Parole denied for Johnny Berry; board cites victim and law-enforcement opposition

The parole board denied parole for Johnny Berry (DOC 737094) on July 15 at David Wade Correctional Center, citing victim and law-enforcement opposition along with the offender’s incomplete educational requirements.

Berry, a first-offender with a 15-year sentence for indecent behavior with a juvenile (two concurrent counts), told the board he had completed offender programming and described using religious study as a personal anchor in prison. Staff said Berry had no disciplinary write-ups at the current facility and planned to live with a nephew in Arcadia if released. However, board members noted he had not completed a GED—an identified prerequisite for release in this case—and that victims and law enforcement opposed parole.

One board member said the concurrent nature of Berry’s counts was a “big break” and that Berry had only served about half of his sentence; that member added their vote to deny parole on that basis. Another board member also cited law-enforcement and victim opposition as primary reasons for denial. The board’s unanimous action denied parole at this hearing.

The file notes continued programming opportunities and encourages Berry to complete GED and other recommended coursework before a future parole consideration.