Jery's Monthly Freedom Fund

Please join me in welcoming Jery home from 10 1/2 years in federal prison! Jery is a Hard of Hearing queer man who was incarcerated more than a decade ago for bank robbery. He spent more than 9 years in solitary confinement in order to "protect" him from homophobic attacks by white supremacist gangs, but more than a half dozen assaults have left him physically and emotionally scarred.

Jery needs stability to recover from violence and readjust to the outside world. Please give what you can. Read on to learn more about Jery.

Hi, my name is Jery. I was released from federal prison on June 14th, 2023 with no resources and need help. I'm actively job hunting, but because I'm severely hearing impaired, finding a job here in Malvern looks slim.

In 2012, I was in a situation exactly like this-- desperate-- and made the horrible decision to try to end my desperation by robbing a bank. That prison sentence nearly killed me, so I'm not going to make a bad decision like that again, but I'm scared. That's why I'm asking for your help. Any donations will be applied to the bills I've accumulated, like electricity, rent, and most importantly, transportation to and from probation visits, which are in a town 35 minutes away. Missing one means having my probation violated and being sent back. I've applied for SSI and will eventually get it because of my hearing impairment, but in the meantime, I'm in dire straits.

If you can see yourself helping me, I'll tell you now that I'd be very grateful and appreciative. I'm not good at asking for money, and it feels awkward doing it, but weighing an awkward feeling against a bad decision that carries a prison term, I choose the awkwardness. Please help if you're able.

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Over the years I've been lucky enough to find chosen family in Jery. He is kind, insightful, thoughtful, a brilliant artist, and a fantastic friend. He has lived through some truly impossible situations and still manages to do so much for others. Anxiety and PTSD from his multiple assaults continue to plague Jery. And while he's been looking for work, many people just see his disability and conviction. As he continues his job search he needs community support to stay afloat.

The best way to support Jery is a monthly donation of $5 or more on his Patreon. Or give one time here.

Some of his expenses for September/October include:

$130 - Electricity bill - After getting heatstroke in 110-degree temps, Jery is cooling his house to 80* but can't afford it

$160 - Transportation to and from probation office in Hot Springs

$160 - Transportation to and from required medical appointments + therapy once a week

$200 - Incidentals - All the little stuff; toilet paper, cold medication, batteries, maybe even a meal! Jery is filling an empty house and while he's been blessed with many gifts, he is building a new life from the ground up

$150 - New bike (one time expense) - If Jery can get a bike he'll be able to cut down on gas use - He'd be happy to get an old bike in good shape in the Malvern area

Jery has had a big impact on so many people's abolitionist growth and we know that having financial stability (and through it, housing) is essential for people leaving prison. As a person with a federal conviction, Jery will never be eligible for many relief programs. And as a 62-year-old man who is Hard of Hearing with multiple convictions and severe PTSD and anxiety from prison assaults, Jery faces major impediments to finding a job. He needs time to heal and pursue his passion for artwork, to unwind with Netflix, or hang out with family. He needs a real life.

Free ways to help

-If you can't give financially please, please share this link and ask directly: "will you give?"

-Jery needs community in Malvern, Arkansas and Hot Springs! Please feel free to reach out to him directly at GeraldRagland0 on gmail

-Do you have a bike near Malvern? Or a lead on a job? Shoot Jery a message!