A Post Falls man convicted in the maiming of his son asked a judge Thursday in Coeur d’Alene to be released early from prison, so he can help others.

First District Judge Scott Wayman didn’t approve of the plan to reduce the fixed prison term of Melvin Bledsoe, serving a 30-year unified prison sentence for almost killing his 6-year-old boy.

Bledsoe, 28, who is in the state’s maximum security prison in Boise, spoke via telephone when he asked the judge to whittle down his 15-year fixed prison term and tack the shaved time to the indeterminate portion of his sentence, thereby retaining the full 30-year sentence.

The move would have allowed Bledsoe an earlier chance at parole. Inmates with a shorter fixed term have a better shot at receiving counseling and rehabilitation.

Bledsoe said he wants to become a certified counselor and help others with drug abuse and mental health issues.

“I can be a productive member of society,” Bledsoe said.

Bledsoe and his wife, Tamika Anderson, 31, are reportedly half-siblings. They were each convicted last year on two counts of injury to a child. That included aggravated circumstances for the years of abuse they inflicted on Bledsoe’s son that included beatings, tying the child to a bed, isolating and starving him.

The abuse was noticed by a hospital caregiver after Anderson jumped on the boy’s stomach, causing his pancreas to rupture and almost killing him.

Public defender Anne Taylor said her client has done well in prison so far. He attends Bible studies, helps other inmates and wants to help people on the outside, Taylor said. In addition, she said, Bledsoe’s sentence was similar to his co-defendant’s, although Anderson was responsible for the boy’s physical abuse.

Wayman wasn’t buying it. He agreed with deputy prosecutor Rebecca Perez, who argued Bledsoe’s horrific crime does not warrant special treatment in the form of a prison term reduction.

The 15-year fixed and 15-year indeterminate sentence initially ordered was based on the evidence Wayman heard and considered, the judge said in denying Bledsoe’s request.

“I concluded the goals of sentencing were met,” he said.

Bledsoe, who could remain behind bars until 2047, isn’t scheduled for a parole hearing until April 2032.