[Ppnews] Carlos Alberto Torres update - support letters needed

[Political Prisoner News]

Carlos Alberto Torres may be home soon!
May 26, 2009

Puerto Rican political prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres appeared this 
morning with his attorney Jan Susler at FCI Pekin, Illinois at a 
videoconference hearing with U.S. Parole Commission hearing examiner 
Larry Glenn.

The hearing took place after Carlos Alberto had served over 29 years 
in prison, and 15 years after his initial parole hearing in 1994, 
when the Parole Commission told him to come back after serving 
another 15 years.

The hearing examiner opened by saying he would make one of three 
possible recommendations at the conclusion of the hearing: 1) set a 
presumptive parole date; 2) tell Carlos Alberto once again to come 
back after serving another 15 years, at which time he would be 
considered for possible release on parole; or 3) deny parole entirely.

For some 45 minutes, the examiner posed questions, including some 
very pointed political questions about Carlos Alberto's views on the 
relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico, and whether 
his thoughts on this issue have changed throughout his years in 
custody. He reviewed his accomplishments in prison and asked about 
his plans if he were to be released: to open a pottery studio in Puerto Rico.

Significantly, Glenn noted "the large number of documents showing 
community support sent to the parole commission." He was referring to 
the thousands of letters and resolutions from all of Puerto Rico's 
civil society, as well as from supporters throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

After a brief break, Glenn announced his recommendation: a 
presumptive parole date of April 3, 2010.... which would mark the 
30th anniversary of Carlos Alberto's imprisonment.

The parole commission has 21 days to issue a decision, of by June 16. 
Should the commission adopt the examiner's recommendation, Carlos 
Alberto would be eligible for transfer to a halfway house 180 days 
before April 3, or on October 3, 2009.

Letters urging the commission to adopt the hearing examiner's 
recommendation should arrive no later than June 17 at the office of 
Jan Susler, Attorney, People's Law Office, 1180 N. Milwaukee, 
Chicago, IL 60622, <mailto:jsusler at aol.com>jsusler at aol.com.

******************************************************************************
Sample Letter

To the United States Parole Commission:

We are writing to urge that you adopt the May 26, 2009, 
recommendation of the hearing examiner to set a presumptive parole 
date of April 3, 2010 for Carlos Alberto Torres.

We support his release and are anxious to welcome him home.

Yours truly,



Jan Susler
People's Law Office
1180 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60642
773/235-0070 x 118
jsusler at aol.com



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/ppnews_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20090527/be4e4b21/attachment.htm>