1000 Years Overcome! Celebrating a Milestone in Appleseed’s Legal and Reentry Work

A few years ago, Appleseed confronted an astonishing truth within Alabama state prisons: people sentenced to life without parole, individuals with no chance of using good behavior to catch a break and regain their freedom, served as leaders, mentors, barbers, cooks, literally sang in the chapel choir at Alabama’s maximum security prisons.

John Coleman, 92, Appleseed’s legal client has been free for more than 3 years.

Supporters gathered for brunch June 9 to meet and celebrate some of the individuals freed through Appleseed’s legal work. Photos by Bernard Troncale

Carl Green, 65, has taken numerous classes and is hoping to find employment, following 36 years in prison

For hundreds of these incarcerated people, their convictions involved no physical harm to anyone. They were sentenced under Alabama’s outdated and draconian Habitual Felony Offender Act, and would not face such extreme sentences today. Many had aged into their 60s and 70s and struggled with the fact that they could die in prison.

Slowly, cautiously, we approached district attorneys to see if they would agree to give these cases a second look. And prosecutors and judges across Alabama began to see what we saw, that people once thrown away in some of the worst prisons can grow and change. They can become peacemakers, teachers, artists, and ministers. And permanent punishment is unnecessary and simply wrong.

June 9, Appleseed celebrated the cumulative impact of this innovative legal work. Our clients have served a combined 1000 years in prison. Now they are free, living lives of hope and meaning with their friends and family. And we acknowledged that these men earned their freedom, through exemplary behavior in some of the worst prisons in the country.

We celebrated with our supporters in Birmingham, a community of love and acceptance that has been instrumental in this work. Reentry support is critical to our success, and our reentry program relies on exceptional existing nonprofits to assist our clients with services.

This milestone would not be possible without Appleseed’s legal staff, led by Legal Director Scott Fuqua, a relentless and determined advocate for people once thrown away by the state.  Legal fellow Tayler Walton is critical to our new project representing women who have survived domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. And attorney Becca Cardin corresponds with hundreds of incarcerated people and makes sure everyone’s request is heard.

Client Johnny Crawford, who served nearly 40 years for robbery, shares his story with supporters.

In response to our growing number of successful cases, Appleseed established a holistic reentry program in 2021. Our three-person reentry team ensures clients have safe housing, medical care, transportation, and someone to talk to when they feel overwhelmed and alone. When elderly clients need hospital care, our team is right by their side. When someone moves into their very first apartment, our team finds the furniture, the pots and pans, and makes sure the refrigerator is stocked. 

Reentry case manager Kathleen Henderson has served our clients nearly four years, and has been the driving force in ensuring people have what they need, whether it’s a drivers license, chemotherapy, or supplies to plant their own tomatoes. Social Worker Ingrid Patrick brings incredible care and attention to detail in everything she does, treating all of our elderly clients like family. 

None of this would be possible without Ronald McKeithen, Appleseed’s Director of Second Chances, who served 37 years in prison before becoming our second client to earn his freedom. The night of his release, Ronald asked supporters gathered for a celebration, what can I do to help? Since that time he has been a beacon of hope, light, support, and guidance for dozens of people who deserve a second chance. 

Big thanks to Workshops Empowerment for hosting our brunch and to Appleseed’s Communications and Development Manager Keely Sutton, who pulled the celebration together so beautifully.