'I didn't need a long prison sentence...I just needed help'
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - The Second Chance Coalition rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday to try and raise awareness on Minnesota’s drug laws and sentencing guidelines. They’re trying to make the case to lawmakers that Minnesota’s laws are too heavy on punishment and don’t offer enough treatment options.
They say raising the felony threshold on the amount of drugs in possession in addition to a reduction in the mandatory minimum prison sentences would not only reduce the prison population, but would give offenders a second chance at recovery.
“I didn’t need a long prison sentence to become the woman that I am today,” said Mariah Wilber. “I just needed help.”
The prison sentencing guideline task force has already recommended reclassifying 5th-degree drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. Any changes would have to be passed by the legislature.