John Eric Aslin, a member of the Ojibwe Nation, is the longest-serving non-violent offender in the Michigan penal system. John experienced a harrowing childhood in Flint, Michigan that started him on a troubling path as he grew into an adult. After causing an accidental death, his crime was elevated to murder through an expansion of Michigan's Felony Murder statute. John was convicted and sentenced to life in prison at the age of 21.

John was already incarcerated when he met his father for the first time and learned that he was Ojibwe. He later discovered details about his father's tragic childhood--his father was held captive and mistreated by the State of Michigan from the age of four and throughout his childhood simply because of his Ojibwe heritage. John Aslin has been incarcerated for 36 years.

The book, "The Nine Lives of John Aslin" tells his story in more detail. In 2009, the Michigan Parole Board recommended that John be released but the governor denied his application to have his sentence commuted. Since that time, his prison conduct record has been pristine. He entered prison barely an adult; in five years, he will be a senior citizen. 36 years is enough. He must be freed!