My daughter and I attended the Rewriting the Sentence II Summit on Alternatives to Incarceration in Washington DC for the past two days.

During one of the panel discussions yesterday, The Hon Tarra Simmons shared that she herself was in and out of the Criminal Justice System from the age of 14 to 35. At the age of 35 yrs old, she made a decision to change her life and stood before the packed auditorium as a Judge.

My son Jowell would have been 35 years old today. He was born on Monday, October 17, 1988.   Despite multiple incarcerations he always advocated for those w/o a voice. The past few years he finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a published author. He published 6 books and was preparing to publish his 7th book at the time of his death. His 3rd book published “The Truth, Yet I’m Not Free” is a candid run through of events leading up to his wrongful conviction all the way through his trial and sentencing. Jowell highlighted the corruption throughout the process naming all involved parties. Jowell was employed as a Cafeteria Worker at the University of Virginia when he was falsely accused. His accuser was a UVA student who was referred to him on multiple occasions to obtain drugs.

As an Advocate, he shared the blueprint of how he published his books with an inmate sentenced to over 350 years, who has since published his own books and books for other inmates.

Jowell was actively appealing his wrongful conviction and had reached the US Supreme Court. He was just one step away from having his case picked up by The Innocence Project. 

He has also prepared legal documents for other inmates who won their cases. In addition, Jowell was preparing to study to become a Paralegal. I promised him I would purchase the course for him this month…never telling him it was going to be his 35th birthday present for FINALLY making up his mind to change his life.

Who gave VADOC Administrators/ Red Onion Staff the authority to operate as Judge Jury and Executioner and decide my son’s body should be destroyed to the point of releasing his essence from this realm?

What needs to be done to stop the blatant abuse and trend of serial killing and genocide occurring at Red Onion, VADOC Facilities, and other DOC Facilities across the nation?

My family and I demand answers. My family and I demand justice for my son Jowell Travis Le Gendre.