Phil Melendez grew up in a low income, gang-infested neighborhood. He experienced a violent and traumatic childhood. To make matters worse, his father was a gang member who was (often) incarcerated, leaving a young Phil to navigate his childhood practically by himself.
Like many young people in circumstances as his, Phil joined a gang. At the age of 19, he, like his father, was incarcerated, but Phil was sentenced to life in prison.
Phil’s life never had a chance.
However, in prison and even with a life sentence, Phil wanted to make amends for the harm he had caused. He took full responsibility for his actions, and if you know Phil, you will know how much guilt and remorse he still carries.
In prison, Phil participated in and led self-help groups, joined the college program, mentored countless other incarcerated people, and was a leader in Kid C.A.T (more here), a group for those who grew up in prison after being sentenced to life as teenagers but charged as adults.
Most of Phil’s work centered heavily on victim impact, restorative justice, healing and making amends.
While in prison, he married his wife Ana, on July 8, a day set by the prison administration, but coincidently also Phil's birthday. They married in the visit room of the prison. Ana was and is his rock, taking a chance on Phil even with a life sentence. But they both loved and that allowed them both to hope, with each other.
That love and hope soon manifested. A recent change in legislation would allow Phil a chance to go to the parole board. The parole board in California has an average of 80% denial rate, so it is extremely difficult to be found suitable for parole for so many.
All the healing and introspective work Phil had been doing prior to the legislative change was not “to go home” because going home was not a realistic option. Phil did all the work to genuinely take responsibility and live a life of amends. When that law changed, Phil went into his initial parole board hearing. Against the odds, and after serving 20 years, Phil was found suitable for release. It was joyous for him and his family.
Though Phil is extremely grateful for his freedom, he was put on parole, that is, bound to stay within 50 miles of his residency. For the past 3.5 years, Phil was not allowed to leave a 50 mile radius unless he received a thorough approval from his parole officer.
That all changed just a few weeks ago. After seeing Phil’s massive contributions to the healing of communities and his advocacy, on March 20, 2021 Phil’s parole officer called him saying he is officially and completely off of parole. Phil became a free man at last.
Phil's life is completely dedicated to giving back to the community. Now, Phil helps preparing people for the parole board as the host of his Parole Show . We really hope you will take the time to listen to an episode.
As Director of Organizing at Re:Store Justice (more here), Phil raises awareness to the flaws in our justice system, and fiercely advocates to reform the system from a punitive to a restorative one.
As an avid viewer of the PBS video program of travel writer Rick Steves, Phil's dream always was to see a bit of the world himself, especially visiting his family roots in Spain. And finally, this dream might become real.
Now the ask:
His entire life, Phil has never left the country. His life has been narrow and sizably small. Together we can make Phil's dream come true: visit his roots in Europe with his wife and two children. More importantly to Phil, he’d like to re-propose to his wife, and give her a better ceremony than a prison’s visit room--and this time in style, on his birthday and anniversary, in Paris under the Eiffel Tower in September. The original plan was to do this in July, but Ana started a new job.
We need to raise $15,000. This would send Phil, his wife, and their two children on his freedom vacation/birthday/anniversary (re-proposal) trip, an all-in-one trip.
You can help make that happen and send the family on the Phil-Trip.
With tremendous gratitude for your support,
Friends of Phil
(if you have questions, please contact me, I'll gladly answer)
Like many young people in circumstances as his, Phil joined a gang. At the age of 19, he, like his father, was incarcerated, but Phil was sentenced to life in prison.
Phil’s life never had a chance.
However, in prison and even with a life sentence, Phil wanted to make amends for the harm he had caused. He took full responsibility for his actions, and if you know Phil, you will know how much guilt and remorse he still carries.
In prison, Phil participated in and led self-help groups, joined the college program, mentored countless other incarcerated people, and was a leader in Kid C.A.T (more here), a group for those who grew up in prison after being sentenced to life as teenagers but charged as adults.
Most of Phil’s work centered heavily on victim impact, restorative justice, healing and making amends.
While in prison, he married his wife Ana, on July 8, a day set by the prison administration, but coincidently also Phil's birthday. They married in the visit room of the prison. Ana was and is his rock, taking a chance on Phil even with a life sentence. But they both loved and that allowed them both to hope, with each other.
That love and hope soon manifested. A recent change in legislation would allow Phil a chance to go to the parole board. The parole board in California has an average of 80% denial rate, so it is extremely difficult to be found suitable for parole for so many.
All the healing and introspective work Phil had been doing prior to the legislative change was not “to go home” because going home was not a realistic option. Phil did all the work to genuinely take responsibility and live a life of amends. When that law changed, Phil went into his initial parole board hearing. Against the odds, and after serving 20 years, Phil was found suitable for release. It was joyous for him and his family.
Though Phil is extremely grateful for his freedom, he was put on parole, that is, bound to stay within 50 miles of his residency. For the past 3.5 years, Phil was not allowed to leave a 50 mile radius unless he received a thorough approval from his parole officer.
That all changed just a few weeks ago. After seeing Phil’s massive contributions to the healing of communities and his advocacy, on March 20, 2021 Phil’s parole officer called him saying he is officially and completely off of parole. Phil became a free man at last.
Phil's life is completely dedicated to giving back to the community. Now, Phil helps preparing people for the parole board as the host of his Parole Show . We really hope you will take the time to listen to an episode.
As Director of Organizing at Re:Store Justice (more here), Phil raises awareness to the flaws in our justice system, and fiercely advocates to reform the system from a punitive to a restorative one.
As an avid viewer of the PBS video program of travel writer Rick Steves, Phil's dream always was to see a bit of the world himself, especially visiting his family roots in Spain. And finally, this dream might become real.
Now the ask:
His entire life, Phil has never left the country. His life has been narrow and sizably small. Together we can make Phil's dream come true: visit his roots in Europe with his wife and two children. More importantly to Phil, he’d like to re-propose to his wife, and give her a better ceremony than a prison’s visit room--and this time in style, on his birthday and anniversary, in Paris under the Eiffel Tower in September. The original plan was to do this in July, but Ana started a new job.
We need to raise $15,000. This would send Phil, his wife, and their two children on his freedom vacation/birthday/anniversary (re-proposal) trip, an all-in-one trip.
You can help make that happen and send the family on the Phil-Trip.
With tremendous gratitude for your support,
Friends of Phil
(if you have questions, please contact me, I'll gladly answer)