Rayvell Finch, self-described addict gets life without parole for possession at age 23
Finch was sitting with a friend on the steps of an abandoned residence next door to his grandmother's and aunt’s house in New Orleans. A police officer and a DEA agent patrolling the area as part of a joint initiative to target violent crime in New Orleans arrested the young men for trespassing.
The officers searched Finch, a self-described heroin addict, and found eight aluminum foil packets in his sock that tested positive for heroin. Finch’s arrest “is more than suspect,” noting that Finch “was not issued a summons for this questionable municipal violation, because to do so would not allow arresting officers to empty his pockets."
Finch had no violent criminal history, and the court noted that “there is no indication that the defendant is a violent person." He was 19 years old at the time of his first conviction and only 23 years old when he was sentenced to die in prison. In dissenting to the affirmation of Finch’s LWOP sentence, appellate Judge William H. Byrnes declared the sentence “clearly excessive, and designed to cause needless suffering".
In prison Finch has completed four levels of substance abuse treatment, as well as anger management, literary, and Christian ministry programs. He remains close with his mother, aunt, uncle, and cousins, and says that being separated from family “feels like my soul has been pierced and assaulted.”
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
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As voters, citizens, taxpayers and bystanders, we as a society have inhumanely punished thousands of nonviolent people. Currently Washington DC and 30 states have compensation statutes for wrongfully convicted inmates. Congress’ recommended amount is $63,000 for each year served. On the other hand, overly sentenced victims who in many cases have suffered equally or worse typically receive $20 and a bus ticket if they are fortunate enough to ever be released.
Select the link below to donate directly to Finch to help him with legal and other expenses. Most of these inhumanely sentenced inmates don't remember the last time they were able to buy personal items or snacks from the commissary. No donation is too small. JPAY is used for state inmates and Western Union for federal.
No Harsh Justice inmate has ever been convicted of a violent crime.
Donate to Finch's Legal Fund (Select Louisiana, Inmate ID=336346)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.