Abdul (born as Warren Ballantine on January 9, 1949) was 23 at the time of his arrest. Now in his 70s, he has several chronic health issues that are difficult to manage inside prison including advanced cardiac disease, severe arthritis and degenerative disc disease with injury to the spinal cord. After suffering two massive heart attacks in 2016, he is often unable to do many simple tasks including ambulating to the visiting room or the phone area to call loved ones. Of his time with the Awaken Mentoring Group out of Golden Grove prison, he recalls, “we were doing excellent and exemplary work… on many different occasions attending schools, youth rehabilitation centers and other places to enlighten children.” He has support within the Virgin Islands and mainland U.S. and at his age and stage of health he is not at risk to recidivate and should be granted release so that his daughter can care for him.

One of their former codefendants, Raphael (Kwesi) Joseph, had his sentence commuted by the V.I. governor in 1994. Unfortunately, six years later Kwesi was mysteriously found dead of poison-laced drug overdose. It is believed he was to reveal evidence that would have exculpated at least one of his codefendants. Over 50 years since their arrest, and almost 30 years after Rafie’s commutation, we implore the Governor to commute the sentences of the remaining three.

Endless punishment robs everyone of their humanity–the jailer as well as the jailed. Abdul, Hanif, and Malik have suffered half a century in prison. It is time to bring them home so that they can spend their final days with in peace with their families.

Hanif (born as Beaumont Gereau on August 16, 1950) was 22 at the time of this arrest. While at Golden Grove prison from 2009-2016, he was involved with the Awaken Mentoring Group that assisted troubled youth to help stop violence. He states, “with no animosity or bitterness, I just would like to be given the chance to give back something to society.” After a half of a century in prison, he has severe health issues including untreated Hepatitis C, commonly contracted in places like prisons, that he was diagnosed with in 2000. The FibroScan test to determine the extent of liver damage was ordered by a physician in 2017, but has yet to be done. Please help reunite Hanif with his family including 3 children and 8 grandchildren, as his wish is, “to give and share with [his grandchildren] things that I was unable to give their parents.”

The 1960s and early 70s were turbulent times, not only for the United States but for the Virgin Islands as well. We assert that those involved in confronting the social, economic, and political conditions of those times should be released. We have seen that, in many nations of the world that were also faced with times of social unrest and upheavals, after the passing of time militants, revolutionaries and activists were in fact pardoned.

Malik (born as Meral Smith on October 8, 1950) was 21 at the time of his arrest with no prior history. Now over 70 years old, he has severe chronic health issues including treatment-resistant prostate cancer that has metastized to his bones and degenerative joint disease in his knees. He enjoys writing poetry and cooking fresh food to share with others. He states, “I would be of better service in open society… especially among the younger generations assisting them with means to avoid negative behavior and with how to resolve conflicts non-violently.” While at Golden Grove prison from 2009-2016, he was the chairman of the Prisoners Advisory Council (PAC) and member of the Awaken Mentoring Group who assisted troubled youth to help stop violence. He has support within the Virgin Islands and mainland U.S. should he be granted release to reunite with his family.