Randall “Duke” Cunningham is far removed from his past respected and privileged lifestyle. The former California congressman is mid-way through an eight year sentence for taking $2.4 million dollars in bribes from defense contactor Brent Wilkes. Cunningham resigned in 2005 after his involvement in a scandal that included the third highest ranking staff member of the CIA, Dusty Foggo. Foggo, a friend from childhood, had charges of conspiracy and money laundering dropped, but was found guilty of wire fraud. Cunningham’s inner circle of friends included some business and government movers and shakers .
Now, some of Cunningham’s temporary inner circle are men that his actions as a congressman might have put in the same minimum security Arizona prison in which Cunningham is housed. Prior to his resignation, Cunningham was a rabid supporter of tougher laws and longer sentences for crime and criminals. Seeing firsthand the result of his actions, Cunningham admits he did not know “jack weenie” about the negative impact his vote would have on America.
In an interview with the San Diego City Beat Cunningham spoke of the 2.3 million Americans locked up in U.S. prisons, and the millions more family members of prisoners who are also severing a sentence of their own, while their loved ones are incarcerated. Cunningham now deeply regrets supporting laws that incarcerate so many Americans, particularly the “Crack Cocaine Law” which imposed a mandatory five year sentence for possession of five grams of crack. Even though this law was recently overturned, Cunningham still believes there is a lot more to be done, and is calling for criminal justice reform. Realizing that true reform can only come about through a bi-partisan effort, the former Republican congressman is asking both Republican and Democrat lawmakers to bring about that reform.
In the meantime, Cunningham is helping other inmates by teaching English as a second language and GED courses. He is grateful that he has had the opportunity to experience for himself how his tough on crime mentality was just plain wrong. He believes that a higher power than himself has put him in prison so that he can now advocate for those whom he once believed he was justified in punishing.
Sources: The San Diego Union-Tribune, change.org
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