Unsigned Petition for Executive Clemency from Helen Kneller
ca. 1962
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Robert Stroud, known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” was serving 12 years in a federal penitentiary for murder when he killed a fellow inmate and was sentenced to death. After his mother wrote to President Wilson asking for clemency, his term was commuted to life in prison. While imprisoned at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Stroud cared for a family of sparrows, was eventually credited with raising over 300 canaries, and became known as a respected ornithologist.
In 1942, Stroud was transferred to Alcatraz. A book about his life, “Birdman of Alcatraz,” was published in 1955 when he had been in prison for over 40 years. After the release of a movie based on the book, a wave of support emerged for his release. Petitions were sent to the Office of the Pardon Attorney. Most of the petitions were covered with signatures for his release, but some, like this one, included messages against it. The attempts for his release were unsuccessful, and he died at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, on November 21, 1963.
In 1942, Stroud was transferred to Alcatraz. A book about his life, “Birdman of Alcatraz,” was published in 1955 when he had been in prison for over 40 years. After the release of a movie based on the book, a wave of support emerged for his release. Petitions were sent to the Office of the Pardon Attorney. Most of the petitions were covered with signatures for his release, but some, like this one, included messages against it. The attempts for his release were unsuccessful, and he died at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, on November 21, 1963.
Transcript
[bold] We the undersigned respectfully endorse the petition for Executive clemency of [end bold] Robert StroudRobert Stroud Our approval is based upon the following grounds:
Prisoner Stroud has worked during two and one-half years at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners , seventeen years on Alcatraz and twenty-one years in Leavenworth. he has lifted himself from a third grade education to the level of a practicing, articulate scientist.
Under difficult conditions he has become an authority on the diseases of birds, He has published extensively in his field. In the years he was allowed to correspond, he has benefited thousands of bird lovers with encouragement, diagnosis and advice.
For the last 42 years, prisoner Stroud has committed no act of violence. He is not psychotic. All of his good conduct credit has been allowed. He has equipped himself to work in the world without becoming a public charge. Nor should his brusque and at times irritating mode of expression be permitted to obscure the long and impressive evidence of responsible and productive behavior. We feel that his release cannot any longer be considered at threat to society and that he has earned commutation to time served.
These considerations are grounds enough for our approving the release of any deserving man. But in addition, there is a deeper, more troubling aspect to this case.
Prisoner Stroud was given his life by a U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Stroud seems to have done what he could under difficult conditions, to return the debt over a period of 42 years.
In this deeper sense we believe that this prisoner should be released, not because of his advanced age, not because of the severity of his long punishment, but because of the ideals and principals of society as we live it, the most advanced country on earth. Our expressed principles of penology are offered by the prolonged character of this man's confinement alone. These principals spell out some reward even for the least of us when it is earned. The fruits of effort call for recognition when we improve ourselves and dry to be of use. This is a cornerstone of modern penology; rehabilitation.
Prisoner Stroud's life changed when his life was spared. It seems not to have been a change from expediency, nor from contrition. It was not a religious conversation, nor even done from the deliberate will of the prisoner, whatever he may say or believe.
he had in him a spark that responded through nature itself, when he accidentally came into contact with sick, helpless birds. He learned to doctor then and he became, through them, of use to society.
It is in view of these basic matters involving all of us, that we believe society will be best served by terminating the ordeal of this prisoner at the earliest feasible and reasonable date.
NAME RESIDENCE OCCUPATION
[written in pen] Positively NO [double underline]
[The petition should be endorsed by two or more credible, persons giving residence and occupation. Supplemental pages for additional signature may be added hereto. [italicized] Letters of commendation and affidavits, etc., are of farther greater importance than signatures [end italicized] and may be attached to the petition, but all such papers should be written on [underline in bold] one side of the sheet only, with marginal space at the top for building.)
(7)
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1958 O - 476961
CONTINUATION SHEET
We, the undersigned respectfully endorse the petition for Executive clemency of Robert Stroud.
NAME RESIDENCE OCCUPATION
[in the middle of the lined page with three columns, written in pen] Positively NO.
(The petition should be endorsed by two or more credible persons, giving residence and occupation.Supplemental pages for additional signatures may be added hereto. [italicized] Letters of commendation and affidavits etc., are far greater importance than signatures and may be attached to the petition, but all such papers should be written on [underline] one side of the sheet only, with marginal space at the top of the binding.)
(7)
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1958 O - 476961
CONTINUATION SHEET
We, the undersigned respectfully endorse the petition for Executive clemency of Robert Stroud.
[three lined columns with headers] NAME RESIDENCE OCCUPATION
[in the middle of the document, written in pen] This man should never be released.
Helen Kneller
1722 Mauattee Ave E
Bradenton, Florida
(The petition should be endorsed by two or more credible persons, giving residence and occupation. Supplemental pages for additional signatures may be added hereto. [italicized] Letters of commendation and affidavits, etc., are of far greater importance than signatures [end italicized] and may be attached to the petition but all such papers should be written on [underlined] one side of the sheet, only with marginal space at the top of the binding.)
(7)
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1958 O - 476961
CONTINUATION SHEET
We, the undersigned respectfully endorse the petition for Executive clemency of Robert Stroud.
[three lined columns with the headers:] NAME RESIDENCE OCCUPATION
[in the middle of the document, written in pen] Check The chaplain at Leavenworth, Father James. I'm sure no one who has had contacted with this man? Would want him fostered on the public. Helen Kneller
(The petition should be endorsed by two or more credible persons, giving residence and occupation. Supplemental pages for additional signatures may be added hereto. [italicized] Letters of commendation and affidavits, etc., are of far greater importance than signatures [end italicized] and may be attached to the petition, but all such papers should be written on [underline] one side of the sheet only, with marginal space at the top of the binding.)
(7)
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1958 O - 476961
[envelope] [in left corner of document written diagonally and italicized] American Color Breeders
Association [end italicized]
Helen Kneller, Secretary LECANTO, FLORIDA
[hand stamp] NEW ADDRESS 1722 MANATEE AVE., E
BRADENTON, FLORIDA
[cancel stamp] BRADENTON, 3:30 pm 1962 FLA
[two cancelled stamps worth 4 cents with picture of Abraham Lincoln on upper right corner of the document]
[written in pen] Warden - Acheson Prison
San Francisco, Calif.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Pardon Attorney.
National Archives Identifier: 7861677
Full Citation: Unsigned Petition for Executive Clemency from Helen Kneller; ca. 1962; Stroud, Robert ("Birdman of Alcatraz"); Case Files for Significant Pardon Cases, 1925 - 1999; Records of the Office of the Pardon Attorney, Record Group 204; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/unsigned-petition-clemency-kneller, April 28, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
