The number of incarcerated non-violent offenders has increased twelvefold since 1980. The punishment for non-violent crimes of Black males compare with the harshness of the most severe violent crimes, with sentencing ranging from 7-15yrs of incaceration.
Even as States continue to pass legislative Bills to legalize marijuana with high public support, the Cruel and Unusual punishment persists without regards to Human Rights Issues such as being deprived of Citizenship Rights, and ostracized from society at large, in addition to the Cruel and Unusual punishment inflicted.
We, the undersigned, ask the Federal and State government to amend policies and laws which allow for such Cruel and Unusual punishment for non-violent crimes.
Why is this important?
The reality of the United States having the highest documented incarceration rate in the world, No longer seeks rehabilitation, rather punishment; primarily towards Black males who commit non-violent crimes. The single greatest force behind the growth of the prison population has been the national "War on Drugs."
