People who have paid their debt to society deserve a second chance at life

Imagine being 18 years old and making one of the biggest mistakes that you could possibly make in your life. That one incident will now be the deciding factor in how you will spend the rest of your days.

One lapse in judgment at an immature and sometimes reckless age determining your entire destiny without any chance of redemption. Now imagine at age 48 being incarcerated for that same lapse in judgment since you were 18. Fast forward to age 70 and now imagine not only the mental changes, but also the physical ones. Simply imagine living every day without any hope that one day you will be able to prove to the world that you have evolved and are not the same immature and reckless human being. 

Unfortunately, this nightmare is a reality for far too many individuals who are incarcerated in Louisiana. They face the stark reality that as long as there is breath in their bodies, they will be confined inside the walls of a prison facility. As a 40-year-old male, I could not fathom that I would be judged today for the ideology and behavior I exuded as a young 18-year-old. Further, I would expect that in 10 years at age 50, I would gain enough wisdom and experience that I would be viewed in a different light than the person I am at 40 years old. However, according to the law here in Louisiana, “life means life” and no one sentenced to life without parole deserves a second chance.

Louisiana is one of only six states where adults who receive life sentences will never have the opportunity to even apply for a parole hearing. Currently there are approximately 4,400 people serving life sentences without the possibility for parole. That is more than Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas COMBINED. Unfortunately, as is often the case with mass incarceration in Louisiana, Black people are disproportionately impacted. In a recent article, it was reported that almost three-quarters of the 4,400 Louisianans serving life without parole are Black, a percentage higher than all other states except Georgia. Just 32% of Louisianans are Black, according to the latest census. Additionally, there are 6,000 individuals serving sentences of 30 years or more without the possibility of parole. This means that within the past two years, there were over 10,000 people who are either serving life sentences or sentences of 30 years or more.

In my opinion, over 10,000 lives being thrown away is egregious. Having that many individuals subjected to overly long incarceration is counterproductive, expensive and inhumane. What incentive do these individuals have to be on their best behavior, mentor others or simply change the narrative of their lives?

I am aware that individuals who are serving these types of sentences are often considered to be violent and dangerous individuals who have been convicted of some of the worst crimes. I also understand that the victims of these acts often have family members who are left behind to deal with the grief associated with the loss of a loved one. I empathize with those families and can only imagine the anger, hurt and pain they must feel towards these individuals.

However, life sentences do not equal closure, and extended sentences do not rid the families of that pain. I also recognize that out of 10,000 human beings, there have to be hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals who have learned the error of their ways and have truly been rehabilitated after being incarcerated for over 20-30 years. These people deserve a chance at redemption.

It is time that Louisiana does the right thing and becomes the 45th state to no longer issue life sentences without the possibility of parole. This is not only my opinion, but appears to be the sentiment of Louisiana residents as well. In a recent poll, approximately 55% of Louisiana respondents said they believe Louisiana prison sentences are too long.

Louisiana State Rep. Royce Duplessis will be introducing legislation during the 2021 Louisiana legislative session that will allow individuals who were previously sentenced to life without parole to become eligible for parole after serving 30 years of their sentence. Also, individuals who were sentenced to terms of 30 years or more will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years of their sentence. I ask that you support this initiative and support the chance at redemption of so many men and women who have paid their debt to society and simply want a second chance at life.

Terry Landry is the policy director for Louisiana at the SPLC Action Fund.

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