“I’ve spent more time in prison than I’ve spent outside in society, and essentially grew up in prison,” says Antonio Howard, who lived in Pennsylvania state prison for more than 26 years. Yet today, what defines Antonio the most is not his imprisonment, but rather... Read More
At last month’s hearing before the U.S. Sentencing Commission about proposed changes to compassionate relief guidelines, an unlikely voice joined the testimony. As returning citizen Adam Clausen was testifying about his own recent compassionate release, his two-year-old son Christian started vocalizing loudly, as toddlers do.... Read More
“I thought I was going to die with a needle in my arm. And that didn’t happen. If I came from where I came from and changed, anybody can. It doesn’t matter how bad the situation seems. People can change. Everybody has potential.” – Vanessa... Read More
Dennis Freedom Horton, 52, spends his days doing work he seems born for – connecting with people and serving his community in Philadelphia. He facilitates the Wellness Recovery Action Plan program (WRAP), which helps people in prison and others improve their lives, and Shining Light,... Read More
My name is Lee Horton. I’m from North Philadelphia, and I’m 57. I’ve been married for 30 years and have four children. In 1993, I was sentenced to life in prison. I spent 28 years there before I was given clemency in 2021. Read More
“People are not what their mistake is. It’s how they overcome that mistake and move forward, and what they can accomplish after the mistake.” – Lynn Espejo Read More
“My faith allowed me to heal while I was incarcerated. Healing means being completely free internally from all the myths and stereotypes. Early release allowed me to rebuild my family, and myself, and help my community to heal.” Read More
Almost as soon as he entered prison for a mandatory life sentence on drugs charges in 1997, Fulton “Mr. Wash” Washington got to work. He didn’t know whether or not he’d ever have an opportunity to join society again as a free man, but he’d... Read More
To hear Peter Ninemire talk about his decades-long career in social work and addiction treatment, you’d never know that in 1990, he was number three on the state of Kansas’ most wanted list, or that a year later he’d be serving a 27-year federal mandatory... Read More