PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION - JUSTICE FOR THOMAS PAYNE, JR

7'2" Thomas Payne, Jr., the first African American to play basketball for University of Kentucky, has served more years than any other inmate in the Kentucky prison system sentenced in the same time frame (from 1977 to present) with a life sentence for a rape charge.  The only case analogous to Mr. Payne's, was that of Daniel Jones, who was convicted of rape in 1975  in Harlan County.  Mr. Jones was also given a life without possibility of parole sentence, but was subsequently released in 1998 because a lower court held that he should have been sentenced under the statute of 1975 which stipulated a sentence of 10 to 20 years.  In Mr. Payne's case, he was tried and sentenced under a 1971 statute, going backwards instead of forward, in 1977.  Additionally, he was sentenced to 15 years for a parole violation. This treatment reveals a history of racism in the state of Kentucky that has stubbornly refused to die.

61 year old Thomas Payne, Jr., has been serving a life sentence for the majority of his adult life.  Thomas was 20 years old when his actions resulted in this sentence.  He lives with remorse every day for his actions and dedicates his life to Christ.  He has more than served the time of his sentence, enough to merit an equitable commutation.  In fact, he has served enough time toward a twenty year sentence to merit release without application of credit for good time earned.  At present, he is working as an Institutional Grievance Aide at Little Sandy Hook Correctional Complex.  In this role, he interacts daily with staff and inmates concerning dispute resolution and problem solving.  He utilizes this position to positively impact the beliefs, values, and behaviors of young inmates having issues with adjustment and rebellion against authority.  These contributions can be put to better use if we take action today!