Cody Fleming’s Freedom Fund

IPNO client Cody Fleming was freed on December 15, 2022 after 19 years and 5 months in prison. In 2003, Cody Fleming was arrested for selling .04 grams of cocaine to an undercover police officer. Because he had two prior convictions for distribution, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

When he went to prison, he left behind his parents, two sisters, and three young children.

Cody had no hope of release, but did not let a life sentence deter him from committing his life to learning. He earned his GED, a carpentry certificate, completed rehabilitative programming, learned the lessons of the Bible, and read every book he could get his hands on.

In 2021 a new law granted people like Cody parole eligibility. IPNO's Unjust Punishment Project pushed for a plan to implement the law, and eventually trained DOC staff to apply the law. Cody was one of the first people to benefit.

Cody spoke to the board about his personal growth over the past two decades and of the strong bonds he had maintained with his children through that time. Cody was released on December 15, 2022 and reunited with his mother, sister, and children after 19 years.

Please welcome Mr. Fleming home as he begins to rebuild his life.