|
|
In the mid 1980s Congress abolished parole and passed harsh
drug sentencing laws. Many states followed, creating a tenfold
increase in the number of drug offenders incarcerated. We have
lost cherished legal traditions and endured many other unintended
consequences due to a destructive, anti-drug policy.
It is illogical to spend tax dollars on long imprisonment
when other means have proved far more effective in addressing
the social problems of drug abuse and addiction. State leaders
across the U.S. are reforming sentencing guideline, drug and
parole policies. We urge federal leaders to do the same: Provide
prisoners with an incentive to maintain exemplary behavior in
prison and earn early release.
Earned, early release would foster incentives toward cooperation,
study, and learning skills that would create a safer environment
for staff and prisoners alike. Families could be reunited earlier,
with better prospects for successful reentry into society. High
costs of incarcerating drug offenders -- $9.4 billion annually
-- would be dramatically reduced. Inhumane prison overcrowding
would be relieved, the federal system is 31% over capacity, and
growing more than 9% annually.
We, the undersigned, support the November Coalition's demand
for relief from drug war injustice through a revival of federal
parole and/or a dramatic increase in "good-time" eligibility
of prisoners in federal custody.
First name
Last
name
E-mail
address
Address
City
State Zip Code
Phone
number (optional)
Other things that you can do:
Sign up for our petition announcement list. This is a low-volume
list to keep you up-to-date on the progress of our Petition for
Relief from Drug War Injustice.
|