Prisoner Stories

This post will deal with a story of a prisoner in an attempt to humanize at least one individual out of the millions behind bars and the injustices that they have suffered.

This will be a theme post that I'll repeat periodically. All of the information about this prisoner comes from the web site FAMM or Families Against Mandatory Minimums.

The first person that I'd like to feature is named Sharanda Jones. 

 Sharanda made a mistake that cost her her life and her relationship with her daughter who was eight years old at the time of her incarceration. Sharanda had a difficult home life as her mother was paralyzed when she was very young in a car accident. Sharanda's grandmother worked and disability and welfare were all that this family had to survive. Once she had a daughter of her own and was working in cosmetology Sharanda made a mistake that cost her life and her relationship with her daughter who was eight years old at the time of her incarceration. became involved in the acquisition of Cocaine to turn into Crack Cocaine. She was using the income from this criminal activity to support herself  and her daughter as evident in the fact that she only had 250$ in her bank account when she was apprehended. This was a terrible mistake that Sharanda and her whole family regrets deeply.

We have all made mistakes, but I believe if we have payed our penalty we should be allowed a second chance. Because of the very specific Crack Cocaine laws that were passed in the 90's, and because she was categorized as the leader (which is debatable in the case as one of her brothers was also heavily involved) she is now serving life without parole for her offence. This means that without a presidential commutation the next time Sharanda leaves prison will be in a casket. I believe that death in prison should be reserved for violent offenders that cannot reenter society but I'm afraid that many of them will be released while Sharanda spends her whole life behind bars for a non-violent, first time drug offence. 

Does this story seem unfair to you? You can do something! Sign the Petition to the President regarding the possible commutation for Sharanda and thank you!