Hello, my name is Rachel. I am writing because my brother received a 25 year prison sentence. When I tell people this there is the assumption that he killed somebody or committed some manner of offense that caused others serious harm. Neither is true. My brother was convicted of a non-violent, low-level drug offense. He received so much time due to the mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

As devastating as all of this is my brother has used his time wisely. He has sought the path of rehabilitation and over the years has gained marketable job skills , earned college credits and has overcome the very addiction that prompted his behavior in the first place. 

What troubles me most is that the same laws that subjected him to such a long sentence have been changed so that people convicted of the same offense today will only get about half the time that he got. Since those laws were not made retroactive he is stuck with his original sentence. Our hope is that President Trump grants his clemency request. 

When my brother returns to his family he will have housing, career opportunities and an abundance of love and support. He will even be a part of a ministry that speaks to youth about the dangers of drug use and it potentally devistating consequences. He will spend time rebuilding the lives in communities that drugs destroy.

He has now spent nearly 16 years away from me and as far as I'm concerned he has already done a longer sentence than what is appropriate. This is ridiculous! Murderers and rapists do less time. I have waited long enough for my brother to come home. Please sign my petition and help me to right this wrong.