Juvenile Justice Personal Statement

I, William Fletcher, submit the appeal for strong armed robbery. I am currently adjudicated at Excalibur Youth Services serving a guideline of fifteen to twenty-four months. I’ve served twenty-seven documented months. I can prove that I’ve made tremendous changes in my attitude and life style choices due to my involvement in various programs that the department of juvenile justice has offered since my adjudication.
During the process of reforming I’ve achieved immense success considering my state of mind prior to my current conviction. My first step towards reforming was my choice to obtain my GED in September 2014. During this time I was placed at Bennettsville; I was the only juvenile there to receive my GED that year. This is an accomplishment within it self proving that I’m capable of making competent decisions while my peers choose to do otherwise. I received my Work Keys and serve safe

certificate within the same year of 2014.

I have continued to show progression since through my enrollment at North Eastern Technical College in 2014 along with Greenville Technical College this year. I took advantage of online courses these colleges had to offer. I’ve committed myself to these positive avenues in order be able to maintain a productive lifestyle upon release and appeal to the parole board until then. Although I respect the professional decisions of the parole board, I feel as if there was an error in the reasoning of me being denied parole at my last hearing. The explanation offered as why I was denied parole was due to the seriousness of my offense and my prior delinquent history. I feel as if this explanation should be null and void considering that I’ve maxed out for my current offense. I have already served the time for my previous

offenses. If reforming is change and change is our focus then I am dedicated to the whole heartedly put forth. The effort to change from the person I used to be. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try I cannot change the seriousness of my offense two years after the crime has been committed. Nor can I change the contents of my past history. All I can currently do is make the right decisions to create a positive future.
Based on the above arguments the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice should grant my release due to the amount of progress and change I obtain during my current confinement. Thanks in advance for taking the time out to hear my case.

Addendum: As I was talking to my HSP today I realize I filled out the incorrect paperwork for my parole appeal on September 10, 2015. This is the correct paperwork I want to be filed and concerned for my appeal above.