Episode 29. Reginald part 2
conversations of conviction
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The Tennessee story
conversations of conviction
Four years ago, Ricky, AKA Tennessee, was released from prison. He was free for only a few months. His parole officer threw him back in prison for some negligible parole violations. While in prison, the staff have beaten him down (they waited until he was handcuffed and several guards jumped him) they made certain he would not be released, and every year he see's parole, and every year parole denies him. Four years, and he committed no crime. What's more crazy, is that he is one of thousands. There are thousands in jail and prison for simple violations. People are serving years for showing up...
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Episode 28. Could you survive our story
conversations of conviction
Every time someone learns that I've been in prison for most of my life, And I've been addicted to drugs, and I have a criminal record to large too print, they give me a look of disdain or disgust. People will treat me as though I'm in their way and I don't belong, as if I could never change or become anything beyond what I was. I wear long sleeves and pants to hide my tattoos and scars just to feel like I could belong, and if only for a moment. Everything I have and everything I have learned has been a battle, and not just a mental battle, but a physical one. Before you judge me or...
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Episode 27. Raque. A story of innocence.
conversations of conviction
Twenty years ago, Philadelphia Pa. was at its pinnacle of corruption. Only recently did we learn of the "do not call to testify" list that the courts had of their corrupt detectives, whose job it was to close caes by any means necessary. A few of those detectives have been arrested, and a few of the wrongfully convicted have been released from prison. But not all. There are still several corrupt officers, District Attorneys, and even judges, hiding behind their cloaks of immunity, and there are still several wrongfully convicted still stuck in prison with a sentence for forever because their...
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Episode 25. Law 101 Vol. III
conversations of conviction
If we don't let the courts and our government know that we are watching them, they will continue to ignore our Constitutional rights. No one is safe from their abuse or being thrown into a prison cell to generate them more wealth, until we stand together. Here are some examples of why we need to unite that my friend and I talk about during a prison visit.
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Episode 24. Reginald
conversations of conviction
Two days after Tupac was murdered, in 1996, Reginald and a friend of his were arrested and charged with the robbery of a Seiko watch and 8 dollars. He was sentenced to 37 and 1/2 years to 75 years in a Pennsylvania State prison. He has maintained that he is innocent, but the courts have refused to even listen to his appeals because he did not file in time. This is such a common issue in Pennsylvania and because they don't come from an affluent or famous family, their Constitutional rights are ignored, and their lives don't seem to matter. We can fix this broken and corrupt system and bring...
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Episode 23. MOMs of the INCARCERATED Vol. I
conversations of conviction
Regardless of the crimes we commit, regardless of the sentence we receive, our Moms tend to remain by our side. I've read so many heartbreaking questions from moms after their child has been thrown in prison. I hope this helps you, moms. Jay's mom has done more than the average mom. She has made prison and sentence reform her mission because her son was forced to take Life Without Parole as opposed to a sentence of Death at the age of 19, after he was told he would never get to hug his mom again.
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Episode 22. He didn’t make it.
conversations of conviction
Bashir and I did 10 years in prison together. He was released before me, and when I got out, I couldn't find him. I learned that he was trying to get home from the hospital when 2 Pottstown police officers approached and tried to apprehend him based on a person's description. He was put into a fight-or-flight situation, and after the things we have been through, flight isn't an option. The police lied and said he had "reached for their gun" to justify the arrest. He was out of prison for 7 months before they robbed him of his freedom, again.
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Episode 21. Never giving up
conversations of conviction
Matthew Garcia has Life without the possibility of parole despite not ever having hurt anyone. He was a child, and he was with someone who had got into an altercation with someone else - they wrestled over a gun - it went off - a life lost - then Matthew's life lost to the Pennsylvania depatment of correction. In Pa that's the law, it's called felony murder. Matt has 27 years in prison and has accomplished more than most people in the world. He deserves a sceond chance, but he's not going to get one if we don't raise our voices for him. see his accomplishments on instagram at: Matthew_1980
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Episode 20. The Jason Perez Story
conversations of conviction
This is a story of actual innocence - 21 years later, Jason Perez is still in a Pennsylvania state prison - and after all of the witnesses came forward to say that they were forced to lie at trial by the Philadelphia police. His case has been reopened, and he needs our help to make sure that he is not left or forgotten in prison. Jason Perez # GE-6365 (he can receive emails through ConnectNetwork.com - add the Pa Department of Corrections, then search for Jason Perez) . All it takes is the right person to hear this - let's do our part to bring him home.
info_outlineI was a teenager when I met Earl Gale (Shakur) in Graterford prison, in Pennsylvania. He had already been in for nearly 15 years. He was the first person I met who was sentenced to remain in prison until death. Today, he has nearly 35 years in, and he's being reviewed for commutation, which is like a pardon for good behavior. I have thought about our conversations we had many times as I grew up. Words of wisdom that could only come from someone who has been through what he has been through. Being in prison since 1992, he has lost a lot many friends and loved ones. He could use our support, with a letter or email to the board of pardons in Harrisvurg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gale's pardon # is C - 9543 and his application # is 55839.