Identical twins Lawrence and Lamont Garrison were inseparable. In elementary school, one would rush to the other's classroom and wait until he was dismissed. Living in the same house in Washington, D.C. that their mother and grandmother had grown up in, they attended Howard University together. Both worked part time to help pay their tuition – Lamont for the Department of Justice and Lawrence for the Department of Energy. Good students and aspiring lawyers, the twins graduated together in May 1998.

Identical twins Lawrence and Lamont Garrison were inseparable. In elementary school, one would rush to the other's classroom and wait until he was dismissed. Living in the same house in Washington, D.C. that their mother and grandmother had grown up in, they attended Howard University together. Both worked part time to help pay their tuition – Lamont for the Department of Justice and Lawrence for the Department of Energy. Good students and aspiring lawyers, the twins graduated together in May 1998.

On July 1, 2007, 52,000 Maryland citizens previously barred from the voting booth because of their felony convictions regained their right to vote because of a recent change in law. Several Baltimore City residents gathered at the Baltimore Board of Elections Monday July 2nd to submit their voter registration applications to exercise their new rights. The stories of two of these newly enfranchised people are profiled here.

On July 1, 2007, 52,000 Maryland citizens previously barred from the voting booth because of their felony convictions regained their right to vote because of a recent change in law. Several Baltimore City residents gathered at the Baltimore Board of Elections Monday July 2nd to submit their voter registration applications to exercise their new rights. The stories of two of these newly enfranchised people are profiled here.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy – that's the adage Kimberly Haven said she's adopted after having personally fought for six years to restore the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals. With the support of advocates and organizations, Haven's work has brought the Senate and House to approve the “Voting Registration Protection Act” which Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's signed on April 24, 2007.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy – that's the adage Kimberly Haven said she's adopted after having personally fought for six years to restore the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals. With the support of advocates and organizations, Haven's work has brought the Senate and House to approve the “Voting Registration Protection Act” which Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's signed on April 24, 2007.

Denver Schimming was a leader in the campaign that successfully pressured the Tennessee Legislature this year to approve a bill that simplifies the voting restoration process for people who have completed a felony sentence. As a previously incarcerated person who had his voting rights restored in 1996, Mr. Schimming appreciates the power and importance of voting. His years in prison taught him that the criminal justice system could change only if impacted people spoke out. After his incarceration, voting was one of his highest priorities.

Denver Schimming was a leader in the campaign that successfully pressured the Tennessee Legislature this year to approve a bill that simplifies the voting restoration process for people who have completed a felony sentence. As a previously incarcerated person who had his voting rights restored in 1996, Mr. Schimming appreciates the power and importance of voting. His years in prison taught him that the criminal justice system could change only if impacted people spoke out. After his incarceration, voting was one of his highest priorities.

Because of a felony conviction when he was 20 years old, Andres Idarraga was told he could not vote until his 58^th birthday, a 31 year wait. Until just recently, Rhode Island law prohibited individuals with felony convictions from voting until they completed parole and probation. But Andres, a strong advocate and role model in his community, helped change that law and can now exercise his right to vote.

Because of a felony conviction when he was 20 years old, Andres Idarraga was told he could not vote until his 58th birthday, a 31 year wait. Until just recently, Rhode Island law prohibited individuals with felony convictions from voting until they completed parole and probation. But Andres, a strong advocate and role model in his community, helped change that law and can now exercise his right to vote.

Although Kemba Smith had no prior criminal record, mandatory minimum sentencing laws have made her and an increasing number of women casualties of excessive punishments that do not fit their crimes. She was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison for conspiracy to participate in her boyfriend's drug activities.

Although Kemba Smith had no prior criminal record, mandatory minimum sentencing laws have made her and an increasing number of women casualties of excessive punishments that do not fit their crimes. She was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison for conspiracy to participate in her boyfriend's drug activities.

One of every 11 persons in prison is now serving a life sentence. A quarter of this population of 130,000 is serving life without parole. While many of these individuals have committed serious violent crimes, unfortunately, many others are serving life sentences for drug crimes, or like Gladys Wilson, for aiding more serious offenders.

One of every 11 persons in prison is now serving a life sentence. A quarter of this population of 130,000 is serving life without parole. While many of these individuals have committed serious violent crimes, unfortunately, many others are serving life sentences for drug crimes, or like Gladys Wilson, for aiding more serious offenders.

For women like Serena Nunn, associations with husbands and boyfriends involved in drug rings can result in harsher prison sentences. Serena's story mirrors those of many other women who, because of their minor involvement in drug rings, have little information to trade and are left with little bargaining power with prosecutors. They end up facing excessive time in prison; meanwhile, their male counterparts receive reduced sentences in return for their testimony.

For women like Serena Nunn, associations with husbands and boyfriends involved in drug rings can result in harsher prison sentences. Serena's story mirrors those of many other women who, because of their minor involvement in drug rings, have little information to trade and are left with little bargaining power with prosecutors. They end up facing excessive time in prison; meanwhile, their male counterparts receive reduced sentences in return for their testimony.

A longstanding addiction to cocaine ended Willie Mays Aikens' baseball career and ultimately led to a 20-year sentence for selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer. His story illustrates the unjust sentencing and racial disparities between crack and powder cocaine.

A longstanding addiction to cocaine ended Willie Mays Aikens' baseball career and ultimately led to a 20-year sentence for selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer. His story illustrates the unjust sentencing and racial disparities between crack and powder cocaine.