Sample Letter

Mr. John R. Simpson

US Parole Commission

5550 Friendship Blvd., suite 420

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

RE: Silvia Baraldini #05125-054

Dear Mr. Simpson:

I write to express my support for the parole request of Silvia Baraldini, an Italian citizen imprisoned because of her acts and beliefs in support of Black, Puerto Rican independence, and other liberation movements. Ms. Baraldini has already served over 14 years in prison. In a non-political case, your Commission's guidelines would have mandated her release nearly ten years ago.

In addition to the fundamental justice of Ms. Baraldini's parole request, however, both her personal circumstances and her conduct in prison further support the merit of her case. Personally, she has suffered life-threatening cancer; brutal conditions of sensory deprivation an small-group isolation in the Lexington High Security Unit; the untimely death in a plane explosion of her younger sister, a key leader in a highly effective campaign for her release to Italy; and her mother's subsequent life in Rome bereft of other immediate family. Rather than becoming bitter, despite all these hardships, Ms. Baraldini has maintained an exemplary record while in prison, having served as a prison librarian, and now, providing AIDS prevention and other forms of education for her fellow prisoners. In addition, she has continued her own education by completing her bachelor's degree and is currently in a master's program.

Clearly, Ms. Baraldini has amply demonstrated both her humanitarian commitment and her ability to make a positive contribution to whatever context in which she finds herself. She has already suffered much, has served many years in prison, and, except for her political beliefs, would already have been released long ago. For all these reasons, I urge you to grant her request for parole and allow her to return home to Italy.

May the spirit of justice and compassion guide you in this urgent decision.

Sincerely,

Rev. C. Nozomi Ikuta

United Church Board for Homeland Ministries

United Church of Christ