Ms Alice’s life has been dedicated to working with youth in the juvenile system. Raised by her grandparents in Baltimore, Alice got both her associates and bachelor’s degree while raising her son, putting her dreams of studying in England on hold. Staying in Baltimore City, she continued to work in juvenile services for decades. She spent years supporting youth, working to keep them out of the justice system.
In 1993, her only son, Jeffrey, was incarcerated. He was given two life without parole sentences, in a felony murder case in the early 90s.
For years, Alice carried a lot of guilt for going to school, even though it was to create a better life for her son, and wondered how it contributed to his life path. She worked all the time and when she left work, went directly to school, leaving Jeffrey with her grandparents.
The trial was extremely difficult for Alice. The news media hounded Alice after her son was arrested and she had no peace. The windows of her home were burst out, and a firebomb thrown into her house (which luckily never went off). And the police made her life a living hell. Twice, her house (which she had shared with her son) was raided by police. She became homeless, and had nowhere to go, as her family members were afraid whoever had busted out her windows would come to their homes too.
She remembers people at work pointing fingers at her and discussing the case. Her phone was tapped, and she could feel herself being followed to and from work.
During the trial, she was made to testify as well. She remembers vividly that right after the trial ended, before the verdict even came down, seeing the police and the prosecutor celebrating. Celebrating what they saw as a victory, but what for her was a crisis. The stress was so much, that Alice ended up in the hospital after the trial.
She was blessed however with a best friend, who welcomed her in to her home in her time of need. This friend made sure Alice had transportation to go back and forth to see Jeffrey in prison, and provided some much-needed stability as Alice adjusted to this new normal.
After all these years, though, Alice still worries about what her son is going through behind bars. From whether he is warm enough in the winter, to if he is being treated as a human being. From what she has seen from her son and her decades of work in the carceral system, she describes the system as modern day slavery, stating “You can’t help to feel a little bit bitter and angry”.
However, she is so proud of what her son has been able to accomplish, while incarcerated. He only needs a few more classes for his college degree. He is the editor of a newsletter and is a facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project. He aims to keep youngsters on the right track, just like his mother’s work.
She believes legislators must open their eyes to what impact the laws they pass have, and should be required to do 200 hours of community services in places such as prisons. She calls for us to remember that people are still human beings, before anything, and recognize that many men inside who have rehabilitated deserve a second chance.
Alice speaks with her son multiple times a week, and dreams for him to come home, get back on his feet, work with youngsters and have a normal life. And to simply use the potential God has given him.
In 1993, her only son, Jeffrey, was incarcerated. He was given two life without parole sentences, in a felony murder case in the early 90s.
For years, Alice carried a lot of guilt for going to school, even though it was to create a better life for her son, and wondered how it contributed to his life path. She worked all the time and when she left work, went directly to school, leaving Jeffrey with her grandparents.
The trial was extremely difficult for Alice. The news media hounded Alice after her son was arrested and she had no peace. The windows of her home were burst out, and a firebomb thrown into her house (which luckily never went off). And the police made her life a living hell. Twice, her house (which she had shared with her son) was raided by police. She became homeless, and had nowhere to go, as her family members were afraid whoever had busted out her windows would come to their homes too.
She remembers people at work pointing fingers at her and discussing the case. Her phone was tapped, and she could feel herself being followed to and from work.
During the trial, she was made to testify as well. She remembers vividly that right after the trial ended, before the verdict even came down, seeing the police and the prosecutor celebrating. Celebrating what they saw as a victory, but what for her was a crisis. The stress was so much, that Alice ended up in the hospital after the trial.
She was blessed however with a best friend, who welcomed her in to her home in her time of need. This friend made sure Alice had transportation to go back and forth to see Jeffrey in prison, and provided some much-needed stability as Alice adjusted to this new normal.
After all these years, though, Alice still worries about what her son is going through behind bars. From whether he is warm enough in the winter, to if he is being treated as a human being. From what she has seen from her son and her decades of work in the carceral system, she describes the system as modern day slavery, stating “You can’t help to feel a little bit bitter and angry”.
However, she is so proud of what her son has been able to accomplish, while incarcerated. He only needs a few more classes for his college degree. He is the editor of a newsletter and is a facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project. He aims to keep youngsters on the right track, just like his mother’s work.
She believes legislators must open their eyes to what impact the laws they pass have, and should be required to do 200 hours of community services in places such as prisons. She calls for us to remember that people are still human beings, before anything, and recognize that many men inside who have rehabilitated deserve a second chance.
Alice speaks with her son multiple times a week, and dreams for him to come home, get back on his feet, work with youngsters and have a normal life. And to simply use the potential God has given him.