To: Ms. Fern Osler and members of the BOPP
Re: Clive W. Kinlock (#32704)
It was with interest that I listened to your presentation to the Law and Justice Committee members at the June 22 meeting. What I do not understand is why what you say and what you do are so different. What I heard you say is that inmates become parole eligible by having significant clear conduct, holding a steady job, and by being treatment complete. Yet, this is not the whole story apparently, since Mr. Kinlock, my husband, was denied parole in 2009 for the maximum amount of time allowed then– eight years! In 2009 he had been working at the same job for many years and considered by his supervisors to be their best employee. He had over 8 years clear conduct and was treatment complete many times over. In fact, at one time he even facilitated the very classes you re-assigned him to take after denying him parole in 2009. This denial of parole which would result in deportation, is costing taxpayers another quarter of a million dollars.
Letters Of Support for Clive Kinlock
Former Warden Mike Mahoney spoke with some of your members before retiring, in behalf of Mr. Kinlock. He told Mr. Kinlock that he disagreed with the Board’s statements and reasons presented to him, making it clear that in his opinion, having known Mr. Kinlock during most of his incarceration, that he was rehabilitated and was no threat to any society, and that there is no reason to believe Mr. KInlock was a risk to reoffend again.
Mr. Kinlock has given over 20 years of his life to prove to the State of Montana his commitment to change and to rehabilitate himself. He has expressed remorse and regret for his crime, committed while under the influence of marijuana and alcohol, which he has taken a vow to never touch again. He wrote a letter to his victim, via her attorney, years ago asking forgiveness and expressing his remorse, so your excuse to Mr. Mahoney does not hold water.
Mr. Kinlock has given his life to the Lord for service in His kingdom, and has demonstrated this commitment by his consistently honorable character and behavior in the most difficult environment possible. We know the Lord hears the cry of the oppressed and defends those who are made victims by governments and their agencies. We believe this is why so many citizens have stepped forward to decry the abuses foisted on so many in the name of ‘justice’ when justice for many remains elusive. I say this to refute Rep. Menahan’s comment that all the citizens’ complaints are false in his opinion. They are very real and they will not stop until our government hears us and responds to our right for accountability within our government.
We believe your decision to deny Mr. Kinlock his well-earned freedom is cruel and unjust. Mr. Kinlock needs medical treatment the DOC has been denying him for years, (these records are available here) so releasing him now would make it possible for us to pursue treatment on our own so he can maintain his ability to function in life without becoming permanently disabled, which would certainly be a liability to achieving a successful re-entry to a society he has lost all experience with over the years.
My husband, Mr. Kinlock, and I are requesting that you agree to see him again ASAP and reverse your decision, based on the clear evidence of his rehabilitation, and recommendations of prison staff, which includes Warden Mahoney’s strong recommendations for parole. Please consider as well Mr. Kinlock’s long record of mentoring those he lives around, documented over a decade ago by 13 members of the prison staff who considered him the ‘ideal inmate.’
Respectfully,
Joy Wellington and Clive W. Kinlock
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A Personal Appeal from Clive W. Kinlock
To The Director of the BOPP
Re: Clive W. Kinlock AO# 32704
Dear Director Fern Osler,
I am writing you in the hope of being seen again right away regarding my parole. It is my belief that if you understood me and all I have truly and sincerely accomplished over the years of my incarceration your concerns would be alleviated regarding my performance upon release.
I felt confused when Mr. Mahoney related to me his conversation with a Board member when he recently spoke for my release based on his knowledge of me and my conduct over the years. He said you did not believe I was remorseful for committing my crime and feared I would re-offend in the same manner again if released. My confusion was because I was not able to assure you of my rehabilitation at my 2009 hearing because I was not asked any questions by the Board. In fact, the decision seemed pre-determined days before my hearing date. When I requested to view my file I noticed there were none of the staff recommendations in the file, or certificates of accomplishment present. Mr. Mahoney advised me to request to be seen again and that I needed to share with the Board my honest and sincere commitment to live my life as the changed man I am today. He also said he is willing to give me his letter of support if needed.
For the record, there has never been a day in the last 20 years since I committed my crime that I have not been ashamed of and remorseful for my actions that night. I am not the same person I was then. I have given my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, baptized into His holy Name, and have received His forgiveness. It is my constant prayer that my victim and her family will one day be able to find forgiveness for my actions as well.
The life I was living before committing the crime that lead me to prison was full of confusion, and alienation from myself and reality. I had been on my own from a very young age and did not have good role models in my life to guide me. One of the reasons I came to Montana was to find a better life for myself and my family but I did not have the inner disciplines to leave behind completely the life I was trying to escape. The habit of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol resurfaced when the stresses of life were more than I could handle with my limited skills, creating a criminal frame of mind that led to my acting irrationally and criminally that night.
There is not a day that has passed that I do not struggle with the hurt I still feel for having caused my victim harm, and wishing I could go back to that night and make the choice to not use drugs and alcohol. In a sober state of mind, my impulsive behavior would never have happened. Because of this I have made a commitment to never again touch drugs or alcohol, or conduct myself in any way to ever create another victim. Today I am determined to help people who are victims of crimes, who are homeless, or in need of a hand up. I have also consistently donated to ‘Safe Space’ in Butte, MT for the last 17 years. I am also respectful of the truth that my body will never be able to handle alcohol on even a casual basis so I am committed to sobriety in every aspect of my life. Thankfully I now have a wonderful wife as well as the Lord Jesus Christ to hold me accountable to my convictions and commitment.
Please know that I have committed myself to a standard of behavior that will allow me to be a role model to anyone who knows me, as an authentic follower of Jesus Christ. I see myself as a mentor and have chosen to be this for inmates who seek me out, encouraging them to take responsibility for their lives and circumstances. I am asking the Board to give me another chance so I can be reunited with my children and now grandchildren, as well as join my wife in serving the Lord in whatever capacity He calls us to serve in whatever community. We will have a lot of challenges ahead of us finding our way in my native culture, and that won’t get any easier the older I get. I also need serious medical intervention to keep from becoming disabled. Once I am released we could begin that process as well.
If successful re-entry back into society is the goal of the Board, then I pray that you will re-evaluate your stance regarding me and grant my parole.
Sincerely,
Clive W. Kinlock
