Corzell's Creating a NewLife! Justice after 19Yrs!
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We are excited to announce that after 19 years incarcerated, Corzell Cole has been granted re-sentencing by the State’sAttorney’s Office of Illinois, under an Illinois new sentencing Bill! Justice has been served and Corzell walks out Stateville a Free Man!
Help us welcome Corzell home and flourish in the free world! As his community, we can support him in making a new start! Funds will go towards food, clothing, housing, furniture, transportation, communication, and continuing his education.
The state's attorney, Jim Glasgow, petitioned the Will County court to revest jurisdiction over Corzell's case to correct an injustice-- the injustice that he was convicted of higher crimes and punished to longer sentences than the person whose conduct he was being held accountable for. The court vacated Corzell's first degree murder conviction and allowed him to plea guilty to second degree murder then re-sentenced him so that he would be released on or before March 12, 2022. In the words of the state's attorney: "He was convicted of a first degree murder that never occurred".
The state's attorney has expressed that he will be writing new legislation to prevent injustices like Corzell's from ever happening again.
About Corzell:
Corzell is a father of three, a barber of 25 years, a son, brother, and friend. Though his last 19 years have been lived behind the ominous 40 ft. walls of Stateville Correctional Center in cinderblock cells, Corzell utilized his time bettering himself and supporting those around him.
In 2015 he co-founded Project "Criminal" Couture, along with Emily. Project "Criminal" Couture is a community art & social practice project that focuses on bringing the art, poetry, and voices of the incarcerated to audiences outside of the prison through avant-guard fashion and performance art exhibitions.
After being inspired by creating with SAIC as well as University of Chicago students and his fellow incarcerated peers, Corzell decided to embark on his educational journey and soon achieved his GED. He then went on to take courses in Christian Studies and Restorative Arts through North Park's Theological Seminary. When Northwestern University in collaboration with Oakton Community College launched its Prison Education Program, Corzell applied to their program and was selected out of over 100 applicants. Corzell excelled in his coursework, and in 2021 Corzell achieved an Associate Degree in General Studies from Oakton Community College.
Corzell hopes to spend his life being a physical presence in his sons’ lives as well as with other family members and friends. He has been accepted into a barber certification program as well as to Northwestern University's Bachelor of Science Program, majoring in social sciences. He would like to realize his academic potential by continuing his studies and achieving a Bachelor of Science degree, a Masters, and beyond. With the support of his community, he is an exemplar of transformation, scholarship, justice, gumption, and virtue.
Donate today to fund Corzell's first days of freedom after incarceration!
Corzell is a father of three, a barber of 25 years, a son, brother, and friend. Though his last 19 years have been lived behind the ominous 40 ft. walls of Stateville Correctional Center in cinderblock cells, Corzell utilized his time bettering himself and supporting those around him.
In 2015 he co-founded Project "Criminal" Couture, along with Emily. Project "Criminal" Couture is a community art & social practice project that focuses on bringing the art, poetry, and voices of the incarcerated to audiences outside of the prison through avant-guard fashion and performance art exhibitions.
After being inspired by creating with SAIC as well as University of Chicago students and his fellow incarcerated peers, Corzell decided to embark on his educational journey and soon achieved his GED. He then went on to take courses in Christian Studies and Restorative Arts through North Park's Theological Seminary. When Northwestern University in collaboration with Oakton Community College launched its Prison Education Program, Corzell applied to their program and was selected out of over 100 applicants. Corzell excelled in his coursework, and in 2021 Corzell achieved an Associate Degree in General Studies from Oakton Community College.
Corzell hopes to spend his life being a physical presence in his sons’ lives as well as with other family members and friends. He has been accepted into a barber certification program as well as to Northwestern University's Bachelor of Science Program, majoring in social sciences. He would like to realize his academic potential by continuing his studies and achieving a Bachelor of Science degree, a Masters, and beyond. With the support of his community, he is an exemplar of transformation, scholarship, justice, gumption, and virtue.
Donate today to fund Corzell's first days of freedom after incarceration!
To learn more about Corzell and his studies at North Park University, NorthWestern and Project "Criminal" Couture:
https://sites.northwestern.edu/npep/corzell-cole/
https://www.projectcriminalcouture.org/
https://covenantcompanion.com/2016/11/07/letters-from-stateville/
Organizer
Emily Kissner
Organizer
Chicago, IL
