Financial Cost
Annual cost to imprison one inmate in Pennsylvania: Approximately $50,000-60,000
47 years × $55,000 average = $2,585,000 spent imprisoning Edward
Cost to imprison him through age 80 (if he lives that long):
- 8 more years
- 8 × $55,000 = $440,000 additional
Total cost: $3+ million to imprison one elderly man for third-degree murder
For comparison: Pennsylvania cut education funding, social services, healthcare. But found $3 million to keep a 72-year-old in prison.
Human Cost
To Edward:
- 47 years of his life taken
- Youth, middle age, and now old age spent in prison
- Health deteriorating from inadequate care
- Likely to die imprisoned
To His Family:
- Decades without him
- Children who grew up without their family member
- Grandchildren who’ve never known him free
- Watching him age and sicken behind bars
To Society:
- Example of excessive sentencing
- Symbol of political imprisonment
- Demonstration that mercy doesn’t exist for the politically disfavored
- Message: challenge power, spend life in prison
What Happened to the Others
Edward is the last MOVE 9 member still imprisoned. Here’s what happened to the others:
The Six Who Were Released
Debbie Africa – Released 2018 after 40 years (age ~69)
Mike Africa – Released 2018 after 40 years (age ~69)
Janet Africa – Released 2019 after 41 years (age ~70)
Janine Africa – Released 2019 after 41 years (age ~70)
Chuck Africa – Released 2020 after 41 years (age ~70)
Delbert Africa – Released 2020 after 42 years (age ~71)
All released in their late 60s-early 70s. All after serving 40+ years. All fighting health issues from decades of inadequate prison medical care.
The Two Who Died in Prison
Merle Africa – Died 1998 after 20 years (age ~48)
Phil Africa – Died 2015 after 37 years (age ~64)
Both denied compassionate release despite terminal illness. Both died in cells.
The Question
If six could be released after 40+ years, why not Edward after 47?
If the concern is public safety, 72-year-old Edward is less risk than 69-year-olds who were released.
If the concern is time served, he’s served more than any other MOVE 9 member.
If the concern is remorse, none of the released members denounced MOVE or confessed to killing Officer Ramp.
The only difference is political will. Pennsylvania chose to release six. Pennsylvania chooses to keep imprisoning Edward.
Why Edward Should Be Released
Reason #1: He’s Served Enough Time
47 years for third-degree murder is:
- More than double typical maximum sentence
- Longer than most first-degree murderers serve
- Longer than people who intentionally, premeditatedly killed
There’s no rational argument that 47 years isn’t “enough time.” This is excessive by any measure.
Reason #2: He’s Not a Threat
At 72 with multiple chronic health conditions, Edward poses no public safety risk. The parole board’s “risk” assessment is fiction.
Reason #3: He Meets Compassionate Release Criteria
Pennsylvania law allows release for elderly, seriously ill inmates. Edward is both. Keeping him imprisoned violates the spirit (if not letter) of compassionate release provisions.
Reason #4: The Conviction Is Questionable
Forensic evidence never proved who killed Officer Ramp. The trajectory of the bullet suggests police crossfire. Edward may be imprisoned for a death he didn’t cause.
Reason #5: It’s Simply the Right Thing
At some point, punishment becomes cruelty. 47 years crosses that line. Edward is an old man who should be allowed to die free, not in a cell.
Reason #6: The Other MOVE 9 Were Released
Six members were released after 40-42 years. Why is Edward still imprisoned at 47? The disparity is arbitrary and unjust.
Reason #7: Precedent
Pennsylvania has released people who:
- Committed worse crimes
- Served less time
- Posed greater risks
- Showed less “rehabilitation”
Edward’s continued imprisonment is political, not penological.