Page 31 - ACTL Journal Win24

In the fall of 2022, we applied for the Emil Gumpert Award for a new project to help realize the full potential of Act 122; our Second Chance at Life Ini- tiative. This Initiative provides parole representation to currently imprisoned people eligible for parole under Act 122 who, until the Act’s passage, were not el- igible for parole.
Nearly a year after the law was enacted, peo- ple who were entitled to parole were still incarcerated and not receiving their parole hearings. By leveraging our longstanding working relationship with the Department of Corrections, we pushed for a plan to im- plement the law and organize training for the Department’s staff in the summer of 2022 to explain the new law.
The full potential and benefit of Act 122 cannot be realized without attor- ney representation and we are providing that crucial representation because of you all. Because of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Because of the Emil Gumpert Award with our new program, Second Chance at Life Initiative.
Since we’ve launched the Initiative, we have secured parole releases for eight individuals. Jim Howard. Michael Colton. Cody Fleming. Bobby Wallace. Bernard Forest. Clydel Cummings. Michael Nelson. Ricky Tisdale.
We’re creating a comprehensive parole representation guide to work with and train other organizations and other pro bono lawyers to provide repre- sentation to every eligible person for parole under Act 122. We want every- one who has an opportunity at freedom to achieve that freedom.
ACTL and the Emil Gumpert Award has already directly changed the lives of these eight men and has given them and their families a chance at a second life, a chance for hope, a chance for love and redemption and to live. These men did not think that they would ever be reunited with their families; they thought they would die in prison. And certainly, Clarence Simmons did before he was released at age eighty-eight.
I understand that IPNO, Innocence Project New Orleans, is the first award- ee to benefit from the increase in this amazing award, from $100,000 to $150,000. By providing more resources, you’re accelerating just outcomes and impacting more individuals. You’re recognizing the dignity and the humanity of people in prison and that all of us - every one of us here and in prison - are worth more than the worst act we’ve done, the worst mistakes we’ve made.
I want to thank the American College of Trial Lawyers deeply, deeply, deep- ly for this award; for giving us this opportunity to represent individuals and to bring them home. Thank you so much.
There is no statutory right to an attorney at a parole hearing in Louisiana, even though having an attorney greatly increases the chance that you will be granted parole. Rep- resentation at parole hearings is crucial; so important to securing release. Many of our clients, many people imprisoned due to mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, lack of educational opportunities and expo- sure, find it very challenging to meaningfully represent themselves at their parole hearings. People do not know how to access personal records, court records, family and commu- nity contacts, and other documents or wit- nesses to help them at their parole hearings.
Thank you, Jee.
Kathryn Snapka Corpus Christi, TX

WINTER 2024
JOURNAL 30