OUR WORK IN ACTION

Below are stories of some of our youth and Juvenile Lifer client-partners who faced charges in the adult criminal justice system when they were under 18 years old. Together, we are fighting back against the cruel and inhumane ways our justice system treats children in Philadelphia.

Marcus and Marcedes's Story

Marcus and Marcedes’s Story

Marcus was only a teen when he first met Marcedes in the early 2000s. When she thinks about the story of her and Marcus’s life together, her face lights up. “We’ve written a long book,” Marcedes says. “Actually, there are volumes.” Marcedes holds a photo of her and Marcus. Photo by Naomieh Jovin. Marcedes met…

Juan's Story

Juan’s Story

On April 9, 2019, Juan walked out of prison after 29 years. He calls that Chapter 1. It started when he was incarcerated at 17 years old. Sentenced to die in prison as a child, his father’s deep faith sustained him. “My father told me he prayed. The Lord said to him, ‘I got him…

Sadiq & Nina's Story

Sadiq & Nina’s Story

In some ways, family is complicated. Through fights and forgiveness, through trauma and healing, through separation and reunification, Nina and her son, Sadiq, have remained deeply connected to each other. Their love has been consistent. Permanent. In that way, family can be quite simple. YSRP’s Director of Advocacy Emily Robb describes Nina as “the most…

Zakair's Story

Zakair’s Story

Zakair describes himself as determined. He’s that and more. When faced with an opportunity or a chance to reach one of his goals, Zakair pursues it as much as possible. Zakair possesses something special that belies his young age (now 22): he can see the life he wants for himself, and he’s working hard to…

Demanding a More Just Future

Demanding a More Just Future

At YSRP, we share human moments. Our client-partners continuously demonstrate their humanity and shine a light on the inhumanity of our carceral systems. A year ago, YSRP invested more heavily in policy advocacy by hiring our first Policy Director. As a founding member of the Care, Not Control campaign, YSRP is part of the movement.…

Shariff and Dara's Next Chapter

Shariff and Dara’s Next Chapter

Dara Ingram, along with her mother Ruby, always knew that incarceration was not the end of her brother Shariff’s story. Shariff left prison in September 2020 after nearly 23 years of incarceration. That moment was profound for Shariff and for Dara. For Shariff, it was a moment to begin anew, enjoying freedoms long imagined.…

Imean loves to learn about things he can’t physically see. His mind soars into other dimensions, in spite of the roadblocks he’s faced. At 15, Imean was arrested, for the first time in his life and charged as an adult. Almost as soon as YSRP engaged with him and his attorney, Imean’s case was decertified, or moved to the juvenile justice system. And, after spending a year in adult jail, Imean came home this Spring.

Imean’s Story

Imean loves to learn about things he can’t physically see. His mind soars into other dimensions, in spite of the roadblocks he’s faced. At 15, Imean was arrested, for the first time in his life and charged as an adult. Almost as soon as YSRP engaged with him and his attorney, Imean’s case was decertified, or moved to the juvenile justice system. And, after spending a year in adult jail, Imean came home this Spring.

Incarceration doesn’t just punish individuals. It causes harm to entire family systems. Christina was sixteen when she made a poor decision. The outcome was something she could never, at the time, have imagined. Facing incarceration in the adult legal system, YSRP began working with Christina to move her case to the juvenile court. But, these processes take time.

Just A Child

Incarceration doesn’t just punish individuals. It causes harm to entire family systems. Christina was sixteen when she made a poor decision. The outcome was something she could never, at the time, have imagined. Facing incarceration in the adult legal system, YSRP began working with Christina to move her case to the juvenile court. But, these processes take time.

Charging a child as an adult does not make them an adult. Kameron, for nine months, was incarcerated in an adult facility. And, in the end, with support from his attorney and YSRP, he was acquitted. For nine months, he - while presumed innocent - was incarcerated amongst adults. Unjustly. Unacceptably. Inexplicably.

Words Matter

Charging a child as an adult does not make them an adult. Kameron, for nine months, was incarcerated in an adult facility. And, in the end, with support from his attorney and YSRP, he was acquitted. For nine months, he – while presumed innocent – was incarcerated amongst adults. Unjustly. Unacceptably. Inexplicably.

Though inspired by significant successes and gathering momentum, it recently became clear that we as an organization are ready for our next chapter. After a period of deep contemplation, Joanna and Lauren will end their time as YSRP’s leaders on January 31, 2022.

A Time For Transition

Though inspired by significant successes and gathering momentum, it recently became clear that we as an organization are ready for our next chapter. After a period of deep contemplation, Joanna and Lauren will end their time as YSRP’s leaders on January 31, 2022.

Always aiming to please the various adults who came in and out of her life, Imena tried her best to make others happy. But, succeeding wasn’t easy; the rules weren’t always clear. Now, at home and entering adulthood, Imena is focused on more important things: “My goal [is] making myself happy in life. I keep going [because of] the things I still have left to do.” For Imena, that’s liberation.

Dark Nights, Bright Stars

Always aiming to please the various adults who came in and out of her life, Imena tried her best to make others happy. But, succeeding wasn’t easy; the rules weren’t always clear. Now, at home and entering adulthood, Imena is focused on more important things: “My goal [is] making myself happy in life. I keep going [because of] the things I still have left to do.” For Imena, that’s liberation.

In 2019, Tamika's faith was rewarded when the U.S. Supreme Court issued opinions that made her release a possibility. In partnership with Tamika and her dedicated legal team, YSRP worked to prepare a report that gave the prosecutor and judge more context about her life, and an actionable plan for her long-anticipated release from prison.

Faith Restored

In 2019, Tamika’s faith was rewarded when the U.S. Supreme Court issued opinions that made her release a possibility. In partnership with Tamika and her dedicated legal team, YSRP worked to prepare a report that gave the prosecutor and judge more context about her life, and an actionable plan for her long-anticipated release from prison.

As a 16-year-old child, Giovanni never belonged in the adult system, but he never let it define him. He was always engaged in his own case, and he wants to be remembered for always helping those in need. Giovanni’s legacy is one of hope. Now, his life is about making a difference - about “reaching back” to those “good guys I left behind,” and finding a way to “do things that matter.”

A Greater Vision

As a 16-year-old child, Giovanni never belonged in the adult system, but he never let it define him. He was always engaged in his own case, and he wants to be remembered for always helping those in need. Giovanni’s legacy is one of hope. Now, his life is about making a difference – about “reaching back” to those “good guys I left behind,” and finding a way to “do things that matter.”

If you know Ghani, it does not surprise you that he saw his release from prison as an opportunity. Ghani is a sage. When he speaks, he creates space for you to learn from him, to learn with him. When you hear Ghani speak, you feel like you’ve experienced something. Ghani is a leader. It’s clear. He repeatedly does what he thinks leadership is: “Noticing what’s missing and doing something about it.”

A Time For Atonement

If you know Ghani, it does not surprise you that he saw his release from prison as an opportunity. Ghani is a sage. When he speaks, he creates space for you to learn from him, to learn with him. When you hear Ghani speak, you feel like you’ve experienced something. Ghani is a leader. It’s clear. He repeatedly does what he thinks leadership is: “Noticing what’s missing and doing something about it.”

Teanna's* Story

Teanna’s* Story

At 16, Teanna was arrested, for the first time in her life, in suburban Philadelphia. She was held in a juvenile detention center for several months, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while the District Attorney decided whether to charge her as an adult. If her case was moved to adult court, Teanna could face a potential…

Larry’s Story

In 1992, Larry was just 17 years old when he was arrested, for the first time, and sentenced to die in prison. He spent the next 27 years of his life at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon. Of those, he says the last 8 months -- March through November -- were the most terrifying…

Shariff's Story

Shariff’s Story

In September 2020, after more than 22 years of incarceration, Shariff walked out of the State Correctional Institution at Fayette, free at last. He embraced his mother, Ruby, and his sister, Dara, who had been fighting alongside him for his freedom since he was 15 years old. Hugging his mother for the first time since…

Raequan's Story

Raequan’s Story

Raequan has an entrepreneurial spirit. Matthew and Katherine, then law and graduate social work students, respectively, easily got that sense, along with YSRP’s staff, the first time they met Raequan in early 2016. They met Raequan when he was just 17 years old and being held at an adult jail in Philadelphia. Raequan spent a…

A.'s Story

A.’s Story

At 17, A. was arrested, for the first time in her life, and charged in the adult criminal justice system in suburban Philadelphia. She was incarcerated for two months at an adult jail while she awaited trial. A. faced a potential sentence of 3 - 6 years in adult prison for fighting with another girl…

My's Story

My’s Story

My was 17 years old when she was arrested for the first time in her life, and charged in the adult criminal justice system. She was held in an adult women’s jail in Philadelphia for over six months. She was only allowed outside of her cell for two hours a day, most days. photo credit:…

Terrance’s Story

Terrance’s Story

Terrance Lewis survived 21 years of wrongful incarceration, and somehow did so with grace. He is humble, kind and hardworking, and he is a passionate and courageous advocate. As a teenager, Terrance was arrested for a crime that occurred when he was 17 years old; a year later, he was sentenced to spend the rest…

Isheem

Isheem’s Story

Isheem has all the promise and potential of realizing his dream of becoming a professional football player in the near future. Courted by some of the top Division I college football programs in the country, with full ride scholarship offers from 33 universities, Isheem’s future screeched to a halt when, at the age of 17,…

Eddie’s Story

Eddie’s Story

At 17 years old, Eddie was homeless and owed money to a drug dealer, but was told he could work off his debt by driving the getaway car in an incident in which a man tragically lost his life. At the advice of his attorney, Eddie took a negotiated plea and expected to be released…

John's* Story

John’s* Story

For John,* a youth client of YSRP, violence and tragedy permeated his childhood. At just 10 years old, John’s father was murdered at the hands of a Philadelphia Police Officer, turning his life upside down. Lacking the supports he needed to process this traumatic event, John found himself struggling to stay engaged in school despite…

When Allen* was 15 years old, his close friend, only 14 at the time, was shot and killed blocks from his house. Soon after, at the age of 15, Allen was arrested and faced serious charges in the adult criminal justice system --
if convicted, he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in an adult prison.

Allen’s* Story

When Allen* was 15 years old, his close friend, only 14 at the time, was shot and killed blocks from his house. Soon after, at the age of 15, Allen was arrested and faced serious charges in the adult criminal justice system —
if convicted, he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in an adult prison.

From 10 years old, Yami was abused and then abandoned by adults in her life, and lived homeless in between placements in the foster care system. At 17, Yami was dating a 32-year-old man, with whom she was using drugs and drinking to numb the pain of her trauma. When she was 17, Yami was arrested and faced prosecution in adult court.

Yami’s Story

From 10 years old, Yami was abused and then abandoned by adults in her life, and lived homeless in between placements in the foster care system. At 17, Yami was dating a 32-year-old man, with whom she was using drugs and drinking to numb the pain of her trauma. When she was 17, Yami was arrested and faced prosecution in adult court.

Shavonne grew up during the height of the crack epidemic, in a neighborhood plagued by drug use and dealing. In 1992, Shavonne was 16 years old when she was involved in a robbery in which a man tragically lost his life. At 17, Shavonne was automatically sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Shavonne’s Story

Shavonne grew up during the height of the crack epidemic, in a neighborhood plagued by drug use and dealing. In 1992, Shavonne was 16 years old when she was involved in a robbery in which a man tragically lost his life. At 17, Shavonne was automatically sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

VIDEOS

Yami talks about her incarceration, at 17 years old, as the only teenage girl held in functional solitary confinement at the adult jail for women in Philadelphia. Today, she is on track to graduate from high school in June 2018. Video by Jason Slomovitz.

Stacey, Charles, Sharif, Giovanni and Danny are all men who were sentenced, as children, to life in prison without parole. Today, they are home after decades behind the wall. Here they talk about their experience and their work with YSRP. Video by Jason Slomovitz.