Touching the life of a stranger is an act of faith, friendship and kindness.
Henry Jewell is a recently released Juvenile Lifer. Mr. Jewell was originally sentenced to life without parole for a crime he committed when he was 17 years old. In 2012, while Mr. Jewll remained behind bars, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to sentence children under the age of 18 to life without the possibility of parole. Since that ruling, the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) has petitioned courts to grant resentencing to Juvenile Lifers.
For the past 5 years, Birmingham and Berkley First have worked with SADO to provide clothing and life essentials to over 25 Juvenile lifers on the day that each one was released from prison. Our congregation provides the Church & Society Ministry with the funding necessary to support this life affirming work.
The letter below was written on Mr. Jewell’s behalf by the SADO Reentry Team. Mr. Jewell spent 30 years in prison and our gifts were presented to him as he left prison. Mr. Jewell wished to share his deep and sincere appreciation to every member of our faith community. He could not have given us a greater gift!
Henry Jewell is a recently released Juvenile Lifer. Mr. Jewell was originally sentenced to life without parole for a crime he committed when he was 17 years old. In 2012, while Mr. Jewll remained behind bars, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to sentence children under the age of 18 to life without the possibility of parole. Since that ruling, the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) has petitioned courts to grant resentencing to Juvenile Lifers.
For the past 5 years, Birmingham and Berkley First have worked with SADO to provide clothing and life essentials to over 25 Juvenile lifers on the day that each one was released from prison. Our congregation provides the Church & Society Ministry with the funding necessary to support this life affirming work.
The letter below was written on Mr. Jewell’s behalf by the SADO Reentry Team. Mr. Jewell spent 30 years in prison and our gifts were presented to him as he left prison. Mr. Jewell wished to share his deep and sincere appreciation to every member of our faith community. He could not have given us a greater gift!