A life sentence for allegedly stealing $11.00. That's the sentence that two sisters, Jamie and Gladys Scott, received in 1993. Their case illustrates how dangerous Mississippi's criminal justice system is, especially for people of color and low-income in our state. Mississippi's culture of conviction swallows people whole, handing out excessive sentences for minor crimes. And regardless of how minor one thinks stealing $11.00 is, certainly life in prison is a punishment that doesn't fit the crime.
The excessiveness in the Scott sisters case has been gathering attention over the past few years. On Wednesday, hundreds of the Scott sisters' supporters took to the streets of Jackson, calling on governor Barbour to pardon the sisters.
The march wound from Farish Street to the the governor's mansion, and finally to the state capitol building. Marchers carried signs and chanted, "Free the Scott Sisters!" Bear Atwood, ACLU of Mississippi Acting Legal Director, spoke before the crowd. A letter was read from Senator John Horhn calling on the governor to release the sisters. City Councilman Chokwe Lumumba was present and also called for the sisters to be released.
There was certainly no lack of support for the Scott sisters Wednesday. The question is whether governor Barbour was listening. And if he was, will he be the one to correct what to the rest of the nation is obviously a gross injustice.
