Lane Garrison Appeal

In trying to reduce a $14.5 billion budget deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a two-year, $1.1 billion spending cut in California prisons that would result in the early release of 22,159 non-violent inmates. Lane Garrison is one such inmate and he has asked for our help in the hope that, should this piece of legislation be passed, he could be one of the prisoners released.

But unlike so many incarcerated men in his position, his desire for early release is not for selfish reasons. He has always accepted full responsibility for what happened and to this day faces his punishment with courage and dignity.

Why does Mr. Garrison deserve to be set free as part of the proposed spending cuts? For one, he strongly believes he could be doing more good out in the community by using his personal experience, the pain, the remorse he feels over the terrible events of the night leading to his incarceration and the harsh reality of the consequences he has endured as a result of those actions.

Who better to spearhead an anti-drunk driving campaign than a man who made a horrific mistake that will forever haunt him? Who better to speak to what is really at stake when one gets behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired? Mr. Garrison says, “I need to be out there working with the Troy & Alana Pack Foundation helping to save lives.”

I happen to agree with him 100%. People are still driving while under the influence. Lives are still being lost each and every day as a result of DUI’s.

I therefore implore you to act on this and help Lane be allowed to step up so that his voice might be heard - heard in a way that might reach countless individuals out there before they make the same senseless, tragic, heartbreaking and irreversible mistake that he made. Too many lives are lost to drunk driving. All you have to do is write and/or email Arnold Schwartznegger, Governor of California and ask if he could please consider Lane for early release.

Below is a sample letter. Please feel free to copy/paste it and then just add your signature. The Governor’s address, email address & fax number are all there. Just a few mouse clicks and a few moments of your time is all that’s required. We CAN make a difference if everyone does their part. Every letter and e-mail matters. Please take the time to do this. Though we're asking on behalf of one man, the lives to be saved will be many.

Thank you
Carole (A Lane Garrison Community)

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SAMPLE LETTER – Please remember to include your own details.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160
Email: www.gov.ca.gov/interact Subject – Parole Recommendation

Dear Sir
I am writing with regard to Lane Garrison (CDC # F95770) currently incarcerated at Tehachapi CCI.

With respect, I would urge you to review his case and recommend him for early release.

Mr Garrison has always accepted full responsibility for his part in the tragic events of 2nd December 2006, and to this day faces his punishment with courage and dignity.

However, in this particular instance I strongly believe prison is not the answer. No amount of time behind bars can match the pain and guilt he will carry with him for the rest of his life. And his personal safety whilst in prison is of the utmost concern to myself and a great many others from around the world.

Mr Garrison is a gifted, intelligent and articulate young man. His value is out there in the community dedicating his time and talents to warning others about the dangers of drunk driving. He would like nothing more than to be allowed to work in conjunction with the Troy & Alana Pack Foundation in an effort to get this important message across.

I would urge you to consider Mr Garrison for early release so that he may go out and help save lives rather than languish in prison fearing for his own.

Yours respectfully,

(signature)