V2A Responds to ADC Act 895 “Mistake”
COL Ross speaks with KARK 4 NEWS reporter, Laura Monteverdi, prior to the interviews
Recently, Veterans Villages of America Inc. (V2A) was able to assist a veteran and two other members of a non-profit organization created to provide support and advice for family members of Arkansas prison inmates in their effort to advocate for justice for their incarcerated loved ones who were recently blindsided by the devastating consequences of an alleged seven-year “mistake” made by the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) in its interpretation of Act 895.
On Jan. 11, KARK 4 NEWS reporter Laura Monteverdi interviewed three female members of the Facebook group Ark Dept Of Corrections Family Support for a story regarding the alleged ADC mistake that is reportedly impacting the lives of over 300 Arkansas inmates and their loved ones in a very painful way.
On Feb. 10, KARK released a teaser for the story on YouTube titled, “False Hope.” According to KARK, the full story is set to air tonight, Wednesday (Feb. 15) at 10 p.m.
One of the women interviewed and seen in the teaser is an Army veteran. Another lives in Hot Springs and was without a vehicle on the day of the interview, which was scheduled to take place in Little Rock. Without a ride, she wouldn’t have made it to the interview to make a public plea for mercy to be given to her loved one, and for justice to prevail after the alleged ADC mistake took his upcoming freedom away, a penalty she says is unjust and unconstitutional. Many agree with her, including V2A Chairman of the Board COL Mike Ross, U.S. Army, retired.
Ross attended an Ark Dept Of Corrections Family Support meeting in Conway late last year to learn about how he could assist incarcerated veterans, so when group members reached out for support, he was eager to help. After reviewing the issues, laws, and documents, Ross decided the issue deserved and required V2A assistance. Even though Ross was not being interviewed, he drove from Little Rock to Hot Springs to pick up the member needing a ride to the interview, and in the hour leading up to the interview, he offered advice and encouragement to all three women before they went on camera. Ross also discussed the issues concerning the ADC and Act 895 with Monteverdi to gain further perspective. Ross is an impassioned advocate for justice and constitutional rights for veterans and all United States citizens.
KARK interview with prison inmate advocate and loved one
COL Ross said, “When veterans and their families need assistance, V2A answers the call. We are committed to serving and assisting our nation’s veterans in numerous ways. When issues are brought to our attention, we feel we must investigate the issues, and if necessary, we become active advocates for the impacted veterans. This issue has our attention, and we are fully engaged in helping to right this wrong.”
Ross continued, “In 2015, there was a change in the law which made residential burglary a violent crime and required the inmates to serve their entire sentence. Plea agreements were entered into before the change in law and also for the next seven years. The plea agreements were made in good faith. However, these plea agreements are no longer being honored because the ADC made a seven-year mistake in misinterpreting the law. Inmates who lived up to their plea agreements are no longer being paroled and required to serve their entire sentence.”
V2A supports our laws and believes that if an individual breaks the law that the individual should serve the court-imposed sentence. V2A also believes that once a plea agreement is made, the State should honor it. V2A will continue to advocate for justice.
COL Ross drives prison inmate advocate and family member to KARK interview
