Please support prisoner caught up in Florida's political parole game

There are almost 6000 inmates sentenced before the 1983 abolition of parole in the state of Florida, whose future is to be determined by a parole commission in chaos. Parole eligible prisoners such as Clay Ennis have in effect become unwittingly embroiled in a political game of survival, whereby the Florida Parole Commission seeks to control and manipulate the numbers released on parole each year in order to justify its continued existence, even though the financial loses are vast and the devastating impact on those prisoners at its mercy is immeasurable.

Parole eligible prisoners can be likened to the ingredients on a carefully balanced pair of scales where only a few are released each year, with many more having their paroles revoked on a minor technicality. The scales remain balanced in the parole commissions favour thereby justifying their existence at the detriment of the prisoner.

In 1977, aged 18, Clay took part in a robbery which resulted in the death of a man. A struggle took place between Clay and the victim and Clays gun went off in the process as the victim sought to gain control of the weapon. Now aged 47, Clay becomes eligible for parole in 2007. He has been incarcerated for almost 30 years. If paroled, Clay will be able to contribute positively and productively to society rather than having society pay for his imprisonment. Clay has a loving family and a home and job in the family business in front of him; he has a chance to demonstrate reform and make something positive of his life.

Whilst in prison, Clay has completed several vocational courses which are summarized below, has educated himself and maintained a near clean prison record for almost 10 years. His dearest wish now is to be allowed to rejoin his family.

Clay has completed the following courses:

Department of Education High School Diploma December 18th 1981
The Mural Project Jaycees 1984
Certificate of Merit Human Relations July 23rd, 1980
Certificate of Achievement Drug Counselling January 6th 1982
Classification Department Inmate Barber Certification June 1st 1983
Classification Department Senior Barber January 3rd 1984
Basic Growth Orientation Laboratory April 29th 1987 May 8th 1987
Advanced Growth Orientation Laboratory July 13th Aug. 17th 1987
Anger Management Workshop June 8th 1987 August 17th 1987
The United States Jaycees Time Dynamics May 31st 1983
D.C.I. Jaycees Spiritual Dynamics March 20th 1984
The Florida Jaycess Speaking March 20th 1984
D.C.I. Jaycees Communication Dynamics August 13th 1983
D.C.I. Jaycees Springboard Program August 13th 1983
The Florida Jaycees Spark Plug Award December 26th 1984
The Florida Jaycees Spoke Award December 26th 1984
State Certification of Appreciation Jaycee April 9th 1985
The Hope Group Florida Maintaining Sobriety May 28th 1989
U.C.I. Volunteer-Community Service September 9th 1991
Vital Issues Project May 1st 1996
Certificate of Completion Wellness Education Program March 5th 1997
Certificate of Achievement Pipe Trade Systems Technology March 10th 1999 March 29th 2000

Please show your support for Clays forthcoming parole hearing by adding your signature to this petition. It is vital that those parole eligible prisoners in Florida are allowed to demonstrate reform within society as opposed to being nothing more than statistics to be manipulated for political and financial gain. Please help to give Clay the opportunity to become a worthwhile member of society rather than an aging statistic.