Support Letter Template

To: Governor Roy Cooper

Executive Governor Clemency Office 4294 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, N.C. 27699-4294

         My name is Craig Wiliams-0482007. I am currently a Senior, enrolled in Seminary with The College at Southeastern in Wake Forest, North Carolina. I am writing this letter on behalf of Dwayne Haizlip, humbly imploring your hand of grace upon his life regarding the present request outline herein. I am grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing Dwayne for the past 4-years, and have been able to labor beside him in the North Carolina Field Minister's Program here at Nash.

       I consider it a great honor and privilege to esteem someone so worthy of commendation as Dwayne Haizlip, as I support his request for sentence commutation, as such commendation has been exemplified through his tireless efforts of self-betterment, his many accomplishments, and the selfless sacrifice of his time and efforts in pouring himself into others to promote a more positive cultural transformation of his environment. 

         To be considerate of your time, (knowing that a Governor's time is never his own), I will be brief: Mr. Cooper, I call your attention to Dwayne's case and ask that you please exercise your executive power in granting him commutation, because the circumstances of his case are both extenuating and unique. Dwayne had two separate trials, both for drugs; however, in his second case, he was forced to go to trial without a lawyer, which is not fair, just, or legal; subsequently resulting in him receiving a harsh sentence of 22-29 years for a non-violent drug offense, with no victims involved in his case. At present, Dwayne has served approximately 9 years of that sentence and will have to serve another 13 years without your intervention.

      When it comes to consideration for sentence commutation, Dwayne is a viable candidate for relief. He has remained relatively infraction-free throughout his present incarceration (Infraction free for the past IO years). He has acquired vocational training in Light Construction Building Trades. Was approved as "Servant Leader" at the Church at Piedmont Corr. Inst. Completed Disciple l and 2 Bible studies (Pied. Corr. Inst.), and Central Bible Series: Basic series and Old Testament series. He is currently in Seminary with the College at Southeastern, enrolled in a 4-year BA of Liberal Arts Degree with an emphasis on psychology and counseling. He has also been commissioned by Christian Men Network to teach their Biblical Manhood Curriculum. I truly believe that Dwayne's accomplishments speak great volumes and depth of character to his transformation as one rehabilitated, and his ability to be harnessed as a tool for positive change back within the communities he once contributed negative attributions in. Dwayne does not pose a risk to public safety and will not affect recidivism in any way. He has strong family ties and great community support to ensure he's healthy and safe transition.

In closing, Mr. Cooper, I ask that you please bear in mind your current efforts to redress sentencing injustices through your enactment of the North Carolina Racial Equity Task Force as you review Dwayne's case, and grant him any grace in commuting his sentence. Thank you for your time and consideration in this very important matter.

                                                                                               Craig Williams

To: Governor Roy Cooper

Executive Governor Clemency Office 4294 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, N.C. 27699-4294

         My name is Craig Wiliams-0482007. I am currently a Senior, enrolled in Seminary with The College at Southeastern in Wake Forest, North Carolina. I am writing this letter on behalf of Dwayne Haizlip, humbly imploring your hand of grace upon his life regarding the present request outline herein. I am grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing Dwayne for the past 4-years, and have been able to labor beside him in the North Carolina Field Minister's Program here at Nash.

       I consider it a great honor and privilege to esteem someone so worthy of commendation as Dwayne Haizlip, as I support his request for sentence commutation, as such commendation has been exemplified through his tireless efforts of self-betterment, his many accomplishments, and the selfless sacrifice of his time and efforts in pouring himself into others to promote a more positive cultural transformation of his environment. 

         To be considerate of your time, (knowing that a Governor's time is never his own), I will be brief: Mr. Cooper, I call your attention to Dwayne's case and ask that you please exercise your executive power in granting him commutation, because the circumstances of his case are both extenuating and unique. Dwayne had two separate trials, both for drugs; however, in his second case, he was forced to go to trial without a lawyer, which is not fair, just, or legal; subsequently resulting in him receiving a harsh sentence of 22-29 years for a non-violent drug offense, with no victims involved in his case. At present, Dwayne has served approximately 9 years of that sentence and will have to serve another 13 years without your intervention.

      When it comes to consideration for sentence commutation, Dwayne is a viable candidate for relief. He has remained relatively infraction-free throughout his present incarceration (Infraction free for the past IO years). He has acquired vocational training in Light Construction Building Trades. Was approved as "Servant Leader" at the Church at Piedmont Corr. Inst. Completed Disciple l and 2 Bible studies (Pied. Corr. Inst.), and Central Bible Series: Basic series and Old Testament series. He is currently in Seminary with the College at Southeastern, enrolled in a 4-year BA of Liberal Arts Degree with an emphasis on psychology and counseling. He has also been commissioned by Christian Men Network to teach their Biblical Manhood Curriculum. I truly believe that Dwayne's accomplishments speak great volumes and depth of character to his transformation as one rehabilitated, and his ability to be harnessed as a tool for positive change back within the communities he once contributed negative attributions in. Dwayne does not pose a risk to public safety and will not affect recidivism in any way. He has strong family ties and great community support to ensure he's healthy and safe transition.

In closing, Mr. Cooper, I ask that you please bear in mind your current efforts to redress sentencing injustices through your enactment of the North Carolina Racial Equity Task Force as you review Dwayne's case, and grant him any grace in commuting his sentence. Thank you for your time and consideration in this very important matter.

                                                                                               Craig Williams

Governor Roy Cooper 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC

Dear Governor Cooper:

My name is Geraldine Riffey, I have been a volunteer in the NC prison for 17 years. I have been facilitating Disciple Bible Study, a study through the United Methodist Church. My church, Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church started this study in North Carolina prisons 23 years ago. It is available to inmates in most of the NC prisons and youth facilities. It has expanded to other states as well. This program has proven to be instrumental in keeping inmates from returning to prison once released. I also serve on the Volunteer Board at Piedmont Correctional Institute.

       I am writing on behalf of an inmate housed at Nash Correctional, Dwayne Haizlip, opus no. 0161397. I met Mr. Haizlip when he was in our Disciple Class at Piedmont Correctional. He has since transferred to Nash to be in the Divinity Program. I feel Mr. Haizlip is a good candidate to be offered probation or early release. He has proven to be a man of honesty, integrity and to be trustworthy. He has a good support system once he is released. He has taken classes offered by the prison system. I believe once released he will not return to prison and will be an asset to his community.

Thank you for considering a release or early probation for Mr. Haizlip..