Maria Rodriguez has been in prison before her son was conceived at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections women's prison in Muncy. Her son Diego also has a father serving life without parole-and his parents met at the prison in Muncy when men and women were housed together. Think about that for a moment. Marie began her life sentence at the age of 23 in 1980. She was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Philadelphia at the age of four. Maria's upbringing was traumatic. She had no one to raise her and dropped out of school in the 5th grade.

Maria turned to drugs and older men to cope. She had 3 babies by the age of 21 and was unable to care for them. Maria's victim was one of those older men, Carlos Rivera. Due to an argument while high and intoxicated Maria fatally injured him. His death was not her intention. She went to the police station and confessed.

Since serving her life sentence Maria has been sober, got her GED, tutors, worked  at the sewing factory for 23 years and consistently attended and completed groups and programs. She is an active member of the Muncy community. Today Maria lives in the infirmary. She has diminished hearing and sight and is diabetic. 

Maria's son and family love her and want her home in Philadelphia. Recently the PA Board of Pardons denied her a public hearing for commutation. The staff at Muncy supports her release. Please sign this petition to bring Maria home. This petition will be sent to the Board of Pardons along with her letter of reconsideration. 

Thank you, Ellen Melchiondo, www.wlrppa.org