LIFE WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE IS A HARSH SENTENCE FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS

A sentence of life without the possibility of parole is a death sentence. Worse, it is a long, slow, dissipating death sentence without any of the legal or administrative safeguards rightly awarded to those condemned to the traditional forms of execution. Exposes our society's concealed beliefs that redemption and personal transformation are not possible for all human beings, and that it is reasonable and just to forever define an individual by his worst act. Life without the possibility of parole is wrong and should be ABOLISHED.




I am writing this letter along with thousands of other men and women imprisoned all across this country, to ask you to reconsider your support for the sentence of life without the possibility of parole; what we in prison call 'the other death penalty.'


The truth is life without parole is the death penalty, but of a much more protracted and cruel nature. I am on death row now, but I haven't received the procedural safeguards those sentenced to death by execution are guaranteed. Instead, I am condemned to death by incarceration without any heightened scrutiny of my conviction, or the circumstances surrounding the crime for which I was sentenced to this lone, slow death.


Surely, everyone in this country should, at least, have a chance at rehabilitation, a chance to remake their life. It is a part of our cultural heritage. In your future dealings with crime and punishment, I ask that you consider a different approach, one that allows for the possibility that all humans retain within themselves the spark of redemption. Life without parole is, ultimately, a denial of humanity.


Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,

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