By Sarah Polus–
Rapper Busta Rhymes attended the Families Against Mandatory Minimum’s 25th anniversary gala on March 24.
Rhymes calls prison sentencing reform his passion and advocates against mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
“The punishment should fit the crime, but in America today, people are being sentenced to exorbitant sentences for nonviolent crimes, even minor drug offenses,” he said.
One of his closest friends, Horatio Hamilton, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a marijuana offense. Hamilton has already served 11 years.
“Our policy shatters lives, devastates communities and robs families of their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters,” Rhymes said.
Scene: Rhymes met with White House representatives to discuss how these sentencing issues result in increased prison populations and take a toll on the economy.
At night he attended the D.C. advocacy group Families Against Mandatory Minimums’ 25th Anniversary Gala with pals Spliff Star and DJ Scratch, where he spoke about his friend’s experience, and the need for change.
Soundbite: “Inmates may have made mistakes, like becoming addicted to drugs, but it shouldn’t cost them their lives,” Rhymes said. “The stories of so many people in prison for these unbelievably long periods of time, people like Horatio who I know doesn’t deserve to be there, keeps me up at night.”
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