Why are people all over this state not screaming in protest over this injustice? Why aren’t the federal employees who witnessed Mr. Lloyd’s actions first-hand not pleading his case more vigorously? Where is the letter of protest from Mr. Marcu of all people???? Why hasn’t the national media jumped on the bandwagon here?

Please cover this story in greater detail and encourage your readers to begin a letter-writing campaign to the Governor’s office, to stage informational pickets, etc. His constituents need to loudly remind Governor Ridge that he owes this state the responsibility of acting in the cause of justice.

Thank you again.

Respectfully,

[The following is Rios’ letter to Governor Ridge reprinted in full.]

Surely, it is not your intention to punish Mr. Lloyd for the previous injustices whereby non-rehabilitated criminals have been released from prison early. Obviously, Mr. Lloyd’s actions indicate that he is rehabilitated and has gone the extra mile to become part of the law-abiding society, in fact, showing that commitment through dangerous actions that even law-abiding citizens would seldom consider to undertake.

Please send the message to Pennsylvania, both to its residents "on the outside" and to those inside prison walls, that the intention of incarceration is still rehabilitation and not merely retribution. Those who are unwilling to take the steps necessary to join law-abiding society should certainly not be paroled into the community, but those who put forth efforts towards rehabilitation as extraordinary as Mr. Lloyd’s should never be punished for doing so. He is a shining example of someone who determined to better himself in spite of the horrific conditions in our prisons that, as set up, teach criminals more about advancing their craft than about rehabilitation.

I can see no political embarrassment from granting clemency to Mr. Lloyd. It is, by all accounts, the right thing to do. However, on the opposite side, on takes the chance of being viewed publicly as one who will not act in the cause of injustice if Mr. Lloyd’s plea is ignored or denied.

Governor Ridge, I am anxious to hear why Mr. Lloyd’s plea for clemency has gone unanswered to date and particularly why one could consider a denial of the plea. I am urging you to grant clemency to Mr. Lloyd as quickly as possible. No man should be punished for just behavior.

Respectfully,