Pennsylvania State Capitol Building
Capitol Building, interior of the dome
Do you know what the initials DBI represent? I did not until recently. My friend Rich, a prisoner in a PA State Correctional Institution, told me it means Death By Incarceration, another term for life imprisonment without parole.
There is an organization called Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration (CADBI). It seeks to advance two bills – Senate Bill 942 and House Bill 135 – that would make those serving life sentences in PA eligible for parole after 15 years. The organization held a rally on October 2 at the State Capitol, and I attended, along with about 300 others.
The rally was dynamic and the speeches informative. A Senator and a member of the House of Representatives and several citizens spoke. The presentations were well balanced, with passionate calls for ratification of the two bills mentioned above. with acknowledgement that victims, too, have rights, and with admissions of how hard it is to forgive offenders.
Some of the speakers have had the sobering experience that a family member has killed someone, and also another family member has been killed. So much pain in our world and our communities.
Other comments:
We believe in second chances.
I believe in redemption.
I urge you to become informed about this movement, the Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration. Perhaps you will become an advocate.
A portion of the crowd on the steps in the Rotunda.
An important message.
Wind Blowing 