Celebrity rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes calls prison reform his passion and advocates against mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
“The punishment should fit the crime, but in America today, people are being sentenced to exorbitant sentences for non-violent crimes, even minor drug offenses,” he told Sarah Polus of the Washington Post.
One of his closest friends, Horatio Hamilton, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for a marijuana conspiracy charge. Hamilton has already served 11 years.
“Our policy shatters lives, devastates communities and robs families of their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters,” Rhymes said.
According to Polus, Rhymes met with White House representatives and then attended the D.C. advocacy group Families Against Mandatory Minimums’ (FAMM) 25th Anniversary Gala with pals Spliff Star and DJ Scratch. He spoke again about his friend’s experience and the need for change.
“Inmates may have made mistakes, like becoming addicted to drugs, but it shouldn’t cost them their lives,” Rhymes said. “The stories of so many people in prison for these unbelievably long periods of time, people like Horatio, who I know doesn’t deserve to be there, keeps me up at night.”
Rhymes said he accepted the opportunity to assist the FAMM organization in their “endless efforts to bring home and pardon prisoners that have been unfairly sentenced to mandatory minimums in these jails.”
In an Instagram post, Rhymes called Hamilton’s sentence ironic, since marijuana has been legalized throughout the majority of the United States.
“I would like to encourage everyone to join the FAMM Organization and myself with the blessed assistance of our great President to help bring our beautiful brothers and sisters back home to their families, friends and loved ones.”
