What do you
think prisons are for?
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Punishment and deterrence, of course. Plus education and rehabilitation, so that prisoners can be productive citizens when they are released.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>How can we tell when prison has accomplished its goals? What measurements are used? And, do those who hold the keys to the prison cell understand that sometimes “justice” and “mercy” go hand in hand?
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The case of Eric Clemmons is an interesting one to watch for those who are concerned about both concepts.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Clemmons has been in prison since 1982, when he was involved in a fight that resulted in the death of a 21-year-old man. Clemmons was 20 at the time; when he learned that the victim had died, he turned himself in to the police. He had no previous criminal record.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Thus began the long and troubling story of Eric Clemmons and the Missouri criminal justice system. He was charged with capital murder and sentenced to 50 years without the possibility of parole.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The idea that Clemmons was overcharged has troubled many people.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Dee Joyce Hayes wrote to Clemmons’ mother:
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> was charged with capital murder.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Justice Myron H. Bright of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals wrote: “This is an unusual case. The evidence indicates that Clemmons acted with some justification for his conduct, and evidence which surfaced in a different trial casts grave doubt on whether Clemmons struck the blows that killed the victim.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As if the costs of being overcharged were not high enough, Clemmons nearly paid the ultimate price while in prison. In 1985 he was wrongfully accused of the murder of a fellow inmate. When he was finally granted a trial on this charge, it took a jury only one hour to find him not guilty of the inmate murder. By this time, he had spent 13 years on death row.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Eric Clemmons is now 48-years-old and he has spent the last 28 years in prison. This seems like justice enough for some St. Louis attorneys, who recently filed a petition for executive clemency for Clemmons with the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. If the board approves, the petition will then move to the desk of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Prison has actually done what it is supposed to do for Eric Clemmons, the petitioners argue. He has stayed out of trouble, gotten his GED, taken numerous classes and worked in almost every job available. The petition includes 30 pages of certificates of achievement in academic, psychological, religious and restorative justice areas.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He has written a letter of apology to the parents of his victim, asking for their mercy and forgiveness.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>A psychiatrist has stated that Clemmons’ “positive attitude and desire to contribute to society bodes well for a good future prognosis.” There is nothing that would cause him to pose a risk to others, or anything that would hinder his reintegration to the community.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He has a loving family and the promise of a job waiting for him when he is released.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Eric Clemmons committed a dreadful crime. He has been punished for it. He has made amends to the extent that the prison environment will permit. Does he have to wait until he is 70 years old before the state of Missouri gives him a second chance?
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>One hopes that the Board of Probation and Parole and Gov. Jay Nixon will, at this point, find mercy to be the more compelling argument. Readers who would like to support Eric Clemmons‘ petition for executive clemency are invited to write the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole, 3400 Knipp Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109, and the Honorable Jeremiah Nixon, P.O. Box 720, Jefferson City, MO 65105.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Barbara L. Finch is a writer, former public relations consultant and cofounder of Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>(
“http://www.womensvoicesraised.org/”>
“color: #000099;”>www.womensvoicesraised.org
