Victims’ relatives dealt another jolt Wednesday to a new corrections program that prepares eligible prison “lifers” for parole consideration.
Double-murderer Dennis Prentiss became the third inmate to be pulled from the initial six slots for the fledgling Lifeline program after strong objections from victims’ relatives and investigators.
Last week, program officials also withdrew Michael Corbett and John Huckleberry, who were both involved in notorious Colorado Springs slayings.
Prentiss, now 54, stabbed to death 19-year-old Debra Marie Nadeau and fatally shot 15-year-old Howard Pilcher Jr. in the summer of 1975. He dodged the death penalty by a single juror’s vote.
“This man has ruined me and my family’s life,” said Kristina Jones, 32, who was 11 months old when her mother was stabbed 17 times. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that monster doesn’t ever get out.”
Lifeline, modeled after a Canadian program in place for 15 years, seeks to prepare parole- eligible lifers for possible transition into the community. It does not guarantee release, and offenders must pass review by the state community corrections board or the parole board.
Relatives of Prentiss’ victims will meet next week with Colorado Department of Corrections officials to voice concerns about him and also address that they were never notified about his selection – or five previous parole hearings.
Because the crime occurred years before the current system of victim notification became law, none of the relatives of Prentiss’ victims were listed for contact, DOC officials said.
“I understand that people do need rehabilitation before they’re able to get back into society,” said Tim Crawley, Nadeau’s brother, who helped arrange next week’s meeting. “But this guy is a cold-blooded killer. I don’t think he can be rehabilitated.”
Howard Pilcher, father of the murdered boy, said that while he’s uncertain about other Lifeline candidates, Prentiss should never go free.
“I just think they picked the wrong person,” he said.
As a result of the initial problems, the program will now automatically seek to contact victims’ families, regardless of whether the crime predated the current system of notification.
Tim Hand, who directs Lifeline, says he will continue to move ahead despite the program’s rough start.
“It needs fine-tuning, and we’re putting things in place constantly,” Hand said. “It’s going to be a tough program, a controversial program, but I’m no less committed.”
Meanwhile, state Rep. Gwyn Green, D-Golden, wrote an open letter to community corrections and parole board members asking that Prentiss not be released – and that violent criminals with life sentences not be paroled through Lifeline.
“I think the program has value,” she said, “but it has to be approached very carefully.”
Staff writer Kevin Simpson can be reached at 303-954-1739 or ksimpson@denverpost.com.