Release Frank!

Missouri is in dire need of sentencing reform. The current system is flawed and fails to address the underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior. Harsh and lengthy sentences do not effectively deter crime or promote rehabilitation. Instead, they contribute to overcrowded prisons and perpetuate a cycle of incarceration. Sentencing reform is crucial to ensure fair and proportionate punishments, as well as to focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society. By implementing evidence-based practices and alternatives to incarceration, we can reduce recidivism rates and provide individuals with the support they need to rebuild their lives. It is time for Missouri to prioritize sentencing reform and create a more just and effective criminal justice system.

Supporting Sentencing Reform in Missouri

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Frank Flanders graduated from Ashland University

Samuel and Frank (Frank on right)

Our Cause

We are a group of Family, Friends, and Supporters advocating for Sentencing Reform in Missouri showing the excesses in sentencing as in the case of Frank Flanders.

Frank's Story

A Cry for Justice: Frank Flanders and the Urgent Need for Sentencing Reform in Missouri

In the heart of Missouri, a story of injustice and the pressing need for sentencing reform unfolds—a story that has left a community and its advocates fervently demanding change. The protagonist of this narrative is Frank Edwin Flanders, a man whose life has become emblematic of the flaws within the state's criminal justice system.

On August 18th, 2004, a young father made a terrible decision that would change the course of his family’s lives forever. Faced with daunting life challenges and intoxicated, when he stumbled into a gas station wearing an ill-fitting mask and while slurring apologies to the attendants on duty confronted them with what was later discovered as a broken pellet gun. He absconded with a little more than $100 - which was subsequently lost while fleeing the scene. This first-time felony offender was soon apprehended and sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years. Frank is still incarcerated at Crossroads Correctional Center after serving more than 18 years of his sentence. Far from being bitter, Frank readily acknowledges the seriousness of his poor decision, and is deeply sorry for his family, to his community, and especially the gas station attendants traumatized by his thoughtless act on that fateful day in 2004. Frank is even grateful for the opportunity that his incarceration has allowed him to reflect on his life and make changes. The changes he has made, and continues to make, are significant. Frank just finished his Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies, Magna Cum Laude, and is continuing towards a bachelor’s degree in communication. Frank loves to run and exercises nearly every day in the hopes that one day he will be able to leave prison and make a sponsored run from Cameron to Jamesport (approx. 28 miles) to raise awareness for mental illness and suicide risk. Frank wants to make amends for his bad decisions. He wants to be a positive influence on society. Frank is full of hope. Has the goal of punishment and reform been achieved in Franks case?... Yes!!! Those who have the privilege of knowing Frank reply with a resounding... Yes!!!

Frank's case is a stark reminder of the harsh sentencing laws in Missouri, which have contributed to the over-incarceration of non-violent offenders. Despite demonstrating remarkable rehabilitation, showing genuine remorse, and becoming a positive influence within the prison community, Frank remains behind bars with a sentence that far exceeds any reasonable notion of justice.

The injustice of Frank's situation has ignited a passionate advocacy movement, bringing together activists, community members, and legal experts alike. Their collective cry for reform echoes across the state and beyond.

Missouri's sentencing laws, like those in many states, have come under scrutiny for their role in perpetuating a cycle of punishment without addressing the underlying issues that lead individuals into the criminal justice system. Mandatory minimum sentences, three-strikes laws, and other punitive measures have filled prisons with individuals who, with the right support and rehabilitation, could reintegrate into society as productive citizens.

Frank's case highlights the critical need for reform in Missouri's sentencing policies. Advocates argue that the focus should shift from punitive measures to restorative justice and rehabilitation. They emphasize the importance of giving individuals like Frank a second chance at life—a chance to rebuild, to make amends, and to contribute positively to their communities.

The rallying cry for sentencing reform in Missouri has gained momentum through community engagement, social media campaigns, and grassroots advocacy efforts. Families, activists, and concerned citizens are coming together to raise awareness about the urgent need for change. They believe that a fair and compassionate justice system should prioritize rehabilitation, mental health support, and addiction treatment over punitive sentences.

In the case of Frank Flanders, his story has become a symbol of the larger struggle for justice reform in Missouri. Advocates are pushing for legislative changes that would not only address past injustices but also prevent future miscarriages of justice. They call for reforms that take into account an individual's background, circumstances, and potential for rehabilitation, rather than imposing rigid sentences.

Frank's story serves as a stark reminder that the quest for justice is ongoing, and the fight for sentencing reform in Missouri is far from over. The hope is that through the collective efforts of passionate advocates, lawmakers will recognize the need for change and work toward a more equitable and compassionate criminal justice system—a system that values redemption, rehabilitation, and the potential for positive change in the lives of individuals like Frank Flanders.

Proposed Amendments

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Current

Click here to see a proposed amendment that could help Frank and others similarly situated gain their freedom.

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Bills

Explore the bills introduced in the Missouri legislature and click the button on the left! We would like to encourage everyone to support House Bill 1777. Click the button on the right, where you can submit an online witness testimony for the aforementioned bill. Any kind of support is greatly appreciated, thank you all for helping in this journey to Freedom.