Today Cecilia interviews Karen Brown, a woman who was sentenced to life without parole for 25 years at the age of 21. After 35 years incarcerated and applied for parole 3 times, she was denied future hearings, making her sentence an official LWOP. 

Below some relevant information.   

The recent decision about Karen Brown is a textbook example of what is wrong with our KY parole system. Seeing the parole board for the third time, Karen was given a “SERVE OUT” on a life sentence which means she will NEVER be released from prison and can NEVER again be considered for parole.  Karen was 21 when she was arrested and she has been incarcerated for 35 years.  

Karen has labored long over her education, working her way through correspondence courses to a graduate degree in Christian counseling. She purposely found meaningful prison jobs over the years that made a difference – typing books in Braille for the blind, working in the chapel program, using her art and music to inspire others. She's built an excellent institutional record and her Christian commitment is deep.  She has packet thick with her accomplishments and stacks of letters attesting to her rehabilitation that supported her release. She had offers for meaningful employment, and many reentry groups and individuals ready to help her.   

Governor Beshear, Karen's sentence should be commuted and she should be released. 35 years is long enough!  

To support her release visit: https://www.change.org/p/governor-beshear-commute-karen-brown-s-sentence-35-years-is-long-enough 

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