Fight for Lifers is the only organization in the western part of Pennsylvania which attempts to deal with the issue of life sentences. There are nearly 4000 inmates serving life sentences in this state. Life sentences are imposed for first or second-degree murders. Hundreds of individuals who did not commit a murder, put participated, such as a lookout, may receive a life sentence. Scores of battered women may have lashed out after years of abuse and are serving life sentences. Persons suffering from post-traumatic stress from military service are serving life sentences. Many juveniles have received life sentences.

A life sentence in PA means exactly that: life without parole. Pennsylvania is only one of three states, which has life with no opportunity for parole. Other states overwhelmingly recognize the likelihood that offenders can and do mature over the years, and can become productive citizens.

Our organization, which has been meeting for about a year, feels that there needs to be some recourse for inmates who have served 25, 30, 40 years or more and are over 50 years of age. Currently there is a senate resolution and an appointed committee to study the issue of geriatric inmates in this state. They are to compile a report due in 2005. We are looking at ways to provide input to this committee.

Presently our group has 15-20 regular members, and over 300 on our mailing list, to discuss ways to bring about positive change. We are in regular contact with our Philadelphia counterparts and several internal lifers organizations. In addition to advocating for inmates, we provide emotional support to our members who include mothers, wives, fathers, brothers, sisters and friends of lifers.

Our group meets monthly. Beginning at 10 am, Saturday, September 18, we will meet at the Thomas Merton Center, 5125 Penn Avenue in Garfield. The next meetings are Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. The Center has agreed to include us as one of its affiliated programs. You are invited to participate in our monthly meetings, as you wish. For additional information, please call 412-480-1601 or write to P.O. Box 4683, Pgh, PA 15206. Cash donations are gratefully appreciated and made payable to the Thomas Merton Center/Fight for Lifers.