Scott is one of Philadelphia’s more than 300 “juvenile lifers” -- individuals who were automatically sentenced, as children, to spend the rest of their lives in prison. As a birthplace for many “firsts” in American history, Philadelphia ranks first for a shameful reason: no other city on the planet has sentenced more young people to life in prison than Philadelphia.
The 2016 Montgomery v. Louisiana US Supreme Court decision paved the way for Scott’s vision of a full life outside of prison walls to become reality. YSRP partnered with Scott to prepare a detailed mitigation report that revealed to the Parole Board the challenges he faced during his childhood, his many accomplishments while incarcerated, and the extent of his personal transformation. In partnership with Scott, we articulated a reentry plan for his life post-incarceration, that included his future job prospects and the supports he needed to thrive in the community.
Scott returned home in August 2017 after 35 years in prison. Last December, he spent his first Christmas at home as an adult, with his wife Anna. In a few weeks, they will celebrate Christmas in the house they recently bought, surrounded by family, including their new granddaughter (another first for him). For Scott, since he has been home, he says that “everyday seems like Christmas.”
With your support, YSRP has stood shoulder to shoulder with Scott and many other juvenile lifers like him as they return home to Philadelphia after decades behind bars.
In 2018, we partnered with Scott, and with Kempis Songster, Ray Burns, Ronald Mason, Alphonso Leaphart, Saleem Holbrook, Marlo Clark and Shawn Bell, who are also now home. They join the growing community of the more than 32 other men and women we have partnered with to prepare for their resentencing and parole hearings, and their release. Because you joined with YSRP, more adult men and women like Scott are living full lives with dignity and connected to opportunity, outside of prison, after far too long.
In 2019, Philadelphia is poised to lead in its criminal justice reform efforts with the country’s most progressive district attorney at the helm. At this moment, where local and national appetites for criminal justice reform converge, we have a chance to realize our ultimate goal: that children should not be charged as adults, and they should not be held in adult jails and prisons. Please join us in this fight and make a year-end donation now.
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