Stories

Malcolm is my only child. He was always a nice, mild-mannered, easygoing boy. Every holiday when he was a boy, we had our favorite tradition. I would tell him, “Oh, we’re going to go on a little date.” I would take him to different restaurants just so he’d know how to order off the menu, how to be a gentleman, open doors. He used to spend a lot of time with me with the elders of the family. He always thought it was his job to take care of the elders: my mother, her sisters. He would always tell people that he’s going to go play baseball and make a lot of money and everybody would come live with him. He even had a few scholarships to play at the college level.

Too many people in Pennsylvania are serving long prison terms that don’t make communities safer. There are plenty of people locked up like David Mandeville, who do not pose a risk to public safety yet languish in prison for decades because Pennsylvania’s laws don’t give them a second chance.

There’s nothing romantic about prison. But here’s a FAMM story that’s undeniably romantic. It’s about what happens when fierce advocacy, Fantasy Football, 35 birthday cards, and a second chance come together.

AnDreco Lott is serving a prison sentence of more than 92 years. Yet somehow, his life spark hasn’t dimmed. In fact, in the 20 years he’s been inside, his growth has been remarkable.

The compassionate release reform in the First Step Act is being used by some federal judges as a second look authority. The stories here of Jamal, Adam, Lisa, and Devon show why this mechanism makes sense and should be used more often.

“I didn’t know that it was not normal to have the police regularly show up because your parent’s arguments turned physical.”

“I am not saying that I am innocent. I did some really foolish things and failed to reach out for help for my addiction. I broke my mother’s heart.”

Celeste Blair’s path from childhood trauma to addiction to prison is all too common. At the end of such a path, is a decades-long sentence really the answer? In prison, Celeste has thrown herself into helping other women live lives deserving of a second chance. Now 50, she won’t be free until she is 71 – unless she gets a second chance herself.

Andrea Strong worked at FAMM practically since day one. She was our Director of Member Services, and over the years she talked to countless families with loved ones in prison. She knew firsthand the pain of having a loved one behind bars; her brother was given a life sentence for marijuana charges. 

“I know he needs help, and that he needs to face the consequences for his actions. But my question is: Will prison “fix” him? Does prison help any addict?”

My story is about two second chances. The first is mine – I got one. I spent 11 years in prison, and I was released a little early because of the First Step Act. The other one I want to tell you about is a second chance that I wish someone else could get. His name is Dawan Maynard, and he’s still behind bars, for another 17 years.