C-Class Inmate issue in Illinois
A small number of Illinois inmates known as C-numbers. These are criminals who were sentenced to prison before 1978, the year Illinois radically changed its sentencing laws and did away with the traditional institution of parole.
About 300 C-number inmates remain locked up, presenting something of a correctional conundrum. In the simplest terms, many C-numbers are serving considerably longer prison sentences than people sentenced for similar crimes in the years after the laws changed.
That's not exactly the result lawmakers intended.
Sentencing before 1978 was grounded in the belief that prisoners could and should be rehabilitated. A judge would issue a sentence, usually a range of years, but the inmate would become eligible for parole after a much shorter period. The idea was that, rather than being warehoused, criminals would be rehabilitated in prison and returned to society once a parole board deemed them fit.
In Illinois, this approach to corrections was abandoned in 1978. Increasing crime rates across the country led citizens and their lawmakers to doubt rehabilitation.
Prison sentences became standardized, and release was based on time served, not on a parole board's review of individual inmates.
The C-numbers were grandfathered in under the old laws, so their fate remained in the hands of the state's parole board. Feeling the political heat of the tough-on-crime wave of the 1980s and 1990s, parole boards across the country became far less willing to release violent offenders.
The end result has been this: On average, a C-number inmate serves 25 years for murder, while inmates convicted of murder after the reform serve an average of 12.3 years.
Theodore Bacino is a C-Class inmate (C02070) sentenced to 75-124 years for murder, armed bank robbery and kidnapping. Since 1982 he has petitioned the Illinois Prisoner Review Board for parole and release from prison. Since 1982 the family of his victim, Detective Michael Mayborne has fought parole of this career criminal.
Winnebago County, IL C-Class Inmates:
Joey Didier Robert Lower
Michael Pixler & Randell Morton Dale Dean Finch
C50640 Inmate Robert Henry Lower
IL DOC Inmate C50640, Sentenced to 100-150 Years for the brutal murder of young paperboy Joey Didier in 1975.
Victim: Joey Didier
Joey Didier vanished on March 4, 1975, after delivering newspapers to only three customers on his route. His body was found 11 days later in a cabin in Jo Daviess County, where he had been raped and strangled to death by Robert Henry Lower.
Inmate C50640 Lower is available each year to request parole. In 2007 his request for parole was denied for the 14th time.
Police Officers at the crime scene were sickened and horiffied at the brutality of this murder. Joey was just a young teenage boy, kidnapped and murdered by this animal. Joey cannot speak for himself, it is our community responsibility to speak for him and never allow this sick animal out of jail.
In 2008, Robert Henry Lower was denied parole for the 15th time. "This beast must never go free"
C-Class Inmate Curtis Brownell
In many of these older cases, family members must continue each year to muster a protest effort against parole. But many family members are either no longer alive nor able to continue the battle. It is in the best interest of the community to not allow this murdering predator out of jail. Concerned citizens must "step up to the plate" and demand no parole and life in prison for this criminal.
Curtis Brownell was denied parole in 2008.
Victim: Louise Betts
C-Class Inmate Simon Peter Nelson
Simon Peter Nelson, who committed the most horrific crime in Rockford history. Nelson killed his six children and the family dog with a knife and rubber mallet on Jan. 7, 1978. He is serving a 100- to 200-year sentence.
He regularly comes up for parole and got two “yes” votes from the parole board in 2001 — not enough for release but enough to raise concern in our community. How could any normal human being ever vote YES to let this man free? He murdered his own small children in their sleep along with the family dog. Obiviously there is a lack of concern or a low value of life attached to the victims in the minds of some of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board members. This story out of all listed on this page best describes the absolute insane nature of the C-Class prisoner problem in the State of Illinois.
The sad fact regarding this case, is there are no Nelson family members alive to protest this mans parole. So it is our job as concerned citizens to demand this creature never be released from prison.
Simon Peter Nelson was denied parole in 2008
Victims: Nelson Children
Inmate C02070 Theodore Bacino
Theodore Bacino is serving a 75-124 year sentence for armed robbery, kidnapping and the murder of a "On-Duty" Winnebago County Sheriff's Detective, Michael Mayborne.
Each year Inmate Bacino is allowed to request parole. In 2007 he was denied parole but the PRB vote was close. By only one vote (6 yes and 7 no) he was denied parole. In 2008 he is up for parole again. Each year the family of Officer Mayborne must fight the release of this career criminal and murderer.
Unlike the three other examples listed above. Officer Mayborne knew the risks of his career in law enforcement. He knew he could someday face a criminal with a gun. He accepted this risk in defense of innocent victims and to protect his community. Police Officers lay their life on the line for regular citizens and this fact is why all should fight to respect Officer Mayborne's honor. He died at the hands of a professional criminal defending all of us.
Sadly, there are many other examples across the State of Illinois like Officer Mayborne. There are many C-Class inmates seeking parole for the same crime. Murder of "On Duty" Police Officers.
Citizens must demand NO PAROLE for Cop Killers. This is our duty to respect the service of Fallen Officers protecting our communities.
Theodore Bacino parole request was denied in 2008. Vote was 9 to 4 not to release a Cop Killer.
Mr. Bacino's Rap Sheet
"something Inmate Bacino supporters don't want you to know"
In a early 1960's arrest and conviction he kidnapped a neighbor at gunpoint and made him drive Bacino to rob a restaurant in Rockford. When the police went to Bacino's home looking for him, his wife (he wants to be paroled to her home) laid in bed claiming she knew nothing. When the police finally get her out of bed they located the gun he used under the mattress she was lying on. After he was released from prison he placed himself in a mental health institution because he was having difficulty adjusting after only 8 years in prison
Victim: Winnebago County Sheriff Detective Michael Mayborne
End of Watch: March 15, 1974
ILDOC Inmate
Dale Dean Finch
Convicted murderer Dale Dean Finch shot and killed 17-year-old Michael Pixler, and 16-year-old Randall Morton as they worked at a Citgo gas station in Rockford on Christmas Eve 1976.
Newspaper accounts called the killing “execution-style” and it certainly was. Finch waved a .22-caliber revolver at the boys and ordered them into a rear restroom at the gas station at 15th Avenue and 11th Street. With their backs to the wall, Finch ordered them to throw the station’s $600 on the ground. They did so — only to have Finch shoot them in the head anyway.
Murderer Finch was sentenced to two consecutive 50- to 100-year terms, which should have kept the killer behind bars for good. The problem was the sentence was made under the old “indeterminate” sentencing system. That meant no matter how long the sentence — or how coldblooded the crime — the inmate eventually could be considered for parole.
Murderer Finch came up for parole in the mid-1980s. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board debates and votes on Finch’s case every one to three years, as required under the law.
Victims 17-year old, Michael Pixler & 16-year old Randell Morton were Rockford Jefferson High School students at the time of the crime. Michael was an outstanding football player for the J-Hawks. Michael would have graduated with the class of 77 and Randell in 1978. As a 1975 Jefferson High graduate and football player, I remember both Mike and Randy very well. They were good kids.
Murderer Finch has been trying to be released from prison since the 1980's. We cannot let this cold-blooded criminal free. When petitions are being distributed, please take the time to fill one out.
By: Ken Anderson
Lee County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Fordham
End of Watch: May 9, 1977
Officer Fordham was beaten and strangulated to death after being overpowered by two inmates at the Lee County Jail in Dixon, Illinois. Both suspects were convicted of his murder and sentenced to up to 100 years in prison. Both convicted murderers Gerald Johnson and Chester Sanders are "C" class inmates in the ILDOC system.
Gerald Johnson had his hearing in January. The same day and place as Joey Didier's killer, Robert Lower. He was 2 votes shy of being paroled. "Unbelievable"
Chester Sanders, asked for a continuance and his hearing is now scheduled for June. Same as Theodore Bacino.
In honor of their loved one, the Fordham family has now joined our fight to prevent any of these "C" class inmates from being released from prison. The Friends of Mike Mayborne are with them in fighting for the honor and sacrifice of Fallen Deputy Sheriff Fordham.
Fallen Chicago Police Officer Kenneth Kaner
Patrolman Kenneth G. Kaner was shot and killed when he was ambushed by a suspect in a missing child case.
Patrolman Kaner was sitting in his squad near 71st and Union Streets. Five assailants approached and one fired a 12-gauge shotgun through the open passenger side window. Patrolman Kaner was mortally wounded when he was shot in the right side of the face.
The five gunmen were stopped within minutes for a traffic violation. The shotgun and the officer's weapon were found during the traffic stop and the offenders were arrested.
The killer was sentenced to 30 to 125 years. He petitions for release annually and on November 15, 2007, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied parole.
Patrolman Kaner is survived by his wife, daughter, and son. His son followed in his footsteps and became a member of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Marine unit where a boat has been named in father's memory.
"Another proud family fights for the honor of their fallen loved one"
Copyright . Friends of Mike Mayborne. All rights reserved.
In the loving memory of fallen Sheriff Detective Michael E. Mayborne
