Some Parole-Related Links
Because of cases like Kenneth McDuff's and because of rising fear of crime, parole is a hot button all over the country. Many states have abolished parole; others are considering such a step. Here are a few sites that will help you figure out your views on this topic.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons: This spartan site offers information on how to find any inmate in the country, up-to-date statistics on the number of people in each prison, a history of Alcatraz, a copy of the federal prison budget and a page of relevant links.
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| Colleen Reed, killed by McDuff in 1991 |
right>The National Victim Center: This group serves as a national resource transfer station for the more than 8,000 victim advocacy and criminal justice organizations around the country. The site lists resources that assist victims with dealing with their experiences and that help people in dealing with victims.
The National Parole Commission: Although parole for federal inmates was abolished more than 10 years ago, many prisoners - grandfathered out of this law's reach - are still eligible. Consequently the National Parole Commission still exists as part of the Department of Justice. Its site explains the theory behind parole.
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| Rosebud, Texas |
Rosebud,Texas: The town where Kenneth McDuff was born and raised has its own home page. This is the community where he killed his first victim, and where he returned after being set free 20 years ago.
ParoleWatch: ParoleWatch is dedicated to keeping prisoners in prison and not on parole. Its site has links to the parole boards and commissions of many states, as well as links to a wide variety of other pages related to victims and crime. An archive stores news stories about the group as well as a list of ways to get involved.
ACLU Criminal Justice Resources: Not everyone wants to lock 'em up and throw away the key. The Amercan Civil Liberties Union, along with its Web site, strives to alleviate prison overcrowding as well as strengthen prisoners' rights, through public education and lawsuits.
Written by David Kohn;