less able to evaluate the consequences of his or her conduct while at the same time he or she is much more apt to be motivated by mere emotion or peer pressure than is an adult. The reasons why juveniles are not 'trusted with privileges and responsibilities of an adult also explain why their irresponsible conduct is not morally reprehensible as that of an adult." 2007 Wis. L. Rev. 729 (pq. 4)

Finally, the Redemptive Re-Entry Program has been revised to bring attention to a specific group of individuals and to better coincide with the efforts of today's juvenile justice, earned release programs, and the latest efforts of Wisconsin 2009 Act 28. By supporting the Redemptive Re-Entry Program or programs similar to it, the WDOC and justice system as a whole can begin to restore the lives once deemed lost. NOTHING here has been stated for the purpose of excusing or minimizing ones violent and self-destructive childhood behaviors. In fact, that goes against everything this program stands for as it is vital that one take full responsibility for his actions; past/ present/ and future. This proposal is, however, a plea to establish a program which supports today's efforts of Juvenile Justice Reform and grants second chances. For those who have proven worthy of such. This proposal is also a tentative draft that is subject to change and is open for suggestions, future re-writes, and endorsements until it is in a form that is viable; taking all relevant factors into consideration.

In the interest of Restorative Justice/
Roy Rogers #573696
Andrae L. Bridges #248420

Prison resumes

Institution Resume

One
ANDRAE L. BRIDGES #248420
Columbia Correctional Institution
2925 Columbia Drive (P.O. Box 900)
Portage, WI 53901-0900

GROUP EXPERIENCE
Reach Out Program (1993-2003) Columbia
• Mentored and educated at-risk youth that were allowed to attend the R.O.P. from all around Wisconsin.
• Created summary, survey, evaluation, and data forms. Compiled and assessed all data received.
• Interviewed inmate participants.

Cognitive Intervention Program - Hub House (9/1/05-3/26/07) Waupun
• Successfully completed the following programs while housed in the CGIP-Hub House:
* CGIP Phases I and II
* CGIP Phase 4 Disclosure/Support Group
* Community Services (Over 600 Hours)
* Criminal Thinking
* Able Minds
* Commitment to Change
* Framework for Recovery
* Diversity Circle
* Abused Boys Wounded Men
• Facilitated, proposed, and created programs, i.e., Abused Boys Wounded Men
• Mentored and tutored fellow CGIP participants
• Produced, directed, and narrated two video programs for students at South Division High in Milwaukee about life in prison and criminal thinking.

Restorative Justice/Victim Awareness (2/7/08-4/28/08) Columbia

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 1992-Present) Columbia & Waupun
• Lead Food Server
• Vocational Printing Clerk
• BSI (Pressman, Technician, Accounting Clerk, etc.)
• Controller-Dishwasher
• Administrative Clerk/ Tier Tender
• Trash Collector
• Segregation Janitor

SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
• Work very well with others
• Responsible, safety first
• Complimented on jobs completed and work ethics
• Attention to details
• Flexible, willing to learn and do new things
• Take and follow directions very well
• Worked closely with the community
• Determined to give back and lead by example
• Trustworthy and dependable
Institution Resume

EDUCATION
• HSED/GED (8/29/93) Columbia
• Vocational Welding Moraine Park Technical College (WCI)
• Associates Degree in Theology of the Bible Family Radio School
• Math/Marketing (6 Credits) UW-Platteville
• LVA Tutor Training . Waupun
• Certificates: •
* Assertiveness Training
* S.M.A.R.T.
* Vocational Mathematics
* Occupational Communications
* Student Success Strategies
* Occupational Success Strategies
* Production Welding
* Welding
* CGIP Phases I and II . * Framework for Recovery
* Diversity Circle
* Abused Boys Wounded Men
* Able Minds
* CGIP (Housing Unit Based) Phases III and IV
* Commitment to Change I, II/ III
* LVA Tutor Training
* Baptismal
* American Bible Academy Bible Studies
* Great Truths of the Bible (Crossroads Bible Institute)
* Survey of the Bible (Crossroads Bible Institute)
* Associate of Religious Education Degree (Family Radio School of the Bible)
* Bible Correspondence (The Prisoner's Friend Ministries)
* Restorative Justice

PERSONAL PROFILE
Ambitious, flexible/ dependable, compassionate, young man looking to continue mentoring and educating the youth. Eager to learn new things and lead by example. Easy to get along with and always considered a valued employee.

REFERENCES
Please contact me.

Two
ROY ROGERS #273696
Stanley Correctional Institution
100 Corrections Drive
Stanley, Wisconsin 54768



OBJECTIVE
Seeking to be a prime candidate in spear heading the Redemptive Re-Entry Program.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (1994-Present)
* Education Clerk 3yrs at CCI
* Lead Server in Unit Kitchen 2yrs at CCI
* Janitor 6months at OSCI
* Braille Transcriber/Worker 3yrs at OSCI
* Tutor 2yrs at GBCI
* Tutor (current employment) at SCI

EDUCATION
* HSED
* Vocational Printing
* Macro Economics Course (3 Credits) UW-Platteville
* Trained as a Braille Transcriber
* LVA Tutor Training
* Took Introduction to Business Class at CCI

PROGRAM COMPLETTION
* AODA Level 5B (Mandatory)
* Anger Management
* Challenges & Possibilities
* Restorative Justice
* Responsible Thinking

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
* Counseling at Risk Youth in the Reach Out Program at CCI
* Counseling at Risk Youth in the Youth Awareness Program at OSCI
* Counseling at Risk Youth in the BRICK Program at GBCI
* Served on Victim Awareness Service Committees at CCI in which we raised money to support local boys and girls clubs, organizations that serve children who have been victims of child abuse; women who have suffered domestic abuse; families in need; the Red Cross to support victims and family of victims in 9-11 attack
* Published juvenile crime prevention brochures thru the reach out program distributed to various schools and social service agencies
* Open letter writing to Transition High School in Milwaukee
* Participated in a informational video promoting restorative justice

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
* Completed religious based alcohol and drug abuse treatment program
* Completed religious based anger management treatment program
* Completed numerous Bible Studies for spiritual enrichment
* Consistent involvement with chapel program as choir director, piano player and singer at CCI under Chaplains Burkum, Dawson and Jackson, at WCF under Chaplain Wilks, at OSCI under Chaplain Burkum, at GBCI under Chaplain Baker and currently at-. RCT under Chaplain Mohr

REFLECTION .
On 4-14-94 a DOC classification specialist reported the following recommendations:
1. That I receive educational training and get my HSED
2. That I get vocational training due to limited employment history
3. That I go through AODA. level 5B treatment Program
On 4-24-94 a DOC clinical staff member reported the following recommendations:
1. Based on the risk for increased anti-social thinking and
behavior it was hoped that I seek out contact with a chaplain at a permanent placement and enroll in pro-social activities
CONCLUSION
These recommendations have been fulfilled

Authors of Program tell WHY

Testimony One by program co-author Andrae Bridges, Imprisoned at age 16, now 33.

Why I Think This Program (Redemptive Re-Entry) Is Needed •
I think the Redemptive Re-Entry Program or something similar is needed because juvenile offenders who were waived into adult court, convicted of violent crimes, given lengthy sentences and have served more than thirteen (13) years deserve a second chance at the life they never knew. Or had for that matter. I have found that juveniles who don't get waived into adult court ultimately receive a second chance at life. Even after having been convicted of crimes just as violent as those who get waived. It is clearly understood that we're dealing with two different jurisdictions here; juvenile and adult. However, we're dealing with the same kind of individuals; JUVENILES.

"The Court explained that juveniles were less culpable because inexperience, less education, and less intelligence make [a juvenile] less able to evaluate the consequences of his or her conduct while at the same time he or she is much more apt to be motivated by mere emotion or peer pressure than as an adult. The reasons why juveniles are not trusted with privileges and responsibilities of an adult also explain why their irresponsible conduct is not as morally reprehensible as that of an adult." (2007 Wis. L. Rev. 729)

With that being said know that I attempt to make no excuses for my actions. And I'd be the first to admit that said actions were deserving of punishment yet I can't help questioning the degree to which such was disseminated. In 1992 (when I was convicted), had I not been waived as an adult I would have most likely been released around the age of twenty-five (25) or so, depending on certain factors. I most certainly wouldn't still be in the system, as I am now. And that's due solely to the fact that I was waived as adult and thereby sentenced as such. But my point is this: with the Redemptive Re-Entry Program or something similar, prisoners such as myself will be given a shot at freedom just like those who remained in the juvenile system.' Although having served more prison time. Hence, under the juvenile system I probably would have served no more than ten (10) years. Whereas I have nearly double that (17) in the adult system.

In closing, I think the Redemptive Re-Entry Program or something similar is needed because it would apply to a unique group of individuals who have essentially been forgotten. In addition to the ten reasons why I feel and/or think I should be released from prison. But as I was saying, over the years there have been tons of research done on the brain development of juveniles as well as juvenile justice reform. But all of those efforts seem geared toward the juveniles that are entering the system today. Don't get me wrong, I believe that's wonderful and I encourage more efforts in that regard but I'd also like to see something put in effect that would allow prisoners such as myself to receive a special parole grant or at least be given the opportunity to work towards obtaining one or something as such.
Andrae L. Bridges #248420

Testimeny Two by program co- author Roy Rogers
R. Rogers
Why I Think This Program (Redemptive Re-Entry) Is Needed
I believe a program like the Redemptive Re-Entry program is needed because it acknowledges the redemptive value in teens who committed horrible crimes. This program affirms the possibility of positive change in the lives of these offenders and their ability to be productive members in society. This program is needed because it acknowledges that teens who committed serious offenses and sentenced as adults to lengthy prison terms are not throw aways. I believe this program is needed in the Wisconsin Prison System because in order for restorative justice to be complete it requires the restoration also of this class of inmates.

The Redemptive Re-Entry Program is needed because it is in the spirit of the Second Chance Act and the current re-entry initiatives because those eligible for the redemptive re-entry program will be offenders who have taken active responsibility for their actions. They've done this by doing their part to repair harm and restore relationships thru their program involvement and community service.

A program like this is needed because the State of Wisconsin is in a financial bind with a lot of money spent on corrections. The cost of incarceration is steady rising as more offenders are entering the system while current offenders are not exiting fast enough. There are a class of inmates who have fulfilled their rehabilitative goals by receiving vocational training and completing essential programming reducing their risk of re-offending, who came to prison between the ages of 13 and 17 who have been incarcerated 13 years or more who would pose no risk to the community if released and would be valuable contributors and assets to society.

In conclusion, I believe a program like this is needed because adult prisoners who came to prison between the ages of 13-17 should be viewed and treated differently from offenders who came to prison as adults. The reason being is that the personalities, characters and ability to fully comprehend long term consequences and effects of negative behavior were still in development stage in 13-17 year olds in comparison to their adult counterparts. A program like this is needed to recognize and reward the rehabilitative efforts of this class of inmates.

In The Interest of Restorative Justice,
Roy Rogers

Ten reasons why I should be given my freedom

First essay is by Andrae Bridges, second by Roy Rogers.

Ten Reasons Why I Feel and/or Think I Should Be Released From Prison
I thought I had already had my bouts with the hardest of writing assignments until I got assigned the arduous task of writing down ten reasons why I feel and/or think I should be released from prison. Wow! What's so hard about that? One may wonder. Especially when you consider the fact that I've written numerous subjects ranging from prison life to sexual abuse, in addition to an autobiography. As a result I consider myself to be a writer and a pretty good one at that. However, ten reasons why I feel and/or think I should be released from prison don't quite roll off the brain as quick or smooth as one may think. Not because I don't feel or think I should be released. But simply because the task at hand calls for me to be self-serving and that's not something I'm accustomed to thus it's very uncomfortable. I could write down ten reasons why someone else should be released from prison in less time than it took me to write this paragraph because it has become something of a habit for me to put others before my own self. On the other hand, I love a healthy challenge and having to write ten reasons why I feel and/or think I should be released from prison has proven to be just that. So please bear with me as I try to meet and conquer said challenge.

(1) I should be released from prison because I have served my debt to society in full. Although I've only served seventeen (17) years out of a life sentence, without the possibility of parole until 2037, my punishment has been harsher than anyone can possibly imagine:
(a) I entered the system at the age of sixteen (16) whereupon I was waived as an adult. Although I thought I knew everything, both prison and maturity made me realize I knew absolutely nothing and was therefore clueless. With a sound understanding and appreciation for life and everything it has to offer, it's devastating to know that I may never get the opportunity to fully experience such. Now having served more time in prison than I had in society tears at my soul every day. Thus I'm constantly reminded of the fact that I threw away the life I never had. In that alone I feel I am more than deserving of a second chance. Better yet, a second, first chance!
(b) I have essentially lost my family, immediate and otherwise. Be it death or simply living life, which has caused them to forget about me. Around these parts that's most commonly known as "Outta sight. Outta mind!" Understandable, yet very painful nonetheless. The list of things that make my punishment harsher than anyone may know grows on. In fact, at times I believe a death sentence would have been far more lenient. Make no mistakes about it, nothing listed here is intended to minimize or take away from that which got me incarcerated. I take full responsibility for my actions, both past and present.
(2) I should be released from prison because prison no longer provide opportunities to atone for my actions, if anything, prison facilities have become institutions that feed everything negative and I refuse to go back down that road. I need to be released so that I might be able to surround myself with positive people who not only encourage me to give back and be constructive but expect nothing less of me.
(3) I should be released from prison because I can be far more productive in society as opposed to incarcerated. Doing prison time after having served seventeen (17) years have proven to be more counter-productive than anything else.
(4) I should be released from prison because I have outgrown these walls that confine me. Not to say that I'm not able or willing to learn more. It's just that I've allowed my time to work for me as opposed to against me. In that I've taken full advantage of every opportunity to grow up and give back, give back and grow up (SEE: Institution Resume). For being able to give back and lead by example ultimately encouraged me to get my mind right and vice versa. I can't do the one without the other. Confinement/ for me now severely limits that. A good example of just how limited we are, from and educational standpoint is the fact that we can only take one vocational course. Although most facilities offer a minimum of two, we can only take one. No matter how much time one has served or has left to serve. After completing one vocational course, that's it. You'd think we'd be allowed to get as much education as we wanted. But the massive population expansion and lack of funding limits that and everything else for that matter.
(5) I should be released from prison because my being here is a waste of time and space. Admittedly, I don't want to see or suggest that anyone be subjected to incarceration as it is today however, there are many who could use this time to get their minds right. Granted the appropriate groups and programs are provided. Once they better themselves they should be given the opportunity to prove such in society, as with myself.
(6) I should be released from prison because I would NOT re-offend.
(7) I should be released from prison because I am willing to be a model for those who get released from prison and refuse to fail. In fact, I want to be in a position where I can assist them as needed.
(8) I should be released from prison because I need to mentor the youth so that they won't make the same mistakes that I once did. I believe juvenile violence can be greatly decreased if someone actually got in there and listened to the youth. And who better than someone such as myself? Instead of constantly looking for ways to lock them up, I want to help devise ways to set them free.
(9) I should be released from prison because I have conquered my personal demons and I live above any and all negative influences. Gone are my self-destructive ways and days of victimization.
(10) I should be released from prison because I have become a good man. Deserving of nothing less than a second chance at this one life so many often take for granted. The beauty in all of this is every person I've met thus far would support everything I've listed here.
Andrae L. Bridges #248420

Ten Reasons Why I Feel and/or Think I Should Be Released From Prison
In support of this initiative for this Redemptive Re-Entry program I submit these ten reasons why I feel and/or think I should be released from prison. Writing this has been a very difficult and challenging endeavor for me, for many reasons. First of all, I am self-conscious and aware of the reason of why I'm incarcerated in the first place, a vicious crime committed against another human being. Second, I'm aware of the victims I created and the horrible pain I've caused and the wounds and scars I left behind. Thirdly, the sentencing court was rightfully looking to punish me for my horrendous behavior and at the same time protect the public. Thus, I'm mindful of these factors and refuse to do or say anything that would depreciate the seriousness of the crime I committed. I have taken active responsibility for my actions and in all humility I submit Ten reasons why I feel and/or think I should be release from prison.

1) I should be released from prison because I am no longer a risk to the public. I have grown up and matured into a responsible adult who has relinquished anti-social behavior and thinking. I came to prison at the age of 16 and began to do all I could do to change and minimize that risk to the public by aligning myself with Biblical spirituality, obtaining my HSED, receiving vocational training as a printer, taking and completing all mandatory programming and optional programming, I became a model inmate who is compassionate and caring towards others. .

2) I should be released from prison because I should be given the opportunity to repair some of the harm I've caused in the community. I haven't been able to do that in prison to the degree of measurable impact. I want to do my part but the current system makes no allowance for that. I'm indebted to the City of Milwaukee to do my part to have a positive impact on it.

3) I should be released from prison so I can help mentor youth and specifically at risk youth who are in danger of hurting themselves, others and their community. I've been where they're at and have suffered great consequences as a result of my behavior and have to live with what I've done for the rest of my life. Moreover, reaching out to the youth will be a continuation of what I've been doing for the past 15yrs in prison.

4) I should be released from prison because my track record in prison personifies what the DOC means when it speaks about rehabilitation. To keep a rehabilitated man like myself incarcerated works against the very rehabilitation I have achieved and continue to achieve because I grow in positive change everyday. There is nothing left for the DOC to offer
me I am an unused resource that's being warehoused.

5) I should be released from prison because it is bad public policy to invest public funds to continue to imprison me since the DOC's rehabilitative goals for me has been fulfilled. My continued incarceration is unnecessary and incurring unnecessary costs to taxpayers. The average cost of my incarceration is approximately $32,000 yearly. Taxpayers have paid $512,000 in the past 15-16 yrs; in 10 more years it would have cost taxpayers $832,000 to keep me incarcerated. And since I'm a lifer with no guarantee of release it will literally become a million dollar investment to keep a man who poses no risk to society incarcerated. These figures are actually lower than what they actually are as they are not adjusted to reflect the rising costs of incarceration.

6) I should be released from prison because I have community leaders who support me being restored back into society.

7) I should be released from prison because I can and will make a difference in Milwaukee.

8) I should be released from prison because I should have the opportunity to bring honor to the name of Glance Venson, Jr., the victim in my case to give him a voice. I want to and will somehow make sure he is remembered as I will do many monumental and life changing things in his name This has been my endeavor for many years. I don't feel I have paid my debt to the community if I am not afforded such an opportunity. The DOC is totally passive in this respect.

9) I should be released from prison because as a lifer I'm less than 1/3 as likely as all released offenders to be rearrested within three years of release from prison (See, George Soros Justice Initiative Project "The Meaning of Life"- This coupled with my history of personal development and positive change (see Rogers resume).
10) I should be released from prison because I realize I'm far more better than the worst I have done. I was incapacitated and punished for who I was ... is there no redemption for who I am now?
Roy Rogers #273696

First version of Redemptive Reentry Proposal

Date: October 3, 2008

To: Alfonso Graham, Parole Chairman

From: Roy Rogers #273696 & Andrae L. Bridges #248420

Re: Redemptive Re-Entry Program Proposal I. INTRODUCTION
This is a proposal for the creation of a Redemptive Re-Entry Program for juvenile offenders who were waived into adult court, convicted of violent crimes, issued lengthy sentences, and have served over thirteen (13) years in prison thus far. The purpose of this program is to facilitate the re-entry of offenders who committed crimes as juveniles back into the community. This program would serve the objectives of:

1. Supporting the idealism of juvenile justice reform from both in and outside of prison as juvenile offenders from the past (1988-1999), present, and future will and should be positively affected by the reform. An excerpt from an article titled Juvenile Injustice? by . Jacqueline Sutton in the Isthmus dated March 7, 2008 reads as follows:
What the public thinks
A national survey revealed the following attitudes toward juvenile justice reform:
· 89% of those surveyed agreed that "almost all youth who commit crimes have the potential to change," and more than seven out of 10 agreed that "incarcerating youth offenders without re­habilitation is the same as giving up on them."

· The public supports providing counseling, educat­ion and job training programs to youth offenders. Eight out of 10 favor relocating state government money from incarceration to programs that seek to help young people become productive citizens.

· Treatment and services are widely seen as more effective than locking people up. Less than 15% of those surveyed thought incarceration was a "very effective" way to rehabilitate youth.

· More than three-quarters of the public favors keeping nonviolent youth in small facilities in their own communities; six in 10 favor commun­ity supervision for nonviolent youth.

· The public believes the juvenile justice system treats low-income, African American and Hispanic youth unfairly. Almost two-thirds of. respondents said poor youth receive worse treatment than middle-class youth who get arrested for the same offense.

SOURCE: THE MACARTHUR FOUNDATION "POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE: PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND POLICY REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS REFORM."


2. Affirming the Restorative Justice philosophy by connecting the offender with the community by which they can begin to earn the communities' trust through community service projects of all kinds.

3. Giving rehabilitated offenders who committed crimes as ju­veniles the opportunity to:
a. Be valuable assets to the community.
b. Live out their lives' as productive and construct­ive adults.
c. Use the skills they've learned to prevent others from making the same mistakes as they once did/ namely at-risk youth.

4. Easing overcrowding in the Wisconsin Prison System and the cost of incarceration.

II. PROGRAM TARGETS
This program should be designed to target offenders like the authors of this proposal who:

1. were waived into adult court at the age of sixteen (16) for First Degree Intentional Homicide (PTAC) and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole until January 1, 2020 for Mr. Rogers and September 19, 2037 for Mr. Bridges;

2. have received their HSED/GED's while incarcerated;

3. have learned a vocational trade while incarcerated;

4. have completed both mandatory and non-mandatory programming like AODA, CGIP, Anger Management and Responsible Thinking;

5. have invested over a decade in involvement with Victim Awareness/ Community Service/ and Restorative Justice Projects;

6. have invested over a decade in Juvenile Crime Prevention Programs/ which targeted at-risk youth;

7. have demonstrated a positive change through consistent/ positive institution adjustment;
8. have maintained a history of job employment with good eval­uations by employers;

9. have received certification as a tutor by the Literary Volunteers of America

10. who have not only used their time wisely but have matured physically/ mentally, and spiritually and now truly under­stand the err in their' past violent and self-destructive ways.

Of course the list can go on and on. There are many offenders who fit this description in one way or another. Men like: Eric G. Nash, Dujuan Nash, and Levelt Musgraves, all housed at GBCI. Michael Maldonado housed at FLCI, and Tim Cambell housed at OSCI. The program in a nutshell should target those offenders who:
1. entered prison as children;
2. grew up and matured in prison;
3. have taken an active role in bettering their lives by fully cooperating" with the rehabilitation process and thereby allowing their time to work for them.

This program should also target offenders who, under the normal struct­ure of their sentence will:
1. not get out at all;
2. eventually get out but at an age where they are unable to gain meaningful employment and be independent;
3. only be released by discretionary action of the parole commission.

III. GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Although the Redemptive Re-Entry Program can be formatted in many different ways, we have come up with three, which range from the very simple, void of any programs or group participation and the more complex and intense as it is made up of an assortment of programs. Upon successfully completing one of the following programs or simply being recommended (as the first format will require) the offenders would receive a "Special Parole Grant" allowing them to be released on an early parole. This "Special Parole Grant" would override any statutory and court imposed parole eligibility dates:

1. The first and simplest format for the Redemptive Re-Entry Program does not consist of any further program requirements as the selected participants will have already completed all of their required program needs and some. Therefore a *Redemptive Re-Entry Program Review Committee (RRPRC) will examine everything the offender has done and/or accom­plished throughout his incarceration and then determine whether or not he should be recommended to receive the "Special Parole Grant." It would probably be very beneficial RRPRC to have the selected participants write out their plans and goals for the future in the event of being re­leased. Something similar to a parole plan. This simple review can be conducted at any prison facility and there is no program length as program requirements do not apply.

2. The second format is a group type/ similar to that of CGIP Phases I and II, Anger Management or Restorative Justice; which can also be~ conducted at any prison facility. The length of this particular program format would be 4-6 months and the subject matter could differ depending upon the needs of the participants. For example, the RRPRC might want to see an individual complete Restorative Justice before giving him a "Special Parole Grant." In the event of an individual being required to take a specific program or the one that may be created under this format/ it is expected that he will be sent to the facility that offers said program. Successful completion results in a "Special Parole Grant."

3. The third" and final format considered for the Redemptive Re-Entry Program is the lengthiest and most intense as formats one and two are combined here. Format three is one that should be a unit based program that further mot­ivates its' participants to control their risk of reoffend­ing by changing the beliefs and thoughts that support their criminal behaviors and allow them to continue learning, developing and practicing new skills in order to live a more pro-social life-

The unit should be designed to provide an environment within a medium-security institution to support the delivery of Employability Skills, CGIP,Restorative Justice and other treatment programming in accordance with pre-release pro­grams. The unit should exist as an alternative community within the institution that helps to isolate the offenders from the anti-social prison subculture. The unit should' also encourage involvement in pro-social activities such as support groups and community service. Program length should be 18-36 months.

Upon successfully completing the programs on the unit set forth by the Redemptive Re-Entry Program Review Committee the offender should be granted a "Special Parole Grant" or one of the following custody reductions so that the offender. might continue to work towards obtaining said grant:
a. Minimum security
b. Half-way House/Work Release Programming

A Redemptive Re-Entry Program Review Committee should and must be created to:
1. Investigate and collect data on the offenders who were convicted of serious crimes as juveniles and _sentenced in the' range of 50 years to life in prison in the'State of Wisconsin from 1988 to 1999 (New Law inmates).

2. Select the appropriate programs that the Redemptive Re-Entry Program participants will be required to take and successfully complete/ as many of us have received our HSED/GED's, taken a vocational course, or completed other programs such as CGIP, Tutor Training/ Restorative Justice, and so on and so forth,

3. Develop a criteria of eligibility for. this program accepting input from offenders and the community, This criteria should take into consideration:
a Offense
b. Sentence
c. Time served
d. Program completion
e. Institution adjustment
f. Initial A & E recommendations
g. etc.
4. Review and recommend suitable participants for the Redemptive Re-Entry Program.

IV. CONCLUSION

In light of the ever growing Wisconsin prison population, budget woes, and the changing roles of the parole commission, the creation of such a program would help alleviate some of these problems. It gives the WDOC a viable option of who to release and how to release them, as well as ac­knowledge that children who committed horrible crimes are not beyond redempt­ion, contrary to what was once popular belief.

The underlying notion of the-Redemptive Re-Entry Program is that chil­dren who committed horrible crimes rightfully received stiff penalties,-however, the majority of those sentences did not take into account the re­habilitation of these children; that they could grow up to be productive members of society and it wouldn't take a life time, which many were sen­tenced to.

Finally, with all the fascinating information being discovered about the brain development (lack thereof) of juveniles verses that of adults make it easy to conclude that there is such a thing as juvenile injustice. By creating and supporting the Redemptive Re-Entry Program or programs simi­lar to it the WDOC and justice system as a whole can begin to restore the many lives that have been broken. Nothing has been stated here for the pur­pose of excusing ones violent and self-destructive behaviors. In fact, that goes against everything this program would stand for as it is essential that one take full responsibility for his actions, past? present and future. This proposal is, however, a plea to establish a program, which supports juvenile justice reform and grants second chances. This proposal is also a tentative draft that is subject to change and open for suggestions, future rewrites, and endorsements until it is in a form that is viable, taking all relevant factors into consideration.

In the Interests of. Restorative Justice,

Andrae L. Bridges #248420
Roy Rogers #273696

Sabir Wilcher

Sabir Wilcher 304719
Green Bay Correctional Institution
PO Box 19033
Green Bay, Wi 54307


My name is Sabir M. L Wilcher and I am currently housed at the Green Bay Correctional Institution. I'm 30 years old and will be 31 in December. At the time I was arrested in 1995,1 was only 15 years old and not well educated. I was convicted of first degree intentional homicide, 6 days before I turned 16, in 1995.1 was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility in December 2025.



Before my conviction, I had never been arrested of a violent offense and I wasn't part of the juvenile detention system like Lincoln Hills, Wells, etc. People would have described me as being very shy when I was a kid. I only completed school through the 6th grade. I was bullied a lot growing up and I only wanted to fit in and impress the same kids who would beat me up every day and chase me home. Both of my parents had a crack cocaine addiction and I basically had to take care of myself. We lived in a bad neighborhood in Milwaukee with drug houses on the same street.

I've been down now a total of 15 + years. While I've been in prison, I've gotten my HSED, 2 Vocational Trade Certificates in Welding and Building Maintenance and Construction. I've completed CGIP phase 1 and 2, Able Minds program, and tutor training.

Although I'm still a little shy, I now accept the fact that everyone is not going to like me and I don't need people's approval to be who I am. I believe I have become a person of substance and value. I have avoided gang activity and drug use in prison and have worked on becoming healthier, mentally and physically. I no longer think like the child who pulled that trigger 15 years ago. I value the lives of others, as well as my own. My goal is to get out and show my nieces and nephews how to be productive and positive role models in the community.

I would also like to share my experience with other kids and help teach them the value of education and that fast money can lead you to bad situations. I just wish people would see me for the man I've become and not the kid I used to be...

Thank you,

Sabir Wilcher

_______________________________________________________________
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

December 25, 1995

TOO YOUNG TO SHAVE, NOT TO KILL
Teen's life collapsed into death At IS, he was a drug house lookout who murdered for his boss —————

David DOEGE Journal Sentinel staff

"Looking back, there are many things 1 would have done differently, and avoiding drugs and my so-called friends would be first on the list." 16-year-old convicted murderer Sabir Wilcher in a letter to Circuit Judge Patricia D. McMahon.

As he strode hump-shouldered into Circuit Court rubbing his chin, Sabir Wilcher had the gangly gait of a young man who wasn't completely comfortable in a body that had not finished growing.

At 15, Wilcher was not old enough to legally do things Wee drink and vote and wasn't physically mature enough to shave.

But Wilcher was old enough to work in a drug house. He was old enough to commit a cold-blooded, execution-style murder of a friend he had known since childhood. And he was old enough to serve a life prison term with parole eligibility beginning Dec. 4, 2025.

"You will be 46 years old at that time when they can consider whether you are appropriate for release to the community," Circuit Judge Patricia D. McMahon told Wilcher. Moments later, Wilcher trudged from McMahon's courtroom, his shoulders slouched the same way they were when he entered.

"I think he didn't have a chance messing with the people from Chicago," his mother, Lynette Wilcher, had told McMahon earlier, referring to gang members who recruited her son to work in a drug house across an alley from his home on W. North Ave. "Where are they now?

"They are on the outside looking in while my son is on the inside looking out."

* * * "I am speaking out of my hart (sic) that what I done was verey (sic) stupid. I would like to say that I am sorry for what I done and being in here (the County Jail) for eight months made me think that what I done was wrong."

* * *

"About two years ago, when Sabir was 13 years old, the supportive resources in his life began to slowly deteriorate," Julie Paasch-Anderson wrote in a waiver study for Circuit Judge Russell Stamper in June. "Both his parents developed a crack cocaine addiction.

"He entered middle school, and the connections that he had at Lloyd Street Grade School were severed. He was introduced to alcohol and marijuana, which he used on a regular basis as time progressed."

The "connections" at Lloyd Street School were a woman who served as a volunteer parent and a physical education teacher. Wilcher's attorney, Ann T. Bowe, said the two took a special interest in the boy because they recognized he was headed for trouble and wanted to "rescue him from the streets."

"His clothes were often ripped and dirty," Paasch-Anderson reported in her study. "He had poor hygiene, and other children often avoided him because of his body odor."

The volunteer parent gave Wilcher clothes, took him on outings and welcomed him at her home. The teacher allowed Wilcher to help out in the gym, got him a membership in die YMCA and took him to sporting events. But when Wilcher left Lloyd Street School for middle school he lost his two rescuers and gravitated toward a street gang, according to the study.

At home, meanwhile. Lynette Wilcher's "judgment was impaired by her own drug and alcohol use," according to the study. Sabir Wilcher's father also had a drug problem and once was put under house arrest by a street gang because of his cocaine debt, the study said.

Within a year of his involvement with the gang, young Wilcher began selling drugs. By March, he was hanging out at the drug house across the alley.

"I have never denied my involvement in this. You see I could not live with myself knowing I was responsible for taking the life of someone."

* * *

Police reports indicate that Emanuel Johnson, a 21-year-old man running the drug house, was the first person to tell Wilcher that "the minister," a shadowy figure from Chicago, wanted Wilcher to work at the drug house. Johnson eventually sent Wilcher by bus to Chicago to meet the minister, and when he returned a couple days later, he was assigned the task of keeping watch for police and was to be paid $100 every other day.

Inside the drug house on N. 14th St., a brown, rundown duplex, worked three "servers" and a "weight man" named Elvis Anderson, 20, who packaged the cocaine, according to police. Also inside the house were a sawed-off ,410-gauge shotgun, a rifle, a semiautomatic pistol and a .22-caliber, black revolver, according to police.

Beside in charge of the drug house, Johnson served as the runner who brought cocaine to Milwaukee and took the $700 to $800 daily proceeds to Chicago, according to a criminal complaint.

After a disagreement with the minister in early April, Johnson later told police, he began forming a plan to kill the minister and Anderson. Anderson, Johnson explained, had to die because he was too close to the minister.

* * *

"At night, I can't sleep. I tose (sic) and turn thinking about that night over and over agin (sic)."

* * *

On the night of April 22, Johnson gave Wilcher the .22-caliber revolver and told him it was his duty to kill Anderson. According to the plan, when it was time for Anderson to leave for the night, he would have to be driven home and it was during that ride when he would be killed.

Later, when Anderson asked for a ride, Johnson got behind the wheel of a friend's car, Anderson got into the passenger seat and Wilcher, with the revolver in his pocket, sat behind him.

Moments after they drove off, Anderson said he wanted to pick up some food, so Johnson drove to a McDonald's restaurant at 920 W. North Ave. After pulling away from the drive-through, Johnson rolled his window up, turned tine radio volume to high, glanced at Wilcher and nodded.

As Anderson sat with the bag of food in his lap, Wilcher raised the handgun and held it about 6 inches from the back of Anderson's head, he later told police. "Wilcher closed his eyes, turned his head down and to the left and pulled the trigger three times," Police Detective Allan Schoessow testified at Wilcher's preliminary hearing earlier this year.

Johnson drove to a dead-end alley in the 2400 block of N. 10th St. and pulled Anderson's body out of the car. After taking a packet of cocaine from Anderson's pocket, Johnson drove back to the drug house.

" You act like you done this before." Johnson told Wilcher, according to a police report.

When they went back inside the drug house, Wilcher handed the gun to a server who cleaned it, Wilcher later said, before he took it home.

The next day, police announced the arrests of Johnson and Wilcher.

Johnson subsequently took his case to trial, was convicted and sentenced to a life prison term with no parole eligibility for 40 years.

Wilcher pleaded guilty in November and was sentenced recently.

"He was 15 years and four months old at the time of the shooting," Bowe said at the sentencing hearing. "This is not a young person who was saved from the streets by family members ... but someone who was able to shoot somebody in the back of the head with no provocation."

* * *

"I hope the victoms (sic) family forgives me for what I have done. But now all I can do is accept the penalty for the crime I committed. I am so verey (sic) sorry!!"