A second chance for rehabilitated offenders

For the past 30 years, the Indiana Governor, Legislators and General Assembly have been operating under a precept of "Lock them up and throw away the key", type of attitude.  This reprehensible practice violates Article One, section 18 of the Indiana Constitution, which clearly states:  "The Penal code shall be founded on the principles of reformation and not of vindictive justice".  Reformation is defined by the American Heritage College Dictionary as:  "The act of reforming or the state of being reformed".  Also the acts by these politicians violate the 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution because after a prisoner has been reformed, future incarceration or punishment subject the offender to: "cruel and unusual punishment".

For the record, this petition is not a tool used to place blame or accuse anyone of anything, but to give you a voice to those who have made poor decisions, in the past, which led them to prison.  Furthermore, prisoners who have taken full responsibility for their actions and made the necessary changes to be productive citizens in society.  As a result, these prisoners, their family supporters, hope that a bill can be passed to give a second chance to offenders who have been rehabilitated and are no longer a threat or danger to society.

With the above in mind, this petition applies to all offenders.  Those who were convicted of a violent offense, such as murder, child molestation, etc., and those who were convicted of a non-violent offense, such as dealing in narcotics. thief, etc. However, to be clear this petition does not call for the release of offenders who are violent, dangerous or a threat to public safety, which can easily be shown by his or her prison record.

The prisoners in this petition have served at least a third of their time or more.  They maintained a clear and/or minimum conduct history for at least five years or more.

These prisoners have obtained their GED or High School Diploma and most of them have obtained their Associate and Bachelor's degree, before college was not offered anymore in prison .These prisoners have completed vocational programs, that prison has to offer from the PLUS Program to Substance Abuse courses, Anger Management, MRT, Thinking for a change, etc.

These rehabilitated offenders have shown a substantial amount of compassion during their time of incarceration by: (1) Caring for other offenders who are sick and/or dying of cancer, aids and other sickness and diseases.  (2) Mentored and cared for the mentally ill and offenders who suffer from behavior issues. (3) Cared for offenders who attempt to commit suicide.

These offenders have been volunteering their time since 2006 to sew and donate: (a) quilts to the homeless, woman who are recovering from domestic abuse and to veterans. (b) Purses for woman who receive chemo treatments. (c) We sew and donate backpacks and stuffed animals for those who are less fortunate.

Since the corona virus pandemic, we have made and donated face masks, over 20,000, for some of the Indiana prison facilities.  We have also made some for Governor Eric Holcomb, We do this from our heart. Our point is we have been reformed and rehabilitated and do not deserve to die in prison. In fact, the Indiana Constitution and the US Constitution prohibit such punishment for an offender who has been reformed.

With that in mind, we are asking the Governor, Legislation and the General Assembly to have compassion for offenders, who have worked so hard to correct the errors in his/her thinking and in doing so, repeal the modification statue by: (1) Allowing prisoners with violent cases the opportunity to go in front of the Judge (2) times without the consent of the Prosecutor.  After the two times, the offender must get consent.

OR

(2 ) Bring back the Parole Board.  The Parole Board would be allowed to consider what the offender has done, while in prison, and not his criminal record prior to entry to prison, and not the nature and circumstances surrounding the crime because neither of these facts will ever change, unless the prisoner is charged with another crime while in prison.

If you are reading this petition and believe in second chances, of hard work and dedication to renew their old way of thinking through educational, vocational and academical achievements.  Furthermore, who has accepted responsibility for the crime committed and who have volunteered their time to give back to the community they left behind through charity work.

Question:

(1) Who has the power to make these changes?..Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, The Indiana Legislators and the General Assembly

(2) Who are the people who would most likely support this petition? People who honor and abide by the Indiana Constitution...People who believe in forgiveness, second chances and rehabilitation...prisoners family, friends and supporters.

(3) Explain how this change will impact you.. THIS CHANGE WILL BE A POSITIVE IMPACT TO EVERY OFFENDER IN THE STATE OF INDIANA. Allowing them a new chance at life outside of prison.