WHO IS CADBI?
Pennsylvania prisons hold over 5000 people serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. In PA, a life sentence means your natural life--it is a sentence that condemns you to die in prison--which is why many choose to call it Death By Incarceration (DBI).
We believe that sentencing people to Death By Incarceration is a violation of their human rights and an affront to the humanity of us all. That's why Decarcerate PA, Fight for Lifers, the Human Rights Coalition, and Right to Redemption are launching a campaign to end Death By Incarceration sentencing in PA.
For more info on DBI sentences, check out our factsheet here.
OUR DEMANDS
We are working to build a mass movement both inside and outside of prison to take a stand against DBI and other harsh sentencing practices. To do this, we have established three core demands for legislative change:
- Parole eligibility after no more than 15 years;
- Presumptive parole: people are paroled at their eligibility date, unless the prison administration can prove serious unresolved disciplinary infractions;
- A maximum sentencing law that will stop the commonwealth from incarcerating people for indefinite periods of time.
Over the coming months, we will work to advance these demands, both in the legislature and in our communities. We are hoping to organize a broad base of people around these demands, compelling a change in the political climate and forcing policy makers to act. We believe a campaign to abolish LWOP/Death By Incarceration will only be successful if we can build a strong movement both inside and outside of prison, and we are looking to connect with individuals incarcerated in the PA DOC who are interested in working with us.
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
On June 6, 2015, over 300 people crowded into the Vineyard Community Church in West Philadelphia to launch a campaign to end death by incarceration (DBI), more commonly known as life without parole. At the event, people serving DBI sentences, their family members, and formerly incarcerated people gave powerful testimony about why and how we must end the practice of sentencing people to die in prison. Those currently in prison participated via phone and prerecorded audio. We shared music, food, poetry, and personal stories, and signed hundreds of postcards asking to legislators to abolish DBI.
GET INVOLVED
The Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration is an all-volunteer effort, and we are always looking for new people to join us! Whether you are inside or outside of prison, representing an organization or just yourself, you can be a member of CADBI. Find out more by coming to a CADBI General Meeting or get in touch with us by phone, email, or mail.
Email: CADBIphilly@gmail.com
Phone: 267-606-0324
Mail: CADBI c/o Decarcerate PA, PO Box 40764, Phila. PA 19107.
Follow CADBI on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CADBIphilly
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COME TO A MEETING
CADBI General Meetings happen on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm at 1515 Fairmount Ave. This is where we all get together to plan the next steps in our campaign. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. For exact dates and other upcoming events see Decarcerate PA's calendar at http://decarceratepa.info/calendar.
