Dear Senator,

    I am a 27 yr old mother, student and researcher.  I currently reside in Oxford, MS, and have the pleasure to be a 5^th generation Mississippian who has resided in much of North Mississippi.  I have also been afforded the luxury to get out and live in other parts of our great nation (i.e. Alaska, Idaho), but have returned to my roots and am proud to call it home.

    The reason to which I write you is in hopes that you and your fellow statesmen take the time to review House Bill 729 and choose to pass it as legislation. I find it to be one of the most important rulings that could be made this year.  As a humanitarian, I value human life and the rights given to such. I realize that throughout the years, we have socially evolved as have our rules and regulations which are in place to keep order and civility. 

Yet, I also realize that there are times when the judicial system is flawed. Such as the case of a very dear friend of mine, of whom I will refer to as "John".

    John is a tall, handsome 18 year old who grew up in a good home, outside of Nashville, TN.  He graduates high school and decides to leave Tennessee to get a better view of life outside his immediate circle.  He is a smart young man and chooses to further his education.  Where does he decide to enhance his education, but none other than Mississippi State University.  A fine choice one might say, however, John might say it was the worst decision he could have ever made.

    In Starkville, MS, John was secretly set up and filmed by a "friend", a 2 yr acquaintance, to make a purchase of marijuana for him. On a FIRST OFFENSE violation and for 32 grams of marijuana John has been sentenced to FOUR years in jail, therein not only losing four years of his life and certain rights when released but has been subjected to a way of life that is unfair and one that is educating him on how to easily return to jail whenever he is finally released.

    John's verdict was made during an election year and he, along with choice others, was made an extreme model as to "what happens when you break the drug law in Starkville, MS."  Your life could be ruined. We don't want to help you; we want to make a model of you.  Well, I for one don't see how that is a true working model.

    Instead of intervention, rehabilitation and help, we give criminals more reasons to hate the world and the system that has put them there, which is merely an ENABLER for their return.   Sit back, get comfortable, fill your belly and watch some T.V., all on a taxpayer's dollar – doesn't sound like a bad life for those who are ignorant of the idea that more can be achieved in this world. 
 
    Honestly, I do not approve of abusing $30,000/yr to feed, clothe and house people who, like John, do not deserve to be there and would be a MUCH better resource on the outside, working, paying taxes, contributing to society.  More money is spent in the state incarcerating people than educating my daughter and those like her.  I see such a need in the classrooms and believe that if we start early, at the root of the source, and educate our State's children on various levels, that maybe as a state we could cut down on criminal behavior later.  Incarceration should not be the first answer in some cases because in reality it is not a real SOLUTION to the problem.  Preventative measures can and should be taken early.

     Another baffling side to this story is the fact that the type of offense that my friend has been convicted of has been classified by some as "victim-less", yet is still categorized under MS Law as a VIOLENT crime and is therefore appeased by serving a mandatory 85% of the sentence.  Meanwhile, Manslaughter, Burglary and Drunk Driving are classified as NON-VIOLENT crimes, and offenders can serve half their sentences and return to a civilian life.  These are criminals who harm others financially, physically and emotionally, yet are allowed to garner an early release while truly non-violent offenders are allowed little to no chance of earning such the privilege.

     Sirs, I am in NO way blaming any of you or any decisions you have made in the past for such a problem; I am only asking you to help prevent future problems.  Not only am I asking, I beseech you to help John and those like him, and help our communities to allocate funds to our school systems not to misplaced offenders. 

Books NOT Bars!
Playgrounds NOT Prisons!
Schools NOT Cells!
Children NOT Corrections!
Education NOT Incarceration!

    John's story is not concluded.  He is at his half-way mark and with your help could be released late summer and could restart his life with a thousand new outlooks.  I, personally, have extremely high hopes for John no matter how long it takes for his release, because not only is he one of the most intelligent and personable people I know, but obviously seeing as how he has yet to allow his spirit to be broken amidst ALL the atrocities that have been rendered to him, he is one of the strongest people I know.

    I will be proud to see him shine past the injustice someday, and I am hopeful that true criminals will take his place.  Please help that day come soon and vote to pass House Bill 729.  Thank you for reading and your consideration.  I appreciate the jobs and responsibilities each one of you take upon yourselves for the betterment of our State.

Sincerely,

Robin S. Roberts
Oxford, MS

 Below is a copy/paste friendly list of all the State of MS's Senators...
Please, make your voice heard!!

nbrowning@senate.ms.gov, salbritton@senate.ms.gov, dbaria@senate.ms.gov, dblount@senate.ms.gov, tbrown@senate.ms.gov, hbryan@senate.ms.gov, tburton@senate.ms.gov, kbutler@senate.ms.gov, vcarmichael@senate.ms.gov, lchassaniol@senate.ms.gov, bclarke@senate.ms.gov, ddavis@senate.ms.gov, vdavis@senate.ms.gov, ddawkins@senate.ms.gov, bdearing@senate.ms.gov, tdickerson@senate.ms.gov, jfillingane@senate.ms.gov, mflowers@senate.ms.gov, hfrazier@senate.ms.gov, tgollott@senate.ms.gov, jgordon@senate.ms.gov, aharden@senate.ms.gov, bhewes@senate.ms.gov, bhopson@senate.ms.gov, jhorhn@senate.ms.gov, bhudson@senate.ms.gov, chydesmith@senate.ms.gov, gjackson@senate.ms.gov, rjackson@senate.ms.gov, sjackson@senate.ms.gov, kjones@senate.ms.gov, djordan@senate.ms.gov, tking@senate.ms.gov, dkirby@senate.ms.gov, elee@senate.ms.gov, plee@senate.ms.gov, cmcdaniel@senate.ms.gov, nmettetal@senate.ms.gov, wmichel@senate.ms.gov, tmoffatt@senate.ms.gov, hmontgomery@senate.ms.gov, anunnelee@senate.ms.gov, epowell@senate.ms.gov, wsimmons@senate.ms.gov, bstone@senate.ms.gov, gtollison@senate.ms.gov, bturner@senate.ms.gov, jwalls@senate.ms.gov, gkward@senate.ms.gov, mwatson@senate.ms.gov, jwilemon@senate.ms.gov, lyancey@senate.ms.gov