I am grateful…but will First Step Act really help?
November 25, 2018Truth be told the government didn’t want me to be released from prison early. I was advised by my attorneys not to speak publicly about my ordeal after my release.
I am grateful for my parents and every individual and organization who advocated for my freedom, especially the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Elaine Jones. I went into the system in 1994, this was during a time when there was no social media and criminal justice reform just wasn’t happening or at a painfully slow pace.
I am grateful for Black Media, George Curry, publisher of Emerge Magazine and Reginald Stuart who wrote the article that ultimately helped me walk out of federal prison 16 years earlier than what I was suppose to and caused other major media outlets to pick up my story.
Even though I was on probation after my release and I had a probation officer from hell, I had no apprehension in sharing my truth and fighting for justice. This link is an Interesting article on Clemency.
December 22 will mark 18 years since I’ve been home, but the clemency/commutation process is still the same. This movement has evolved over the years and we’ve had some victories, but I am constantly reminded of people dear to my heart who fight to remain hopeful that one day they will meet freedom at the gate and walk out of prison, too. Because their other option is to lose hope and believe that they will die in prison.
My question to all the First Step Act supporters is, will this legislation help them? Tears roll down my face thinking of them and their families over the holidays. I guess those of us who have been in the system and their families are the only ones who understand this heartache. Praying that Trump releases Michelle West, William Underwood and many others over the holidays.
#FreeMichelleWest and #FreeWilliamUnderwood
Read the article here: CNN: The process to pardon turkeys is more rational than the one used for humans