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Last Prisoner Project Joins 50+ Congressmembers in Joint Letter Urging President Biden to Invoke Clemency Powers

Stephen Post • November 20, 2024

Full video of the press conference is available on CSPAN here and photos are available here.


Washington D.C., November 20 - Today at the U.S. Capitol alongside justice reform advocates, the formerly incarcerated, and their families, Last Prisoner Project joined Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and other congressional leaders to announce their joint letter urging President Biden to right history by granting clemency before his term ends. 


The historic letter opens with this message to President Biden: “Now is the time to use your clemency authority to rectify unjust and unnecessary criminal laws passed by Congress and draconian sentences given by judges,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter. “We urge you to use your executive clemency power to reunite families, address longstanding injustices in our legal system, and set our nation on the path toward ending mass incarceration.”


This action aligns with Last Prisoner Project’s #Countdown4Clemency campaign, which has focused public pressure on President Biden to use his clemency power before the end of his presidency to free those still incarcerated in federal prison for cannabis crimes so they can be reunited with their families.


Despite having made a passionate commitment to prisoner release during a presidential debate in 2019, President Biden has a historically low use of his clemency power to correct the injustices inflicted by the War on Drugs he once championed. While he has pardoned thousands of individuals, Biden has not used his power to release a single person from prison. 


"While cannabis is now legal in Minnesota and many states across America, thousands remain behind bars in federal prisons for the same substance – a reminder of the work still ahead,” said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. “President Biden still has time to build on his initial pardons and take decisive action. He can extend clemency to every person still serving time for federal cannabis offenses, many of whom have already spent decades behind bars. In Minnesota, we've shown that cannabis legalization and expungement can move hand in hand. Now it's time for federal action to match this progress." 


Representative Ayanna Pressley, directing her comments to the president, said, “You have the support of millions of people across the country who have felt the harms of mass incarceration: young children longing to hug their grandparents, people who have taken responsibility for their mistakes, and those who simply were never given a fair chance. These are the people seeking help that only you can provide through the use of your presidential clemency power.”


Mitzi Wall, whose son Jonathan Wall is incarcerated on an eight year federal cannabis charge, said, “Earlier this year I attended the historic pardon action where Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used the pen to right history to grant clemency to more than 175,000 cannabis possession and paraphernalia charges. Yet other Marylanders like my son, Jonathan Wall, who are incarcerated on federal cannabis charges, can only get that type of clemency relief by the president taking the pen.”


“There are a heartbreaking number of Latino fathers incarcerated for life or near-life sentences for activity now happening legally across our nation. People like Edwin Rubis who is a father of three and has served 27 years of a 40-year sentence,” said Jason Ortiz, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Last Prisoner Project. “President Biden has the power to reunite our families but the clock is running out. We implore you to be the President to use the power of the pen to right history by shifting our approach to cannabis from punitive punishment to compassionate clemency.”


Among those still behind bars is Ricardo Ashmeade, who is serving a 22-year sentence due to the three-strikes law championed by then-Senator Biden. His daughter, Richeda Ashmeade, has been separated from her father for 16 years. In addition to Ricardo, individuals like Rafael Hernandez-Carrillo, who is serving a life sentence for a cannabis-related offense, and David Lopez, who has faced years behind bars for court errors on his cannabis charges, exemplify the urgent need for clemency. 


Time is running out, so send a letter and call the White House to encourage President Biden to free cannabis prisoners at www.cannabisclemency.org. 


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As President Biden Pardons the Thanksgiving Turkeys, His Cannabis Clemency Legacy Could Use Some Extra Gravy

By Stephen Post • November 21, 2024
Washington D.C., Nov. 21st — Ahead of the annual Thanksgiving tradition of the president pardoning turkeys on Monday , Last Prisoner Project (LPP) calls on President Biden to #PardonPeopleNotPoultry and free the thousands still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses that are now legal in many states. Earlier this week, we joined a chorus of advocates and over 50 Congressmembers in sending a letter calling on President Biden to grant clemency so families can be reunited for the holidays. In a press conference on the capitol steps announcing the letter, LPP Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jason Ortiz, said, “Sadly, as of today, President Biden has given freedom to more turkeys than he has to people [incarcerated for cannabis]. This is a gross injustice and an injustice that President Biden can correct with a stroke of a pen .” With just two months remaining in the #Countdown4Clemency , and an impending change in administration, the urgency for him to take action before the end of his term is greater than ever. Biden musty fulfill his promise that “no one should be in jail for marijuana” by granting clemency to individuals still incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses. President Biden has yet to release a single person still incarcerated for cannabis through commutation. While his categorical pardons have provided record relief to thousands of people with cannabis possession convictions, this move alone doesn’t address the estimated 3,000 people still serving time in federal prisons for cannabis offenses. Biden has the power to end this hypocrisy now, and the public overwhelmingly supports him doing so. A YouGov poll released in August showed President Biden's cannabis pardons was one of the most popular policies of his entire administration. Meanwhile, polls show that 84% of registered voters favor releasing people still in prison when their covictions are no longer considered crimes, like cannabis-related offenses. “We believe that no one should be imprisoned for an offense that has since been legalized,” said Sarah Gersten at the Last Prisoners Project. “As we approach this season of gratitude and compassion, #PardonPeopleNotPoultry ’s sharp contrast offers an urgent reminder that if clemency is well within reach for turkeys – then President Biden can free the thousands who remain behind bars for cannabis offenses too.” You can send a letter the White House telling President Biden to prioritize granting clemency to those Americans with unjust cannabis sentences over a turkey this Thanksgiving by visiting PeopleNotPoultry.com and sharing on social media using out toolkit . About Last Prisoner Project The Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, individuals continue to suffer from injustices rooted in outdated cannabis laws. LPP works to repair these harms through legal intervention, advocacy, and policy change. For more information on our efforts to #PardonPeopleNotPoultry , watch this video and visit peoplenotpoultry.com . Press Contact Stephen Post, LPP Communications Manager stephen@lastprisonerproejct.org

Cannabis Clemency Advocates Build Pressure Ahead of President Biden's Turkey Pardons as Clock Ticks on His Chance to Right History

By Stephen Post • November 13, 2024
Washington D.C., Nov. 13th — As Thanksgiving approaches, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) calls on President Biden to fulfill his promise that “no one should be in jail for marijuana” by granting clemency to individuals still incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses. With two months remaining in the #Countdown4Clemency , and an impending change in administration, the urgency for him to take action before the end of his term is greater than ever. Biden has yet to release a single person still incarcerated for cannabis through commutation. While his categorical pardons have provided record relief to thousands of people with cannabis possession convictions, this move alone doesn’t address the estimated 3,000 people still serving time in federal prisons for cannabis offenses. Ahead of the annual presidential tradition of pardoning turkeys, we are asking President Biden to #PardonPeopleNotPoultry and end the continued incarceration of thousands for cannabis-related offenses that are now legal in many states. Biden has the power to end this hypocrisy now, and the public overwhelmingly supports him doing so. A YouGov poll released in August showed President Biden's cannabis pardons was one of the most popular policies of his entire administration. Meanwhile, polls show that 84% of registered voters favor releasing people still in prison when their covictions are no longer considered crimes, like cannabis-related offenses. At the state-level, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was the first to kick off the holiday clemency season granting clemency last week to LPP constituent Deshaun T. Durham , a 24-year-old who was sentenced to 92 months for a first-time cannabis offense, setting a powerful precedent for others to follow. Other recent actions by state leaders like Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who used LPP’s #PenToRightHistory to pardon over 175,000 individuals for cannabis-related charges, highlight the growing momentum for cannabis clemency. Yet, for other Marylanders like Jonathan Wall , who is incarcerated on an 8-year federal cannabis charge, can only get that type of clemency relief from the president. Governors have begun to answer President Biden’s call by turning state pardons to progress , but time is running out for President Biden to use his clemency powers to correct the injustices inflicted by the War on Drugs. Among those still behind bars is Ricardo Ashmeade, who is serving a 22-year sentence due to the three-strikes law championed by then-Senator Biden. His daughter, Richeda Ashmeade , has been separated from her father for 16 years. In addition to Ricardo, individuals like Edwin Rubis , who is serving a 40-year sentence for a cannabis-related offense, and David Lopez , who has faced years behind bars for court errors on his cannabis charges, exemplify the urgent need for clemency. Alongside our 420 Unity Coalition partners, we are holding a press conference in Washington D.C. next week to encourage people to call President Biden to urge him to reunite these families before the holidays and send letters to the White House to grant cannabis clemency before the end of his term. To join the fight for cannabis justice, visit www.cannabisclemency.org , and use the hashtags #Countdown4Clemency and #CannabisClemency on social media to amplify the message. About Last Prisoner Project The Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, individuals continue to suffer from injustices rooted in outdated cannabis laws. LPP works to repair these harms through legal intervention, advocacy, and policy change. For more information, visit www.lastprisonerproject.org .

Honoring Veterans Incarcerated for Cannabis Offenses: A Veterans Day Reflection

By Stephen Post • November 11, 2024
On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country, celebrating their bravery and sacrifices. However, this day is also a poignant reminder that some veterans continue to suffer behind bars due to outdated cannabis laws. Many of these veterans were sentenced to harsh prison terms for non-violent cannabis-related offenses, even as cannabis becomes increasingly legalized across the country. Last Prisoner Project (LPP) remains dedicated to advocating for the release and rehabilitation of these veterans, who have given so much to our nation and now need our support in return. Today, we share the stories of a few veterans who are still fighting for their freedom, underscoring the need for systemic change and a more just approach to cannabis policy. Kristopher Fetter : A Veteran Who Deserves Another Chance Kristopher Fetter, 37, served six years in the Army before being convicted for possession with intent to distribute hashish in New York. His non-violent offense occurred in 2022 when he was 35, and he pled guilty. On October 3, 2023, Kristopher was sentenced to 58 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Despite his conviction, Kristopher has shown remorse and made efforts to better himself during his time behind bars. His family speaks highly of his loving and supportive nature, and those who work with him on a daily basis describe him as an honest, hardworking individual who deserves another chance at life. LPP is committed to assisting Kristopher upon his release, offering financial support, housing assistance, and job readiness programs to help him reintegrate into society. His story is one of growth, acceptance of responsibility, and a plea for mercy. Brent Crawford : A Father Separated From His Children Brent Crawford, now 41, served six years in the Air Force and was convicted for a victimless cannabis offense. In 2022, Brent was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, plus eight years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. Currently incarcerated in Kentucky, Brent is not expected to be released until 2037. During his time in prison, Brent has dedicated himself to self-improvement, earning multiple degrees, tutoring fellow inmates, and advocating for the release of others incarcerated for cannabis offenses. Despite missing out on valuable moments with his four children, Brent remains resilient, focused on his education and advocacy work. His case highlights the ongoing injustice faced by so many veterans caught in the war on drugs. Deshawn Reilly : A Marine Fighting for Freedom Deshawn Reilly, 46, served eight years in the Marines and is now serving a 17-year sentence for cannabis-related offenses in Georgia. With an additional five years of supervised release upon his eventual release, Deshawn is not expected to be free until 2029. His story is one of deep family ties and personal responsibility, as he has accepted his crime and worked to improve himself during his incarceration. Deshawn’s family describes him as a loving and supportive man who, despite his conviction, has shown great strength and remorse. His story calls for a reevaluation of the justice system's approach to non-violent cannabis offenses, particularly when it involves those who served their country with honor. Send a letter to President Bident urging him to release them before his term ends . Robert Deals : A Retired Air Force Veteran Seeking Justice Robert Deals, 57, is a retired Air Force veteran who served for 11 years and developed PTSD as a result of his military service. Robert has been incarcerated for 12 years of an 18-year sentence for cannabis-related offenses in Arizona. His sentence is a stark reminder of the brokenness of the justice system, as Robert, who served his country faithfully, now sits behind bars for a non-violent offense. His case also highlights the struggles that veterans face when returning home from combat—often dealing with mental health issues like PTSD, which can lead to misguided decisions that are punished harshly. Despite these challenges, Robert remains hopeful for the future and continues to advocate for justice reform. Robert is currently in the process of a hopeful appeal of his sentence given new arguments. Help us continue to advocate to #FreeRobertDeals via a commutation by Gov. Katie Hobbs by sending a letter today . The Fight for Freedom Continues These veterans, each with their own unique story, remind us that the fight for justice is not just about freeing individuals, but about ensuring that those who served our country are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. These men, many of whom have sacrificed for our freedoms, now find themselves incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses that are increasingly recognized as unjust. At Last Prisoner Project, we are committed to advocating for their release, providing them with reentry support, and pushing for legislative reforms that will prevent others from enduring similar fates. The journey of these veterans shows us the deep scars left by outdated policies and the need for a broader societal shift toward fairness and rehabilitation. On this Veterans Day, as we honor those who have served in the military, we must also recognize that justice has yet to be fully served for some of our veterans. We stand with these men and continue to fight for their freedom. As Robert Deals poignantly says, "For it’s not just a plant but lives at stake, families broken, future’s part of the take. It’s time for change, for laws to align, With justice, sense, and a sign of the times." Join the fight for cannabis clemency at www.cannabisclemency.org !
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