Mary Diaz and Human Conflicts Org. Demand More Paroles June 26, 2015

Mary Diaz on the "Huaman Rights Demand" radio broadcast. Mary is a prisoner activist who advocates for paroles and pardons. Tell us your opinion by calling (347)857-3293, or you can listen by computer live or hear the archived tape 24/7. Diaz is affiliated with "Human Conflicts," and "LET MY PEOPLE GO" is the motto. Mary lives in Florida, which had over 5,200 inmates who were parole eligible in 2014 but only released 18. Prison investors on Pardons and Parole Boards are a barrier to freedom for many rehabilitated inmates, I think. 

Diaz said Alabama's Pardon and Parole Board has become a trendsetter for the rest of the country regarding releases. In Alabama during 2014, the Board considered 6,647 paroles, of which 2,237 were granted. The Board granted 657 pardons of 798 pardons heard and processed 522 voter rights restorations. That is real progress against mass incarceration. Some of the change may be credited to the ?Southern Poverty Law Center's lawsuit against the Alabama prison system.

"Presently, Maynard Cooper & Gale is fighting a Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit that claims the health care provided to Alabama's inmates is inadequate and unconstitutional. Correctional health care firm Corizon is paying the firm to fight the lawsuit on behalf of the state due to a provision in its $224 million contract with the state. In total, the state has spent $1.86 million in taxpayer money to fight prison lawsuits in the past four years." reports AL(dot) com. That sum likely also includes a lawsuit by the ‎ACLU? for segregating inmates with HIV. Righteous lawsuits litigated in just courts matter.

January is our month for new beginnings. We'll discuss pardons, paroles, and successful re-entry this month at Human Rights Demand and at National Network in Action (NNIA1). Please participate!