A Jewish inmate serving life in prison without parole took a step toward freedom Aug. 21 and credited the J newspaper of Northern California for the turn of events.
James A. White Jr., was sentenced in 1981 for the murder of his wife’s ex-husband who he said threatened his family and attacked one of their step-daughters.
Last week, California’s Board of Parole Hearings unanimously voted to recommend commutation of his sentence after 37 years behind bars, in part because of the work he has done in establishing a community college program for fellow inmates.
White, a decorated Vietnam veteran, is credited with establishing the community college program — allowing inmates to work toward an associate’s degree — at Ironwood State Prison in Riverside County.
Some 1,500 Ironwood prisoners have graduated from the community college program since its start in 2001. A 2013 study by the Rand Corp. found that inmates who participated in educational programs were 43 percent less likely to return to prison within three years than those who did not participate.
The next scheduled stop for the case is the state Supreme Court; after that, it is expected to go to Gov. Jerry Brown, who has the power to commute White’s sentence. But the hearing was the main hurdle.
“He’s not out till he’s out,” said Rabbi Mendel Kessler, who knows White through his work as a prison chaplain. “But I’m 99 percent sure.”
Kessler, who was a chaplain at Ironwood and is now the director of Chabad of Sedona, Arizona, also spoke in favor of White. He told the board that while crimes must be punished, White’s inspiring example and mentorship in helping other inmates should be recognized.
“From that sense of responsibility that creates civilization, we also have to have the responsibility to rehabilitate all these guys,” he said.
White spoke about the college program’s success during a 2014 TEDx talk at Ironwood. He also started a veterans organizations and held charitable fundraisers while serving his sentence.
Due to the circumstances of his case, the California Supreme Court also must weigh in, but his friends are hopeful. The Board of Parole Hearings, which is comprised of 15 full-time commissioners, was unanimous in its vote, and Lo said the number of people who spoke at the hearing was unusually high.
Kessler also said that the chief commissioner told him afterward that the number of speakers made a difference. “Basically she said it was very helpful that all those who came to testify came to testify,” he said.
VIDEO: Johnny Appleseed | James A. White, Jr. | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison
Hatzlacha Rabba to Rabbi Kessler and James A. White Jr.