Clifford Hayter

Clifford Hayter

Hello, my name is Clifford Hayter, I am serving a sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP). I was convicted of second-degree burglary/murder in the first degree and have taken responsibility for the jury’s conclusion. I was engaged in a burglary that unfortunately took the life of Ms. Amundson.

The state argued that she was “scared to death”, in other words, they said that I stressed her into having a heart attack. I had no intent of this happening to anyone. I have broken the hearts of the victim’s family, my parents, family members, friends and have prayed and asked for forgiveness for the past 18 years.

I am a loving brother, uncle, great uncle and cousin to all of my family members. At this time in my life, I am passionate about giving back to others in any way that I can. I was born and raised in San Francisco with both of my parents, brother and sisters. My parents have taught me a great deal about work ethics, which has lead me to jobs such as: plumbing, carpentry, fork-lift operation, general warehouse, janitorial and auto repair.

During my incarceration, I have discovered ways to engage others socially by refereeing sporting activities, involving multiple individual attitudes in compromising situations that warrant my decision as a referee. I’ve learned how to hone my conflict-resolution skills in those situations. I’ve also learned to prioritize areas of importance to myself, as well as others. I have been working on bettering myself by working towards earning my GED. I also participated in self-help programs and earned some chronos.

We all know that “LWOP” is a death sentence, but through the grace of God, I know that a second chance is possible.

For more details concerning my case, you can contact me at:

Clifford Hayter V32822
CSP Solano, B7-208
P.O. Box 4000
Vacaville, California 95696

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January 6th, 2018

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Chad Rhodes

Chad L. Rhodes

My name is Chad Rhodes, and I commence my wording by expressing my sincere veneration to all who read this notation in hopes to gain some needed support that’ll be immensely appreciated.

I’m from Oakland, CA and I’m currently serving an LWOP (Life w/o the Possibility of Parole) sentence for an Oakland cop killing in January of 1999. I ask that no one be judgmental or bias toward me in any way due to my sentencing case or circumstances for things aren’t what they appear to be, just because one is sentenced by the system. When the system fails by their own nescience of jurisprudence, then I think it’s time for “Democracy” (The People) to bring about emendation by supporting those that were unjustly henced by the system.

Right now lawyers are looking at my case and I am waiting for a response. I’m immured at CSP-Solano, regardless of my horrid and draconian situation I am still very optimistic and driven by constructive thought. I’m goal and career oriented and on a daily basis, I study and apply myself to attributes that enable me to move forward progressively and intellectually. As of lately I’ve been looking over a few books on real estate and business. I’m very ambitious and refuse to let my unfortunate situation deter me from prospering in a productive form. I have so much to offer that can be beneficial, and whether I’m fortunate enough to be exonerated of my case or not, I will continue down a path of progression.

I may be just a stranger to most, but also remember that I am a human being like yourselves and have been unjustly imprisoned; and this is why I’m asking for support from my counter-parts (other human beings) who are morally based. As I stated earlier, the system failed which resulted to an innocent person (me) to be castigated and deprived of my physical emancipation. It’s imperative that we as people realize that anytime the system fails, it can be anyone of us that pays unjustly – so I ask of your support by doing what you can to bring my situation to light.  Hopefully this country as well as the world will one day see the larger scale of things and understand the erroneousness that exist within systems, and if we don’t support one another  or do anything to change it; then not only are we contributing to inimical ramifications, but we’re also setting negative future for the young to subject themselves to.

I digress by saying that I’ll be grateful for any and all support, and that your time and lending hand will be greatly honored.

For more details concerning my case, you can contact me at:

Chad L. Rhodes, T93699
CSP Solano (B11-202)
P.O. Box 4000
Vacaville, CA 95969

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Jan. 6 2018

Douglas Lee Wright

Doughlas Lee Wright, March 2017

April 2017

DOUGLAS LEE WRIGHT

. . . has served almost 39 years in California prisons as inmate number 013994, will be 74 years old this year, is a U.S. Army veteran, has no prior arrest or conviction record, but is now in extremely poor health.

Doug has shrunk to five foot seven and some 120 pounds. On the picture here on the left, his “Mobility Impaired” green vest and orthotic shoes are visible; he currently needs yet awaits hip replacement surgery.

This profile prepared by: Ken Gage

There may once have been good cause for Doug’s imprisonment, back in 1979, but today his continuing daily torment equally punishes California taxpayers. Collectively wasting billions in tax dollars annually, Doug is one of thousands of harmless and decades-serving geriatrics in California prisons. The State should release Doug today!

After honorably serving eight years in our U.S. Army, and with a wife and child in Hawaii, in mid-1979 Doug was enticed by persons in Solana County California to visit a would-be friend-acquaintance to provide allegedly urgent financial and personal aid. However, it soon became clear that this man was befriending and leaching off of Doug to support a drug habit — Doug, a “square” non-smoker non-drinker, generously but foolishly aiding this con-man, a man well-known to local police. Assuming this man to be armed, the result of this conflict was that Doug, under extreme mental and financial pressure, fired several shots at this man outdoors in front of the residence, tragically killing three who attempted to either shield or aid this man. This man, the instigator, managed to survive by hiding behind a tree.

Doug squarely admitted his culpability, repeatedly expressing extreme remorse. However, Doug’s jurors were treated to altered testimony of witnesses at his trial, testimony curiously and substantially different from their initial police statements — pressure tactics routinely applied by prosecutors scheming for a maximum penalty. Yet the jurors, likely confused by Doug’s patriotic and clean record, refused to reward the prosecutor with a Death Penalty sentence.

Amazingly, state records show that after having served fewer decades than Doug, some persons convicted of murder-robbery, kidnap-murder, multiple murders, rape-murder, etc., are now paroled, while various schemes for early release of young men and addicts bound to reoffend are planned to relieve prison crowding. Yet thousands of harmless geriatrics remain imprisoned at outrageous expense for both their custody and poor medical care. These are tragic cases for both victim and prisoner families, but taxpayers are not at fault.

— Ken Gage

A Future Stolen: Walk With Me Now

Greetings, my name is Damone Johnson and I would like to tell you about myself and how I came about being incarcerated.

Damone Johnson, his  mom and nephews

Well, I consider myself a fair, open-minded person, good-hearted, God-fearing, and hardworking, just to name a few. Back in 1993 the world was different. I had just turned 21 years old and never really was focused on who I was or where I was going. I grew up in a community where financial increase was the focus although I never had a problem working hard to earn an honest dollar; from the age of 10 years old, I was fixing on old lawnmowers and going door-to-door in the neighborhood, asking to cut spacious Sacramento lawns while living with my mom.

My dad taught me a good work ethic, so at the age of 12 I got my first official job with a West County Times Paper route (Man! those Sunday editions LoL). As I grew in age, so did my needs and desires, which lead me to seek better employment such as Taco Bell and Jack In the Box, which both had their pros and cons, which resulted in me sleeping in class, so I had to quit. Yes, I was working while still in high school (a Freshman to be exact). So as I became a Sophomore, my desires forced me to acquire better employment with Safeway, who was willing to work with my school schedule and I truly enjoyed working there for over a year. Around this time, I saw that the men in my era were doing less (Streets/Hustling) for a lot more money. So before I knew it, I was no longer a legit worker, but a heavy Pharmaceutical seller, which lead to time in Juvenile Hall, and then 9 months in Byron Boys Ranch, where I turned 18 years old.

The thought of going to State Prison refocused me and I got a job at UPS. My older cousin motivated me and shamed me into earning a living legitimately, although I was still keeping the wrong company which brought all the past negative elements back into my life, but without financial gain.

In 1995, as I heard the Harsh Guilty Verdict of a crime I did not nor could have committed; I say to myself, “Felony Murder! How did I get here!?” Shaking my head. “My life is over…” Fast forward, several years of incarceration, years of constantly studying in different Prison Law Libraries, and perfecting my understanding of this Justice System. God blesses me to truly understand and apply what I have spent all these endless hours learning, which resulted in me discovering that my prosecuting attorney not only was unethical and used false DNA evidence clearly exonerating me of this crime! This evidence was intentionally withheld for 18 years and the FALSE DNA has been retested by today’s technology and proven to be false.

Because I don’t have any financial means to retain a lawyer, I still sit in Prison for a crime I truly didn’t commit. IF I did have the financial means, my case would be on the news about all the injustice of my WRONGFUL CONVICTION. This is my 24th Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays and much more. Not only did I lose most of my life, but the passing of my Dad, the person who taught me to ride a bike, how to bathe, brush my teeth, clean up, a strong work ethic, save my money, and talk to people with respect. Yes! I experienced the teaching of a Hands on Father! Literally at times. LoL. I am worthy of your investment in my injustice. I have dignity, honor, respect, and gratitude, but most of all; I’m truly God fearing.

Thank you for reading this excerpt of my life. Hopefully it has intrigued you and I will hear back from you.
Very truly yours,

Damone Johnson youth picture

Mr. Damone Johnson J-81022
CSP Solano B8-149
Box 4000
Vacaville, California 95696

Pictures: Me, mom and nephew, and an old picture of me. LoL

Ruben Contreras

Ruben and family during a visit

I have been in prison for 27 years. I am doing an LWOP (Life without Possibility of Parole) for aiding and abetting 1st degree murder, LWOP (Life without Possibility of Parole) for attempted murder plus 2 counts of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. I was 19 years when I was arrested and was sent to Folsom Prison at the age of 21.

I have a big family that loves me and wants me home! Before all this happened I had never been in trouble and not even a traffic ticket. I used to be many things; a hard worker, a brother, a son, an uncle and a friend. Now I am reduced to being labeled “ a murderer without redeemable qualities.” I have brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces who still remember me. They have their own lives to worry about still they help me when I truly need it. I have my lady who is a God send and my soulmate. She’s been in my corner since we were fortunate to find one another 6 years ago and we plan to get married in the near future. My hope is to one day come home to her…

During my time in prison I have furthered my education by earning my GED, taken AA classes along with courses in Life Skills, Relapse Prevention and also earned my Forklift License while working in prison. Currently I am training to be a mentor with Life Line for Youthful Offenders so I can help out the younger generation through my experiences and hopefully get them pointed in a positive and productive direction. I want to stay positive and be around people that want the same.

Sincerely, Ruben Contreras

Ruben and more family during a visit

Ruben Contreras
H-14475
CSP Solano B7-138u
P.O. Box 4000
Vacaville California 95696

Joseph Bell

Joe Bell

Joe received a commutation! Read his story here: Changed Lives (2019)

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Joseph Bell Jr., #K30059, 7-235
CSP-Solano, P.O. Box 4000, Vacaville, Ca. 95696

Thank you for taking time out of your day to look at my profile and the LWOP page, I would like it to be known that I am a Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Uncle that is passionate about giving back to
my community.

While incarcerated I was instrumental in helping over 300 at-risk youth, earned my AA Degree in Social Science, Certified Microsoft Specialist in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and I am now actively facilitating and mentoring Youthful Offenders in the Life Line program sponsored by L.W.O.P. (Lifers With Optimistic Progress).

I stand convicted of a 1995 felony-murder or murder with the special circumstance of robbery to which I am not guilty, although I do accept some responsibility. I was not convicted as the “actual killer” and I am hoping to bring some light to this unconstitutionally vague law that was illegally enacted from 1990 to 1996, according to the California Constitution Art.II§10(b). “If provisions of 2 or more measures approved at the same election conflict those of the measure receiving the highest affirmative vote shall prevail.”

Data Facts About lwop 1990 – 2015

In 1990 there were two initiatives, Proposition 114 and Proposition 115, that the California voters
voted on. Proposition 114 won, but the Legislatures enacted both initiatives, which resulted in two
versions of Cal. Penal Code §190.2 in violation of Cal. Constitution. (see Yoshisato v. Superior Court 2 Cal. 4th 978).

This illegal Proposition 115 law allowed minors age, 16 and 17 to be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole (LWOP); it allowed non-killers and or aiders and abettors to receive LWOP or the death penalty and exploded the prison population and Level IV maximum security California prisons.

As of 9/30/2015 CDCR reports California is holding 5,012 prisoners sentenced to LWOP whether or not they were under 18 of the actual killer, because there is no clear definition of reckless indifference to human life or who is a “major participant” in this vague law.

Twenty-five (25) years later the California Supreme Court on July 9, 2015 is attempting to fix
this wrong (see People v. Banks, 61 Cal. 4th 788), stating “it would be impermissible for a state legislature to declare all participation in broad classes of felony murders, such as Burglaries or robberies, punishable by death without further inquiry into each individual defendant’s mental state.”

I hope these facts shed a little light on injustice in our judicial system and how very important
your vote is. If I could vote, I would. Please vote for Proposition 57 and Proposition 62.

Thank you,
Sincerely, Joseph Bell Jr.
Founder of E.D.G.E.

Carlos Foster

Carlos Foster

Carlos Foster
CDCR# F67464

“The Life of Being a LWOP On a Journey Trying To Regain My Redemption From My Past Transgressions While In Prison”

Hi my name is Carlos and like many LWOPs, I am another “Youth Offender” that unfortunately has made bad decisions that put me at the mercy of California broken system.

In 2005, when I was 19 years of age I was arrested and charged with Murder, Robbery, I was convicted in 2006 of all charges when I was 21 years of age. The Prosecution used the Felony-Murder Rule (FMR) which lessoned the Prosecutor’s burden of proving every element of the crime and made it easier to secure my conviction. The FMR only requires proof of an intent to commit the underlying felony, (Robbery) to receive a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

So through my communication I hope and pray that, when you hear my story and others who are LWOPs, please let it encourage Friends, Families, Churches, Grassroots Organizations, and Legislatures to adopt and/or support me and all LWOPs in our cause for Redemption.

Born and raised in a broken home in Oakland, Ca. by my Mother, a single parent trying the best she could to raise three (3) kids on her own. I never really knew my Father because he drowned and died when I was only 3 years of age, (sighs). As I got older, I felt that growing up fast could help my Mother and myself.

The loss of my Father created the very first stages of me seeking approval where my Father’s knowledge, wisdom, and guidance was very much needed. By not having a father, I sought a father figure in all the wrong places, and in people that never had my best interest in their hearts. Being misled by strangers in the street (drug dealers) and even some people in my family, I was misled to their own drug addiction and alcohol. So when I was 12 years old I began to emulate the drug dealers that I saw and looked up to in the streets, being around this abnormal repetitive environment throughout my entire young life growing up, the “abnormal” became “normal” to me.

At 16 years old unfortunately I lost my Mother, and from this tragic loss of my Mother, the pain and grief I was feeling I had never experienced or felt in my entire life, and not wanting to ever feel this kind of pain again, I turned off my “humanity”, and it turned me into a different person that I couldn’t even recognize. Too far gone, and out of control, was the cause of me losing control.

For almost l2 years now I haveve been incarcerated in State Prison, surviving life without the possibility of parole, plus, 25 years to life for a gun enhancement. Bound by concrete walls, shackled and chained to the restraints that bind my flesh.

I have finally, through my journey of almost 12 years, matured mentally, spiritually, and physically. As of 2016, I have been constantly working on improving myself through active participation in A.A., a Socialization Group, earned my G.E.D., and through the Mental Health Lifer Group I have gained new insight in myself and Life too! For instance, through my Socialization Self Help Group, I am now able to identify my “anti-social” behaviors, and it gave me the tools I need to continue working every day for a better me and practice good “Social Skills” that I’ll need in society to live a more productive life! God Bless.

Download a PDF flyer of Carlos’ story here