Petition for Clemency, Compassionate Release or Medical Transfer for George Harris

My father, George Harris, is a 69-year-old inmate housed at Otisville Federal Correctional Institution. He is the father of four children and grandfather to ten grandchildren, all of whom are advocating for his release and necessary medical care. Despite our repeated appeals, the facility has neglected his requests for compassionate release and medical transfer, leaving him without the medical attention he urgently requires. His blood pressure is not being monitored adequately, resulting in frequent falls and seizures. He has lost his bottom teeth due to insufficient dental care following chemotherapy, and repeated requests for supplemental nutrition, such as Ensure, have been consistently denied. This neglect has had a devastating effect on his physical health and quality of life.

For over 35 years, my father has remained incarcerated for a non-violent drug related crime during Americas War on Drugs in the 80's, paying for his mistakes. During this time, he has transformed into a model prisoner, demonstrating good behavior and never receiving any disciplinary infractions. His record is pristine, and he has taken his second chance at life behind bars to focus on helping others. My father actively mentors young inmates, guiding them to make positive choices and avoid the mistakes that led him down the wrong path. He has no history of substance abuse, and his ties to his past lifestyle have long been severed. Now, instead of a life of freedom with his family, he is left in a facility that continues to deny him fundamental medical care, despite his age and health conditions.

My father’s role as a family man has never wavered, even from behind prison walls. He calls us almost every day, sends birthday and holiday cards, and remains involved in our lives despite the constraints of his imprisonment. This dedication extends to his grandchildren, whom he loves deeply. Although he has never had the chance to meet many of them outside the confines of a prison, he has built meaningful relationships with them, passing down wisdom and care despite the distance. Fatherhood remains central to his life, and his heart aches to reunite with his family, to share his remaining years with those he loves and who love him.

At 69, my father is a changed man who has fully accepted responsibility for the actions that led to his incarceration. He regrets the choices of his past and the pain they caused his family, his community, and himself. He has spent the last three decades working to better himself, striving to make amends, and hoping for a second chance—a chance that seems increasingly out of reach under his current conditions. His family is ready and willing to provide a strong support system to ensure a smooth reintegration into society. He poses no risk, only the desire to reunite with those he holds dear and contribute to his family and community in a meaningful way.

The laws that are keeping him behind bars have evolved. Notably, the Supreme Court's decisions in Apprendi v. New Jersey(2000) and Alleyne v. United States (2013) have redefined sentencing guidelines, emphasizing that any fact increasing the penalty for a crime must be submitted to a jury and proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

However, these rulings were not made retroactive, leaving individuals like my father unable to benefit from these changes. 

Consequently, he remains trapped behind prison walls under an outdated and unjust sentence. A life sentence without the possibility of parole is inhumane and leaves no hope for redemption. My father has already served over 35 years, a period that has exacted a heavy toll on his health and life. This punishment has been severe, especially for a non-violent offense, and the suffering inflicted by his lack of medical care compounds this already disproportionate sentence.

My father does not deserve to spend his remaining years neglected and suffering within prison walls. He has paid his debt to society and more, and his family deserves the chance to welcome him home. The denial of basic health care—such as blood pressure monitoring, dental care, and nutritional support—has turned his life sentence into a continuous cycle of pain and neglect. This is not justice; it is a sentence of unending hardship, devoid of compassion.

We, his family, friends, and supporters, respectfully and urgently request the compassionate release or medical transfer of George Harris. At 69 years old, he has lived the vast majority of his life with dignity behind bars, teaching, guiding, and growing. He is no longer the man he once was; he is a father, grandfather, and mentor, whose only wish is to spend the remainder of his years surrounded by his family. Thirty-five years behind bars has been punishment enough, and he poses no threat to society. The time has come for George to be allowed to return home, to reunite with his loved ones, and to live his final years with the dignity and respect that every human being deserves.

Please grant George Harris the compassion and justice he has earned, and let him come home to his family.