The Sentencing Project’s new report, No End in Sight, calls for a 20-year cap on imprisonment. As its author, senior analyst Ashley Nellis, told The Washington Post, life sentences are “virtually unheard of elsewhere in the world.” Ashley’s research also uncovered the extreme racial bias of these sentences: more than two-thirds of those serving life are people of color. Yesterday, we reiterated our position in an op-ed for The Washington Post by calling for lawmakers in Virginia to not only end the death penalty as they are poised to do, but to end death by incarceration as well. Our Campaign to End Life Imprisonment is rooted in facts, but driven by powerful stories of transformation like this: The road to redemption for our friend and colleague, Renaldo Hudson, began when he still was on death row. It culminated six months ago when, at 56, he received clemency from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and became a free man for the first time since 1983. Unable to read or write when he entered prison, Renaldo earned a BA, founded a prison newspaper and wrote a book about personal transformations in prison. The proceeds have been donated to the families of murder victims. Inspired by people like Renaldo, The Campaign to End Life Imprisonment is gaining momentum and increased public attention. |
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We are expanding to new states and challenging the culture of extreme punishment everywhere. But we can’t win this fight alone. Can we count you in? Amy |
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