To: The Louisiana State House, The Louisiana State Senate, and Governor John Bel Edwards
Imprisoned at age 15, now 60! Free Robert Howard
Dear Civil Servant,
I am filled with sadness and concern that a state belonging to this great nation would knowingly imprison a child without adequate legal representation and then keep them behind bars
with violent criminals for over 40 years.
Recommended for commutation by the LA Board of Pardons and Appeals, Robert Howard's release has been repeatedly denied by sitting governors concerned with their own political standing. Now sick and 60 years old, the friends of Robert Howard ask you to stand up for this model citizen and stop using him as a political pawn in a racist game.
For decades Robert Howard has mentored young men in chosing a moral life. He has tutored, run rehabilitation groups, prayer groups, revivals and legal clinics. His recommendations for prison reform are sought out by wardens across the state - yet he remains behind bars. Why? What kind of country imprisons its children and leaves them to die behind bars for nearly five decades?
Please raise your voice to free Robert Howard from Louisiana State prison.
Thank you,
I am filled with sadness and concern that a state belonging to this great nation would knowingly imprison a child without adequate legal representation and then keep them behind bars
with violent criminals for over 40 years.
Recommended for commutation by the LA Board of Pardons and Appeals, Robert Howard's release has been repeatedly denied by sitting governors concerned with their own political standing. Now sick and 60 years old, the friends of Robert Howard ask you to stand up for this model citizen and stop using him as a political pawn in a racist game.
For decades Robert Howard has mentored young men in chosing a moral life. He has tutored, run rehabilitation groups, prayer groups, revivals and legal clinics. His recommendations for prison reform are sought out by wardens across the state - yet he remains behind bars. Why? What kind of country imprisons its children and leaves them to die behind bars for nearly five decades?
Please raise your voice to free Robert Howard from Louisiana State prison.
Thank you,
Why is this important?
Robert Howard grew up in the 12th Ward in New Orleans. His mother died when he was a young boy. At eleven, after leaving the foster care system to live with his father, Robert dropped out of school to work in a restaurant as a dishwasher and substitute cook. His cooking was so good, he was offered a job. This angered the current cook and he came after Robert with a knife. Robert defended himself and the man eventually died. Without adequate counsel, Robert pled to manslaughter and was admitted into Louisiana's infamous Angola Prison. For the next 45 years, he endured violent assalts. Recommended for release repeatedly by the LA Board of Pardons and Appeals, Robert's release is denied by sitting governors concerned with their political standing. Now sick and 60 years old, the friends of Robert Howard ask you to stand up for this model citizen.
For decades Robert Howard has mentored young men in chosing a moral life. He has tutored, run rehabilitation groups, prayer groups, revivals and legal clinics. His recommendations for prison reform are sought out by wardens across the state - yet he remains behind bars. Why? What kind of country imprisons its children and leaves them to die behind bars for nearly five decades?
For decades Robert Howard has mentored young men in chosing a moral life. He has tutored, run rehabilitation groups, prayer groups, revivals and legal clinics. His recommendations for prison reform are sought out by wardens across the state - yet he remains behind bars. Why? What kind of country imprisons its children and leaves them to die behind bars for nearly five decades?