Mychal Concepcion is a 48-year-old, Latinx, transgender man currently incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF). He is a survivor of severe childhood physical and sexual abuse, a veteran of the Army National Guard, and he takes responsibility for his participation in a gang-related murder. He was sentenced to 56 years to life plus 13 years and has served 22 years in prison so far.

In early January 1996, Mychal was involved in the death of Mr. Steven Ramirez. From the onset and through the trial, the investigating officer reported that Mychal was driving a vehicle and that he did not shoot Mr. Ramirez. Even though Mychal did not use a weapon, he was given the maximum sentence of 56-to-life plus 13 years as an accessory. His first parole date is not until 2047, when he will be in his mid-70s. He is ineligible for parole consideration for another 29 years.

Beginning at the age of five and continuing until the age of 15, Mychal was sexually and physically abused by his father and then by his stepfather. Mychal sought normalcy and escape from the abuse by enlisting in the army, denying his male gender identity, getting married, and having a baby. The sudden death of his 14-month-old baby triggered his past trauma and he turned to substance abuse to cope, ultimately leading him to gang activity.

Mychal has committed his life to healing from his trauma and intervening in the lives of at-risk youth. While in prison, Mychal founded Generation to Generation, a group focused on gang diversion through the 12-step program, Criminal and Gang Members Anonymous. He is also a founding member of the Gang Prevention Panel at CCWF, a teleconference event aimed at supporting at-risk youth in juvenile halls. Mychal received special recognition from the US Congress and CDCR’s “Continuing the Dream” youth group for his effort and dedication to help save the lives of gang-involved youth. Mychal is also a founding board member and current president of the board of the advocacy organization, Justice Now. He is also on the Board of Directors of The Ripple Effect.

Mychal’s commitment to his rehabilitation is further demonstrated through his participation in self-help groups such as Victim Offender Education Group, 12-step programs, and spiritual support through the Native American Circle. He has never been involved in gang activity in prison.

Please join us in asking Governor Brown to commute Mychal’s sentence so he can go before the parole board sooner than 2047. In Mychal’s words, “I will never be able to, nor do I want to, minimize the painful ripple effects of my participation in Steven Ramirez’s death. Now I can only hope that the Governor judges me on the person I am today and gives me a chance to actively make amends in society.”