Michael Santiago is a 45 years old Hispanic Male who has been in the custody of the State Correctional Institution Albion for over 26 years. Michael is a New York resident raised by a single mother of two in Brevoort Houses, Brooklyn.

At 19, he made a horrible choice while being in the state of Pennsylvania; he took a man’s life, who had attempted to kill him a few weeks prior. However, Santiago would have been a free man today if he was in his home state of NY, but unfortunately received life without parole. He deeply regrets the actions he took and spent years rehabilitating behind bars.

In over 26 years in prison, Mr. Santiago has completely turned his life around. He has received his GED driven by the passion to educate himself further. He has become a leader and a mentor for the youth in prison. He has completed a: Drug & Alcohol Program, A Citizens Awareness program, Stress & Anger Program, and a Money Smart Program. He also completed a Custodial Maintenance Vocational Class, and a Building Maintenance/ Carpentry Vocational Class, where he participated in his second graduation. He later enrolled in Blackstone Career Institute, paid for by his family, where he dedicated himself for a year and received a Legal Assistant/ Paralegal Diploma. He was also employed for over ten years in the Chapel Dept.

Michael has been a practicing Muslim for 24 years. He supports his faith community by leading prayer, delivering sermons, providing counseling, and researching questions the community might have. While incarcerated, Michael has also received his GED. He is now a mentor for the youth in his prison and has become a paralegal. College classes are now being offered at State Correctional Institution- Albion, and Michael is waiting for the opportunity to be accepted into the program to take college classes.  

Michael has applied for Clemency which is the only way he can ever get out. Michael Santiago has a community that awaits him, stands behind him, supports him, and believes in him. He has already lost over 26 years of his life, paid his debt to society, and deserves a second chance. He hopes to encourage the at-risk youth by sharing his story, and accomplishments, to positively influence those going down the wrong path as he once did. We at Families for Freedom and the community support his application for clemency and hope that the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, can sign off on his application.