2. Marijuana Decriminalization The First Step to Prison Reform

3. “The only rational purpose for a prison is to restrain those who are violent, while we help them to change their behavior and return to the community.” - James Gilligan

4. The Numbers Prison population > population of Houston Correctional supervision > Chicago + Los Angeles

8. 9 times more likely to be arrested for Marijuana

10. Felony conviction compromises rights.  Employment – Very difficult for convicted felons to find jobs, as employers can LEGALLY discriminate based on criminal records.  Voting – Felons can be banned from voting permanently even after completing their terms of incarceration, parole, and probation.

11. Cost to Taxpayers $10,615 per student $31,000 per inmate $9,052,000,000

12. What do we do?