Dear victims, volunteers, supporters, family, friends, neighbors, impassioned visitors, and readers:
It is with gratitude and pride we announce that Charles Donald Corley has been denied parole for another five years. This is the best possible outcome, and we thank you so very much. Without you, this would not be possible. Every letter counted. Every Tweet, Facebook post, and email was taken to heart and encouraged us to fight on. We achieved our ultimate goal of keeping Charles Donald Corley in prison for another five years.
However, we accomplished much more. We opened the dialog on molestation. Our cause was featured on Birmingham’s #1 radio talk show and highlighted on the front page of the Birmingham news. Representatives were interviewed by every major TV news affiliate in Birmingham, and appeared on an internet podcast that got it all started. That’s not all. We touched not only victims and associations of Charles Donald Corley, but many others as well. The tsunami of encouragement behind this effort ran farther, wider, and deeper than we ever imagined.
We would like to specifically thank:
We did it, but the fight is not over. Charles Donald Corley has been in jail 16 years. He will come up for parole again in another five years. Charles Donald Corley should serve his full 30 year sentence. We believe this because there is no indication that serial molesters can ever heal. We believe this because Charles Donald Corley was convicted on only 3 of his many victims. We believe this, because we believe in the healing of victims. We believe victims of any crime can work to keep their aggressors in jail while engaging the community in meaningful dialog – not just meaningful for the effort, but meaningful for a lifetime.
Until the time is served: We say:
Alabama state law requires a 30 day written notice to all victims before their parole date. Ever wonder what that notice looks like? I’m attaching it below.
Notice that the language says “an open public meeting.” If you are anywhere close to Montgomery, Alabama on the morning of January 31st – why don’t you swing by? You’ve been so supportive so far, so we feel that our supporters are entitled to attend as well. I’ve been assured we are the first on the docket that morning, so you can attend and get to work just in time for that 10am meeting.
Location details:
301 S Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
Obviously it will be a bit emotional, so be prepared for that. Our supporters have been nothing but calm, rational and focused so far, and we expect nothing less on the day of the hearing. If you attend, please continue to represent 30is30 with pride. If the victims can do it, you can too.
I’d be honored to have your presence and support as we state our case to the Parole Board. You can’t speak at the hearing, only the victims can. But your presence is valued. We, as one united group, can say:
“30 years is 30 years, deny parole to Charles Donald Corley!”