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Parole panel revokes Ralph Dawson’s parole after DWI-related arrest and gaps in accountability
Summary
The Committee on Parole revoked Ralph Dawson’s parole Dec. 11 after hearing that he was arrested for a DWI and that he has memory gaps and ongoing alcohol-related issues; the board recommended inpatient treatment and said he may apply for reparole after one year.
The Committee on Parole voted unanimously Dec. 11 to revoke the parole of Ralph Dawson (DOC #119580) after hearing evidence that he was arrested in connection with a DWI in St. Landry Parish and that he has ongoing memory and substance-use issues.
Chair Cheryl Renantz opened the revocation proceeding at the Department of Corrections headquarters in Baton Rouge and confirmed Dawson had waived a 72-hour preliminary-notice hearing. Dawson told the panel he had been in a severe vehicular accident, spent months in the hospital and now has “memory gaps” covering roughly a month before and up to four months after the crash. Dawson acknowledged parts of the vehicle “black box” transcript indicating high speeds and said, “I raised my hand and said, yes” when admitting some conduct described in the record.
Kelly Garrett, deputy director of client services for the Louisiana Parole Project, told the board the organization had worked closely with Dawson after his release — providing transitional housing, employment assistance and mentoring — and asked the panel to allow the group to continue in his recovery. Garrett said the Parole Project proposes a tailored, in-house substance-abuse program of at least six months, forfeiture or extension of driving-suspension terms, use of Vivitrol injections (so treatment compliance can be confirmed), and possible ignition-interlock requirements if Dawson obtains a vehicle. Garrett said the project would “remain active in his recovery.”
Renantz told Dawson she had reviewed the record and the Parole Project’s plan but remained concerned that he had not sufficiently acknowledged the seriousness of the incident or that he needs treatment, saying, “I think you need some help for your substance abuse problem.” After a brief executive session, the three-member panel announced its votes: Renantz, Chuckie Tillis and Jeri LeDoux each stated their votes to revoke.
The board ordered Dawson’s parole revoked, recommended he receive inpatient treatment within the Department of Corrections, and advised he may apply for reparole one year after the revocation. The panel concluded the proceeding and moved on to its scheduled session at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola).
