In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
Parole Plans
During Susan's 1993 parole hearing,
Susan was questioned by the Board of Prison Terms commissioners
as to what her plans would be, should she be granted parole.
To embrace the heavens,
and thank God for unlocking the chains that bound her,
is the response we wish Susan could have given.
One of the commissioners talk with Susan about
the therapy and counseling Susan has had over the years,
and the programs and education that Susan has been involved with.
Here is a portion of their conversation-
During Susan's 1993 parole hearing,
Susan was questioned by the Board of Prison Terms commissioners
as to what her plans would be, should she be granted parole.
To embrace the heavens,
and thank God for unlocking the chains that bound her,
is the response we wish Susan could have given.
One of the commissioners talk with Susan about
the therapy and counseling Susan has had over the years,
and the programs and education that Susan has been involved with.
Here is a portion of their conversation-
Commissioner: "...as far as a support system, do you see any need for
other kinds of therapy or support in free society?"
Susan: "Absolutely. I think it would be very unwise of me to think
that I could start from a situation of incarceration,
anywhere from 2, 3, to 4 decades of incarceration immediately
into a free society and expect myself to acclimate automatically.
I know I will need counseling. I have a therapist who is willing
to work with me, work with my husband, on an out-patient basis
for counseling. The world as it exists today is not the world that
I left 23 years ago should I ever be allowed to re-enter free society.
I'm sure it will be even markedly changed from today at that
point in time and I'm going to need assistance.
I attempt to, on a daily basis to maintain
contact with the world through news and magazines
and education to know what's going on out there but I have no, um,
delusions of grandeur that I can walk out of here tomorrow and not
go through some changes. I know I am going to need help."
The commissioner continues his questioning of Susan...
other kinds of therapy or support in free society?"
Susan: "Absolutely. I think it would be very unwise of me to think
that I could start from a situation of incarceration,
anywhere from 2, 3, to 4 decades of incarceration immediately
into a free society and expect myself to acclimate automatically.
I know I will need counseling. I have a therapist who is willing
to work with me, work with my husband, on an out-patient basis
for counseling. The world as it exists today is not the world that
I left 23 years ago should I ever be allowed to re-enter free society.
I'm sure it will be even markedly changed from today at that
point in time and I'm going to need assistance.
I attempt to, on a daily basis to maintain
contact with the world through news and magazines
and education to know what's going on out there but I have no, um,
delusions of grandeur that I can walk out of here tomorrow and not
go through some changes. I know I am going to need help."
The commissioner continues his questioning of Susan...
Commissioner: "You speak about a normal person, and you're striving to be that.
As to the notoriety that necessarily visits this crime and your
participation therein, have you come up with any strategies
to deal with that in a free society?"
Susan: "Well first of all I don't think I'm going to walk out there and live
under my maiden name. I will take my husband's name as is my right
as his wife. We do not plan on being famous people.
I don't want to give interviews, I don't want to write books.
I just would very much like to pick up life and move on from there
as a private law abiding citizen of this country.
(Susan pauses pensively...)
I'm not sure that uh,.......normalcy.......as I understand,
I think I'm a normal person today, but I don't think that the public,
I don't think people who view me through the eyes of society looking at the
crime view me as a normal person today and that's the quandary I'm in.
Dr. Klebel and I talked extensively
about how in the world do I sit
when I have people scrutinizing me,
and I know my heart's motives are right,
I know my morality is intact,
I know my ethics are intact, but I have
people who look at me with disdain, who look at me with bitterness,
who look at me with hatred, justifiably so, based on the events of
23 years ago. But they're looking at me through a telescope of time,
instead of looking at me today and that's where my frustration is.
If people could just see me, and know me, and I have people that are
capable of doing that, and they do do that,
and who reinforce and support me in being a normal person..."
Susan's parole was denied.
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As to the notoriety that necessarily visits this crime and your
participation therein, have you come up with any strategies
to deal with that in a free society?"
Susan: "Well first of all I don't think I'm going to walk out there and live
under my maiden name. I will take my husband's name as is my right
as his wife. We do not plan on being famous people.
I don't want to give interviews, I don't want to write books.
I just would very much like to pick up life and move on from there
as a private law abiding citizen of this country.
(Susan pauses pensively...)
I'm not sure that uh,.......normalcy.......as I understand,
I think I'm a normal person today, but I don't think that the public,
I don't think people who view me through the eyes of society looking at the
crime view me as a normal person today and that's the quandary I'm in.
Dr. Klebel and I talked extensively
about how in the world do I sit
when I have people scrutinizing me,
and I know my heart's motives are right,
I know my morality is intact,
I know my ethics are intact, but I have
people who look at me with disdain, who look at me with bitterness,
who look at me with hatred, justifiably so, based on the events of
23 years ago. But they're looking at me through a telescope of time,
instead of looking at me today and that's where my frustration is.
If people could just see me, and know me, and I have people that are
capable of doing that, and they do do that,
and who reinforce and support me in being a normal person..."
Susan's parole was denied.
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