Across America, there are tens of thousands of individuals unjustly imprisoned for cannabis. As sweeping legislation makes it way across the nation, the results are slow, and the scars that remain are life lasting. The sentiments of those incarcerated for non-violent cannabis related charges are bleek, but optimistic. For so many, the road to the free world is one of despair. The need for resources, assistance, and an ally is often never heard or received.
Since 2019, Last Prisoner Project impact has been a voice and champion for those incarcerated and constituents by identifying the needs and developing a plan to assist with the challenges. Last Prisoner Project is a non-profit 5013c organization founded in 2019, is a dedicated team of individuals that works tirelessly to achieve our goal of freeing the tens of thousands of individuals still unjustly imprisoned for cannabis. Last Prisoner Project works in 4-folds; through advocacy and action; policy, legal, reentry, and advocacy. Through those four pillars, Last Prisoner Project team assessed needs based on an individual basis and began deploying resources to address the challenges.
To date, Last Prisoner Project has assisted over 350+ constituents across 25 States. Through advocacy and fighting for policy change, the LPP continues the fight with efforts focused on clemency initiatives at the state and federal levels.
In just four years, LPP has dispersed over $2.2 million dollars in direct funding that has been distributed through commissary funding, reentry grants to constituents who have been recently released and family support.
Challenges remain! As sweeping legislation makes its way across the country in lieu of cannabis and the laws prohibiting release, exoneration, and record clearing still remain in place, it is organizations like Last Prisoner Project that are leading the way. But, they can’t do it alone. It takes people and organizations to get involved and join the movement. You can make an impact through your support.
Meet Stephanie Shepard! Stephanie shares a unique perspective on the issue of incarceration and re-entry to the free world. It’s one thing to tell the story; however, living the story hits different. Stephanie was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and was subsequently sentenced to ten years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Keep in mind, Stephanie was a first-time offender. After serving nine out of the ten years, Stephanie was placed on federal probation for five years, to which she is still on today.
Stephanie’s story is all too familiar for first time offenders of cannabis related charges who are incarcerated or recently released. The release and re-entry into the world comes with many challenges and obstacles that have spurned Stephanie into action. Stephanie today serves as Partnership Manager with Last Prisoner Project, and advocates for restorative justice for those who have suffered and continue to suffer from the criminalization of cannabis. Last Prisoner Project is a group of justice-driven individuals, policy experts, and leaders in the worlds of criminal justice and drug policy reform working together to end the fundamental injustice of America’s policy of cannabis prohibition.
Stephanie Shepard’s Story
Stephanie’s story began in 2010, as a resident of New York, she was arrested and ultimately charged, convicted, and sentenced in 2011 on a conviction of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and was given ten years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Stephanie would serve nine years of the 120 months sentence as a first-time, nonviolent offender.
During her incarceration, Stephanie lost her father. The passing of her father and time spent away from family leaves scars. The pain and hurt from the time that will never be recovered, she manages, but it’s a hard pill to swallow. Stephanie so candidly, shares her story of hope and how she found an ally in the fight and injustice so many others endure convicted of cannabis related convictions.
While incarcerated, Stephanie kept hope in her dismal predicament. For many incarcerated, the first thing that wavers is the hope or connection to a source of aid. Although Stephanie did have family, the lifeline for a convicted felon becomes strained, out of distance, sheer embarrassment or fear by both parties. Stephanie was introduced to the Last Prisoner Project by a fellow inmate, who spoke of the resources and support LPP offered.
After release in late 2019, Stephanie attended a Last Prisoner Project fundraiser where she was introduced to founders Steve DeAngelo, Sarah Gersten, and Mary Bailey. After sharing her story and expressing her passion, Stephanie was invited to join the fight for advocacy. From there, Stephanie began to lend her voice to the conversation for advocacy for change in laws that convict and hide cannabis offenders away, in some cases, for life. Stephanie is now the Partnership Manager who works with brands, partners, dispensaries working in the realms of sharing, funding, and amplifying the message. Because of Stephanie’s advocacy efforts and dedication to using her voice to advocate for those still incarcerated, she was elected to the Board of Directors, which she gracefully accepted. When asked about why she decided to join, Stephanie answers in emphatic fashion, “Last Prisoner Project offered and supplied the resources and support I needed to restart my life after being incarcerated, so it’s the least I can do to pay it forward.”
The question Stephanie had before becoming an advocate and joining Last Prisoner Project; how can I lend my voice for the fight? The Cannabis industry is a billion dollar business over a product that can now be delivered to a person’s front door legally. That is where Last Prisoner Project’s policy team leap into action to help activate releases through legislation. The Last Prisoner Project works on the State and federal level to find success.
The one factor that touched Stephanie was the fact that the founders asked “The” question to the impacted members of the non-profit organization, “What do you need”, as constituents and members to have a fighting chance in this society? The resounding answer was, financial means. As an organization, Last Prisoner Project not only heard the answer, but they acted upon it with Reentry Grants. The LPP Reentry Grant is available to constituents that have been released within the last year, and they can be granted up to 5k. The process is free from filters or filibuster, a simple straight forward process without all the loopholes. Last Prisoner Project understands what the incarcerated have been through and aims to be a valid resource for constituents to get their life together. A grant of sorts can be the vital piece of the puzzle that often serves as a game changer in the life of someone who is released into the free world.
For those currently incarcerated, Last Prisoner Project has instituted a Commissary Support Grant which aids in obtaining commissary items while incarcerated. The price for simple hygiene , stamps, email access and even video calls with family carry a price tag in prison. To help offset those costs, Last Prisoner Project offers a quarterly grant to help take the burden off of the inmate and family. The average inmate earns only 12 cents per hour, which is why many go without the basic needs and care due to no or little commissary funds.
As I sat across from Stephanie, I stared deep into her soul and could tell she was bubbling with anticipation and excitement. When I probed her for the reason for her anticipation, she had no hesitation in informing me that it’s’ the Policy Team that ignites her passion. Last Prisoner Project Policy Team focuses on legislation that redresses the harms caused by cannabis prohibition. The Policy Team is the engine of Last Prisoner Project. Stakeholders across the country work hand in hand to pass and implement bills to provide release of those incarcerated for cannabis, and through policy change, helping clear cannabis related records of constituents. Although some things have changed for some of those convicted of cannabis related convictions, Stephanie reminds us, “We have a lot more work to be done!”.
Over the years, Stephanie has had many high points in her life; however, her one shining moment was her involvement in the passing and signing into law, the Assembly Bill 1706. The Assembly Bill 1706 works to ensure Californians are entitled to the sealing of their cannabis criminal records. In conjunction with LPP’s Policy Director, Gracie Johnson, who testified in front of the CA Legislature, Stephanie who spoke on the steps of the California capital, and Assembly Member Bonta who authored AB1706. The bill passed unanimously through all committee’s and landed on the desk of the Governor. Governor Gavin Newson signed Assembly Bill 1706 which will be complete and comprehensive by June 2023. The signing of the AB1706, overturned the records for 30k records of those convicted of nonviolent cannabis convictions.
But the fight for justice doesn’t end there for Stephanie and the millions of citizens doing time for nonviolent cannabis convictions. Stephanie, and the work of Last Prisoner Project is only half the battle. LPP is completely funded by donations, and of course, funding is what makes doing the work possible.
Stephanie , a registered voter, speaks candidly on how important it is to exercise your right to change laws and legislation. She has also witnessed cannabis constituents’ hopes and wishes of the promise of pardons for cannabis prisoners waver. Instead, pardons were issued only to those with simple possession charges, not the issue of incarceration for cannabis felony convictions. On the other end, Stephanie does praise the Biden Administration for bringing the topic to the podium. In addition, President Biden also asked that Governors use their power to do more pardons.
The advocacy for policy change isn’t the only way Stephanie and Last Prisoner Project works for those incarcerated for cannabis related convictions. Through the Legal department, Last Prisoner Project matches qualified prisoners up with pro-bono attorneys to work on their behalf. The partnership with Last Prisoner Project (Cannabis Justice Initiative) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) has made it possible for those incarcerated to have legal representation. Through the efforts of this initiative, the lawyers are able to file clemency motions, compassionate release, and early termination of supervised release.
To date, NACDL through Last Prisoner Project has filed thousands of motions and secured the release of 15 cannabis charged inmates from prison. Stephanie explains that the goal is to push legislation for mass pardons of nonviolent cannabis prisoners.
Richard DeLisi spent 32 years in prison for a nonviolent cannabis offense before eventually being released in 2020. That is over three decades for a cannabis charge! Since his release, Mr. DeLisi is a productive citizen and advocate for the release of nonviolent cannabis offenders serving time. Mr. DeLisi now has a thriving cannabis brand “DeLisioso”.
Throughout the success stories and the continued fight, the love and support from constituents remain a beacon of hope to Stephanie and those behind the charge. Mr. Ferrell Scott, a constituent and advocate for LPP is now a free man after being given a life sentence. Ferrell takes every opportunity to team up and support those in the midst of the fight.
Lately, there has been a matter weighing heavily on Stephanie’s heart; the release of Mr. Kevin Allen. Kevin Allen is currently serving a life sentence for $20 dollars worth of cannabis. Due to the conviction falling under Louisiana’s third strike offense program, the conviction was meant to cost him the rest of his life. Through the advocacy of the LPP and the efforts of others, Mr. Allen will have a resentencing in May. How could this be possible in the society we live in, one might ask? But it did, and now Mr. Allen, who has been locked up since 2013 is among the 4,100 Louisianians serving time for cannabis. Stephanie is optimistic on the resentencing in May, due to the same forces that sentenced him to life without parole will be the same one’s judging his fate this go round.
The case of Mr. Kevin Allen drew the spotlight of the nation behind the LPP and Lousianna Senate Candidate Gary Chambers. Although Mr. Chambers’ candidacy fell short of victory, he fought a good fight and fought for the justice of Kevin Allen. A cannabis user himself, Mr. Gary Chambers fired up a joint during his candidacy to show support and solidarity for those serving such sentences as Mr. Kevin Allen.
Stephanie, a constituent and spokesperson is the voice of change. Her own experiences still leave her feeling the adverse effects of it every day. The one thing Stephanie reminds people is that at least she saw a light at the end of the tunnel, but for many, there is no end. When Stephanie was incarcerated, Last Prisoner Project didn’t exist. “It is a lonely feeling when there is no hope, no one fighting for you”, Stephanie solemnly explains.
But where do you turn when you’re released or upon release? Stephanie shares her story on her personal reentry to the real world. With two weeks to find employment after release from prison, Stephanie is reminded of the struggles to secure a job. The challenge of telling the truth when faced with simple life situations is different for someone entering the world after being incarcerated. Especially, for a nonviolent cannabis conviction. Stephanie remembers interviewing for a job at a coffee shop and having to explain her felony and current restrictions. She got the job, but that is not typical. From securing housing to interaction with the police, the road of acceptance is hard for those with convictions.
Now with a career at The Last Prisoner Project, Stephanie continues to inspire woman who paid her debt to society. The reality is a cruel awakening for ex-offenders. Stephanie and Last Prisoner Project remains focused on releasing those in prison for nonviolent cannabisrelated offenses, but equal attention is needed for the devastating aftermath of incarceration.
“Prison is tough — coming home is tougher. “It’s equally, if not more traumatizing than prison itself.” —Stephanie Shepard
