Tennessee's Inhumane Life Sentence

Joe is innocent yet he is in his 27th year of a 60 year life sentence with no options for release before 2048- Joe will be 80 years old at that time. The case against Joe D. Martin Jr. relied on unreliable testimony and no physical evidence. Why is he still behind bars? 

In Tennessee, a life sentence means exactly that – life behind bars, without the possibility of parole. There is a Life Without Parole (LWOP- natural life) and a second Life (60 years) with no parole option, but a possibility of release at 51 years. This inhumane practice is not only cruel but also goes against the principles of rehabilitation and redemption that the justice system is supposed to uphold.

The practice of life sentences without the possibility of parole has been in place in Tennessee since 1995. Since then, the state has sentenced more people to die in prison than any other state in the country. In fact, nearly 3,500 people in Tennessee are currently serving life without parole sentences.

One of the major issues with this practice is that it does not allow for redemption or rehabilitation. A Life sentence in Tennessee is a death sentence, but instead of being executed, the person is forced to spend the rest of their life in prison, without any hope of ever being released. This is especially troubling when we consider that many people who are sentenced to life without parole committed their crimes when they were very young and may have the potential for rehabilitation and change- not to mention the countless innocent people in prison.

Another issue with life without parole sentences is that they disproportionately affect people of color and those who are economically disadvantaged. Research has shown that African American defendants are more likely to be sentenced to life without parole than white defendants, and that this practice is often used as a way to coerce defendants into taking plea deals, even if they are innocent.

Furthermore, life without parole sentences put an enormous strain on the state's resources. Housing someone in prison for the rest of their life is expensive and does not address the root causes of crime. Instead, we should be investing in programs that address issues such as poverty, addiction, and mental health, which are often at the root of criminal behavior.

There is a growing movement in Tennessee and across the country to end life without parole sentences- and shorten the 60-year life sentence to 30 years. Advocates argue that this practice is not only inhumane but also ineffective at reducing crime rates. In addition, many states have found that allowing for the possibility of parole can lead to positive outcomes, such as reduced costs and improved public safety.

In conclusion, life without parole sentences are an inhumane practice that should be abolished. Not only do they go against the principles of redemption and rehabilitation, but they also disproportionately affect people of color and those who are economically disadvantaged. Instead of locking people up for the rest of their lives, we should be investing in programs that address the root causes of crime and provide people with the opportunity to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society. It is time for Tennessee to join the growing movement to end life without parole sentences and create a more just and humane criminal justice system.