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<font size=3><br>
</font><font size=4>Carlos Alberto Torres may be home soon!<br>
May 26, 2009<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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. <br>
</font><font size=3> <br>
</font><font size=4>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, <a href="mailto:jsusler@aol.com">jsusler@aol.com</a>.
<br>
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Sample Letter<br>
<br>
To the United States Parole Commission:<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
We support his release and are anxious to welcome him home.<br>
<br>
Yours truly, <br>
<br>
</font><font size=3> <br>
<br>
</font><font face="Book Antiqua, Bookman" size=2>Jan Susler <br>
People's Law Office<br>
1180 N. Milwaukee<br>
Chicago, IL 60642<br>
773/235-0070 x 118<br>
jsusler@aol.com <br><br>
<br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#008000">415 863-9977<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#0000FF">
<a href="http://www.freedomarchives.org/" eudora="autourl">
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