Barbour’s Pardons

Posted by: Editor on Jan 16, 2012 | 19 Comments

Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi created a stir this month by issuing hundreds of pardons during his last two weeks in office. The majority of these pardons – 90%, the governor claims – were given to individuals no longer in custody, to restore their civil rights. Some of the clemencies, however, were granted to men convicted of capital crimes that had spent part of their sentences as inmate trustees in the Governor’s Mansion, a good-behavior privilege that put the inmates in close contact with the governor in a domestic capacity.

Detractors point at these pardons and claim that the accident of proximity to the governor should not merit clemency for serious crimes. Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley summed up the prevailing sentiment in a quote run by the Associated Press: “Serving your sentence at the Governor’s Mansion where you pour liquor, cook and clean should not earn a pardon for murder.”

While it’s hard to disagree with such a rational-seeming sound bite, we nonetheless believe that the practice of clemency by the executive branch of state government is a valuable part of our criminal justice system, and do not find fault with Gov. Barbour’s end-of-term pardons. Moreover, the fact that the governor had the opportunity to know and interact with these inmates on a daily basis should count for something. We are not arguing for quid pro quo (no, Commissioner Presley, we don’t believe that bartending, cooking and cleaning should, on their face, erase a murder conviction), but we do think that the clemency tradition is augmented – not hurt – by having the pardoner know the person he’s pardoning.

This is the rationale Gov. Barbour used in defending the pardons. In an article written by Jessica Bakeman for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, the governor recounts a childhood story about an inmate (convicted of murder) who was assigned to his ailing grandfather as a caregiver, saying that experience gave him insight into the importance of second chances. “The state is not an individual that wants vengeance,” said Barbour, quoted in the Clarion-Ledger article. “We believe in the forgiveness of sins.” (Never mind the fact that there are currently 57 inmates on Mississippi’s Death Row, and that of the 15 executions carried out by the state since 1975, nine of them occurred during Barbour’s two terms as governor.)

As for the majority of the pardons issued by Gov. Barbour, we take him at his word that most were issued to already-released offenders, and that most were granted with the approval of the state’s parole board. We recognize that end-of-term pardons are a generally accepted practice of outgoing chief executives – be they US Presidents or state Governors – and are a custom that, in the best case, can further justice when the justice system has failed, and in the worst case simply demonstrate the state’s capacity for forgiveness and second chances.

Ethel
January 20, 2012
ITS GOOD SOMEONE HAS A HEART AND DECIDES TO GIVE IMATES A SECOND CHANCE AND DEMORSTRATE FORGIVENESS, I WISH TEXAS WOULD DO THAT AS MY FINIANCEE BEEN IN PRINSON FOR GOING ON ELEVEN YEARS FOR RETALIATION AS THEY SAY, YET THEY KEEP DENIEING HIM PAROLE, THEY GAVE HIM AN OVERATED 29 YEAR SENTENCE BUT I KNOW THAT HE HAS DONE CHANGE, YET TEXAS DON’T WANT TO GIVE A PERSON A SECOND CHANCE.
Ellon
January 20, 2012
I totally gree with you. Everyone deserves a second chance. My son is incarcerated in Indiana but he was given an overrated 15-25 sentence and he was trying to help some else he didn’t even know who was in trouble. instead of self defense they charge him with conspiracy to commit murder. The whole penal system need to be revamped!
Ernie
January 21, 2012
Who is this “we?” Is the author Queen Victoria?

I have no problem with Gov. Barbour’s actions. I only wish more had the sense he showed he has. Let’s face it the criminal ‘justice’ system is a crock. It’s broken with unaccountable prosecutors at all levels aided by perjured testimony, senile judges and overly broad laws that allow for arbitrary prosecutions.
Lou
January 21, 2012
I have been an volunteer advisor for inmates for 32 years and I think it is a good thing if the Governor thought these inmates deserved a 2nd chance. I see way too often that inmates do their best to change everything in their lives and they are not given any credit for their change. I think it is about time that something changes in the judicial system. Inmates are humans. Yes, they made mistakes, haven’t we all? Thank God that he forgave me for my mistakes and he gave me a 2nd chance. I have worked with inmates who are really changed, but they finally give up. I thank the Governor for giving these guys a 2nd chance and I pray that these guys will appreciate this Governor for sticking his neck out for them and they make him very proud and always do what is right. Way too many inmates are in prison that should be out, especially in Louisiana. They keep them forever in Louisiana after they have been rehabilitated 100 times. GIVE THEM A BREAK PLEASE!!!! PROUD OF YOU GOVERNOR….THANK GOD SOMEONE HAS A HEART!!!!
kassie
January 22, 2012
sorry 2 hear that … i’m in pa. a state cop lied on the stand said when he came 2 our home i was all beat up, black-n-blue on the right side of my face and i had strangulation marks on my neck. well, my neighbors were here like 6 of them, they even say i didnt have one mark. and it takes your face at least a few hours 2 turn black-n-blue… he said he remembers cause my face was re-constructed & he felt bad 4 me cause my fiance hit me their…. well,that woulda been the LEFT side of my face !!! anyway, we have a 5 mo. old and were do 2 be married, now my fiance’s back in the damn system… , i would still wanna marry him in jail if he hurts me, duh !!! those ppl are f’n idiots, i miss him Sooooo bad … hes missing out on our babys first things NOBODY will listen we were only in an argument that night !!! im in pa. and we just got 4in. of snow , i should be happy but im alone with the baby and nobody 2 talk to… i HATE our system !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paula
January 22, 2012
Yes, there are inmates that brought themselves to prison for their mistakes and they definitely pay the price. I am happy to hear that this parole board/governor saw that some inmates deserved to be released. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has only granted 24 pardons/commutes in his 4 year term and was re-elected unfortunately. Even the warden and the guards said that many of the inmates should be released, but the gov won’t budge even if the parole board supports the inmate. Mississippi is lucky to have had a governor like Barbour. I know many families are also pardoned and celebrating. My loved one is in Angola for armed robbery and he’s been in for 14 years and got 2 life sentences although he never pulled a gun or threatened the victims…he just wanted their car and let them go. Louisiana gives the most harsh and lengthy sentences not in the U.S. but in the world. The ACLU, the warden, and the Cardinals from the Catholic Church have been trying to work with Jindal and soften his hard head and heart and let some of these guys that deserve to go to be released. And yes, some of them should never be set free as they are inhumane and scarey. Please pray for my loved one. He has taken every available rehabilitative course and has 2 degrees and working on his 3rd one. He has turned himself around. He’s older, softer, and wiser, but Jindal offers no hope to anyone. Thanks for letting me talk.
Lee
January 23, 2012
I would be in favor of governor’s pardoning inmates who have commited murder if after they are released, and they kill again, that I can hold the governor accountable as well. Perhaps they would put a bit more effort in evaluating who truly should be released and who should not. You take a life, then you give up yours… in prison, until death do you part.
William Cochran
January 23, 2012
I would like to thank Governor Barbour for his act of kindness. For whatever reason people have forgotten about forgiveness. Thank God Governor Barbour still realizes that as God’s Children we are taught by God himself to forgive our brothers/sisters. I salute Gov Barbour for having the courage to follow his heart. Gov Barbour will be remembered not for his politics but for his character. God Bless you Gov Barbour.
Darlene
January 24, 2012
I live in clayton county ga. and the judicial system here is so harsh, i have a 19yr. old son thats in prison serving a 10yr. sentence for armed robbery, this is his first time ever being arrested and the judge and jury had no evidence against him but convicted of this crime based on here say.
Rashelle
January 26, 2012
I agree with the Governor decision the system these days are so messed up, and whos to say what people done in there past will happen again, i really feel like you should be punished for the things you do, but lets not be so harsh, you have DA and Judges locking up people her in Texas for life for selling DRUGS and the ones that killing getting 2-5 years, now what state of mind do you think killer have i figure if they do it once they want be scared to do it again not saying it would happen though, but you locking up people for selling drup for 20-75 years what kind of lesson are you trying to teach them (LIKE REALLY) do it take that many years to learn a lesson..the Texas system is full of BS…and really wish some od the JUDGES< GOVERNORS AND DA had as big of a heart as this GOVERNOR did, i think he did a good JOB and some other GOVERNORS should share the love…
Dennis Auldridge
January 31, 2012
It pleases me the governor did this.i know the pain of the victims family is huge but it huge for the the family of the prisoner also. i can only pray that someday our own governor of texas has some sort heart to give second chances. i know, rick perry? yes, rick perry- the lord can work miracles.in my faith he can, anyway!
Nette
February 1, 2012
I’m with Dennis. I’m praying that Gov. Barbour started a trend….my dream is to have a system that acknowledges excellent behavior to Ad Seg ( esp. Texas) Offenders. A conduct re-evaluation at LEAST every 10 yrs.

Also, a misnomer that folks have is, “Of course he’s nice, he’s in prison.” What if that’s NOT the case?

My friend in TX Ad Seg. has been on the “best” level due to NEVER giving anyone trouble, for 15 years but isn’t up for parole til like 2026. Is that nuts? …..what a Godsend it would be to have a program that acknowledges Ad Seg Offenders who exhibit consistent, exemplary behavior.

This would be a step to correct overly harsh (3 STrikes You’re Out)sentencing that plagues this country. What happened to the 4th Amendment?

A positiv! This could become a trend!!! Other BRAVE and STRONG men may step up to the “plate.” Thank God for Gov. Barbour for “breaking the ice.”

Thank you for giving me the privilege to voice my opinion. Friends and family NEED more rights.
Nette
February 3, 2012
Just caught Rashelle’s response….you go girl! And TEXAS is one of the harsh, unreasonable states when it come to what is fair/equitable punishment. Lock ‘em up and throw away the key. That’s Texas Judicial System’s motto.
Well, everything is bigger in TX, including punishments.
Melissa
February 3, 2012
Thank God. What the Governor did was very nice, caring and understanding. There are people in there that should not be there. Everyone deserves forgiveness and a second chance. Praise God.
Maxine
February 4, 2012
My daughter , a mother of three, was addicted to pain medication from an accident she was involved in,over eight years ago. Besides marrying a drug abuser, she became invloved in the whole”meth” mess, because he convinced her it would take the pain away!!! Needless to say downward spiral…long story short…arrested for possessionwith him last summer….he gets bonded out, she sits in county jail for 3 months, before being allowed to “OR out, back on the streets of Starke County, In. No home, no clothes, nothing. She is court ordered to do programs and on probation. She does her programs, one thing ordered was to obtain employment. She find a job cleaning houses for cash to pay her ch. support, and goes in for her hearing last week, County Magistrate doesn’t accept her job as a “tax paying” job..throws her in county jail, now she is sitting in Rockville for “violation of probation” for something as simple as a possession charge..don’t get me wrong….I am totally against drugs…she lost everything three years ago. Job, home, kids all of it. But prison??? For violation of not having a “tax” paying job???
arona
February 11, 2012
OK GOVENOR OF TEXAS how about giving our young men and women who has been sent to prison for possession of drugs, other non-violent crimes , parole violations, and just mistakes that they made in their young lives A PARDON? Mr. Govenor that would be greatly appreciated by them and their mothers..Just maybe they can get jobs and lead productive lives and not have their mistakes thrown up in their face everytime they try to find employment. I do not agree with the Govenor pardoning the guys if they did terrible violent crimes and it appears that most of them did.I do not think it is fair to the ones that did not do terrible crimes…
arona
February 11, 2012
OK PEOPLE WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT OUR TEXAS SYSTEM THE SYSTEM IS SO UNFAIR AND IT SEEM TO DERIVE SUCH JOY IN THE MOST EXTREME PUNISHMENT TO THE YOUNG ONES THAT MAKE MISTAKES .IT AMOST APPEARS TO BE A BULLY SYSTEM (SPEAKING OF BULLIES) LST’S PICK ON THE ONES THAT ARE MORE VULNERABLE AND DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PROTECT THMESEVLES…SOUNDS LIKE A BULLY TEXAS PASS A LAW AGAINST YOURSELF FOR BULLYING….
arona
February 11, 2012
I meant to say there appears to be a system that is a BULLY SYSTEM) LET’S PICK ON THE ONES THAT ARE MORE VULNERABLE AND DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES NOR AFFORD PROTECTION. (THIS APPEARS TO BE A BULLY) SO TEXAS PASS A LAW AGAINST YOURSELVES FOR BULLYING….
Viridiana Rivera
February 21, 2012
The only way we can change TDCJ system is speaking out. I am married to a life sentenced inmate and I requested my state representative’s help for my husband to start his education. He supported me in that matter and my husband was sent to a better prison. I think we need to let our representatives know what is happening with the system. There is this Sunset Review comming up and they examine what is working or not into the TDCJ. Mariza Marquez State Representative from El Paso, Tx is in the TDSCJ commiteee for making changes to the system. Let’s work all together, let’s ask for a fair system and put an stop to corporations running prisons.