FACES OF INJUSTICE:
JERRY WATSON
Jerry Watson is a 75-year-old Vietnam veteran currently sitting in a Georgia prison — not for a new crime, but for a parole violation.
Mr. Watson served decades in prison earlier in life. After earning parole, he rebuilt himself. He moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona, started a transportation business, and was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year for his work transporting medical patients and blood supplies.
By all accounts, he was stable, productive, and contributing. After returning to Georgia, he continued that same line of work — helping elderly and sick individuals get to medical appointments.
Then everything changed. In 2018, Mr. Watson reported his own truck stolen after a woman failed to return it. Days later, she contacted him and said she would bring it back.
Mr. Watson did exactly what he was supposed to do — he informed law enforcement and prepared to recover his vehicle.
When the woman arrived, police were already there. She was detained. Mr. Watson approached officers and identified himself as the owner, attempting to explain the situation. He was arrested.
No charges were filed against him. Authorities confirmed he was the rightful owner and that his account was accurate. He was set to be released.
Then a parole hold was placed. Mr. Watson was violated — not for committing a new crime, but for contact with law enforcement.
He has now been back in prison since 2018. Today, Jerry Watson is in critical condition. He is battling leukemia and severe illness.
His health is failing. His family — both elderly themselves — are watching him deteriorate behind prison walls. He is not serving time for a new conviction. He is serving time for a technical violation.
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has full authority over his case. They can act. They can grant relief. They can allow him to spend his remaining time with his family. Or they can let him die in custody.
This is not about excusing a past.
This is about recognizing the present. A 75-year-old, terminally ill man — who was not charged with a new crime — is being held indefinitely on a technicality.
That is the reality.
That is the question.
And now it is the public’s turn to decide whether to stay silent — or demand action. ---
Contact the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles Advocate for compassionate release
PrisonProject.net/FacesofInjustice