Man serving life for TV theft released from prison

Comparative justice was certainly not being done here

After 35 years in a North Carolina prison for stealing a $US140 television set, Junior Allen is finally a free man. Allen walked out of prison yesterday on his way to live with relatives in Georgia, ending a well-publicised case that saw the 65-year-old sit in jail while people convicted of murder, rape or child molestation were released. "I'm glad to be out," Allen told supporters outside Orange Correctional Centre. "I've done too much time for what I did. I won't be truly happy until I see a sign that says I'm outside of North Carolina."

Allen was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree burglary in 1970 for sneaking into an unlocked house and stealing a black-and-white television. At the time, he was a 30-year-old migrant farm worker from Georgia with a criminal history that included burglaries and a violent assault. The law governing his crime has since been changed, and the most severe penalty anyone can now receive for second-degree burglary is three years.

Rich Rosen, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill law professor who took up Allen's cause three years ago, said it shouldn't have taken so long for Allen to be released. "It's a shame it didn't happen 20 years ago," Rosen said. "But he's finally out. At least he's got some years left."

The Parole Commission decided last year to release Allen if he behaved and completed a transitional work-release program. He worked at a restaurant washing dishes and floors, and didn't break any prison rules during the past three years. He performed so well that he was released several months early - on his 26th try at parole. Allen will be supervised by Georgia authorities. His parole could last up to five years, meaning he could gain complete freedom by age 70.

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