I have the privilege & the burden of living a life that testifies to the power of second chances. The privilege is that I was once living one way, manifesting wickedness, and through the work of God, opportunities & resources, and personal choices I am now living another way, manifesting blessings. The burden is that there are many who if they could and would receive a second chance, namely by their prison sentences being given a ‘second look’, they too would be manifesting blessings. As I heard a law professor say a few weeks ago, “People are capable of change and our laws must change to reflect that as well”.
With those privileges and blessing before me, I have put my hand to the plow to engage carceral reform.
While in prison back in 2005, I experienced a change of mind and heart (which I attribute to the work of Jesus Christ). Much of the remainder of my time in prison from that time forward (about another year) was spent studying religious, political, and social theory and dreaming with other prisoners of living out the changes we felt happening in our minds and hearts when we went home. I left many of those positive-minded individuals behind as I was released in September 2006, never intending to forget about them though. Within a short period of time after my release. I became immersed in Christian theological circles, eventually I published a few books, I participated in public debates, and for over a decade now, I have served as pastor of a local church and as Director of a Christian movement. More recently, I have found opportunity to see the merging of my life experience, religious convictions, and social/political activity, not limited to but namely on behalf of those in prison in need of better care, consideration, and a “second look”. Again I’ll say, I have the privilege & the burden of living a life that testifies to the power of second chances.
Second Look Symposium
A few weeks ago, I attended the Second Look Symposium hosted at CUNY School of Law.
It was noted from the outset that we are dealing with “a crisis”, as we have over 30,000 incarcerated individuals in New York state, 3 our 4 are racially black and brown, and thousands of these individuals are serving decade-long sentences. Law professor Steve Zeidman, explained that we need to see the appellate courts move from overturning cases based merely on unlawful matters (during the arrest or case) and see more overturned cases “in the interest of justice”, and he further explained that “it is not a radical concept”.
The Second Look Symposium included a panel-based talk with Judge Rowan Wilson, Judge Joseph Zayas, and Percy West (a prison reform advocate). Also, there were presentations given by aforementioned law professor Steve Zeidman (Second Look Project), CCA (Center for Community Alternatives) Fellow Patrick Stephens, and NYS Assembly-member Latrice Walker. We heard from Charisse Peace and watched a video presentation from and about her brother, Shawn Peace.
You can watch that video at the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDii7iUwk-g
Beyond the fact that many in New York criminal courts are simply penalized for exercising their right to trial, I appreciated the sentiments that were shared highlighting the “reflective redemption” that is often found in prison and was inspired by hearing a judge assert the stupidity of keeping people who have demonstrated life-change in prison. This was explained as “stupid” for restorative justice reasons and the amount of money that is spend by the state to keep individuals in prison. Judge Rowan Wilson explained, “I don’t like stupidity”.
Speaking to the power of restorative justice, Patrick Stephens exhorted us regarding “the tentacles of the Second Look Act”, explaining that “If these men are having impact on lives behind bars, imagine what they will do when released, on our streets”. As a man who was impacted and encouraged by fellow prisoners to live out the changes that were happening in my mind and heart, I could agree more, and repeat the demand that, “It behooves us all to reconsider how we are approaching all of this”. I also agree with Mr. Stephens that engaging such work and “being around people of good will…is like being in Church”.
Ahh, the privilege & the burden of living a life that testifies to the power of second chances.
It’s Dangerous to Feel This Desperate: How to Ease the Chaos in New York’s Prisons
Article written by John J. Lennon
Speaking of the Church, earlier this week, I traveled to Albany to join with the NYS Council of Churches to do advoacy work with our NYS lawmakers regarding criminal justice reforms. As I traveled to Albany, I took time to read an article regarding the Second Look Act. Before sharing with you some insights from my trip to Albany, I’d like to highlight some points made in the aforementioned article.
“COs and prisoners both have lower life expectancies and higher rates of PTSD, suicide and depression than other people in society. An inhumane living environment for us is also an inhumane work environment for COs.”
In early 2025 there was a New York state prison guard strike to protest dangerous working conditions, chronic understaffing, and mandatory, extreme overtime. They demanded the reversal of the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement, and resisted increased scrutiny following in-custody deaths, resulting in thousands of firings. In the article, Mr. Lennon details that, “During and after the strike, reform advocates called on Hochul to use her clemency power to decrease the prison population, consolidate us all into fewer prisons, and make better use of her guards.” And he asserted, “If one or both of these (prison reform) bills had been passed with HALT, I doubt we would have had the uptick in violence, the killings, or the strike.” Yet, “Despite a statehouse full of Democrats and a prison system in crisis, none of the bills aimed at reducing the population were even put to a vote before the last session ended in June.”
Mr. Lennon concluded by explaining, “In large part, I blame New York lawmakers, and the governor, for their ineptitude and indifference, and their failure to offer hope to people living and working in the state’s prisons”. “It’s New York lawmakers who need to do something.”
Article link – https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/03/it-s-dangerous-to-feel-this-desperate-how-to-ease-the-chaos-in-new-york-s-prisons
NYS Council of Churches Advocacy Days
Empowered by my testimony and thoughts I’ve shared thus far, I felt called to be a part of the NYS Council of Churches Advocacy Days. I found myself headed to Albany to meet with NYS lawmakers March 10th, 2026, the 13th year anniversary of my being the pastor of The Blue Point Bible Church. A ‘justice-impacted individual’ advocating for ‘justice-impacted people’, specifically the power of second chances (Second Look Act), the ills of unhealthy solitary confinement (HALT Act), and the importance of proper care for pregnant incarcerated individuals and their rights (CARE Act).
I joined the rally & press conference for NY4ALL which is is proposed state legislation designed to protect immigrant communities by prohibiting local law enforcement and state agencies from using resources to assist federal immigration authorities (ICE/CBP).
I met advocates, Rev. Jim Ketchum (NYS Chaplaincy Certification Coordinator) and Cidra Sebastien, and we met with various lawmakers & their teams. Ms. Nora Obiri-Yeboah, a senate fellow serving in Senator Jeremy Cooney’s office, listened with seeming compassion and took copious notes as we shared different perspectives regarding the Second Look Act, the HALT Act, the need for a fully staffed parole board (perhaps with a bit more diversity), and the Fairness & Opportunity for Incarcerated Workers Act. Ms. Mia Tucker, serving in Senator Lea Webb’s office, also listened with an encouraging compassion, sharing her studies in Criminal Justice, and allowing each of us to share our perspectives. We met and had ample discussion with Ms. Janine Acquafredda, the Legislative Coordinator for Senator Stephen T. Chan, and an aide named Daisy. In talking about the call for a fully staffed parole board, Janine asserted that, “Civilian oversight has to be defined in a bill”. A lot of talk was had regarding Senator Chan’s law enforcement background, however, Janine was more than willing to listen to each of our perspectives, even encouraging my testimony and expressing appreciate and dialogue with each of our points.
There were a few lawmaker’s offices we simply visited and dropped off information to. I made time to stop by Assembly-member Rebecca Kassay’s office, someone I appreciate having partnered with for common good on Long Island, to leave a door hanger and reminder regarding previous discussions regarding the CARE Act. I do plan to follow up with discussions with the Suffolk County Sheriff regarding the methods and manners in which they have implemented proper care of pregnant incarcerates individuals and how the state might learn from the testimony some have given.
Our day concluded with a sort of debriefing and encouraging word with Senator Cordell Cleare, who strongly encouraged us from a faith-based perspective. She also mentioned that the Governor has a faith-based department and encouraged us to engage it.
Of course, the work is not done. There is a planned End Mass Incarceration Rally at The Well in the NYS Capitol on Monday, March 16th. Also, there is another Second Look Symposium planned for Friday, May 8th, 2026 to be held at Brooklyn Law School.
For more information pertaining to these things I have shared and future events, consider learning more about the following organiziations through their websites and social media;
NYS Council of Churches – https://www.nyscoc.org/
New Hour For Women & Children – https://newhourli.org/
Communities Not Cages – https://www.communitiesnotcagesny.org/
Center For Community Alternatives – https://www.communityalternatives.org/
MIANO-GONE-WILD 
