AUgust 2025 letter to members of the general assembly

August 5, 2025
 
 
 
 
Members of the General Assembly,
 
           Research says that in many ways people are worse off after an incarceration than they were prior to incarceration. It’s not just that their life is disrupted. Their health is worse, risk for addition rises, unemployment and homelessness are more likely, financial stability is diminished, and life spans are shortened, all while they are under the care of the state. These issues all impact a person’s ability to move on with their life and to make community-minded decisions once they have completed their sentence.
            We don’t know all the factors that contribute to this unfortunate result, but it makes sense to address any and all possible factors. The crimes against humanity codified in Section 25 of our KY Constitution is one significant factor. Punishment for a crime should not make people less well, and it should not make it harder for anyone to make better decisions. In fact, it should support them in making better decisions.
             Do you agree that people convicted of a crime should be supported in making better decisions? Are you willing to support the removal of the exception clasue in order to assure that people convicted of a crime are not unnecessarily burdened by crimes against humanity?
 
 
 
Patricia Gailey, President
Abolish Slavery KY, Inc