Damon Caliste gets life without parole for theft of several digital cameras from a Walmart
Cameras were discovered missing when a store manager found several empty camera packages in the store. Caliste and a co-defendant were arrested when they returned to the store the following day.
Although the maximum sentence for Caliste’s offense was 10 years, he was sentenced to life without parole as a habitual offender.
At age 19, Caliste was convicted of forgery of two checks, each in the amount of $25.75; distribution of a single rock of crack cocaine; armed robbery, in which a co-defendant used a knife while robbing a business while Caliste waited outside the building; and possession of a small amount of marijuana while in prison.
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
Many of the long serving inmates have no one left to support them. You can help by sharing their stories and asking others to do the same. Sign up to become an advocate for an inmate.
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 Caliste 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 Caliste's Legal Fund (Select Louisiana, Inmate ID=331560)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.