America’s Longest Serving Nonviolent Cannabis Prisoner Richard DeLisi to be Released After 32 Years Behind Bars
Richard DeLisi at the beginning of his sentence vs now, 32 years later.
Christmas is coming early for cannabis offender Richard DeLisi and his family this year. According to prison officials at South Bay Correctional Facility, Richard DeLisi, America’s longest actively serving nonviolent cannabis prisoner, will be released in December 2020. The early release date comes after Last Prisoner Project along with pro bono attorneys Chiara Juster, Elizabeth Buchanan, and Michael Minardi supplemented Richard’s previously filed clemency application earlier this year and have continued to advocate on his behalf to local officials and key stakeholders in Florida.
Richard began his 90-year-sentence in prison for marijuana trafficking on December 5, 1989 at the age of 40. On February 10, 1990, Richard spent the first of thirty-two birthdays that he would spend behind bars. While away in prison, Richard’s son Stephen, his wife, and both of his parents passed away. Fortunately, Richard’s remaining friends and family are eager to celebrate his early release. Richard says he cannot wait to reunite with his two living children, Ashley and Rick, and to hold his five grandchildren for the first time once he is free.
Upon receiving the news Richard expressed to his legal team: “It feels amazingly wonderful to know that I will be home with my family and loved ones very soon. I am grateful to everyone who has been there and helped me along in these long years. If I could go back to 1988 I would tell my former self to put more value in the time I spend with my family. I have learned that money is something that comes and goes but family is forever. I will take that lesson home with me and I will make the most of every moment I have left on this earth with my wonderful family. I am so excited to hug my children and grandchildren. I have missed so many important moments with them and I can't wait to get out there and create precious memories with everyone. I am so thrilled that this dark chapter of my life is finally over.”
Chiara Juster, Lead Attorney who was matched with Richard through LPP’s pro bono release program, was also ecstatic about the news. The former Florida prosecutor also expressed her disbelief that Richard, a nonviolent offender incarcerated for a cannabis offense, is only now being released in 2021 and only after fighting tooth-and-nail for over three decades. “We participated in decarcerating someone who couldn’t deserve it more. The fact that dear Richard is the longest serving non-violent cannabis offender currently incarcerated in our country is truly a sick indictment of our nation,” said Juster.
Richard’s daughter Ashley hasn’t spent a birthday with her father since she was three years old. For the first time in thirty two years she will now have that wish recognized. Ashley said, “I just want to hug my dad outside of prison.” Richar’ds son Rick also expressed his elation at being able to cook a meal for his dad and introduce him to his grandkids.
“It is a sad truth that children of those who are incarcerated are also given a sentence. Ashley and her brother Rick’s ninety-year-sentence is also ending. They will finally feel free when Ashley’s dreams of hugging her dad in the free world come to fruition,” said Juster.
After 31 long years of waiting, the DeLisi family will finally get their wish; Richard is finally coming home—where he belongs—and just in time for the holidays. The official release date will be issued to Richard and his legal team by the Florida DOC on November 16, 2020.
If you want to support Richard's reentry you can donate to his reentry support fund here.
