George Martorano has a life story movies are made from. He was not only one of the longest serving, non-violent, first time offenders to be incarcerated in America; he was the first non-violent, first time offender to receive a federal sentence of life without parole. George admits involvement in a drug smuggling operation he was pegged as the ringleader of, but believes the outrageous sentence imposed, and the inhumane five years of solitary confinement he endured, was a consequence for not providing the FBI with information they wanted on the Philadelphia mob with which his father was suspected to be involved with. George maintains he was never privied to information nor involved in his father's business dealings. Following the advice of a corrupt attorney, George plead guilty with the expectation of serving around 3-5 years, the federal sentencing board recommendation. The judge had other ideas and sentenced George to life without parole for drug related crimes.
During his time in prison George endured and witnessed violence and suffering that has often hardened the heart of many in his situation. Prison is a place of sadness, loneliness, and despair. George could not wallow in that mind set. Instead, George sought out ways he could help
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Thus began his vision, “Cannabis for Guns.” George believes a program that allows citizens to exchange their legal or illegal gun for a small amount legal cannabis could be very effective in reducing violence. The normalization of adult cannabis use through programs like this is a possible side effect the cannabis industry has been striving for. This program could unite people from what seem to be two sides of a coin. Imagine a world where the police reward people with pot and (at least in this instant) not
In the article "A Jail Sentence Ends. But the Stigma Doesn't." , James Forman argues that in the US there is not enough forgiveness to those who have been incarcerated. Forman brings the debate on the life of an inmate who is released and then trying to get back into the sway of life.
At the time of the incident, Greg was 14 and immature like most children his age. Whenever Greg would get mad at his parents he would constantly think about killing them and that his parents simply did not understand him. Greg’s age of only being 14, he was immediately waived into the adult justice system. Greg pleaded guilty but mentally ill. However by the age of 15 he was starting his 60 year sentence at the Indiana penitentiary.
He suffered as a child which put him in the situation of being homeless, a drug addict and become surrounded by non- violent criminal activities. During his sentencing the trial
Weed! Article Analysis The article, “Weed!”, written by Toby Sells and Micaela Watts, touches on the strictness of marijuana laws in the South. This article explores the racial injustices and penalizations African Americans face with marijuana possession. It outlines the effects the law has on who the police arrest and utilizes each rhetorical appeal to argue how softening the laws would be beneficial.
No young man on the street was ever deterred from criminal activity by the sentence given to a buddy”. She realized that one of the main reasons that the minimal sentences were put in place was to stop future crime, but the laws weren’t having an effect on people's decisions on committing crimes. Separating Fribre from his family and giving him a sentence of five years gave him a reason to hate the government and its workers. Fribre will be sent to a facility filled with
This has made me realize that everyone in prisons are not suppose to be there for their reasons they were convicted of. Everyone should read the novel Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson because it gives you a new point on what happens behind the bars. While reading it, it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster with people facing death because of being put in jail for the wrong reasons. As well as changing peoples point of view, this novel will also make you second guess the views of prison we were taught as children.
Can you imagine being incarcerated for almost 20 years for a crime that you didn’t commit? Can you imagine the turmoil and agony Clarence Harrison endured while living out years imprisoned waiting the day that he would be found out to be a free man? What about the fear of now being released from prison after have served 17 years, being thrust back in society and told to live as though he had never been removed? Clarence Harrison was a 28 years old when he was arrested of the streets of Decatur, Ga.
Back in the early twentieth century, marijuana was mainly used for medical purposes in the US. Now, both it 's recreational and medical use is increasingly being consumed by the population and the tendency is to continue increasing. Much has been said about the use of marijuana as a solution to different health problems, and although not everything that is said is true, it cannot be ignored that marijuana can help in the treatment of some cases of adult patients. CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was opposed to the medicinal use of cannabis. Based on his knowledge as a neurologist, he was convinced that the drug was dangerous and had dismissed its supposed therapeutic benefits.
“Dead or in Prison”, is an autobiography written and based on the life of George Duvall. Through trial and hardship that most couldn’t even fathom, Duvall is able to avoid the prophecy bestowed upon him by his uncle, “you’ll be dead or in prison by the time you’re 13”(Duvall vi). Duvall’s writing for anyone from young adults to the elderly. The language he used while writing the book is simple; though the reader must be mature enough to reflect on the hardships Duvall faced and understand that some of the language in the book reflects the time period. This story spans from 1982, when Duvall’s uncle tells him of how dim his future looks, to 1996, when Duvall wrote “his Angel” and letter, thanking her for the incredible impact she had on his life.
Moore exhibits how, “… few lives hinge on any single moment or decision or circumstance,” and that there was not defining difference between him and the incarcerated man who shares his name (182). The main difference between him and the other Wes Moore is the collection of family, culture, and experience that Moore had in his upbringing. His mother and grandparents, by providing structure and the opportunity to go to private and military school, “… made it clear that they cared if [he] succeeded, and eventually so did [he]” (115). His mother and grandparents, through their constant attempts to keep Moore looking beyond his seemingly hopeless future, created expectations for him that he would ultimately want for himself. On the other hand, the other Wes Moore never seemed to have any meaningful expectations that he could seek.
A. Life in prison is not the path any average person wanders down, or perhaps even plan for. Also, it is safe to assume that any person who has been to prison would let the outsiders know that is not fun, nor is it a life anyone devotes to living. In Michael G. Santos’s book, Inside: Life Behind Bars in America, Santos explains what living behind bars in America is like. Unlike most of the population in prison for violent offenses, Santos was in prison for the opposite reasons: a major drug bust. Santos was also sentenced to federal prison, instead of a state/local prison, for forty-five years which stemmed from a high-profile cocaine bust that occurred in Miami, Florida.
As a nation we have come to point where we must take a unified stand on the issue of marijuana. Since 1937 the drug has been deemed illegal by the U.S. government but over the best decade, people have been pushing for the decriminalization of the cannabis plant. As a non drug user, i have researched the internet in search of unbiased information regarding the drugs health, economic, and crime influences on society. The fruits of my labor have brought me to the undisputable conclusion that our continued restriction on possession and use of the drug not only violates the liberties of U.S. citizens, but it also is costing Americans Billions of dollars, and something, our lives.
Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-
The history of marijuana as well as the information and studies drawn and discussed in this essay show that marijuana legalization for medical and/or recreational purposes will not only positively impact society, but also change the society’s idea of marijuana use as a deviant act. Deviant behavior negatively impacts society, therefore the idea that marijuana use is a positive impact for society will, in turn, change the idea that marijuana use is an act/form of
After working with these men for months, you begin to look past the societal mask they are forced to wear due to their past mistakes, and begin to see them as real genuine people. [Thesis and Preview] Life after prison affects all realms of a community. Through the process of leaving prison, to jobs, and to living conditions, I hope we have a better understanding on life after incarceration from this speech.