Alabama law provides for compassionate release for people in its prisons, but relief is rare and the requirements are strict. Often, the people most in need of compassionate release face limitations that make navigating the process without a legal advocate impossible. Release is unattainable without a State-approved release plan, but most release options do not account for the unique needs of the elderly and ill. Redemption Earned identifies and assists these individuals, providing them free legal and reentry services that holistically meet their needs. We help our clients obtain their freedom, secure medically appropriate housing, and connect with resources vital to successful reentry after long-term incarceration.

Having worn a judge’s robe for almost 30 years, I have sentenced many people to confinement and ruled on thousands of appeals of incarcerated people. It was not until I retired as Chief Justice and pro bono represented individuals who were unjustly imprisoned that I realized that something had to be done to secure the release and successful reentry of worthy incarcerated individuals. The Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles had a ridiculously low parole rate of 6%. Alabama prisons are the most dangerous and overcrowded in the United States. Something had to be done.

Our biggest challenge is our lack of capacity to meet the enormous need because of the dysfunction of the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Bryan Stevenson and Charlotte Morrison with the Equal Justice Initiative who recommended we begin our work by focusing on the 3,000+ people incarcerated in Alabama who are over the age of 60. Numerous judges who are mightily concerned about sentencing people to the most dangerous prisons in the United States. Cam Ward who is the Director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles and Representative Jim Hill, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee who was previously a trial judge.

More than 26 years ago, Harold Stallings received a life sentence for a robbery in which no one was hurt and less than $100 was taken. Today, Mr. Stallings is 65 years old. Due to Alzheimer’s, he cannot recall where he is, what year it is, or why he was in prison. He requires assistance with all activities of daily living, including bathing, eating, and dressing. Redemption Earned advocated for him for more than three years until his medical parole was finally granted. Now, Mr. Stallings is free and resides at a skilled nursing facility where he receives appropriate memory care services. We were also able to reconnect him with his family after they lost contact due to his dementia while incarcerated.