Uncle turns in nephew, Kenneth Penton who is then sentenced to life. Uncle just wanted drug treatme
Penton returned home, following an argument with his uncle, when no one else was present to retrieve his work clothes and took two guns belonging to his uncle. His uncle reported him to the police.
Because he stole weapons, Penton was charged with armed burglary, two counts of grand theft of a firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Penton pleaded guilty to the possession and theft counts and proceeded to trial on the armed burglary charge for which he was convicted and sentenced to life without parole at the age of 22.
His uncle repeatedly wrote to the court, asking that his nephew not be sent to prison but instead only receive drug treatment. The sentence, however, was mandatory under Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender Act.
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 Penton to help thim 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 Penton;s Legal Fund (Select Florida, Inmate ID=P15952)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.