In January of 1995, LaMarr was at a Bar with his sister and friends. This Bar was frequented by a group of shady people, that lived the "street life". While having a good time a confrontation took place, weapons were shown, subsequently drawn, and gun shots overlapped in this small place. A devastating night for all patrons, families and men affected that night. LaMarr and (4) other men were shot. Two men tragically lost there lives. One of the deceased had a Mac 11 submachine gun on him.

"I was arrested at (20) Twenty years old, found guilty, convicted at the age of 21 and sent to the New York State Department Of Corrections. This one night is imprinted in my mind. So many times I wish I made all of the right  choices and decisions in my life leading up to that moment.  I couldn’t  change what took place that night. I needed to change who I was as an  individual. The transition wasn’t easy, because I was fearful to let go of all  the things that I’ve come to learn that led me to making poor and unpleasant  decisions. Every step of the way I had to see that one change wouldn’t work unless I let another thing go".

This night led LaMarr to being sentenced to, 62 & 1/2 years to life in prison. While in Prison he worked as a facilitator for Aggression Replacement Training and a program named Transitional Services. Both are required programs mandated by the D.O.C.C.S. for all prisoners. He was a cook and food handler in the kitchen. He recently took the barbering vocation and passed! While in Green Haven Correctional Facility, LaMarr made the conscious decision to step away from all of the things that was leading him down the incorrect way.

He was accepted as a member of two prisoner ran organizations, Project for A Calculated Transition, (P.A.C.T.) and Association for Community Teamwork, (A.C.T.). While participating he was able to complete a course, and become a certified Peer Counselor that was sponsored by Yale University. As a member of A.C.T. he worked his way up to being voted Vice President where he helped create and facilitate a mentorship course to help the young population. In that mentorship class, they taught how to build good credit, financial responsibility, positive goal setting and offered a support system for the young men who wanted out the gang life. LaMarr was also a facilitator for the Youthful Assistance Project, known as Scared Straight Program.

"Being a part of the organizations became a blessing. These guys gave me a chance to be a role in something positive. I didn’t want to let them down, or have them regret giving me the opportunity. No one ever really gave me a chance in life. They gave me the courage and support I needed. The person I was 27 years ago is not the man I am today. I have a different set of morals, values, and beliefs. I know a bad decision does not define who I am as a person".

Despite his incarceration he has strengthened his family ties. My husband is a loving and caring person to his children, grandchildren, mother, and most of all to me. He is not the person he was over 28 years ago. I believe in second chances! 

LaMarr has recently applied for and was accepted through the Hudson Link Organization, to work towards his Associates Degree at SUNY Sullivan, which other Maximum Security Facilities didn’t offer due to his sentence. 

Your signatures of support for a second chance will assist in returning a ready and capable person back to society, and I humbly appreciate this support. Help my husband with getting released.

Thank you

Jasmine B Knox