Hello, my name is David Annarelli, contributing writer with the Prison Journalism Project. Today is April 22, 2025, Tuesday. This is Virginia Pardon and Parole Board update.
It has now been reported locally and nationally that the Virginia Pardon and Parole Board is openly biased, specifically, its head chair, Patricia West. Its lawlessness, violating Virginia Code 53.1-136 and 53.1-155 has been documented and has not stopped. Its fraudulent investigations have likewise been reported, especially where pardon petitions are of concern.
Patricia West has been witnessed by dozens openly preaching her prejudice regarding granting paroles, and since her rise to celebrity status and national pariah, has recently been found doubling down on her dangerous behaviors. This, while simultaneously being pigeonholed into providing public hearings for a small select few parolees. In fact, an immediate review of every pardon petition and parolee from the past three years is mandatory. Failure to comply is being seen as an admittance of corruption.
Recent surveys show a continuing deficit in paroles granted, and a new trend has developed since Patricia West’s public folly at Lawrenceville Corrections. Prior to her open prejudicial remarks, those denied parole were usually given one to three reasons to support the denial. Now, after being exposed, those being denied are seeing eight, nine and ten reasons to support the denial. This is clearly vindictive acts of retaliation and must be addressed.
We are now hearing reports from anonymous sources close to the board that Patricia West has gone on a bit of a warpath within her own office. Calls for her removal and an investigation are coming from several corners, and they are escalating. Off the record, she is being labeled as dangerous. These same sources also state that Patricia West expects to be removed and has adopted a sort of scorched-earth policy before her removal.
Attitudes of similar behaviors can be found in the office of the Virginia Attorney General, who has completely emptied the Conviction Integrity Unit, and also the Governor’s Office, which now holds the record nationwide for the governor with the most vetoes of bills in a single term under Glenn Youngkin, who has said that was recently lambasted by President Trump. Surprising.
Investigations and interventions are needed in Virginia, and they’re needed immediately. Once again, I’m David Annarelli, contributing writer to Prison Journalism Project, davidannarelli.wordpress.com, Instagram david_ annarelli. Thank you for your time.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.