Success Stories Archives - FAMM

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Steven Hawthorne

“What’s Your Legacy Going to Be?” A Second Chance at Life

Thursday, May 5, 2022
Steven Hawthorne’s story shows how second chances make sense. When he got his second chance and was released from Illinois state prison, Steven started building a productive life of service — and he hasn’t stopped since. Right now, there are too many people in Illinois... Read More

Gerald Tarboro: A Story of Second Chances

Monday, August 17, 2020
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... Read More

Matthew Charles: Saved by the First Step Act

Monday, February 4, 2019
Matthew Charles’ life has seen some extraordinary turns recently. After spending 21 years in prison on a 35-year sentence, he was released in 2016. He walked out of prison with nothing, but soon created a full life for himself. It turned out, though, that his... Read More
Chad Marks

Success on the Inside: Chad Marks

Monday, January 28, 2019
At age 24, Chad Marks was sentenced to a 40-year federal mandatory minimum sentence. The prosecution offered him a plea deal that could have resulted in a 10-year term if Chad would admit his guilt. Instead, he went to trial, was convicted, and sentenced to... Read More

Success on the Inside: Jorge Maldonado

Friday, December 14, 2018
I still think about wrestling. I watch it here in prison every Monday and Tuesday. I wrestled for over 25 years, in many countries. You can see my videos on YouTube – just search “Rico Casanova Lucha.” I want to fight again when I get... Read More
Elizabeth Melson

Success Story: Elizabeth Melson

Friday, October 26, 2018
Elizabeth was a shy child and adolescent who struggled with self-esteem issues from an early age.  Problems for Elizabeth became even worse during her teens, around the time of her parents’ separation and divorce. Read More

Robert Shipp: The World Gave Up on Him. He Proved Them Wrong

Friday, September 7, 2018
“It feels like the world has given up on you. That you are just some throwaway, someone who is irredeemable.” That’s how Robert Shipp describes being sentenced to life in prison for a drug crime in 1994. UPDATE: Robert was released from BOP custody on... Read More