Clarence Simmons' Freedom Fund

In 1990, Clarence Simmons was arrested for being in possession of a stolen camera and tripod. Even though he was not accused of stealing the equipment, and even though it was returned to its owners, he was convicted and given a life sentence. Today IPNO’s Unjust Punishment Project secured his release. Mr. Simmons has served more than 31 years in prison. He is 88 years old.

Mr. Simmons was incarcerated for 11,444 days. In today’s dollars, it has cost Louisiana more than $500,000 to house and feed him since his arrest. But he has also required expensive medical care, having developed multiple debilitating medical conditions in the last 30 years.  He is currently confined to a wheelchair. Mr. Simmons’s sentence was unnecessary, unjust, and it did not make us safer.

While Mr. Simmons was sentenced decades ago, his sentence is not a relic: today’s sentencing laws would still allow it. Mr. Simmons will finally be able to spend this holiday season with his family, but people in Louisiana still face the possibility of being sentenced to life for non-violent crimes, and many people are serving that sentence right now. The Unjust Punishment Project fights to free people whose sentences are shockingly disproportionate to the crimes for which people are imprisoned.  We are relieved and grateful that Mr. Simmons is finally free. The fight goes on.

Please help us welcome Mr. Simmons home.