Jens Soering - A new start after 33 years in jail

33 years behind bars — innocent

12,262 days. That’s how long I spent in prison for a crime I didn’t commit, fighting the whole time. In 2019 I was finally released, after 33 years — but only on parole, without the pardon I‘d hoped for.

The Governor of Virginia’s decision not to acknowledge my innocence publicly was, in my opinion, a terrible injustice. To me, it felt like the Governor had stolen from me the central truth about my own life. Fact is, I am innocent! After 33 lost years, the Governor could and should have spoken that truth aloud by granting me a pardon.

But had he done so, I could have applied for $1.4 million in compensation. By releasing me on parole instead, the Governor saved his taxpayers that sum. I was released with $53.

I’m grateful for my freedom, but the injustice of denying me a pardon hurts me to this day.

And that injustice also has financial consequences: I’ve had to support myself without compensation, after 33 years of isolation behind bars. So far, at least, I‘ve managed to do that — but it wasn't and isn't easy.

Many people think I earn money from media appearances, but that’s not the case at all. With the exception of superstars like Taylor Swift, maybe, you don’t get paid for interviews. Not even from Netflix, by the way!

Still, I’m not giving up, I’m still fighting:

• On August 4, 2023, I filed a new petition for a pardon in Virginia.

• In Germany I’m building a new life as a coach, speaker and podcaster, see https://jens-soering.com/ .

But none of that comes cheap: Lawyers, accountants, landlords, etc. all need to be paid. Finally, I have to secure my old age somehow, since I wasn’t able to pay into any kind of retirement account.

I’m not asking for a handout here, but for start-up financing for a new, happy life, after three lost decades. If prison taught me anything, it’s that one fights best as part of team, with support. Please join my team! Please help me in my ongoing legal battle against my wrongful conviction, and in my struggle to develop my career.

If you’d like to support me in all this, I’d be very grateful to you.