Family Background

I was born on August 9, 1956, the fourth of seven children. We were raised in Beacon, New York, primarily by my mother who died in December 2003. We lost our father to terminal illness in December of 1967 when I was eleven years old. Despite this unfortunate loss, our home was always one of warmth and laughter. Even still, I soon developed a considerable problem: suppressing my anger so completely that I found myself unable to vent or even fully experience this emotion.

Personal History

Life for me was great on the surface. However, below the surface my escalating use of alcohol and other drugs had steadily increased since my high school years and would soon become unmanageable.

Blackouts had become a common event in my daily life, but somehow I was so blinded by the effects of my substance abuse that I couldn't even recognize that I had a SERIOUS problem. This problem, along with years of my repressed anger, would be the primary underlying factors in my crime.

Education

After graduating Beacon High School in 1975, where I was voted Best Athlete and Most Popular, I went on to attend Marist College. Here, I would not only earn a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice but I would also become a father, one of the greatest moments of my life.

Work History

After graduating college in 1980, I lived with my girlfriend and our son. My first job was working as a counselor in a school for boys. I also held other jobs during this time period. I was the District Sales Manager for a newspaper, and later a forklift operator.

 

INCARCERATION HISTORY

Transitions & Accomplishments

I have attended many programs. Some, I would later facilitate and/or supervise. They are as follows:

Education:

• Masters' degree in Professional Studies form New York Theological Seminary
(with a dual concentration in Urban Ministry and Pastoral Care & Counseling).

Employment:

• Administrative: Chaplain's Clerk
• Academic: Teachers' Aide (for the last six years)
• Vocational: Office Machine Clerk; Sewing Machine Mechanic; Computer Repair

Therapeutic Programs:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment (ASAT)
• Alternative to Violence Project (AVP)
• Aggression Replacement Training (ART)

Volunteer Programs:

• Compadre helpers
• Inmate Program Associate (IPA, for: vocational, academic & guidance)
• Basic/Advanced Parenting Course
• Domestic Violence Course
• Child Sexual Abuse Seminars
• Prisoners for HIV/AIDS Counseling and Education (PACE)
• Legal Research and Law Library Management
• Network program

Faith-Based Programs:

• Bible Studies; numerous seminars, events and retreats

Commendations Received

I am blessed to have been the first incarcerated person to be awarded the prestigious United Methodist Foundation's Harry Denman Award for Evangelism; and the AVP (Alternatives to Violence Program) Facilitator of the Year; Otisville Certificate of Merit; Episcopal Social Services of New York Certificate of Leadership and the Otisville School Certificate of Achievement.

Special Skills

• Facilitator/Coordinator Reconciliation Workshop
• Facilitate/Coordinate AA Meetings
• Facilitate/Coordinate Conflict Resolution Workshops/Support Groups
• Faith-Based Counseling
• Relationship Consultant
• Praise & Worship Leader
• Deacon/Usher (for religious services)
• Music Coordinator
• Computer Assembler/Repair/Network Installation
• Office Machine/Sewing Machine Mechanic

Transformation

Academic programs have helped me expand my world-view, as well as providing me for the opportunity to assist others with their education. Vocational programs have, in turn, helped me to learn marketable skills which have expanded my future employment opportunities.

The therapeutic programs have helped me to understand and deal with my anger and substance abuse problems. They have also taught me to be constructive, positive and nurturing in my social interactions. It is however the faith-based programs that have given me a rock solid spiritual foundation.

My faith has provided me the key to being a good husband, father and human being. I believe God has a purpose for me now and for when I get out of prison as well.

Release Plans

Upon release, I will be staying in New York until I eventually transfer to Georgia with my wife, Rosella Williams. She is a lifelong resident with a home and is a RN who is employed in the local hospital as an Emergency Room Supervisor.

In the interim of my transition, I will be residing at a Christian-based residential treatment center, that has offered me residential and employment assistance upon my release.

My short-term goals include making sure I know exactly what is expected of me by my parole officer, following up on perspective employment offers, and obtaining my driver's license. I will also attend local AA meetings regularly, locate and attend a supportive church, reunite with my son and family, and utilize the support resources of both New York Theological Seminary and the Network Program.

My long-term goals include working toward a Certificate of Relief from Disability, finding work as a counselor, becoming credentialed in the substance abuse field, facilitate alcohol and substance abuse workshops with my wife, who is a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse and substance abuse counselor.

Finally, I will work toward keeping our marriage successful, volunteering for community service and always embracing my faith.

Employment

A residential treatment center has offered me employment with their agency upon my release. Also, there are transitional agencies that will assist with employment, if needed. Furthermore, I have a secure job in Georgia.

Suitable for Parole and Community-Ready

It is for all of the above mentioned reasons that I am not only parole-ready but more importantly community-ready. I am parole ready because I clearly do not pose a threat to society as evidenced by my low public risk score of 5, and excellent disciplinary record (one misbehavior report in 1985, 23 years ago!). I am community-ready because my skills and talents, and my understanding of who I am today makes me an asset to any community.

As a matter of record, it is important to note that at my initial parole appearance there was a favorable dissent among the commissioners in support of my release. I hope my continued demonstration of the direction of my life has taken will sway the next parole board to reach a positive consensus and release me to parole supervision.

In Closing ...

I would like you to know that my plight is one of repentance and mercy. I am always seeking to expand my relationship with God, as He has enabled me to love my neighbors as well as the person who I have become today. This affords me the opportunity to fully value the sanctity of human life.

It is my prayer that your decision will reflect the full intent of our system of justice, which is the restoration of a person back to society when the time arrives that they no longer pose a threat to the community. Never forgetting the unchangeable nature of this instant offense, yet however allowing mercy and forgiveness to have their collective voice in this monumental decision. I truly believe that ours is a nation of both opportunities and second chances, and all I desire is that second chance to demonstrate that I am truly deserving of it.

Lastly, my hope is that all person affected by this crime have found a means to heal and forgive me. I am truly sorry for what I have done.

I thank you for your time, your empathy, and your objective consideration to support my release to parole supervision. May our Lord continue to bless you, your families, and your respective communities as you in turn bless others daily.

Sincerely,
Eddie Williams