William Givens is serving three 20-year sentences in Oklahoma—60 years total—for nonviolent conspiracy charges involving a single pack of cigarettes, a cellphone, and a photo of himself. He needs your voice to help him come home.

Imagine spending decades behind bars for something as minor as a pack of cigarettes and a cellphone. That’s the reality for William Givens, an Oklahoma man currently serving three concurrent 20-year sentences—60 years in total—for conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution.

What was the contraband?

1.One pack of cigarettes 

2.Two cellphones

3.A picture of himself

William fully accepts responsibility for his actions—but the sentence he received does not fit the crime. Even more troubling, it appears that his punishment was made harsher due to unrelated charges he was acquitted of at trial.

⚠️ What You Need to Know

William was charged—and later found not guilty—of conspiracy to commit murder and shooting with intent to kill. Despite his acquittal, the same District Attorney stayed on his subsequent contraband case. William's current sentence reflects what looks like retaliation or bias: he was punished not for what he was convicted of, but for what he was acquitted of.

To make matters worse, William was charged under a statute that was never meant to apply to his situation. The charge was filed under Oklahoma law meant for the introduction of guns, knives, or bombs into a prison There were no weapons, no explosives, and no violence whatsoever.

This misclassification not only distorted the severity of his actions, it also played a role in the excessive sentence he received. It feels like the system intentionally “masked” the truth of the case — possibly in retaliation for being acquitted in a separate case where the same prosecutor was involved. He should have faced a misdemeanor for the tobacco and a lower-level felony for the cellphone — not three concurrent 20-year sentences under a weapons statute. This is not justice. This is punishment built on exaggeration. A description that completely misrepresents the reality: the items involved were nonviolent, nonlethal, and personal.

⚖️ Why This Matters

This is not justice. Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, and William Givens case is a glaring example of over-sentencing and prosecutorial overreach. How can it be right to hand down what amounts to a life sentence over minor contraband?

William Givens

Has 63 misconduct over 19 years

Has since been 1 year clear misconduct free

Participated in rehabilitative programs

Built a plan for reentry with support from his family and community

Taken full responsibility and shown real growth

🙏 What We’re Asking

We are asking Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to grant commutation/release to William Givens. He has already served years for a nonviolent offense, and continuing his incarceration only adds to a legacy of injustice.

✊ How You Can Help

Sign this petition

Share William's story on social media

Demand fair sentencing and second chances

Your signature helps shine a light on the truth—and brings us one step closer to justice for William

#FreeWilliamGivens #JusticeForWilliam #EndMassIncarceration #SecondChances #OklahomaJustice #OverSentenced