Welcome to
www.veronza.org
VERONZA BOWERS, JR.
LEGAL
Summary
of Recent Events Related to
Veronza's Mandatory Parole & Illegal Detention
April
7th: His Complete Sentence Served,
But Veronza is Still in Prison
PERSONAL
Profile
Photo Album
Radio
Interview with Veronza
Healing Meditation
Shakuhachi Flute
Poetry
Visit
"Taken as a whole, his profile indicates he does not have a value system typical of that found in criminal populations. Furthermore, in this regard, he is seen as not having significant authority conflicts."
"He is generally experiencing well below average levels of anger."
"Mr. Bowers does not exhibit a criminal-lifestyle thinking pattern."
"There is little evidence to suggest that he is at risk to recidivate in a violent manner."
Mr. Bowers had no prior criminal record. . . . The overwhelming majority of his confinement is without violation while replete with prosocial accomplishment."
“Psychological testing confirmed my clinical impressions of Mr. Bowers as someone who does not suffer from any psychiatric or personality disorders that would prohibit him from maintaining a normal, prosocial way of living and relating. Nor does he harbor a corrupt or criminally oriented style of thinking or perceiving."
" Actuarial risk assessment provided additional support that Mr. Bowers, should he be granted parole, would in all likelihood continue to engage in a lifestyle that is respectful of himself and others.”
Mr. Hans H. Selvog, M.S.W., L.C.S.W,
licensed clinical social worker
and
Clinical Director of the Augustus Institute
National
Center on Institutions and Alternatives
*
" I have known inmate Bowers for-the best I can pinpoint-approximately
17 years . . . . I have been with the Bureau of Prisons for 25 years
in March and
this is my first time ever speaking on behalf of an inmate.
" As I said, I have known Bowers for approximately 17 years, maybe even
more, but it's very unusual having come through the ranks as a correctional officer,
a lieutenant, a captain-I have worked in the regional office, I have worked in
the central office, I have been a disciplinary hearing officer, and now I'm a
unit manager. It's very unusual to run into an inmate who can do five
years, ten years, 15 years, 20 years, 21 years is the exception, and this is
exceptional that the inmate could conduct himself in an institution in such a
manner as not to even receive an incident report. Incident reports are very easy
to get and he has set the standard for not getting any incident reports. I
can address the fact that as a Bureau of Prisons employee, we all wish we had
an institution full of inmates who can go 21 years without an incident report.
" And I will just reiterate one more time that in 25 years, almost, with
the Bureau of Prisons, I have never done this, but when he asked me to come speak
to you today, I didn't hesitate a second. I think it's worthy to note that he's
been around this long and done this good in the Bureau."
Mr.
Jeffrey Bryan
Unit Manager at FCC Coleman Medium
*
" The Skills Program is a pilot program . . . designed for inmates that
are actually special needs for low-functioning learning disabled. They can't
have a GED or to be in the program and . . . usually can't even read. A lot of
them probably won't ever be able to [get a GED], but we're improving their skills
so they can function better in prison and upon release, like getting a job and
teaching them social skills like communication and anger management, problem
solving.
" We have counted on the mentors to live with the students and Mr. Bowers
has been someone that we've counted on to handle our most difficult students,
the problem inmates that get frustrated easily, that have very poor problem solving.
" Mr. Bowers has been a role model in the unit and the inmates will listen
to another inmate more than staff. They kind of believe he's been there, he understands,
and he's been very helpful in that program.
" He lives with the student. He helps them academically with their homework,
teaching them to read, arithmetic and anything else. He goes over the problem
solving [and homework] in those classes.
" He does the meditation class in the chapel as well as on the unit. That's
been helpful for inmate to relax. They really enjoy it. [Mr. Bowers} established
with the chaplains and the recreation department a meditation program . . . and
he is the primary facilitator for that group. . . . He's been a positive role
model in that program. I have always heard him be very respectful, very appropriate
to staff and inmates."
Ms.
Cheryl Jiminez
Case Manager in the Skills Program, FCC Coleman
Medium
