An Open Letter from Wayne Greene
This letter was written by Wayne Greene from inside a New Jersey state prison, where he has served 18 years of a nearly 40-year sentence.
 
 
I write this letter with humility, accountability, and a heart that has carried the weight of my mistakes every single day for the past 18 years.
I am seeking advice, assistance, and the opportunity to be heard. I understand that nothing can excuse the tragedy of what happened, but I am asking for a chance to acknowledge who I was then, and to show you who I have worked so hard to become.
I was 18 years old when this crime was committed. I have now served 18 years in prison. That is a long time to reflect. It is a long time to sit in regret, and it is a long time to grow. I came to prison as a youthful offender—confused, overwhelmed, and facing consequences I did not fully understand.
I experienced what is often called the "Trial Tax." I received a far harsher sentence simply because I exercised my constitutional right to a trial. That choice cost me years of my life. But instead of allowing bitterness to take root in my heart, I looked inward. I turned to faith.
True repentance is not just words; it is transformation. I have spent years praying for forgiveness. I made a solid commitment to become a better man—not simply to seek release, but because my soul required it. Since being incarcerated, I have earned a college degree, and I am currently working on my second one.
Education has expanded my thinking and deepened my empathy. I have completed intensive rehabilitative programs, including Focus on the Victims, Thinking for a Change, and Cage Your Rage. These programs forced me to confront the selfishness, impulsivity, and distorted thinking that once guided my actions as a teenager.
I have never been given a second chance. I entered the system as a young, first-time offender, and I have spent nearly two decades proving through my conduct, my education, and my faith that I am not the same person. What is the purpose of rehabilitation if we are never offered the opportunity to show that we are, in fact, rehabilitated?
I ask you to join my cause. Share my story. Fight for the ones left behind—the ones who never received a second chance.
To all my brothers and sisters in the struggle: never give up. Keep fighting. Keep striving for greatness. Never allow your emotions to exceed your intelligence. One bad decision can change your life forever, so think first and evaluate your situation. Don't allow the opinions of others to dictate your movement. Do what you feel is right, listen to your instincts, and learn to prosper wherever you are.
— Wayne Greene