To: Dean Stensberg, Chairman, Parole Commission, Edward Wall, DOC Secretary, The Wisconsin State House, The Wisconsin State Senate, and Governor Tony Evers

Jason Faber deserves a Second Chance

Jason Faber was arrested at age 19 and has served 15 years. The best description of his crime and conduct since comes from the Parole commission comments at his last parole hearing:
PAROLE COMMISSION COMMENTS:
"You have served 15 years of a 50 year sentence for 1St Deg Intent Homicide (Attempt)(w/Use of Dang Weapon)(Conceal ID). In Feb 1996, law enforcement responded to a report of a business burglary and encountered you exiting the building. One officer identified himself and directed you to stop, and in response, you turned around and shot a 40 caliber pistol with a laser sight at the officer. Fortunately, the officer was wearing a cavalier vest, and the bullet lodged in the chest area the vest was covering. At the time of the offense you had identified with an anarchy group and were reported to speak of a revolution killing and injuring officers. At today's hearing, you explained the loss of your father at a young age resulted in emotional struggles in which you were unable to process your feelings. This led to acting out as a juvenile and feelings of extreme anger. During this incarceration, you were able to work through these emotions with the assistance of PSU staff. You have also completed recommended programming of CGIP, Anger Management, and Vocational Education in Braille Transcription. You have participated in a number of volunteer programs including the BRICK and Challenges and Possibilities. You have attempted to engage in victim offender dialogue through Restorative Justice. You have also obtained higher education courses and currently work at BSI. You have made significant progress during this incarceration, as evidenced by your accomplishments. Unfortunately, this positive progress was at the expense of an officer's safety and a community's security. Therefore, continued time is warranted to address punishment. Institution conduct has been positive with no problems in 10 years. This is expected to continue. Residence plan lists to live with a friend in Cumberland and you have also identified a number of families who are supportive.”

One statement against him was made using the pre-sentence report. Here is his statement: Commissioner Emily Davidson reported that, "At the time of the offense you had identified with an anarchy group and were reported to speak of a revolution killing and injuring officers." Jason says to this: This was not accurate. My co¬defendant made these statements and applied them to both of us in his statement for my pre-sentence investigation report
So we taxpayers ask: what is this man doing in prison? He has an exemplary record and taken all programming and bettered himself using all available. We believe that people change, that a 19 year old kid is not the same person as a 34 year old man. We believe in second chances and this man certainly deserves one.
We are in serious financial difficulties as a state and our prison system is reeling with too many prisoners and not enough funds for treatment or programming. Many truth in sentencing prisoners, those who want treatment cannot get it and are released untreated while People like Jason long ago having taken the treatment he needs and again and again proven himself ready to contribute, sits. Why? For the first time in history we spend more on prisons that on our entire university system. And many of those folks are completely rehabilitated. It makes no sense- please look carefully at Jason Faber’s case and release him.
Jason Faber 290110; OSCI; P.O. Box 3310; Oshkosh, WI 54901

Why is this important?

Jason Faber is an honest, hardworking and deserving man. He has transformed himself since he was first incarcerated and there is no sense in keeping him in prison. Our prisons are dysfunctional and dangerous because of overcrowding, shortage of staff and a total loss of mission by the department of Corrections. We can start turning this around by releasing parole eligible old law prisoners like Jason, who have no business being in prisons anymore. Jason Faber is needed out here. He is a fine man.