This petition is an effort to create new law that will afford offenders who have served at least 12 years in prison (including those with life sentences) to seek an amendment of sentence through the court if, and only if, they can prove exemplary accolades and subsequent rehabilitation. This new law would afford relief only to those who deserve it and it would also assist in reducing the prison populations and play a part in reducing the high cost of incarceration. The cost of incarceration continues to rise with prison population ever-increasing but prison budgets are being drastically cut. Budget cuts and over-crowded prisons will soon lead to constitutional violations relating to the health and safety of the incarcerated offenders, as well as the staff members who are employed at each and every prison in the State of Louisiana.
We the undersigned, are trying to create new law that will give a second chance to offenders who have spent 12 or more years incarcerated and can show exemplary accolades and subsequent rehabilitation by allowing those offenders to request an amendment of sentence in the court where they were sentenced.
The sentencing judge would have discretion to amend or deny this request and no appeal may be taken from the judge's decision.
This law would release those offenders who are no longer a risk to society and would help to alleviate over-crowded prisons and the resultant high cost of incarceration.
For more information on this effort, please go to
www.changeivreal.com where you will find many stories, photos, links, and statistics to help you further understand the need for new law.
Thank you for taking time read this letter. Your help and support is greatly appreciated.
