BACK TO PRISONERS
BACK TO PRISONERS
Back to prisoners
Part One

The Grass Gap

“Now days, there is a whole marijuana industry. Some people distribute marijuana to get a life savings. I distributed marijuana and got a life sentence.”
- Reflections of Ferrell Scott
Marijuana Growers Farm

In 2007, I was charged with transporting shipments of marijuana. One of my co-defendants got 20 years in prison and the rest of the guys involved got less than 7 years. I got a mandatory life sentence.

The prosecutor offered me a plea deal to 12 years. If I had accepted the plea, I would be a free man right now. But I thought 12 years was too much time in prison for weed. So I rejected the deal. That decision cost me the rest of my life’s freedom.

The day I got my life sentence was like living in a nightmare. I was watching my whole life drain away from me. I was numb and couldn't believe that it could happen for a weed charge. I remember thinking I have so much more to do and see for my life to end at age 45. I also thought about how my kids Skylar and Serrell would suffer in my absence. I could not believe what I was hearing. Right after the judge sentenced me I turned to look at my sister and kind of shrugged my shoulders in disbelief. As we were being led from the courtroom a lady whispered to me: "This too shall pass". But it’s been over a decade and nothing has passed.

Now days, I see people getting state licenses to distribute marijuana. There is a whole industry. Some people distribute marijuana to build a life savings. I distributed marijuana and got a life sentence.

First strike
SECOND
strike
THIRD
strike
Age 24 - Possession with intent to deliver controlled substances.
Sentence:
Probation
Part Two

A Prosecutor’s Remorse

“I strongly do not believe that he [Ferrell Scott] deserves a mandatory life sentence.”
- Sam S. Sheldon, Former Federal Prosecutor
Letter written by Sam S. Sheldon

Ferrell Scott is buried alive because he transported marijuana. Ferrell Scott is buried alive because he declined a 12-year plea deal. Ferrell Scott is buried alive because America’s drug laws are disastrously disproportionate. Ferrell’s life sentence is not because he has a dangerous or violent past.

His only other convictions were for small time drugs, misdemeanors and driving infractions. The former prosecutor in his case now acknowledges that a life sentence was too harsh.

First
strike
SECOND strike
THIRD
strike
Age 25 - Ferrell possessed less than 28 grams of crack cocaine. The court ordered him to attend drug treatment.
Sentence:
Probation
Part Three

A Walking Death Sentence

“A life sentence is like a walking death sentence”
- Reflections of Ferrell Scott
Handwritten Letter from Ferrell Scott

A life sentence is like a walking death sentence and it weighs on you in a way that I cannot explain. You have to live this to understand how it feels to be in this situation. Some days it's hard to breathe.

I look forward to the day when I no longer will have heartbreaking conversation with my granddaughter about incarceration.

First
strike
SECOND
strike
THIRD strike
Ferrell was convicted of transporting  marijuana. He declined a plea deal to 12 years in prison.
Sentence:
Life sentence
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