In 1978, James Wells was sentenced to life in prison for a felony, in which the police shot and killed a victim. After serving 40+ years of an incredibly unjust and excessive sentence, James was finally released in July 2020. Please donate to help him start his new life as a free man.
We are friends of James and had the privilege to spend countless hours with him and got to know him on a personal level. We are continuously reminded of the remarkable and gracious man that he is today. We are deeply touched by his compassion, his willingness to see the best in others, and the degree of his self-awareness.
James has big plans and he needs your help. While incarcerated, James obtained multiple degrees, published a number of books, and mentored hundreds, if not thousands, of young men in the criminal justice system. He wishes to continue his mentorship and path towards self-improvement. This fundraiser will help him obtain access to the internet and other basic necessities to start his new life and connect with his mentees.
James is a reminder of the immense human potential inside each and every one of us. The least we can all do is support him in this new chapter of his life, and to give him the opportunity to continue to become a contributing member of society.
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James was convicted in 1978 and has spent the past 40 years in prison. Despite pleading guilty and admitting fault in the underlying crime, he and his co-defendant were both sentenced to life in prison. However, 20 years after sentencing, James learned there was a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident which revealed that law enforcement officials unlawfully withheld favorable information from his defense. As a result, James was entitled to a new sentencing hearing. However, he received the same exact sentence: life in prison. This was undoubtedly an unjust and excessive sentence. Meanwhile, his co-defendant received a 50 year sentence and was released from prison 20 years earlier than James.
In 2009, the parole board wrote a letter to the Governor of Maryland recommending his release. The Governor chose not to act and James remained in prison. Again in 2019, James was recommended by the parole board for release. As of July 13, 2020, James is now a free man.
Rather than allow his excessive sentence defeat him, James decided to commit his life to positively impacting the lives of those around him. Prior to being incarcerated, Mr. Wells had only gone up to the 7th grade. However, during his time in prison, he earned his GED, associates degree, and a bachelor of science degree. He is also an author of 5 books, 2 of which have been published: "Everything Must Change" and "Narrow Vision." Words cannot even begin to describe his level of ambition and dedication towards change and rehabilitation. During his time incarcerated, James was an active member and leader of multiple outreach programs within the prison system, such as: Prisoners Against Teen Tragedy group, IMPACT, the Youth Challenge program, and Positive Change. Through these programs, James mentored thousands of young men and even manages to keep in contact with many of them who still actively seek his support. As a free man, James aspires to continue his role as mentor in a new setting, with more opportunities to connect and positively impact the lives of those around him.
At 72, James is ready to embark on a new journey and he needs your help accessing the virtual world. Given the difficulty in continuing his outreach during the current pandemic, James plans to utilize technology to connect with the youth who will greatly benefit from his mentorship during this tough time. Please join us in supporting his mission by giving him access to a platform that will connect him with countless individuals who need help navigating these unprecedented times of economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty. The initial fundraising goal is set to help him obtain access to the internet and a phone, so he can continue his work remotely. Funds raised in excess will help him cover the costs of re-entry.
James is a reminder of the immense human potential inside each and every one of us. The least we can do is contribute to his new life and to help James continue to help others. Please donate to help him start his new life as a free man.