Prison Radio
Omar Askia Ali

The Pennsylvania life-sentenced prisoners are struggling for parole. Most States provide parole for life-sentenced prisoners. Seven states do not; Pennsylvania is one of those seven. As with the death penalty, life sentences were designed to be raised in rare cases. However, in reality, this rare practice has become common practice.

As nearly 125,000 prisoners age 55 or older are now behind bars, which represent an increase of 1300% since the 1980s. Source: American Civil Liberties Union. Life sentence has become an acceptable punishment. Not only for murder, but also for a wide variety of other crimes.

The War on Crime agenda pertaining to crack cocaine is one of the reasons for mass incarceration, particularly of African-Americans. However, the opioid epidemic has America under siege, which has exploded into a public health emergency. However, these issues are now being dealt with as health issues because non-Blacks are under siege. The pharmaceutical company are raking in billions and one secretive family, the Sacklers and Johnson and Johnson—just to name a few—are the main reason fueling the devastation.

Therein is why there is an effort put forth with a rally the 23rd of this month to have as many people as possible over there to have the law changed for parole eligibility for life-sentenced prisoners. This rally will take place in Harrisburg.

Thank you very much.

(Sound of a cell door closing.) These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.