Larry Stromberg makes the case for giving Pennsylvania prisoners with a sentence of life without parole a second chance to return to society. He explains that “lifers” — like himself — end up aging out of crime and have one of the lowest rate of recidivism. 

The rate of recidivism for newly released prisoners is very different for different crimes. And it may come as a surprise to learn which criminals have the lowest rate of returning to prison upon release: the people convicted for murder who are serving life sentences.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there is no parole for first and second-degree murderers. It’s known as “death by incarceration.” A lifer ages in prison, shriveling down to skin and bones, and only leaves prison in a body bag. There is no second chance.

Note: There are more than five thousand Pennsylvanians serving death by incarceration (DBI) sentences for first- or second-degree murder, and the number of elderly behind bars is only growing. 

But the data proves that if a lifer is released, the recidivism rate is extremely low, less than 10%, compared to the general population. This is partly explained by the idea people “age out of crime” from decades and decades of incarceration.

So do lifers in Pennsylvania deserve a second chance back into society, similar to the sentencing structure of other states with a chance for parole? What would the recidivism rate for someone incarcerated for over 40 or even 50 years look like if that individual is given a second chance from a commutation, a sentence reduction, possible parole, or a compassionate release?

Lifers don’t come back to prison. A lifer knows what they lost. They know the hurt of losing loved ones from being behind bars. They blame themselves for not being there for loved ones. Most lifers are truly remorseful for their crimes that hurt so many and caused so much devastation in the lives of victims’ family members. A lifer sincerely appreciates a God-given chance at redemption.

I know I would, being a lifer at SCI Phoenix for the horrible crime of homicide I committed decades and decades ago, of which I’m tremendously remorseful. My crime sickens my soul. It grieves my spirit.

Hopefully, someday parole becomes available to lifers in Pennsylvania with a favorable ruling on the “Second Degree Bill” — which calls for parole for lifers convicted of a second-degree murder.

But what if there was a parole system for remorseful lifers in Pennsylvania? What would it look like? A lifer’s reentry plan would look like any other parole reentry plan into society. It’s been shown, from states’ data on parole for lifers, that a lifer with the factors listed below will succeed in society.

• Home plan (city, suburbs, and rural areas)
• Employment
• Family support
• Mental health treatment (therapy and therapeutic programs)
• Education (continuing education)
• Transportation
• Good relationships
• Religious programs
• Credit report
• Good hobbies
• Drug and alcohol programs (if needed)
• Financial/budgeting workshops
• Computer lab training
• Benefits workshop

The recidivism model is based on lifers released all across the country (success and failure). If a lifer’s release has all or most of these positive factors intact, they will be successful with their reentry into society to avoid recidivism. If a lifer released doesn’t have these factors, their chances of failure will be greater. A lifer who is given a chance of being released must try to have all or most of these factors intact for a successful reentry into society to avoid the monster of recidivism.

Hopefully, someday, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will follow with the opportunity of parole for lifers like other states in America, instead of keeping individuals incarcerated for a lifetime, with heavy remorse in their hearts till the day they die.

Yes, lifers have to be accountable for their crimes. Victim opposition has to be respected and honored. There is no question about that. We should all be sensitive to the victims of crime, victims’ family members and friends, and their immense agony, suffering, loss, grief, and pain that lasts a lifetime. The hurt never goes away. One just learns to live with it.

But keeping a changed, remorseful individual incarcerated for a lifetime who has an excellent prison record, education (GED and college degrees), certifications, and a great support system doesn’t solve anything and should be considered barbaric. There’s healing with redemption. A responsible changed lifer deserves a second chance.

Larry Stromberg #DG6379

SCI Phoenix

Smart Communications / PADOC

PO Box 33028

St. Petersburg, FL 33733

The post Remorseful Lifers Deserve A Second Chance first appeared on Prison Writers.