1 in 7 people in U.S. prisons are serving a life sentence.

8,600 people nationwide are serving parole eligible or virtual life sentences for crimes committed as juveniles.

It costs $2.5 million to incarcerate 1 person for life.

It costs $626 thousand to incarcerate 1 person for 20 years.

Eric Siperko is one of the kindest, most caring, compassionate, and soft spoken people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is respectful and selfless. He is a hard worker with a strong work ethic. He is a great friend, I'm truly lucky to be able to call him one of mine. He has persevered despite his difficult upbringing, and spending his entire adult life in prison.  He is incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He works tirelessly to do everything he can to better himself and grow as a person. He takes college classes, he has a job in the kitchen working long hours, and he got married not long ago. He strives every single day to do better, and be better. Prison is far from an environment conducive to one bettering themselves or personal growth, but Eric says he's growing mentally daily, and his stature as a man continues to improve. He will continue to work hard, not only on himself, but to also be the best person he can be. 

There is currently a bill in the Texas House, HB1274, that is a "second look" bill.  It seeks to lower the mandatory minimum term before parole eligibility on first degree felonies committed by juveniles under the age of 18 from 40 years, to 20 years. There is scientific evidence showing the areas of the brain affecting judgement, impulse control, and decision making don't begin to fully develop until your early to mid 20's. There is such a thing as redemption, and those who are willing to demonstrate maturity, growth, and are actively working towards bettering themselves certainly deserve a second chance. We all made mistakes and poor decisions as children, that doesn't mean you should have to pay for them for your entire adult life. 20 years is enough. Please support this bill, and help me support my wonderful friend.

Eric Siperko was only 17 when he was convicted of Capital Murder under the Texas Law of Parties, and sentenced to life. He is 33 years old now. That's 16 years in prison so far, he didn't kill anyone, he didn't hurt anyone. He went along with a robbery that his friends had planned without him, their plan included a firearm that Eric was completely unaware they had. He wasn't at their "meetings", He didn't kick the door in, he didn't take anything from the home, and he ran when he heard shots being fired. His fingerprints weren't found on any of the stolen property, a witness told investigators that Eric had no knowledge of the firearm. His co-defendants were caught lying about the extent of Eric's involvement on numerous occasions. There is evidence of all of these points.  Yet he is labeled a violent offender. All because of the Law of parties. It states:  "In the attempt to carry out a conspiracy to commit one felony, another felony is committed by one co conspirator, all are guilty of the felony actually committed, though having no intent to commit it, if offense was committed in furtherance of an unlawful purpose, and should have been anticipated as a result of carrying out original conspiracy"  How can you anticipate something that you were never involved in, nor had any knowledge of? This Texas law isn't what I'd call fair, and I think it's far from just, especially when pertaining to juveniles sentenced to life in prison.

As it stands in Texas now, if sentenced to life with parole, you must serve 40 years before you're eligible. Eric will be 57 years old when he becomes eligible for parole, for an awful decision he made as a troubled 17 year old child, and made worse by a horrific action taken by another person, that there was evidence that Eric had no part in. A good man, still paying the price 16 years later. Please, help bring Eric home!  Please share, sign, support HB1274, and all "second look" bills. It's time for sentencing / prison / justice reform. It's time to give these juvenile lifers the opportunity to prove they deserve another chance. It's time for change, it's time for accountability, and it starts here, with us. Let's put an end to extreme sentencing.        Rehabilitation NOT Institutionalization. It's only right to give Eric what he's worked so hard for, for so long. Support him going home to his family while he still has life to live. Support parole reform. Support Eric Siperko. He shows every day that he's earned it.   

Eric and I both thank you so much for your time, and your support.

#20YearsIsEnough      #SecondLook