My name is Dionne, and I am currently incarcerated in FCI Aliceville, located in Aliceville, Alabama.    I am the oldest of four bi-racial children.  At an early age, I began caring for my siblings because both of my parents were addicted to “crack’ for many years, which led me to be my sibling’s primary caregiver.  Around the age of 12, I began selling drugs, starting with marijuana, and eventually moving “up the ladder” to harsher drugs to make more money to support my siblings.  By the age of 16, I was a daily marijuana smoker, at the same time still maintaining the role of financially supporting my family.  I then began selling drugs which eventually ruined my childhood.  The older I became, the deeper I fell into the “drug life.”  To cope with my situation at home, I started using cocaine, pills and then heroin.  I soon found myself becoming an addict and despised myself.  I began selling heroin, among other things, to continue to support my family as well as my addiction.  I am grateful I can say that I never sold myself.  My addiction had spiraled out of control and I became more that just a drug addict, this had become a full lifestyle of co-dependency.  In one instant my family was needing me, but I was finding myself needing the drugs, and this cycle repeated itself for years. The crime I was convicted with is a non-violent drug offense, the only female on my indictment.  I was sentenced to 234 months (19 1/2/ years) with 5 years’ probation and required RDAP.  2 years prior to my indictment, I successfully completed a year long drug treatment program.  With continued counseling and treatment, I quickly realized I was well on my way to becoming a productive mother, sister, and friend, leading a healthy, happy, and drug-free life! Facts about my case: After signing a plea agreement for what I believed would only be for 120 months (10 years), I was more than surprised to get a PSR stating I would not be eligible for less than 15 years.  My lawyer never told me about “enhancements” and I did not even know the “or more” part of the indictment existed.  I was encouraged to enter a proffer which did very little except to give me a higher drug quantity which led to a longer sentence.  (which has yet to be produced).  I was charged with the number of drugs sold by my co- defendants while I was in prison with no proof I was involved in the conspiracy at the time.  I did breach the plea agreement by not appearing for sentencing, but this was never an issue in my appeal until I filed for it Pro-se, which I also received a 2-point enhancement. I have chosen to write this letter to inform those in authority to please make changes with the laws.  There are thousands of WOMEN, MOTHERS & SISTERS situations terribly similar to my own. The women charged with drug crimes are not large-scale drug operators.  We are not committing violent acts nor supplying drugs to cities. The start of my incarceration I kept myself busy.  Currently, I am in my fifth year and I maintain a full-time job.  I am constantly pursing my education both through B.O.P. classes and correspondence courses.  I have continued my recovery process.  I have remained with clear conduct and no disciplinary actions against me.  I use my free time for social activities such as sports and building on spirituality.  I am asking for a second chance of life, the sentence I received was a harsh one and does not fit the crime committed.  Please allow me to rejoin my family and put this horrible ordeal in the past where it will remain.  I am praying daily for the opportunity to return home. Thank you for reading, listening, and caring. Sincerely, Dionne Ackerly

My name is Dionne Ackerly