My name is Shawn Perez and I have served 21 years of a Life Without the Possibility of Parole sentence for murder. I was 19 years old and a life was taken. Not a day goes by that I am not remorseful for that and I continue to take full responsibility for my actions. It is nearly impossible to put into words how I have felt for 21 years. The growth that I have achieved is shown through my actions and progression for a better life and mentality as well learning from my mistakes.

 As a first time youth offender at 19 years old, I was well behind. Due to my age at the time of the crime, I did not fully understand my culpability. Now being a mature adult, I can make law abiding choices that can lead a wonderful prosperous future. The man I have become from rehabilitating myself is remarkable. Prison in a sense saved me from myself. Upon incarceration I was young and immature. Serving a lengthy sentence in the SHU gave me a lifelong permanence to be humble and thankful for everything and anything in my life. The perspective I have gained through those harsh conditions has affected me permanently for as long as I live, all a beautiful lesson. I will never re-offend, ever. 

 California Department of Corrections has provided many tools, self-help classes and programs that one can participate in. Despite my Life without the possibility of parole sentence, I still persevered “knowing” I would never be released from prison. I gave myself the chance at a better life and mental well-being. Just to name a few programs: Criminon, life skills 25, 10P victim offender mediation ran by a professor from Sacramento State University-Dr.dale Hamad PHD, victim awareness, anger management, employment and training, GOGI, NA/AA, AVP alternative to violence project and I am recently a certified facilitator in an impacting class by Attorney Ellen Eggers, entrusted with the electrician positionin my block, 10p parole preparation, life skills, life skills 25.

 Life in prison is never easy, especially with small children. I am a father and would love every opportunity to be in his life. to take him to soccer games and just to take him to the park to play. these are the most impacting years for a young boy.

 The man I am today is a wonderful father, patient, kind, caring, loving, compassionate, total regard for human life. I am begging for a chance to be set free and be entrusted with this gift of clemency. This will impact my families life as well as our community. My plan is to become a part of ARC in Sacramento, become actively involved with at-risk youth and to step-in and give back to my community by sharing my story and showing our youth that this life can be so much better. If I can affect ONE youth before they offend, that is more than a blessing. Most troubled youth don’t have a positive role model in their life to help them see the light. My family needs me as i need them. My mother and grandmothers are up in age, I have lost my father since being incarcerated. Like most of us LWOP, our deepest desires are the small things in life, like being with our families again.

 I can only hope and pray that the Governor will see from my commutation application and prison history that I have com very far along. I am no longer the young troubled teen, but a grown man who is ready for life. I filed for commutation of sentence in April 2018, and my family and all of us affected by LWOP continue to hope and pray for justice reform. Thank you deeply for taking the time to read my petition. Please if you see fit, please sign this petition!

 I am desperate like thousands of others, to return to our families and children. Again, thank you for you consideration. 

Shawn Perez LWOP