Hi All,
We appreciate the comments, support and questions we've been receiving. Bear with us. We love this new format but we're still learning how to handle the flow of information. We'll see if we can answer some of the questions we've received so far and will try to do this now and then as time allows.
Questions from Nick:
- Appeal: We wish we knew why the appeal is taking so long but we don't have a clue. It's very frustrating. We are at the Federal level, still it's been about 18 months and it normally takes between 3 - 6 months. Nagging the courts is not considered to be wise so all we can do is wait.
- College degree: Brandon aced two courses (art and philosophy) through the independent study program from Indiana University but at a great cost to himself stress-wise. Each time, he had to use up all of the extensions allowed to complete the work because the people at the prison who were supposed to monitor testing were rarely available and often the prison would reject the "allowed" textbooks so they would have to be sent again. Still he feels good about what he accomplished. Courses like philosophy are not easy to do as self study. For now, he has set the classes aside to focus on art, exercise, and correspondence.
- Teen program: Brandon was involved in the ROCK program (Reaching Out Convicts to Kids) at Pelican Bay but has not had the chance to participate since being moved to Tehachapi. The kids really related to him since he's young and straight forward. He felt like he was making a difference. Over the years, Brandon's also helped the many students who have done reports on his case - approving their applications to visit and patiently answering their questions. It's hard sometimes not to feel like an exhibit, but he's willing to do it because it's something positive in a negative place.
Comments from Toby:
It's nice to hear from you. We'd lost touch with you and hadn't realized you'd moved. We hope you and yours are well. Brandon will be pleased to know he's in your thoughts.
Comments from Sarah W
We are very interested in what you're saying and would like to know more. It's intriguing to know that an officer who used to work with Mr. Farris would give a talk and show a movie on the injustice of Brandon's case. Do you know how we could reach him? On our old site there was an email address where visitors could write to us. I need to ask our wonderful webmasters if it still exists.
Questions from anonymous in May:
Regarding publicity: With the exception of Charles Grodin's play, Brandon would prefer not to do more publicity. There is also an excellent documentary (see the news link on this site) that airs often on Starz and the 60 Minutes II piece was extremely well done. Publicity can be difficult to manage from inside a prison and it's easy to be quoted out of context and end up with negative responses or backlash. Since there have been so many segments and articles on this case over the years, Brandon doesn't feel that there is enough added value in doing more. We agree.
Comments from anonymous in June - and to everyone who visits and/or comments:
We wish we had more concrete ways for you to help win Brandon's freedom but, other than writing to Governor Schwarzenegger (please do!) and spreading the word, we can only tell you that your caring words and thoughts do make a difference to Brandon. He hears about all of you. After eleven years, keeping hope alive can be a challenge and that's where you come in. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Gene and Janice Hein
We appreciate the comments, support and questions we've been receiving. Bear with us. We love this new format but we're still learning how to handle the flow of information. We'll see if we can answer some of the questions we've received so far and will try to do this now and then as time allows.
Questions from Nick:
- Appeal: We wish we knew why the appeal is taking so long but we don't have a clue. It's very frustrating. We are at the Federal level, still it's been about 18 months and it normally takes between 3 - 6 months. Nagging the courts is not considered to be wise so all we can do is wait.
- College degree: Brandon aced two courses (art and philosophy) through the independent study program from Indiana University but at a great cost to himself stress-wise. Each time, he had to use up all of the extensions allowed to complete the work because the people at the prison who were supposed to monitor testing were rarely available and often the prison would reject the "allowed" textbooks so they would have to be sent again. Still he feels good about what he accomplished. Courses like philosophy are not easy to do as self study. For now, he has set the classes aside to focus on art, exercise, and correspondence.
- Teen program: Brandon was involved in the ROCK program (Reaching Out Convicts to Kids) at Pelican Bay but has not had the chance to participate since being moved to Tehachapi. The kids really related to him since he's young and straight forward. He felt like he was making a difference. Over the years, Brandon's also helped the many students who have done reports on his case - approving their applications to visit and patiently answering their questions. It's hard sometimes not to feel like an exhibit, but he's willing to do it because it's something positive in a negative place.
Comments from Toby:
It's nice to hear from you. We'd lost touch with you and hadn't realized you'd moved. We hope you and yours are well. Brandon will be pleased to know he's in your thoughts.
Comments from Sarah W
We are very interested in what you're saying and would like to know more. It's intriguing to know that an officer who used to work with Mr. Farris would give a talk and show a movie on the injustice of Brandon's case. Do you know how we could reach him? On our old site there was an email address where visitors could write to us. I need to ask our wonderful webmasters if it still exists.
Questions from anonymous in May:
Regarding publicity: With the exception of Charles Grodin's play, Brandon would prefer not to do more publicity. There is also an excellent documentary (see the news link on this site) that airs often on Starz and the 60 Minutes II piece was extremely well done. Publicity can be difficult to manage from inside a prison and it's easy to be quoted out of context and end up with negative responses or backlash. Since there have been so many segments and articles on this case over the years, Brandon doesn't feel that there is enough added value in doing more. We agree.
Comments from anonymous in June - and to everyone who visits and/or comments:
We wish we had more concrete ways for you to help win Brandon's freedom but, other than writing to Governor Schwarzenegger (please do!) and spreading the word, we can only tell you that your caring words and thoughts do make a difference to Brandon. He hears about all of you. After eleven years, keeping hope alive can be a challenge and that's where you come in. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Gene and Janice Hein
posted by Gene and Janice Hein at 8:28 PM
3 Comments:
Hi,
Thanks so much for your response. As I was reading your answer about the status of Brandon's appeal, I got an idea that is probably a long shot, but might be worth a try (if you haven't already thought of it.
What about a presidential pardon? This probably won't be a possibility until the last days of Bush's term, but perhaps with a large effort, Brandon could get on the list to be pardoned. He certainly would deserve it more than the usual political types who have gone astray. Just another option that might be worth trying.
Regarding Brandon's college degree progress, please contact me offline if he needs access to academic tutors to complete his studies. I'm a third year graduate researcher working on a prison education project with professors from around the country. We will figure out a way to get him the help he needs if self-study is too difficult.
My name is Nathalie - my email address is ngoldrain@yahoo.com. I'm in Northern California. Best wishes - Nathalie
That was so nice of you to take the time to respond to all of us. I have been deeply bothered by what has happened to Brandon and I have had him and all of you in my constant prayers. I realize that ya'll have probably thought of and done about everything on earth to help him but there just has to be something to make people wake up and help save him. I have been writing as many people as I can think of and hoping someone will respond. Also, I was thinking maybe if many many people posted on different message boards for bands, authors, celebrities and told of this injustice, possibly you could get someone with connections to be outraged and to speak out and be heard. I am 33 years old and have been to college and studied Psychology and Sociology and I had never heard of Brandon. I even took several courses in criminology. The reason I say this, is to show that even though he has obviously had much media exposure, there are probably millions of people that do not know what has happened to him.
Have ya'll ever done billboards with his picture and web site?
Do you have a high powered attorney for him if you go back to court?
I am sorry for all the questions, I just want so badly to help you and Brandon.
How many people write Brandon in prison? Does he have alot of friends and a large support group? If so, maybe there could be some sort of news letter where everyone could do the same things all at once, to help really make some noise such as everyone writing the Governor or calling his office on the same day?
I may just be saying things you have already done but I am really trying to help. Brandon is lucky to have such a loving family. I know your pain has to be immense. If you think of anything that you would like me to do, please write back. If you have an email address for this blog, let me know.
Again, thank you for writing all of us back. That was very kind.
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