As an advocate for inmates and anti-death penalty supporter, I believe it is important for all people to understand the impact of excessive sentencing, bias trials, wrongful convictions and overall corruptions that occur daily.
With over 2 million people incarcerated, marking the U.S as having the largest prison population in the world, atleast 1 in 23 people have been affected by jail or prison. Due to current drug policies, mandatory minimums, inadequate representation (due to the inability to afford attorneys) and flaws in the system, many of these inmates are given excessive sentences for nonviolent offenses, some even facing life for drug convictions. With the help of such organizations as the Justice Project, the Innocence Project, the ACLU and other dedicated organizations and activists, over 100 people have been exonerated just by DNA, that number is increasing almost daily. But we know there are many more facing years in prison and even death for crimes committed by someone else.While society is generally quick to judge one who commits crimes, what many forget is many of these people are in fact victims themselves, victims of drug addiction, alcoholism, abuse, mental disorders and other circumstances that may have led to their criminal behavior. My own brother is serving a 15 year sentence in Arkansas for drug convictions. Has his addiction been addressed while in prison? NO. 15 years of prison doesn't solve the underlying problem. I am not in any way defending or excusing the actions or crimes themselves. Simply clarifying that reform is needed desperately! Not only is rehabilitation rarely available or adequate for the incarcerated, but the incarceration itself can affect the inmates entire family, from children to spouses, parents, grandparents, they all pay the price. They all suffer for the actions of another. They all, in a sense, are given a prison sentence. The effect on the invisible victims can be devastating , emotionally and financially draining.Therefore, as a family member of an inmate, I see the frustrations of other families, and other inmates. I made it my personal goal to bring attention to a hidden world I knew nothing about just a few years ago.
I made it my goal to bring awareness to prison issues such as: the death penalty, sentencing laws, DOC regulations & conditions.The Broken Bridge Brigade is an organization aimed towards bringing awareness to these issues through networking and through our prisoner publication. Feel free to view our past issues at www.brokenbridgebrigade.com. This newsletter features articles from inmates, their families and activists, and resources and is distributed to inmates, prisons and others who would like to receive it.
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