Free from two life sentences. Welcome Reggie home!

 

 

Reggie Ismel was released on April 25, 2022, after spending nearly 60% of his human existence in federal prison. He endured over twenty-eight years of incarceration after being arrested in 1994 for conspiring to deal crack cocaine with eight other young black men. Reggie will celebrate his forty-ninth birthday in early May.

 

Following a 1994 trial, Reggie was convicted of this drug conspiracy and for "ordering" a murder as part of the same conspiracy. He was given two life sentences, one for each charge. He has always maintained his innocence on the second count. In fact, his conviction on the latter offense was supported entirely by the testimony of a jailhouse informant who has since signed a notarized affidavit completely recanting his coerced testimony. Additionally, the prosecutor only went forward with the homicide charge when Reggie declined a plea offer and took his case to trial.

 

Last week, Judge Moon of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia ordered Reggie’s sentence reduced to time served on the drug charge and to 360 months for the homicide. He cited, among other reasons, the "remarkable evidence of rehabilitation" and the witness recantation presented in his motion.

 

Reggie’s achievements in prison were indeed remarkable. He can be proud of his nearly spotless disciplinary record, his completion of over seventy educational and vocational programs, the impactful mentorship he provided dozens of incarcerated men (inducing through his leadership of the Suicide Watch Cadre), and the outstanding work ethic he demonstrated in his various jobs while in prison. In making his decision, Judge Moon heard directly from ten people—prison employees, fellow prisoners, and community members—who all spoke highly of Reggie.

 

But the most challenging work comes now as Reggie reintegrates into a world that has changed so much since 1994. Please join us in supporting him in this effort. Reggie’s story is a powerful testament to the value of second chances and underscores our collective responsibility in attempting to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs. The $28,000 we are trying to raise for him ($1,000 for each year he spent in prison) will help him directly as he starts writing the next chapter of his life. Any amount donated is deeply appreciated. Thank you!