Join us now, take a walk through the life of the average Pennsylvania Lifer. Our pictorial skit was written for, and first presented at the Dallas L.I.F.E. Association's 1992 Annual Family Picnic. Its purpose is to make a visual presentation of who most Pennsylvania lifers are, and what most Pennsylvania Lifers experience during their lives in the prisons of Pennsylvania. We think that it is very important for our family and friends to know that there is NO PAROLE for lifers in Pennsylvania, and that we are four (4) times more likely to DIE in prison than to be released through the commutation process.

Without legislative changes in Pennsylvania, Lifers have little light [HOPE] at the end of the tunnel.

This is the story of Harry, a Pennsylvania Lifer:  he is between the age of 16 and 27 years old. Harry is every color of the Human Rainbow: Black, White, Brown, Yellow, and Red. Harry's education ranges from poorly to highly educated. Harry is from every type of home life, from a Single Parent Household, to a Two Parent Family Unit. Harry's family support is made up of a mother, father, sisters, and brothers. He has a wife or girlfriend, he also has children or no children at all, as well as a host of friends and loved ones who wish he was home for and with them. Harry was born and brought up in every type of environment from low income to working class, and even a suburbanite middle class background. Harry is drug free or has just started experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol. Harry is not really a bad young man: he made a terrible mistake. He has no history of violence, he had never hurt anyone before. Harry received a "LIFE" sentence for his terrible mistake.

Harry went to jail under the impression he could make parole in 10 years, like his lawyer and sentencing judge told him: but Harry was in for a rude awakening. As time slowly marched on, he finally realized that a LIFE SENTENCE in the state of Pennsylvania means just that, "LIFE!!!!" His family and friends say "don't worry," that they, "will be there," for him. Harry's appeals have been denied. In this time Harry has earned his G.E.D. or has begun to take college courses, and entered into the prison Vocational Training Programs to improve himself.

One, two, three, and then five years passed, and before long it was ten years later. With the passing of time, Harry has grown older and much wiser. Harry has achieved an Associates Degree and is working on his Bachelors, or he has achieved his Vocational Training Certificate, and/or has completed all the treatment programs the prison has to offer, in his personal quest to improve and better his lot in life. Harry is, Quote - Unquote, "a truly rehabilitated and remorseful human being." Harry's visits are less frequent and his girlfriend or wife doesn't visit much anymore. His mail has dwindled and most of the people he once called won't accept his collect calls any longer. Harry's parents have grown older. His children have grown older also, and without the benefit of their father's presence. He has also lost many family members, as well as friends, due to death. Harry made his first application for Commutation; the Board of Pardons turned him down.

The years now are the hardest Harry has ever had to face or serve. Harry has recently lost one or both of his parents. Harry's wife or girlfriend has broken off all contact. Harry has to face the reality that she is probably with someone else now. More often, Harry is experiencing serious medical problems. Harry applied for Commutation again; the Board of Pardons recognized Harry's achievements and recommended him for commutation. The governor turned him down. It was an ELECTION YEAR! Harry and his family realized long ago that the ten year release his lawyer and sentencing judge promised was a "LIE!!"

Harry has passed the autumn of his years. His medial problems have become very, very serious. All he has left is old clouded memories of how things used to be. Harry is out of contact with his grown children. Most of his other family members and friends have long since died. He has no outside support. Harry doesn't get around too well anymore; he mostly sits in his cold dark lonely cell.

Harry died in prison. They found him sitting, facing out his cell window, on a cold snowy day. Harry really wasn't a bad man, he made a terrible mistake. He had no history of violence, and never hurt anyone else. Harry finally does leave prison: in a BODY BAG, with a tag on his toe, when someone claims him.

Family, friends and loved ones; please don't let Harry's plight happen to us. We ask, plead and even beg of you all to support parole for all "DESERVING" Lifers in Pennsylvania prisons. Contact your state representatives and senators, and EXPRESS your support for any BILL that is introduced concerning this important issue.

Write a letter, make a phone call, pay a personal visit, attend a rally and even join a lifer's Support Group. Please believe us when we tell you that each and every one of you can, and truly do, make a difference. We hope that you will all get involved in our struggle on whatever level that you can.

In memory of the Harrys who have died in Prison and those of us who will share the fate of Harry, the Pennsylvania lifer, we have decided to wear ribbons of Purple and Black. The Purple represents the despair (frustration, disappointment, and loneliness) all Pennsylvania Lifer experience. The Black represents death, because most Pennsylvania lifers die in prison. We ask you to wear our colors and to PLEASE support our cause. We need Parole Eligibility for Deserving Lifers, and we need the Commutation process to be a process of clemency (MERCY) not politics.