LIFE IN PRISON FOR CANNABIS
Richard DeLisi is currently the longest serving prisoner for nonviolent cannabis offenses in the United States. Richard has been incarcerated since 1988 serving over 32 of his 90 year sentence.
During his time in prison, his son, wife, and both parents passed away. He will be released in time for Christmas with his remaining children and grandchildren, which will be the first time in over 30 years that he gets to spend Christmas at home.
MEET RICHARD
Richard DeLisi’s reputation as a likeable, loving, polite, generous family man dates back seven decades. Those who were blessed to be his friends were considered and treated like family.
Over the last three decades of incarceration, Richard has made it his mission to continue performing good deeds for others. Richard has consistently participated in programs to better his own life and the lives of those around him. When Richard arrived at prison he was unable to read or write as a result of undiagnosed dyslexia that had haunted him since his childhood.
THE CRIME/OFFENSE
On September 19, 1988, Richard DeLisi was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Cannabis and Conspiracy.
Little over a year, later he was in serious financial trouble. The government seized his business at the time. Also his cars and cash. They left with nothing.
He was then approached by his old smuggling friend J.J who offered a solution to his problems. one last run. He then coerced Richard into smuggling 1500 pounds of cannabis from Columbia to Florida.
Little did Richard know his old friend J.J was a police informant and although the whole situation was illegal something we call entrapment – the action of tricking someone into committing a crime in order to secure their prosecution.
At trial in 1989, Richard’s attorney argued the defense of entrapment. But was unsuccessful.
While the Florida sentencing guidelines recommended Richard be sentenced to between 12 and 17 years in prison. The judge decided to give him 3 consecutive 30 year sentences totaling to a 90 year prison term. Throughout Richard’s over 32 years of incarceration, he has committed himself to education, rehabilitation, and self-improvement. Richard was determined to use his time while incarcerated to better himself.
WORDS FROM RICHARD
There is not one single day that passes by that I don’t regret the terrible mistakes I made in 1988 that have haunted me for many years of my life, that caused me (to lose) the most precious and fundamental rights of our constitution: freedom, life and liberty.
