Anne Violet Golden exits the District Court in St. Thomas during her trial hearing in 2019. By. VI CONSORTIUM
Anne Violet Golden, who in August was sentenced to two years in federal prison and is being held at the MDC-Guaynabo facitly in Puerto Rico, has written to the court seeking what is termed a "compassionate release", according to court documents obtained by the Consortium.
Ms. Golden, 61, has cited medical problems such as asthma and high blood pressure as reasons to release her early from her two-year sentence, 8 months of which Ms. Golden said she has already served.
Addressing the letter to the prison's warden, Ms. Golden wrote, "I have been incarcerated at MDC-Guaynabo, Catano, Puerto Rico since 24 January 2020. By this email, I am respectfully requesting "Compassionate Release" from incarceration in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A), which requires inmates to first make this request to the warden.
MDC-Guaynabo Federal Prison Facility in Catano, Puerto Rico
"On August 13, 2020 I was sentenced to twenty-four (24) months imprisonment. I have already served approximately eight months and fourteen days of the 24-month sentence imposed by the court, and complied with every rule, regulation, order, special COVID-19 conditions and any other extraordinary conditions required of me since my incarceration.
"... I am a senior inmate, and at present, the oldest female inmate at this facility at 61 years of age. I have a long history of asthma and a recent history of high blood pressure (heart disease) compounded by my obesity, which are all COVID-19 high-risk factors, and I believe, compelling reasons justifying my early release from prison. I also have a long family history of heart disease which affected both paternal grandparents and my parents prior to their deaths. Like them, I may require long-term specialized cardiac care, which services are not available to me while incarcerated.
"My early release from prison would also not put anyone in my community at risk, as I was granted bail prior to my incarceration, and do not have a history of violent crime, no prior criminal history, or pending criminal matters, nor any misconduct issues while incarcerated here at MDC-Guaynabo. My early release would also be reasonable under the factors outlined in 18 U.S.C.3553.
"I pray, that if granted "Compassionate Release" I would return to my home island St. Croix for a brief period to consult with my primary and specialized care medical professionals regarding my health issues, activate my Government pension and health benefits earned after more than 37 years of public service, and re-activate my social security widows pension so that I am self-sufficient and not a burden to my Government. My ultimate plan is to relocate to California with my only son and his family where he is on active duty in the United States Navy, and where I will have greater access to the specialized care that I may require. I will also be closer to my family, who will assist me with my long-term medical and personal care.
"The brief plan I have described in this request meet with the spirit and intent of the First Step Act, and Compassionate Release requirements, which underscore the need to reduce the time certain vulnerable inmates are incarcerated, especially elderly inmates in poor health who pose no danger to the public and where there is no need to deter other criminal conduct.
"I submit to you respectfully, that my request meets these standards and I humbly request your consideration of my request for Compassionate Release."
While the conditions outlined by Ms. Golden are credible reasons for the court to grant compassionate release, another factor the court looks at is time served. Ms. Golden has only served just over half of a year of her two-year sentence, which would create a sentencing disparity, according to expert attorney analysis. Nonetheless, it is up to the court to determine whether Ms. Golden's stated conditions would be enough to allow an early release.
