A new life!
Many will never feel the flood of emotions that erupt in the soul upon watching a prisoner step into freedom. But, in Muskegon, Michigan this week, nearly two dozen people had that experience. Mr. Keith Weiner, #125162, was freed, after serving over 30 years! We would not have known about this commutation, except the fine group that worked on this project needed some help filling out commutation forms. It was our pleasure at HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS to not only assist, but to send a letter of recommendation. Now you MUST read this. It's a summary of the account provided to us by Dr. Roger Sellon, one of the people who had worked so hard for this prisoner's freedom:
"20-some family members and friends were in the parking lot at 7:30 AM, many of them carrying signs that read, "welcome home Keith!" Once inside, stories and hugs were shared as we talked of our history with this inmate. Whether a blood relative or a friend, for a brief time we were all family. We all stood watching the prisoner entry area where for so many years we had waited for Keith as he came in his prison blues. Suddenly he appeared in street clothes, sun glasses and a suede jacket. A cheer went up from his support group. Prison officials moving through our area looked shocked until we told them someone was being released. I recall watching our group alternate between tears and cheers as we waved to Keith, who had a smile and arms extended in a welcoming pose. He walked through the slamming door for the last time. Keith then took the time to embrace each individual that had come. Family first, then me, and last but not least, the pastor who would provide him housing for the next few weeks.
"Someone said, 'Let's get some fresh air' so we took all of this man's worldly possessions, packed in two small boxes. Before he left Keith took time to wish well to the 3 prison officials on duty in the visitor area.
"Once outside, we formed a circle to praise God for His goodness in delivering Keith. Tears again began to flow as we realized that Keith's commutation was a miracle that God had delivered because of Keith's and his support group's faithfulness!
"I work for a mentoring program called Kids Hope USA which matches a caring adult with an at-risk child with the hope that by reaching children early, we can save them from the heartache of prison incarceration. In spite of my belief in the importance of preventing the kind of behavior that leads to incarceration, today I was filled with joy as I saw one of God's children experience the freedom that he has ordained for all of us."
"20-some family members and friends were in the parking lot at 7:30 AM, many of them carrying signs that read, "welcome home Keith!" Once inside, stories and hugs were shared as we talked of our history with this inmate. Whether a blood relative or a friend, for a brief time we were all family. We all stood watching the prisoner entry area where for so many years we had waited for Keith as he came in his prison blues. Suddenly he appeared in street clothes, sun glasses and a suede jacket. A cheer went up from his support group. Prison officials moving through our area looked shocked until we told them someone was being released. I recall watching our group alternate between tears and cheers as we waved to Keith, who had a smile and arms extended in a welcoming pose. He walked through the slamming door for the last time. Keith then took the time to embrace each individual that had come. Family first, then me, and last but not least, the pastor who would provide him housing for the next few weeks.
"Someone said, 'Let's get some fresh air' so we took all of this man's worldly possessions, packed in two small boxes. Before he left Keith took time to wish well to the 3 prison officials on duty in the visitor area.
"Once outside, we formed a circle to praise God for His goodness in delivering Keith. Tears again began to flow as we realized that Keith's commutation was a miracle that God had delivered because of Keith's and his support group's faithfulness!
"I work for a mentoring program called Kids Hope USA which matches a caring adult with an at-risk child with the hope that by reaching children early, we can save them from the heartache of prison incarceration. In spite of my belief in the importance of preventing the kind of behavior that leads to incarceration, today I was filled with joy as I saw one of God's children experience the freedom that he has ordained for all of us."
Comments
Continued prayers for them, and for Doug, and HFP's trench work. May God bless you all!
Gladys Dunn Brierley