Ronald Washington steals two jerseys. Gets life without parole after 45-minute trial.
Washington was arrested for shoplifting two athletic jerseys which were sale-priced at $45 each, a misdemeanor. However, he was charged with a felony because the court chose to use the regular price of $60 each.
Washington was sentenced to life without parole under Louisiana’s habitual offender law after a 45 minute trial.
Washington worked as a cook, drywall finisher, and laborer. He says that he shoplifted in order to support his drug addiction.
According to Washington, he had never received drug treatment prior to being sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. He recalls of his sentencing, “I felt as though somebody had just taken the life out of my body.”
He adds, “I seriously felt rejected, neglected, stabbed right through my heart. I also felt it was…to be sentenced to death.”
While in prison, Washington has received substance abuse treatment and counseling. He has completed anger management and victim awareness programs. He works as a baker in the prison and spends his free time in religious study.
He laments that no matter his achievements in prison, he will never be permitted to return to society. “Whatever you had or established, it’s now useless, because you’re being buried alive at slow pace,” he says.
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 Washington 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 Washington's Legal Fund (Select Louisiana, Inmate ID=106426)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.