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Parole board grants release to electrician trustee with no-contact conditions
Summary
The Louisiana parole committee granted parole to Mark Ritchie, a long-serving maintenance trustee and master electrician, after hearing victim‑acknowledgement letters, strong staff support and a reentry plan; the board attached no‑contact and counseling conditions.
The Committee on Parole voted to grant parole to inmate Mark Ritchie on Sept. 9, 2025, after considering his 20 years of incarceration, institutional record and community reentry plan. The board approved release with special conditions that Ritchie avoid contact and proximity with his victims and participate in recovery meetings.
Ritchie, 1 of the maintenance trustees assigned to the State Police Barracks, spoke to the panel and offered “sincere” remorse for the armed robberies that led to his incarceration. "I'm very sorry to the victims of my crimes," he said, naming Grover Smith, Kylie Bordelon and Glenda Sanderlyn. He told the board he had been sober in custody and had led and participated in substance‑abuse and reentry programs.
The nut graf: the board credited Ritchie's disciplinary record, vocational contributions and family and community support while attaching conditions that reflect victim protection and community supervision.
Board chair Cheryl Renock opened the hearing and handled logistics; Captain (facility staff) and Pat Washington of the State Police Barracks described Ritchie's work. The captain told the panel Ritchie had been the facility’s lead electrician and "part of every major project and renovation" and was called for emergency repairs. Supporters, including Carrie Myers of the Louisiana Parole Project and attorney Hannah Rose Rodell of the Pearl Project, presented transition plans and letters documenting job offers and community backing.
Panel member Pete Freeman announced his vote to grant parole and listed the special conditions: no contact with the named victims and a residential distance restriction so Ritchie would live at least "10, 15 miles away" from them; Freeman also recommended two AA meetings per week. Danny Barra and Chair Renock concurred, citing Ritchie’s spotless disciplinary record over 20 years, vocational training, victim‑accountability letters and family support. Freeman said the board’s decision was "based on your behavior in prison, the letters of support that you have" and reiterated the no‑contact requirement.
What the board decided was procedural: parole was approved with conditions and Ritchie was to complete the Parole Project transition plan and comply with standard supervision terms. The board recorded the votes as yes from Pete Freeman, Danny Barra and Cheryl Renock.
Less critical details: supporters on the record included family members and correctional supervisors; Ritchie said he has employment offered with Copeland Electric and plans continued participation in Celebrate Recovery. The board set supervision conditions focused on victim protection and substance‑abuse aftercare.
