Dear friend,

I am very happy to report that our emergency compassionate release efforts are paying off — more people are receiving compassionate release. People like Damiene Lewis.

Damiene, 41, has severe COPD, diagnosed before he went to prison in 2018 to begin a 60 month sentence on gun and drug charges. As his disease progressed and his oxygen levels plummeted, he feared he would die behind bars. The Bureau of Prisons denied his application for compassionate release, claiming he could still walk and do some daily activities.

Damiene's girlfriend reached out to FAMM, and the real work toward his release began — efforts that became increasingly urgent as COVID-19 spread throughout his prison. Ultimately, the pro bono attorney matched to Damiene's case fought the government to a standstill.

After much opposition, the prosecutor finally agreed to support Damiene’s release. The court reduced his sentence to time served. Damiene went home on April 24.

Damiene is now working to reconnect with his two children and get healthier. He is struggling to get his oxygen levels back to where they were before prison. "In there," he says, "they don't give you no hope. Now I got hope."

To date, our emergency compassionate release partners — the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Washington Lawyers' Committee — and we have received more than 3,000 requests for assistance. I am happy to share that we've placed 818 cases with attorneys for in-depth review, investigation, and to consider filing a motion!

It continues to be a massive effort, but we're all motivated to save lives like Damiene's and reunite families that should be together during this dangerous pandemic.

Sincerely,


Kevin Ring
President, FAMM

P.S. These victories were made possible in part by your generous gifts. Please consider making a donation to FAMM's COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund so we can do even more for the most vulnerable: https://secure2.convio.net/famm/site/Donation2?1720.donation=form1&df_id=1720&mfc_pref=T&autologin=true