Geezer Gulag? Why is America spending so much money imprisoning old people?
America leads the world in incarceration. That’s a shameful state of affairs for the supposed land of the free and home of the brave. But it gets worse…
Many of these prisoners have been caged for violating statutes that are themselves unconstitutional. Still, others are serving extreme sentences that don’t fit the crime. And tens of thousands of these people pose little or no threat to society.
To drive these points home FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) has released a new report showing the need for parole among inmates serving extreme sentences in Pennsylvania. Mandatory sentences and parole restrictions have filled Pennsylvania prisons with rapidly aging inmates who pose little threat to society, but who cost a lot to incarcerate.
Should America imprison old people?
Older inmates pose less of a threat to the public but cost taxpayers a lot more to imprison.
FAMM wants Pennsylvania and other states to expand parole and resentencing, increase release opportunities for the ill and elderly, abolish mandatory sentences, make clemency more available, and impose all of these changes retroactively.
We agree with FAMM on all of these points.
But we’re taking action at the federal level. There’s been NO federal parole since the 1980s. We want to Restore Federal Parole! If you agree, please join The 300 for this issue.
The 300
What is The 300? It’s a strategy where 300 people, from your district, visit your local congressional offices. They’ll go in waves of 3, 5, and 6. These groups will ask your reps to sponsor legislation to restore federal parole.
Our Option Activism strategy means that, today, all you need to do is sign up. You won’t have to participate in a lobbying visit to your local congressional offices until there are 300 people committed to doing it with you.
This means you won’t have to take action until taking action is guaranteed to succeed.
Sign-up today to empty the Geezer Gulag.
Please also talk about this issue with your friends. Please also contribute or start a monthly pledge so we can recruit The 300 faster!
These steps are how you set your own legislative agenda,
Jim Babka, President
Agenda Setters by Downsize DC
Today’s Action: Restore federal parole
Coming soon!
See the "300" Agenda Setters in your district
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