SOME PRISON SENTENCES PUNISH TAXPAYERS, AS WELL

Parole for federal prisoners was abolished in 1986. My brother was
recently sentenced to 45 years on drug conspiracy. I have researched
federal laws on drug conspiracy. What I have discovered is horrific.
Conspiracy is a "catch-all." When the government wants you, but can't
come up with a real crime, they charge you with conspiracy.

They are also allowed to send an individual to prison for life
strictly on the words of criminals exchanging testimony for deals.
Physical evidence or truth is not a requirement. Every witness against
my brother received either a reduction in a separate sentence (rape,
murder, drug dealer) or was offered money. Our federal system is the
only court in the world that permits sentencing an individual based on
unconvicted conduct.

At this present time there is a bill before the House called the
Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2003. This
bill would give early release to prisoners convicted of non-violent
federal offenses who are 45 years or older, and who have good conduct
while in prison.

I realize at this time my brother wouldn't qualify, but if this bill
is initiated, in 13 years he would qualify, pending good behavior.

There are literally thousands of individuals who are elderly,
non-violent, well-behaved inmates who pose no risk to their
communities, but who will nevertheless spend years in prison, at
taxpayer expense ($27,000 to $55,000 per year), contributing nothing
to society, their families devastated by their long absence. Early
release for these individuals would not only save the government
billions of dollars and ease the shortage in prison space; it would
also restore loving family members and productive citizens to their
homes and communities.

I urge you to please ask your congressman to vote for HR 3575.

Kimberly Dunaway

Ocean Springs