Congratulations to Barbara who was released on Sept 20, 2019
Name: Barbara Sue Culberson #48346-019
DOB: 10/24/41
Race: White
Marital Status: Married to Ricky Wade (who is incarcerated in Talladega, AL)
Age: 76
Children: Four living children; one deceased
Grandchildren: Eight grandchildren; four great- grandchildren
State Raised: Georgia
State tried: Georgia
Will Live: Rome, Georgia
Charges: Conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a listed chemical; attempt to escape
Sentence: 31 years; 30 on drug charges and 1 year consecutive for attempted escape Judge Sentencing comment: Barbara’s heartless judge stated “I plan for your client to die in prison.”
Served: 22 years
Compelling sidebar: If Barbara were sentenced today, due to sentencing changes, at the max she could only be sentenced to only 21 years, 8 months, but likely far less time.
Started Sentence: May 1999
Priors: First time offender
Release Date: 11/01/2025
Prison Conduct: Exemplary
Clemency status: Filed in 2012, denied by President Obama 12/2016
Refiled June 2017 -Petition pending #C271784
Compassionate Release Status: Filed in 2014 with Warden’s recommendation but was denied due to
- Obesity. FACT: Medical conditions caused my weight gain, but I had lost 75 pounds and weighed 180
- Not terminally ill AND had these ailments prior to arrest. Untrue – I only had hypothyroidism
- Likely to reoffend. Again the denial stated that because I had these medical conditions before my incarceration, I would be likely to reoffend.
Institution:
Carswell Medical Center
P. O. Box 27137
Fort Worth, TX 76127
Supporters: My family are my supporters; CAN-DO Foundation,The LOHM, Families for Justice as Healing, RAPP, FAMM.
Accomplishments: I have completed many classes involving myself in many religious endeavors; completed 4 year course of study and was certified for doctorate in theology. I completed multiple classes in art, knitting, crocheting and guitar.
Health: Barbara has multiple bones broken in her back (14) due to a fall in May 2015 and June 2016. She will not recover from these injuries. Her roommate and others assist her with laundry, cleaning, food, etc.
Medical Conditions: Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Hypertension with Cardiac Myopathy; Lupus; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Osteoarthritis; Osteoporosis; Glaucoma(decreased visual acuity); 90% hearing loss (is a lip reader); Pernicious Anemia; Kidney Disease; Thyroid Disease (hypothyroid); 14 broken bones and Degenerative Disc Disease (1,2,4 &5) lumbar; Severe Sleep Apnea; Sciatica; Asthma; Diverticulitis
Barbara with her family
According to Barbara also known as Miss Sue:
I have been in prison since I was 56 years old and have served almost 23 years, including jail time. My health is failing and I have to utilize a walker at all times to move around and I use a wheelchair if I am too tired to attempt to walk. I am over 1000 miles from my home in Rome, GA. It is almost financially impossible for my family to visit me. I have never seen any of my great- grandchildren, and some of my grandchildren. Just this week, my youngest son was to surprise me with a visit from his daughter who I have never seen. I was refused to see my granddaughter by the guards and told that she would have to wait out in the 110 degree sun if she came to visit. I appealed to the Warden but he never answered my request.
I am tired and I just want to go home to spend my final days with my family. They miss me and we all do not understand why I am still serving a sentence that no longer fits the crime.
I deal with roaches and mice droppings in my food. Weevils in the rice and grits.
I was refused to go to the hospital when I broke my hip, tail bone, fractured four lumbar discs, and crushed my spine even though I could not walk. After 2 weeks, when I started to bleed and became unconscious I was sent to the hospital.
I have to see a doctor each month before I am given pain medication and each month I have to go and wait outside the clinic and literally beg them to see me. This is a terrible place.
