Comedian, Bill Cosby Denied Parole After Refusing To Participate In ‘Sex Offender’ Therapy Program

US comedian, Bill Cosby was denied parole in his sex assault case this month due to a number of reasons including his failure to complete a prison program for sex offenders, the Pennsylvania Parole Board has said.

Cosby, 83, is currently serving a 3-to-10-year sentence at a prison outside Philadelphia for drugging and sexually assaulting a former Temple University employee, Andrea Constand at his Pennsylvania home in 2004.

A statement from the board, which indicated the reason for its decision was rendered on May 11, said Cosby must “participate in and complete additional institutional programs.”

The disgraced comedian isn’t eligible for release until September 25 at the earliest, but the board starts interviewing candidates three to five months in advance and spoke to Cosby by video conference on May 7, board spokeswoman, Laura Treaster told NewYork Daily News on Thursday.

Laura Treaster said they denied his parole following the interview.

In a letter detailing its decision, the board cited Cosby’s failure to complete the therapy, failure to develop a parole release plan and a “negative recommendation” from corrections officials.

Meanwhile, Cosby’s longtime spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, said the decision “was not a surprise” after Cosby refused to participate in what he called a “sexually violent predator” course.

Wyatt on Thursday stated;

Mr. Cosby has vehemently proclaimed his innocence and continues to deny all allegations made against him.

Today, Mr. Cosby continues to remain hopeful that the Pennslyvania State Supreme Court will issue an opinion to vacate his conviction or warrant him a new trial.

The next time Cosby goes before the board, officials will look to see whether he has “successfully participated in/successfully completed a treatment program for sex offenders and violence prevention”.