George Bell was moved to the 1A section at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Pearl. George Bell is serving a prison sentence of life without parole after he brutally murdered his girlfriend and kidnapped her best friend on September 10, 2007. 1A is a medium security section at the Pearl prison.
MDOC announced the creation of the 1A program in 2017:
With the help of volunteers and mental health staffers, the Mississippi Department of Corrections has expanded a program to both male and female inmates to help them understand the behavior that led them to prison, how to cope while in prison and how to stay out of prison.
The program, commonly referred to as the 1A Men’s or the 1A Women’s Program at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Pearl, combines faith-based values with mental health and is available for inmates with life sentences and those within a year of release.
The women’s program has been ongoing since 2009, while the men’s portion started in January. With recent graduations, 70 inmates have completed the program this year.
“The program is another example of our goal to provide meaningful rehabilitation,” Commissioner Pelicia E. Hall said. “For the offenders who have life sentences, they can still help society through this program by becoming positive influences on offenders who are released and giving those offenders a better chance at success.”
MDOC classified Bell as a medium-security prisoner.
Bell pleaded guilty to capital murder and kidnapping in 2008. Earlier post with copy of police report.
The late Heather Spencer's mother, Linda Francomb, was understandably outraged at her treatment by MDOC. She posted on Facebook Sunday:
I was notified the first of October that my daughter, Heather Spencer’s murderer, George Bell III, was moved from Parchman, the maximum security prison in MS to CMCF in Pearl, MS, housing minimum and medium offenders. Seriously? I’m sorry, MURDER is a maximum offense!!!! I have called the VINE number 2X and left a message, wanting to know why he was moved. No answer. I also called the State Attorney Generals office and left a message. Again, no answer. He is housed in 1A, and when looking up this unit, the following is what I read about it. And it has me very uneasy and quite honestly, angry. Especially since I have not had any answers to my questions. I’m praying this post will bring attention and hopefully I’ll get some answers from the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
MDOC replied to JJ inquiries:
"Inmate George Bell III took someone else's life 12 years ago and the courts gave him a life sentence which he will serve to the fullest. He cannot be pardoned or paroled so his punishment doesn't change. What has changed is Mr. Bell's heart through the study of scripture and application of those lessons. He's even completed a three-year graduate course in theology through the 103-year-old New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has become a counselor for other inmates. He is now an agent of change for them and for the prison system. Mr. Bell acknowledges that he committed a terrible crime, is remorseful for it, but he is powerless to correct it except by influencing others away from crime. Inmate Bell won't ever have freedom again, but our job at MDOC is to correct deviate behavior. We don't decide punishment, the courts do. We have to take who they give us and try to change them for good. On my watch, we are striving to move all of Mississippi Corrections forward for the good of all involved. In a half century of testing every program there is, I have found that moral rehabilitation is our last, best hope to stop crime outside and to make prisons safer inside for inmates and corrections officers."
Collection of all Heather Spencer posts.
Posted below: Just in case anyone forgot. It also seems the Commissioner should read the report.
49 comments:
Yes talk about seeing all sides. Btu I think when you start our with the statement that George Bell will never be released from Jail its helps put things in perspective. The Warden thinks George has improved his life the Victims mom thinks its a scam. I would hope Prisoners do see the light and improve their personal conduct and with him never being released from jail statement, I dont care as much where he serves his jail time as long as he serves and is in jail and not some halfway home . Just my initial thoughts
Wow, The Heather Spencer case is really where JJ cut its teeth. Then when the Irby wreck happened JJ started gaining some real credibility with its coverage. Here we are years later. Keep up the good work Kingfish
He can still be a Christian and change lives in Parchman. He has no business at CMCF. He deserves the worst for what he did.
for a crime like that, why don’t we have the courage in this state to let him meet his maker now. less tax dollars supporting him...
Murder IS NOT a maximum offense, despite Ms. Spencer's desire to make it so.
Many murders serve in minimum security prisons - particularly after they have been in the pokey for a while. And prisons are supposed to be "correctional" facilities; that is, they are supposed to 'correct' a person's behavior even if they are going to spend the rest of their life in prison.
Commissioner Burl Cain has instituted programs similar to this at Angola Prison, which used to be one of the worst places to be sent. And it has worked there and I hope he can make it work here.
Understand the mother's being upset, and also know of your (Kingfish's) attachment to this case. But - this should be looked at as a positive development rather than a negative. The murderer has not joined a gang, participated in prison riots, etc. He has evidently been a good prisoner and even though his rehabilitation will not ever see the daylight outside the prison walls, maybe he can improve himself and be a benefit to other prisoners.
And - Its Not Special Treatment, despite your headline. Its a program that any prisoner can get into if they act right while there.
Bless the woman's heart. Understandably she will never get over her terrible heartache. The trail of destruction left by George Bell, III, is wide and strewn with many ruined lives.
Kingfish has had a perpetual erection for this case since the day of the arrest. He's brought it up numerous times and can't let go of it. I think, Lefty Frizzell sang, Kingfish visits this grave in a long black veil.
Meanwhile, I notice the intent of the program is to get prisoners hooked up with mental health people so they can understand their crime and why they committed it and....hopefully learn how to stay out of jail. Seems a waste of time with this guy since he won't be needing that skill.
So, if I was a deranged murderer and I wanted revenge on my last victim's momma, all I have to do is feign a new faith, quote some scripture, and I get moved to a medium security farm near said victim's momma. Got it.
@ 10:13.... 'any' prisoner?
yeah right...
Where does it say in any regulation or law that "studying scripture" leads to better treatment in the penal system?
Somebody got paid. Or at least they got their campaign contributed to.
A simple "no comment" from MDOC might have been more acceptable than that babble.
but he's a born again christian now or whatever so his special treatment is ok.
Someone should check Burl Cain’s bank accounts just to be sure.
10:13- If murder is not a "maximum" offense then what is? Bank robbery, rape?
Murderers and kidnappers should be in Maximum security. Period.
As far as the correct part of correctional goes it is too late to correct someone's behavior after they have already taken a life. Any correction of this man's behavior is solely for his own benefit as he will not be getting released from prison but will perhaps get some mercy from his maker.
Doesn't the scripture say "an eye for an eye?"
Seems like a good way to build the foundation for an eventual pardon. Nah, that would never happen... would it?
Didn't he always??
There is never a guarantee of "life without parole." All that it takes is some bleeding heart progressive governor to pardon someone like this murderer. A "Gov. Lumumba" comes to mind. Oh wait, this murderer is white.
They all go to Rankin County first if they are being reassigned. I don't understand the upset. It's a prison and it sucks. Leakesville may be the worst - I don't know. But it's not like he's been assigned to some Club Fed.
Someone should ask the Lt. Governor for comment.
George Bell III, is a monster. I am happy that he is a born again Christian, that will help is odds with God, but on Earth.. I would grant zero luxuries.. Mrs. Francomb has no comfort in knowing her daughter is gone.. Let's go back to the role George's mother played in all of this too. Why should she be granted any comfort knowing that her son is no longer in Parchment.. I would like to know what she is up to these days.. She should never have a peacfull night of sleep in her life.
Thank you for staying with this, Kingfish. My heart has hurt or Heather and her family for 13 years.. 13 years...
Good thing I am not the one who can offer that man forgiveness. George Bell III is a monster!
10:13, with exception of more victims murdered, this should be classified as Maximum. This was brutal. If you don’t know the facts, just stop. He needs his balls cut off and confinement. Surely, you are not this foolish.
The wheels are being greased to effect a pardon.
The only person that could give a potential pardon would be Governor Tater Tot and that doesn’t seem like it would happen so everyone should just stop speculating about that. He isn’t going to get out of jail. He will serve the rest of his life in prison. But also remember if he did somehow get pardoned, remember who has the power to do that and who y’all voted for.
George Bell III deserves nothing less than the death penalty... that he was to be allowed to live in Parchman- or anywhere, for that matter- was far more "charity" or "rehabilitation" than any cold blooded killer such as himself could ever wish for. For that matter, the concept of "rehabilitation" is completely lost and nonsensical for such an offender- if, truly, he is never to enjoy freedom on this earth again, what difference does it make if he is "rehabilitated" in any capacity? There are Bibles and pastors/priests available to him at every facility to tend to his salvation.... Heather's mother has every right to be outraged, as do the rest of us that called her a friend. We lived through sheer hell at George Bell III's hands, and I doubt nary a one of us will EVER forget it. As a legal professional, I can say once again with complete certainty and understanding- the system in this state has been, is, and always will be completely bassackwards and an egregious humiliation in comparison to the other 49... but such is Mississippi. God rest, Heather.
It is simple to figure out. He was moved to make it easier for his family and friends to visit him. Its much easier to drive to pearl than the delta.
Tate pardon that guy? Please.
George didn't get the death penalty because the family didn't want to go through a trial and see all those horrible photos again. Happens quite a bit actually. Kidd wanted to approve a death penalty sentence but for the family. Said so on the stand and that is one of the few times Kidd has gotten that visibly angry.
Will you post the video from his sentencing hearing?
That slot could have been filled by an inmate that did not have life without parole! How in the hell will this program help this inmate? He is not getting out of prison!! Or maybe, I should keep my written thoughts to myself, I’m way out of my lane! I smell a rat and a cat, on the line somewhere at MDOC!
I see a payoff! Just let all the life without parole inmates attend this sham on site at PARCHMAN.
Or just open one of these programs at all MDOC facilities! Dang, you don’t have to move a single inmate. I’ll supply all the muffins and coffee!
Oh yea and 600 thread sheets!
SHMH!!!
All these wish you well thoughts of this killer. I wonder if he was black from JACKSON and killed a white woman how nice the comments would be???
I don't know why anyone on her would suggest that Gov. Tate would pardon him. This turd has a lifetime to get pardoned, but it would be by a left-wing progressive governor pushing "criminal justice reform." But methinks this turd is the wrong demographic. For those low information folks who have been indoctrinated via the JPS, this means a democRat governor.
Georgie boy has money he lives like a king in whatever jail he's in. He has been in long enough to know the game.
I agree with pretty much everything the Commissioner wrote about the purpose and benefits of his approach. Having said that, the Commissioner's glowing review of Bell's character to the mother of his victim is appalling.
It is not the Commissioner's place, speaking on behalf of MDOC, to try to make peace between the purportedly-reformed inmate and the mother of his victim. How dare he defend this man to the mother of the girl that was so brutally raped and murdered by George Bell? How dare you, Sir!
Lil George needs to have the same treatment given to him as he gave the young lady....time will tell...his mommy stepped in and saved his butt....still, he needs to have done to him.....as he did to her... read the report it will make you cry. I have 3 daughters and believe me, I would walk through hell to get to that bastard and make him pay. She laid on the floor dying and his mom wouldn’t help...she needs to serve time....I met the young lady. She was very nice. He needs to pay the price but you see, he’s a gutless no good nothing of a person and that’s a nice thing to say
2:56, if he was black, they would have apologized to him a long time ago and he’d just be bangin the streets of Jackson again. Shut up with damn race card. It’s old and irrelevant.
The prison system can’t keep an inmate in segregation forever unless they’re on Death Row. This guy clearly wasn’t sentenced to death. Praying for the family of the victim.
Whomever approved/wrote that release for MDOC is full of shit and blowing smoke up our ass. Keep the lifers and programs for lifers at Parchman. Governor Reeves this shigity will come back to haunt you next election. Naw, we won’t forget! Convicts are just that convicts. I promise you with pun intended, “ I will not commit a crime and come to MDOC”.
I heard the NEW Commissioner on Supertalk. Thought he might help clean up the corruption in our fine MS Correctional Facilities. Talked about all the GREAT THINGS HE DID FOR ANGOLA! REHABILITATION! RELIGION! FAITH, FOOD, FUN I BELIVE HE SAID! His comments about KILLER GEORGE BELL prove that he is JUST ANOTHER CORRUPT POLITICIAN! Yes, I know he is NOT ELECTED, but we all know his position is POLITICAL! His comments about KILLER BELL made me sick! How many months has CAIN been here? Did not take long for Mr. Bell's wealthy, well connected family to get to him! We know how the system works! Where is CAIN from? OH yeah, LOUISIANA! Home of HISTORIC CORRUPTION! 5:06 is right! Bell's wealth will give him priviledges wherever he is! Money kept his mommy Robbie Bell out of prison! She should have been prosecuted! Go back and read the story! She could have called the police hours earlier! COULD HEATHER'S LIFE BEEN SAVED IF SHE HAD GOTTEN MEDICAL ATTENTION? Maybe Heather's roommate would not have had to live through the terror of being kidnapped! Did she call the Police? NO! She called her brother? Money and connections! She walks! Now she just has a short drive to visit her fine Christian Son, KILLER GEORGE BELL! KILLER BELL should have NEVER been able to leave THE BURNING HOT SUN OF THE MS DELTA! "He will never be free"! BUT CAIN LEFT OUT that he will have a lot more privileges where he is now! He should have put that gun in his mouth at the BP 13 years ago! But he was too big coward to do that! My blood boils as I type this! SPOILED ROTTEN RICH KID! STILL GETTING HIS WAY! My heart hurts for Heather's family as HIS FAMILY'S WEALTH BUY HIM PRIVILEGES IN PRISON! OH! I forgot he now has a GRADUATE LEVEL THEOLOGICAL DEGREE!!!! HE IS GOING TO HELP OTHERS!!!!! Like an earlier comment said, THERE ARE PLENTY INMATES IN PARCHMAN KILLER BELL COULD HELP! I AM SURE MOMMY AND DADDY ARE PROUD HE IS NOW AN EDUCATED KILLER! ONLY KILLER BELL, AND GOD, KNOW HIS HEART! MAY GOD FORGIVE ME FOR THE ANGER I FEEL IN MY HEART AT THIS MOMENT!
SHAD WHITE!!!!!!!!! COMMISSIONER CAIN IS YOUR NEXT BIG CATCH!!!!!! GO GET HIM!!!!!! HIM AND EPPS CAN SHARE A CELL AND SWAP BIG LIES ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS THEY DID!!!!!!!!!!
"the purportedly-reformed inmate and the mother of his victim".
I really hope Bell is in fact "reformed".
If (he is or is not) is not the issue here.
The Warden/Commissioner or whomever should think before they speak.
I truly feel for Heather's Mom in this situation.
I don't think the MDOC Officials intentionally meant any harm, but hopefully they learned a lesson.
(Think before you issue an official statement about anything) !
Considering there's no in-person visitation right now, I doubt the move to make it easier to visit is the reason. The prisons and jails are full of COVID.
Medium security/maximum security....whatever...he wasn’t at Supermax or in solitaire ...he is locked up and it “ain’t no” camp. Things can go sideways in a second either way for him in there. He isn’t going anywhere, ever.
Bell is serving a life sentence w/I the possibility of parole for a violent crime. He’s locked up for LIFE. He’s not at a work center or out cutting grass with weekend passes. Parchman lost its maximum security title when Unit 32 was shut down so where is it a maximum security prison at? This guy wouldn’t have been moved if he had been disruptive inside the walls.
Send all the lifers and death row inmates to Central Mississippi Correctional Facility so Commissioner Cain and Gov Reeves can have worship services and team building meetings taught by Inmate Bell.
You know in my 66 years I’ve heard some stupid shit. But moving a lifer to a another facility so he can inspire other inmates is unheard of while so many are housed at the Parchman facility!
Continue to blow smoke between my legs, I’m getting all warm and fuzzy!
Do you think the citizens of Mississippi are that stupid. Yea, because you are from Louisiana Commissioner Burl Cain.
Just for the record:
Early on family, attorneys, and several lawmakers requested then Governor Phil Bryant to move George Bell from the State Prison at Parchman to a "friendly" sheriff's office nearby. Where he could spend his time as a trustee.
Governor Bryant declined to intervene in Mr. Bell's situation. He stayed in the delta.
I would invite everyone to go back on the archives and read the report. If I’m correct, I believe he raped her also. Just because he was on a cocaine high does not make the cut. He knew what he was doing and while his mom knew she was dead for hours in the same house she was in is absolutely horrible, disgusting, sad, inexcusable and the Bell family should have to make sure Heather’s mom is well taken care of financially. How she didn’t sue Robbie Bell, I will never know, unless Bell’s uncle is running defense in this whole situation. I think I also remember the uncle drove Robbie Bell to a convenience store the next morning.
Who's the dumbest of the dumb? Tater for hiring Cain or Fitch for being Fitch?
Merry Xmas from Digbert's family to yores!
George you can ring his Bell is in UNIT 30 at MSP it says on their website. Either their is a mistake, being a worker for the lord didnt pay off OR GB never made it to rankin co
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