Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Dan Rather

(Huntsville, Texas) Texas penal system's bureaucratic foul-up resulting in several prisoners being released or paroled earlier than technically eligible and rejailing of them examined; Bonnie Fawcett's case cited as example [FAWCETT - explains reason for robbing store; feels reimprisonment is unjust.] Fawcett noted both model prisoner and parolee while free; details given. [Texas parole board dir. John BYRD - notes prisoners rejailed were all doing well on parole.] [Inmate Joe GRAVES - questions logic behind imprisoning him when he was functioning appropriately in society.] Graves' case outlined; Steve Campos' similar success while briefly paroled described. [CAMPOS - recalls reaction of parole board member to his rejailing.] [Parnell BARRETT - describes job as parolee.] Authorities' rationale noted based on law, not justice. [Warden Linda WOODMAN - is fatalistic about mistake.] [BYRD - comments.] Parole board's push for governor to commute sentences of many of those mistakenly paroled noted. [FAWCETT - wants to try for the second time.]
REPORTER: Bernard Goldberg