100 signatures reached
To: Governor Brian Kemp & Commissioner Timothy Ward
Governor Kemp & Commissioner Ward: Release nonviolent inmates
Grant clemency to nonviolent, low risk to society inmates with less than 5 years to go inside. These people can be released to parole & be productive in their local communities. Georgia has the largest prison system in the U.S., with the highest density. COVID-19 will spread like wildfire from the officers & health care workers to the inmate population and then back into the communities.
Why is this important?
As a public servant in Georgia, I have a concern that we will not defeat COVID-19 as long as our state officials don't act decisively to reduce the density of the prisons, which will help to reduce the spread of a horrible disease both inside and out in the communities.
Nonviolent, low risk to community inmates, misdemeanors and felonies alike, make up a large percentage of the prison population. Clemency will reduce the population to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19 inside prisons. Nonviolent inmates can better serve the community by not being part of the spread. They can quarantine with family, then become productive in their local community.
Without the burden of taking care of additional sick, possibly dying inmates, the state can better care for those left inside. Additionally, the state will continue to collect money from parole fees, helping to fund other needs.