The Facts
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In
1988, Hamedah Hasan and her children fled an abusive boyfriend
in Oregon to seek refuge at her cousin’s house in Nebraska.
Despite the fact that Hamedah’s cousin was a drug dealer,
it was a safer and more secure environment than the one they
left. In the course of her stay she was asked to do small errands
that she was in no position to refuse.
When the drug ring was busted, Hamedah got caught in the net.
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Originally, she
received a life sentence. She was given more time than the leaders
of the drug conspiracy because she had little information to trade
even though she had no prior criminal record!
While in prison she turned her life around by getting an education
and drug treatment, helping in the faith community, and being employed
as a payroll clerk. Her judge received many letters about her extraordinary
rehabilitation efforts.
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Hamedah
Hasan with her
three daughters |
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She
appealed and her judge reduced her sentence to 12 years. At
that time, she had already served over 10 years. Her children
were overjoyed at the prospect of their mom returning soon.
However, their hopes were crushed when the ruling was overturned
because her judge did not follow the laws on sentencing set
out by Congress. Thus, her sentence was extended to 27 years.
All of her children will be long into adulthood before their
mother is free, unless we act now. |
Hamedah and her family are committed to doing everything possible
to get her home where she belongs. Hamedah’s oldest daughter,
Kasuandra, recently flew to D.C. to speak at a news
conference held by IDPI to oppose the harsh laws that put her
mother away for more than a quarter-century. In addition, Rep. Maxine
Waters has agreed to go visit Hamedah in prison and IDPI is helping
to coordinate that. Rev. Melissa Mummert, a former prison chaplain,
found this case so compelling that she has made a heart-wrenching
short documentary about it.
Please help us end these inhumane sentences, starting with Hamedah
Hasan by sending a letter to ask
the president to pardon her.
Interfaith
Drug Policy
Initiative, P.O. Box 6299, Washington,
D.C. 20015
Phone: 301-933-7681 Fax:301-933-7682 |
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