I am writing on behalf of my best friend Carletha Ann Stewart who is serving 28 years of her 25 to life sentence for her participation in the Bob’s Big Boy murders.  This endeavor has been a difficult one, one that has me procrastinating searching for the right words.  To be honest there are no right words.  I say this because I do feel and pray for the families that have lost their loved ones; those to death and those to incarceration.  By no means do I intend to disrespect anyone by asking for Carletha’s release. At this time it is not a matter of guilt or innocence; it is about time served.  Some may ask who am I to want my best friend out of prison.  I am here to say that I have stuck by her side to the best of my ability throughout her incarceration; this includes letters and visits.  When Carletha and I reconnected at her present location, I felt as if we were back in high school and here walks in this crazy, sexy and beautiful person I know and miss on a constant basis.  Many of us don’t like to admit our loneliness.  We go on about our daily lives out in public as if we don’t have a care in the world, but when we get home behind closed doors the loneliness can become overwhelming.  I can say that I had two best friends whom I’ve lost; Carletha and Bobbie Hobson who died of a heart attack at an early age.  There are common things you do with your best friend, I can’t – phones calls, shopping, watching kids grow, finances and of course men.  I do realize I am not alone in missing my friend.  The families don’t get to do these things either (as I continue to pray for them).  But I am fighting for Carletha who made a mistake and has served her time.  As I defend my position on her release I am defending someone who has shown an exemplary record while incarcerated and will continue to do so if released.  Listed below (not all) is a chronological listing of her commendations while incarcerated:

·        1983 Certificate of Appreciation for Minister of God

·        1985 Fundraiser for World Vision

·        1986 Commendation for working as an X-ray Technician for Dr. Ross, DDS

·        1989 Breaking Barriers Facilitator (Breaking Barriers is a Self Esteem, Goal Setting and Motivation course)

·        1994 Commendation from Judge L. Sprinkles for **U-Turn (At Risk Program for Individuals) Judge Sprinkles brought a group of individuals to the prison as part of their sentencing for illegal behavior.  He was so impressed with what Carletha had to share and say Carletha received a commendation for her hard work and how he felt she made such an impact on the individuals turning their lives around.

·        1994 Graduate of Patton University (received 60 units in Theology)

·        1995 Commendation from Kings County Probation Department (deterring at risk individuals through the U-Turn Program)

·        1996 Commendation from County of Fresno (deterring at risk individuals through the U-Turn Program)

·        1998 Commendation from Joint Venture for Saving an Inmates Life (CPR)

·        2003 Job Offer upon Parole from Joint Venture Program

·        2004 Scholarship from Billy Graham Wheaton College (full 4-year scholarship)

·        2006 Alternative to Violence Graduate (Facilitator)

·        2008 Selected as a Beyond Incarceration Panel Member

·        2008 Voted in Second Term as the Long Termers’ Organization Chairperson

·        2010 Certificate of Dedication to the Beyond Incarceration Program

·        2010 Certificate of Recognition by Warden Lattimore (for positive leadership over the general population)

·        2010 Commendation for Designing GOSO (Get Out Stay Out) Workshop

·        2010 Commendation for Facilitating the GOSO Workshop and training 12 other inmates

·        2011 AA Degree in General Studies (Social & Behavioral Science)

·        2011 Accepted to the SOAR (Step Out Approved & Renewed) Prison Fellowship Transformational Ministries

**U-TURN PROGRAM (from Carletha) In the early 90’s I wanted to give back to the community and prevent someone from coming to prison so I sat down and wrote by-laws which would be used to govern a self-help program here at the institution and I would name it U-Turn.  By laws are actually a laid out format and rules to activate a group within the institution.  The Warden approved the group, which allows at risk individuals into the institution in a designated location to talk to them and deter them from a life of crime by sharing our stories sort of like Scared Straight only a respected version with a powerful impact.  The U-turn received lots of media attention in the early to middle 90’s for its powerful impact in changing people’s lives.

On my last visit to see Carletha (courtesy of Get On The Bus and the State of California) we discussed my partaking of this matter.  Well I have procrastinated long enough and God please assist with the strength, courage and wisdom of words to express the sincere want, need and desire to have Carletha paroled, while not ever forgetting the crime and the brutality of the crime itself.  I am asking you the general public, those who know of Carletha and/or the crime and those who are reading about this for the very first time to sign this petition for her parole to be forwarded to the Parole Board of California.  I am asking for her to be paroled because she has served her time, period.  I know for a fact that Carletha regrets it ever happened, is remorseful, has shown nothing but commendable work while incarcerated and will stay on a positive path upon parole.  I can not do this alone; Carletha and I need your help.  We met in Junior High, continued to High School and a couple of years after graduation this tragedy occurred.  If allowed there are so many things that I would like to share with Carletha.  I believe the Parole Board would like to know what kind of people Carletha will be involved with upon her release and that would be her sister, Sharon and I.  I work two jobs (one working with people with developmental disabilities), a single parent, with no police record and will make the time to assist Carletha when needed.  Many of us has done things that we regret, some that God only knows of, some that our family and friends know of and have forgiven us. Yet there are times when one needs a second chance.  I am asking for a second chance for Carletha Ann Stewart because as stated SHE HAS SERVED HER TIME!

CARLA FRANCIS

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