On December 19, 2006 life changed for Carlos Walker as he was sentenced to 20 years in jail for possession and distribution of cocaine. One poor choice made as a young adult, has caused him to miss 10 years with his three children, his fiancé, and his friends. His sentencing then was extreme and unfair, especially for a non-violent charge. We are aware that often, sentences are handed out to youth offenders or young adults with first and second charges against them, giving them little room to do right for themselves. Rather than give out a chance to redeem themselves, they are often thrown in jail for years forgotten about.

The system has wronged Carlos and 12,000 other inmates who were charged with a drug offense and given extreme jail sentences.This wasn’t just a matter of opinion of Carlos’s friends and family, in 2010, Congress passed the Fair Sentencing Act (FSA), which reduced the sentencing disparity between offenses for crack and powder cocaine from 100:1 to 18:1. The scientifically unjustifiable 100:1 ratio meant that people faced longer sentences for offenses involving crack cocaine than for offenses involving the same amount of powder cocaine – two forms of the same drug. 

In another step toward fairness, in 2011, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted to retroactively apply the new FSA Sentencing Guidelines to individuals sentenced before the law was enacted. This decision will help ensure that over 12,000 people — 85 percent of whom are African-Americans — will have the opportunity to have their sentences for crack cocaine offenses reviewed by a federal judge and possibly reduced. (Even though people sentenced before the FSA can benefit from the retroactive Sentencing Guideline amendments, they remain subject to pre-FSA statutory mandatory minimums).

In 2011, hearing the news that the U.S. Sentencing Commission was going to retroactively apply the guidelines to those who were sentenced prior to the new law, Carlos and others were excited. Carlos had already served 5 years at that time, more than enough time for his non-violent charge. He was looking forward to a release, as his parents are getting older, and their health is frail. He started counting down for his release date, like others he was preparing himself to be released, and to start his life over. He wanted to change the way his visitations was occurring with his children from visits in a room with everyone watching and monitoring, to doing things fathers do with their sons like baseball games, playing catch, and playing video games. You’re most likely asking yourself the same question we have asked. It’s 2016, and Carlos and the other 12,000 people are still waiting. Can you imagine reading about your freedom, but not getting it? Neither can I, it just makes me sick to my stomach.

The law has been passed, but why are they still waiting? While incarcerated, Carlos has taken multiple courses in welding, construction, and culinary arts course. His passion is his artwork, in which he hopes to obtain a degree in Art. He expresses what he sees and feels in his artwork; it’s been his outlet since being incarcerated and away from his family.Carlos has taken full responsibility for his actions and he has paid for them dearly. He is now 34-years-old and I believe he can do great things outside of prison and that he deserves a chance at a new life with his parents, children, family, and friends. Carlos doesn’t deserve another day behind bars. When December 19, 2016 comes around, Carlos deserves to be out shopping for his kids and fiancé, and celebrating Christmas in the arms of his family, not in a cell.

The time with his parents isn’t guaranteed, as his parents are growing old. Every second he is behind bars, is another minute lost with them.The system has failed Carlos now twice. I couldn’t handle hearing if something happened to his parents, while he is trying to be released from a law that was passed many years ago. Don’t stand by, and let this happen. Sign and forward this petition, every signature matters- you matter.

President Obama has now granted clemency to more nonviolent drug offenders than the last nine presidents combined. On August 3, 2016 he granted 214 commutations and five of those recipients had Change.org petitions -- so your signature helps! Please sign and help us give Carlos Walker and others the second chance that each of us get in life every day.