You Can Not Hold Me Down

In my previous blogs I talk so much about my interest. I will leave my last blog with my ambitions and my biggest priority of my life. I was born and raised in Rockford,IL. I consider my city not only my birth place but my family. The city played a major role in raising me and my community was my support. I believe in supporting every one in my community and uplifting my commuity to make it a better place. I also believe in second chances because everyone makes mistakes.I am advocate for Reynolds Wintersmith. A teenager who made a mistake, born into the wrong neighborhood. He is the only nonviolent juvenile, first-time offender in the United States who is serving a mandatory Federal Life Sentence for a drug offense.He is from my community. He has been in federal prison since 1993. Mr. Wintersmith was just seventeen years old when he joined a drug ring. He was a first-time offender with zero criminal record when he stood before the federal judge who sentenced him to die in prison. He has served 19 years in prison on the life sentence imposed. Without some sentencing relief, there is no chance that Mr. Wintersmith will ever be released.

I do not advocate the use or sale of illegal drugs in anyone’s community. I do recognize that Reynolds Wintersmith made a great mistake and his crime harmed our community. Mr.Wintersmith grandmother was setenced to prison when he was 15 years old. He was forced to raise his three younger sisters since his mother was no longer living. He lived in a one bedroom house raising his sister and going to high school without the state intervening . He sold drugs to feed his family. I believe in the power of rehabilitation and maturity in our young people. Are prison system was set in place to punish and reform. Reynolds Wintersmith has made exceptional strides to improve himself during his nearly two decades in prison. He has completed many college courses. He is certified by the U.S. Department of Labor as a Teacher’s Aide. He tutors other inmates about how to further their education. He is a certified victim impact counselor. He is a prisoner companion for the federal inmate suicide prevention program. He is a federal community mentor who counsels prisoners about how to be productive members of society when they are released. I personally speak to him on day to day bases and each day he wants to be better. I believe that it is time for Reynolds Wintersmith to be released, so he can repay his debt to society through restorative and healing work within our community outside of prison walls. He has apologized to us and asked that we forgive him. I have submitted documents to several news media outlets and just recently The Chicago Tribune selected the information and produced and published a article. My online and paper petition has been signed by over 3,000 people. Every 1,000 I submit them to President Barack Obama pardoning office. I have a meeting with Illinois State Sen. Dick Durban June 4th, 2012 which puts me one step closer to my goal. Hopefully someone will read this and for me that is enough.