Protect our incarcerated population from a coronavirus outbreak
Sarah Gersten • March 16, 2020
Our founder, Steve DeAngelo, outlines steps that correctional institutions should be taking to protect our nation's incarcerated population from Covid-19. Mass incarceration has left prisons and jails highly susceptible to an outbreak given overcrowding, lack of resources, and little access to medical care. To address this situation public officials need to take steps to reduce overcrowding and ensure access to medical care including:
- Identifying people who are scheduled to be released from prison or jail in the next six months and release them into home confinement.
- Parole prisoners over the age of 65, with priority given to those who have underlying health conditions that make them particularly susceptible to the virus.
- Individuals who have successfully completed at least three years of supervision should be transferred to administrative supervision or have their supervision terminated altogether.
- Suspend copays for medical visits made by incarcerated persons. It is cruel and unusual punishment to deny access to lifesaving medical care to incarcerated individuals simply because they can't afford it. This is particularly unjust when considering prisoners often work for less than a dollar a day, including those
- Correctional facilities across the country are implementing lockdowns and suspending visitation. We must ensure FREE access to smart visitations and phone calls for all incarcerated individuals.
- RELEASE ALL CANNABIS PRISONERS. No one incarcerated for a victimless cannabis offense should continue to be incarcerated today. Now is the time to free our cannabis prisoners and further reduce the risk of outbreaks in correctional facilities.
What can you do? Sign Reform Alliance's
In these trying times we must come together to protect our most vulnerable populations.
Featuring Carmelo Anthony, Omari Hardwick, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, and other cultural icons, the NYC event united artists, advocates, and changemakers to advance cannabis justice.
NEW YORK, NY – September 24, 2025 – The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) will host its sold-out second annual Journey to Justice Gala on Wednesday, October 15, at Sony Hall in New York City, bringing together artists, advocates, and supporters to celebrate progress toward ending the War on Cannabis. This year’s gala will spotlight the resilience of individuals directly impacted by cannabis incarceration, sharing their stories through powerful performances and heartfelt tributes. Special guests include NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony , co-founder of Grand National with Jesce Horton, and Brandon “Beedy” Pierce—an agency supporting LPP. Also in attendance will be NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson , Eddie, and Dr. Wendy Osefo of The Real Housewives of Potomac , and comedian and actor Guy Torry , who will serve as the evening’s MC. Additional guests include Jason Flom , Khaliah Ali , and Fab 5 Freddy . The night will also feature a live performance by Joy Oladokun and Bartees Strange and a DJ set by Keith Shocklee , founding member of Public Enemy. “I’m just thrilled to lend a voice to such a noble cause, so that everyone who supports Happy Eddie through purchasing my products will know that no one should be in prison for something that is now legal in many states,” said Eddie Osefo, owner of Happy Eddie . “As we come together as a community to celebrate and advocate for criminal justice reform and lessening social stigmas around cannabis, we must remember to support organizations like LPP that provide prisoner support initiatives aiming to improve the lives of incarcerated constituents by providing them with financial and emotional support during their time behind bars." The gala will honor LPP constituents who have returned home and are now advocating for others. Award recipients include Mario Ramos , who served 13 months for cannabis before opening his New York City dispensary, Conbud, and Deshaun Durham , granted clemency by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly last year, who now champions reform efforts. The evening will also recognize the work of LPP’s Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI) , which has saved constituents more than 350 years of unjust sentences, including seven life sentences. Additional honorees include Leonel Villaseñor and Jose Sepulveda, two federal clemency recipients who returned home earlier this year. Stephanie Shepard, who served a 10-year federal sentence and is now Board Chairwoman and Director of Advocacy at Last Prisoner Project , said, “The Journey to Justice Gala is a powerful celebration of freedom and the lives forever changed through our work. This year, we’re honored to uplift several of our formerly incarcerated constituents—like DeShaun Durham, who is now thriving and leading in his community after years behind bars for cannabis. Your attendance helps us raise the critical funds needed to support more stories like his. Join us for a night of purpose, progress, and people power.” Proceeds from the sold-out event will directly support Last Prisoner Project’s legal, policy, and reentry programs, ensuring their longevity and impact. Last Prisoner Project thanks its sponsors — Goodwin, DeLisioso, Gotham, Grand National, General Hydroponics, Vladick, Raskin and Clark, Edie Parker, Free My Weedman, Happy Eddie, Primitiv, GTI, iAnthus, ConBud, Ethos Cannabis, BATCH, PuffCo, Sweed, and Ben and Jerry’s— for making this evening possible. Additional thanks go to newly added sponsors Dutchie, Ayrloom, Emerald Dispensary, Flower Mill, 3isFor, and Canopy USA. For more information or to view sponsorship packages, visit the Last Prisoner Project Gala website. For Media Inquiries: Will Mesinger, West End Strategy Team wmesinger@westendstrategy.com | LPP@westendstrategy.com
Wednesday, October 15 at Sony Hall in New York City Notable Guests Include Carmelo Anthony, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, Dr. Wendy & Eddie Osefo, Fab 5 Freddy, Jason Flom & Khaliah Ali, Donte West, Keith Shocklee and Studdah Man of Public Enemy, and Guy Torry with a Performance by Joy Oladokun PURCHASE TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION
