OLD LAW PRISONER PROJECT
A Project of the Mass Incarceration Committee of the National Lawyers Guild
The Old Law Prisoner Project is a resource for federal prisoners convicted prior to November 1, 1987. Many political prisoners incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons were convicted prior to 1987 due to their work in liberation movements of the 1960s and 70s. Consequently, there are a disproportionate number of our freedom fighters who are classified as "old law prisoners" leaving them aged, medically vulnerable, and often misclassified- with little to no recourse for release.
For example, Bill Dunne and Leonard Peltier are political prisoners who are categorized as old law prisoners, now elders, incarcerated for decades and dealing with serious medical issues. Political prisoners, the late Dr. Mutulu Shakur and Marilyn Buck were also “old law” prisoners -released only months and weeks, respectively, before they died.
The Sentencing Project explains:
“Old law” people in federal prison are serving sentences for offenses committed prior to November 1, 1987, when the Federal Sentencing Guidelines went into effect. These people are the oldest, sickest, and most vulnerable cohort of people incarcerated in the federal system. Unlike individuals sentenced under the Guidelines, “old law” individuals are barred from seeking compassionate release under the First Step Act. Their only path for release is through the U.S. Parole Commission.