Lifers Inc.

12/03/2024

This is a thoughtful & powerful essay written by John Gordon.

John Gordon is an offender currently serving (& appealing) a Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. This writing is an essay he submitted that gained him acceptance into the Villanova program at a CI Phoenix, where Villanova university offers a degree program to achieve a bachelor of art degree in liberal arts. John can be contacted via snail mail:

Smart Communications / PADOC
John Gordon / 1774 / SCI Phoenix
PO Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

By: John Gordon In the Commonwealth of Virginia, persons convicted of felonies must individually apply for restoration of voting rights, and their applications must be signed by the governor him or herself. In 2017, the Virginia Senate nearly passed an amendment that would permanently deny voting ri...

10/07/2024

Tomorrow is a day to watch! This could be a pivotal moment in our states horrific record on sentencing. Amistad Law Project Abolitionist Law Center you've got this! https://penncapital-star.com/justice-the-courts/pa-supreme-court-will-consider-whether-life-without-parole-for-second-degree-murder-is-cruel/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFK-8xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTEDnRQpqn0vRshtp3Qi8EsUjoILBIfklWQSGgnInM43-tXCLAe0YSUofg_aem_p6UnxkjG76SpHVZBiDKJeg

Pennsylvania is an outlier in sentencing people convicted of second-degree murder to life in prison without the possibility of parole, advocates for ending the practice say.

09/12/2024

Transformation is possible. Life Without Parole (aka Death by Incarceration) denies that reality. Mr. Sanchez provides a sincere look into why we must offer incarcerated individuals the ability to live a life beyond their punishment.

A new law would bring hope to people like me.

09/09/2024

If you have not yet purchased this incredible collection of essays by Lifers inside SCI Phoenix, now is your reminder to do so.
During the height of COVID, Lifers Inc. organized an essay contest encouraging incarcerated individuals to share personal experiences they’ve had with lifers while on the inside.
This collection of essays is the result of that work.
A vivid portrait of the roles lifers play in the lives of fellow residents. They become mentors, friends, surrogate fathers, uncles, brothers, teachers, nurses, educators, & group leaders. With wisdom gained from experience, they offer advice on law, religion, politics & family.
These essays invite you to witness lifers' profound impact on others. Offering a glimmer of hope & inspiring a deeper understanding of the human potential for transformation.
You can purchase on amazon

Inside Pennsylvania's largest maximum-security State Correctional Institution, SCI Phoenix, where hope and transformation often seem like distant dreams, a remarkable organization known as Lifers Inc. strives to make a difference. This publication, "Stories of Transformation," is just one of the ...

01/05/2024

Need something to watch this weekend? May we recommend the documentary 13th. It's available on YouTube and one of the best documentaries which "explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans."

Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, director Ava DuVernay's examination of the U.S. prison system looks at how the country...

12/27/2023

We asked those serving life sentences what they want the world to hear them say. Their voice, their thoughts matter.
James Bernard Miles-AF2496- 86yrs old-incarcerated since 1970-
""It is hard finding a monster in a nice person, and to find the human in a monster." We all make mistakes, we made on bad decision, we are deeply sorry for any harm caused the family and communities. My life has changed. I only want to help others now, in every way, no harm, to the end."

12/22/2023

During this season of reflection and gratitude, would you consider making a small donation to help move the needle towards justice for so many? We greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!

Donate

12/21/2023

We asked those serving life sentences what they want the world to hear them say. Their voice, their thoughts matter.
Mr. Fidel Santiago-AF5387- 70 yrs old-incarcerated for 50 years!-
"I was railroaded by the Philadelphia police department. I am an innocent man! Never guilty. Never free. I have been wrongly convicted. 1973-2023"

12/15/2023

We asked those serving life sentences what they want the world to hear them say. Their voice, their thoughts matter.
Richard Sean Gross-FF9878- 58yrs old-incarcerated since 2002-
"Is any person the same person that they were twenty years ago? We are not asking to be forgiven, just to pay our debt to society in the community."

12/11/2023

We asked those serving life sentences what they want the world to hear them say. Their voice, their thoughts matter.
James Brown-CQ3403- 68yrs old-incarcerated since 1985-
"Pennsylvania life sentence is a defacto death penalty! The commutation process is false hope that prevents Lifers from unity actions for change!"

12/08/2023

If you have a loved one that served a LWOP sentence in the state of PA, and they've died, we have a memorial wall on our website to share their names and a short remembrance about them. You can submit their name and a statement about them to us through email at [email protected]
We do not want them forgotten.

They are not forgotten To submit a memory or memorial of a lifer, please contribute through our contact form, or email [email protected] “I was looking thru my stuff yesterday and came across obituaries of Jerry Mims and Raymond Crawford. They don’t get any better than those two does… Read ...