THE POWER OF STORY
Narratives or widely held beliefs about the carceral system are often shaped through the stories we most often hear. That is why Second Chance centers the voices of returning citizens in this work. Their testimonies do more than share personal experience; they challenge harmful assumptions, reveal the truth of reentry, and call us into a broader vision of community where people are not defined by incarceration, but by their humanity, resilience, and potential. When those most impacted speak for themselves they transform predominant narratives, and in doing so, can also open the door to systemic change.
Click their name to read each gentleman’s story.
William Allen
Thomas Koonce
Ramadan Shabazz
Jean Thebaud
Ruben Pina
William Allen
Used Car Lot Assistant
Tufanjkian Toyota of Braintree
Commutation Recipient February 2022
“When individuals are given a fair chance at release and the tools to successfully reintegrate, they are more likely to become stable, productive members of their communities. That means safer neighborhoods, lower rates of reoffending, and stronger families.”
Four years after applying for a commutation, I finally got a hearing thanks to the work of my legal team and Second Chance Justice. Ultimately, I was granted a commutation, but in the meantime It had cost the state of Massachusetts over $100,000 per year to keep me incarcerated while I waited, totaling $400,000 spent on me alone. Imagine if that money had been invested in reentry programs for me and my formerly incarcerated brothers and sisters. But it cost me precious time with my sister and father before they both passed.
There were definitely times when I felt myself losing hope in prison. Even though I never gave up, I saw guys around me give up completely because they felt like they had nothing to look forward to. I remember people saying they didn’t care anymore—getting in trouble, using substances—because, in their minds, they had nothing to lose. But then I witnessed how my commutation, even just being given a commutation hearing, gave hope to a lot of guys.
One of the biggest challenges when I got out was adjusting to society again after 28 years. A year after I got out, my father passed away suddenly before he could really help guide me through this new chapter of my life. That was devastating. Losing him while trying to rebuild my life made everything harder.
At the same time, I was surprised by how much support and love I received, even from people who didn’t know me. But there were big challenges, like finding stable housing after my father passed. A network of friends and family helped me figure out what was available to me. I signed up for housing assistance, but navigating those systems wasn’t straightforward, especially after being disconnected from society for so long. And even though I applied, I have still not received housing assistance.
One of the most helpful things for me since I got out has been being able to talk to a therapist. In prison, there’s a stigma about mental health. You don’t talk to therapists. But being able to talk to someone and work through my life has been one of the most helpful things for me. My friend Joe Moore helped me to find an excellent therapist who sees me at no charge. Again, this is something that came from my own network. Many people coming out of prison and jail don’t have access to a therapist.
People who have done the work to change deserve a real chance at a second life. The commutation process should be faster and more transparent so people aren’t left waiting for years without answers. Reentry support needs to start before release and continue afterward, including housing support, mental health services, and guidance on navigating benefits. When individuals are given a fair chance at release and the tools to successfully reintegrate, they are more likely to become stable, productive members of their communities. That means safer neighborhoods, lower rates of reoffending, and stronger families.
Thomas Koonce
Director of Reentry, Violence and Prevention
The Center for Teen Empowerment
Commutation Recipient February 2022
“With the stalling of commutation cases which have received a positive recommendation, there’s less momentum and less hope. ”
The waiting period after I filed my commutation petition in 2014 or 2015 was long, uncertain, and stressful. It was 5-6 years before I received a hearing. Early on, I was hopeful, especially when there were indications that movement might happen. After the hearing and positive recommendation, I waited another year for the governor’s decision. During that time, I lost both my brother and my mother. At the same time, I was trying to plan for the possibility of release and I focussed on things like housing and employment, but the extended timeline made it difficult to rely on any of those plans.
Receiving commutation was a significant turning point for me. It created an opportunity to move forward with goals I had been working toward for years. It also carries a certain level of recognition, given the standards involved, which has allowed me to share my experience and speak about the process with others. My commutation gave hope to a lot of people that they could earn a second chance.
More recently, when I visit prisons, which I do often, I’ve noticed a shift in how people view commutation. With the stalling of commutation cases which have received a positive recommendation, there’s less momentum and less hope. People who were once actively preparing and expecting progress seem more uncertain now, and that affects their overall outlook.
Since being released, I’ve had a lot of support, which made a difference, but there were still challenges. Basic things like obtaining identification documents involved a series of administrative steps that weren’t always straightforward. Housing remains one of the most consistent challenges, not just for me, but for many people returning home. At times I have been struck by the gap between what some organizations say they provide and what is actually available. At the same time, there are individuals and groups doing meaningful work. Peer support, especially from people who had already navigated reentry, was critical for me. Programs like Transformational Prison Project show what effective, wraparound support can look like with mentorship, accountability, and a sense of community that continues after release. That kind of consistent, relationship-based support makes a real difference in whether someone is able to stabilize and move forward.
The work done while incarcerated, such as building relationships, developing skills, and staying engaged, can shape what happens on the outside. But individual effort alone isn’t enough. If commutation and reentry are going to function the way they’re intended to, there need to be clearer timelines and more transparency in the commutation process so people aren’t left waiting indefinitely without direction. On the reentry side, there needs to be greater investment in housing, better coordination around basic identification and documentation, and stronger support for programs that provide wraparound services.
When those pieces are in place, the impact goes beyond the individual. People are better positioned to contribute, support their families, and stay on stable paths. It’s about strengthening communities and creating better long-term outcomes for society as a whole.
Thomas Koonce
Director of Reentry, Violence and Prevention
The Center for Teen Empowerment
Commutation Recipient February 2022
“With the stalling of commutation cases which have received a positive recommendation, there’s less momentum and less hope. ”
The waiting period after I filed my commutation petition in 2014 or 2015 was long, uncertain, and stressful. It was 5-6 years before I received a hearing. Early on, I was hopeful, especially when there were indications that movement might happen. After the hearing and positive recommendation, I waited another year for the governor’s decision. During that time, I lost both my brother and my mother. At the same time, I was trying to plan for the possibility of release and I focussed on things like housing and employment, but the extended timeline made it difficult to rely on any of those plans.
Receiving commutation was a significant turning point for me. It created an opportunity to move forward with goals I had been working toward for years. It also carries a certain level of recognition, given the standards involved, which has allowed me to share my experience and speak about the process with others. My commutation gave hope to a lot of people that they could earn a second chance.
More recently, when I visit prisons, which I do often, I’ve noticed a shift in how people view commutation. With the stalling of commutation cases which have received a positive recommendation, there’s less momentum and less hope. People who were once actively preparing and expecting progress seem more uncertain now, and that affects their overall outlook.
Since being released, I’ve had a lot of support, which made a difference, but there were still challenges. Basic things like obtaining identification documents involved a series of administrative steps that weren’t always straightforward. Housing remains one of the most consistent challenges, not just for me, but for many people returning home. At times I have been struck by the gap between what some organizations say they provide and what is actually available. At the same time, there are individuals and groups doing meaningful work. Peer support, especially from people who had already navigated reentry, was critical for me. Programs like Transformational Prison Project show what effective, wraparound support can look like with mentorship, accountability, and a sense of community that continues after release. That kind of consistent, relationship-based support makes a real difference in whether someone is able to stabilize and move forward.
The work done while incarcerated, such as building relationships, developing skills, and staying engaged, can shape what happens on the outside. But individual effort alone isn’t enough. If commutation and reentry are going to function the way they’re intended to, there need to be clearer timelines and more transparency in the commutation process so people aren’t left waiting indefinitely without direction. On the reentry side, there needs to be greater investment in housing, better coordination around basic identification and documentation, and stronger support for programs that provide wraparound services.
When those pieces are in place, the impact goes beyond the individual. People are better positioned to contribute, support their families, and stay on stable paths. It’s about strengthening communities and creating better long-term outcomes for society as a whole.