After being held in continuous custody and denied parole for over 30 years, Veronz Bowers reached his mandatory release date on April 7th, 2004. He was one of the longest held political prisoners in the US and had a record of over 20 years of exemplary conduct. An entourage of family and friends arranged a celebration of Veronza’s release and to be at the prison gates to greet him on that day. Inside the prison, friends came together to wish him well. Veronza gave away all of his possessions to the men whom he was leaving behind.
On April 6th, he was advised that he would not be released, on the orders of the National Parole Commission.
