Join the Abolitionist Law Center, Amistad Law Project, and the Center for Constitutional Rights for a virtual community forum to discuss the ongoing legal and political fight to abolish Death By Incarceration (commonly known as Life Without Parole) sentences in Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania is one of the leaders in the country and the world in condemning people to die in prison. Currently, more than 5,200 people in the state are serving Death By Incarceration sentences without the possibility of parole. This number includes approximately 1,100 who were convicted of felony murder, which applies when someone dies in the course of the felony, and the person convicted participated in the underlying felony but did not cause or intend to cause the death. 

This community forum will be a space to hear personal experiences with Death By Incarceration from formerly incarcerated speakers and family members of people currently serving these sentences. Advocates and lawyers will share an overview of Death By Incarceration in the state, organizing efforts to abolish harsh sentencing practices, and an update on the lawsuit, Scott v. Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, which will be argued before the court on February 8. The case is the first of its kind to argue that Pennsylvania’s imposition of DBI sentences for felony murder is unconstitutional because it is a cruel, disproportionate punishment.

Please register on Zoom for the virtual event.