Prayer and faith in God got me through 34 years of continuous confinement. You see I was 35 years old when I was arrested. I did my time without one disciplinary report as corrupt as these places can be. I always wanted to show that I was remorseful for my offense. I didn’t want to do harm to anyone. In 2020 I was commuted. When I went before the parole board, the DA said my behavior was typical of my crime, she was trying to keep me in orison. I didn’t get that since my behavior was exemplary, according to the governor. Obviously, the parole board didn’t get it either and found me suitable for release. After the board hearing the DA approached me and congratulated me on my exemplary behavior and explained that she was just doing her job. On my way back to the housing unit I was very emotional. You see I had to wait for the count to clear. I was the only one out walking in the main yard. All I could do was cry. I was released from a sentence of death by incarceration. Then I looked up in the sky giving God all the glory and praises for setting me free. I saw rain drops, but they were not falling to the ground but going upward. In those drops my vision was of all my family and friends’ prayers going up to God for my release. I am currently working two part-time jobs. I volunteer my time weekly to help others. There are so many others still inside who are just like me.

— Chryl

More of Chryl’s story can be found in the anthology, “Resilient” by Michelle Scott and Amy Davis