Sunshine Sentinel

Rufus Rochell finally left prison after a two-week quarantine to enter home confinement at his sister’s home in Gainesville, Florida.

“I’m sitting here with my brother-in-law, Bob Bolen, and my sister, Cheryl Bolen, in the back yard,” Rochell said as birds could clearly be heard through the phone from the Gainesville residence.

Attorney General William Barr gave directors in the Bureau of Prison guidelines for sending inmates out to home confinement with the threat of COVID-19 in prisons. Age and the vulnerability of the individual to the coronavirus were among the eligibility requirements, as was an inmate's  conduct in prison.

After more than 31 years Rochell was reunited with his family and loved ones, and those who supported him on his journey.

“I was one of the oldest one’s that got released in the home confinement,” he said. “And this is why I am giving so much to help others. This journey is a journey that I want to help other individuals to help them from being victims and falling through the cracks like I did.” 

His helping others went beyond the prison walls. Dawn Flemming, an Orlando radio personality who went by the name Break-of-Dawn, used to visit the prison to offer the inmates inspiration. But in 2004 she died in childbirth. Rochell organized a prayer service for Flemming and for her child. He also raised $1,700 for the baby’s trust fund with the other inmates.

“I never seen her baby. I often think about her daughter,” Rochell said.

He told the Sun Shine Sentinel that he helped the inmates raise $3,700 for a young boy’s prosthetic eye. The boy was being bullied over his eyepatch, but his mother didn’t have health insurance to cover it.

Although he is no longer confined inside prison walls, Rochell is still in confinement, unable to leave the Bolen property. To help others the way he wants would require clemency from President Trump. What would that mean?

“It means the world to me," Rochell said. "It enables me to speak and go to churches and civic groups. Go up to the White House and speak to some of the ones there in Congress and meet the president.” That would mean everything in the world to me, really.”

He has clemency support from Conrad Black, who himself was given clemency by Trump. Black wrote a letter in support that’s been shared with the White House. His warden, Bureau of Prisons staff, the CAN-DO Foundation and family members also support his quest. 

“Rufus Rochell is a father, grandfather, faithful, articulate, with an exemplary record of achievement in prison,” the CAN-DO Foundation noted. “Rufus has never tested positive for drugs or been disciplined since he has been in federal custody. That is no easy feat.”