Release of a True Mento
Lawrence Ozel Little

This petition is being pushed for a truly remarkable, caring and positive mentor named Lawrence Ozel Little. He has now spent 31 years of a life sentence in Federal Prison for taking part in a crime of violence with two other individuals at the age of 23.  A crime committed out of youthful ignorance; lack of mentorship; substance and physical abuse, as well as, being raised in an economically inferior environment. The other two individuals received sentences not over 8 years due to being allowed to plead to lesser time.

Despite facing the prospect of never leaving prison, Lawrence Ozel Little has shown REMARKABLE REHABILITATION over the past 31 years. He has completed more than 100 different programs representing a stunning 3,048 hours of rehabilitation programming.

Federal Prison staff rightly observed that he has EXCELLENT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION. Infact, Lawrence Ozel Little has not just participated in rehabilitative programming, he teaches such programs to date. He has received certificates of appreciation for teaching several courses including Real Estate Investing, Business Preparation, and Reentry skills amongst other things. He has received commendations for

Lawrence Ozel Little also helped establish the local NAACP chapter for which he received commendation as the first elected NAACP President throughout the Federal Prison system. He has served as an official Peer Counselor as well. He was even invited to be interviewed about his powerful and embracing reform by a nonprofit group for a podcast series titled "The Stones Will Cry Out, Amazing reform interview with Lawrence Ozel Little" which can be found on Google or SoundCloud (https://perma.cc/5PQU-TUKF where you can listen to the realness of his heart as his words will embrace you in a special way.

Lawrence Ozel Little has served as a mentor to other younger fellow prisoners who attest to his positive influence and mentoring style. One such testimony may be found on YouTube titled "REENTRY KING" (https://perma.cc/8MYR-Z27Z by one of his mentees named Cedric Dean. This video attest to how Lawrence Ozel Little helped Mr. Dean turn his life around and how to have good character. Dean is the Founder and President of a nonprofit for At-Risk Youth.

All of these achievements have been presented before U.S. Federal District Judge Geroge C. Steeh of Detroit, MI, who denied Lawrence Ozel Little's motion titled "Compassionate Release" seeking a reduction of his life sentence to 30 years. This Judge, along with three other Judges from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, all denied his request for a reduction of sentence. They expressed "It reasoned that reducing Lawrence Ozel Little's sentence would not promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, or protect the public." Please note that he has been by the Federal Prison system to be a "Low Risk of Recidivism." Although the Judges acknowledged his self-improvement since then, observing that his rehabilitation by all accounts is to be commended, they still denied a reduction of his sentence.

Is this not a show that the United States Justice System is not for reform? How long will we stand for the U.S. Federal Courts to lock up and throw away the key of those that show they have been reformed? What was the "First Step Act" all about?

Lawrence Ozel Little's skills and mindset are greatly needed in the black community. He has shown and still today is showing that he is a true example that anyone can cause effective change when given the opportunity. He has done so within the Federal Prison System and will be even more effective when given the opportunity of a Second Chance.

IF THERES PEOPLE FEEL THIS IS A MATTER THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS TO UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING  PUBAFFAIR@ussc.gov

Please help me in my quest for Lawrence Ozel Little's freedom by signing this petition...Thank You for Your Support!