Lost in Florida

Personal Blog

Categories: Death Penalty, Prison

“Certification Process for State Capital Counsel Systems” Rule Proposal

The Trump administration has proposed a rule that would allow the U.S. Attorney General to help states fast-track death penalty appeals.
This is not about efficiency. It is about removing safeguards in a system where mistakes cannot be undone.
We cannot allow speed to replace justice.
👉 Submit a public comment and oppose this rule:
Here is my comment if you need an idea of what to say, but please do not copy/paste as it will be considered duplicate/spam and will be rejected.

“I strongly oppose the proposed rule to dangerously fast-track death penalty cases. This rule would weaken critical safeguards in a system where the stakes are irreversible. Appeals are not delays. They are often the only opportunity to uncover wrongful convictions, ineffective counsel, or constitutional violations. This rule does nothing to improve public safety. Speeding up executions at the expense of due process does not make the system more efficient. It makes it more dangerous. From my experience working with incarcerated individuals and their families, I have seen how complex these cases are and how necessary thorough review truly is. I am especially concerned about the impact on those who already face barriers in the system, including people who cannot afford strong legal representation and those who are more vulnerable to injustice because of their race or mental or physical disabilities. Human life should never be subject to a rushed process. I urge you to reject this rule.”

Comments can be long and detailed if necessary so don’t hesitate to explain why you care and how it will affect you by telling more about your morals, concerns, etc. In my case, saying too much can sometimes play against me so I have to find the right balance of concerned citizen Vs incarceration directly  impacted person…

Categories: Prison

IL HB5287

Hello everyone, and specifically our Illinois families!

House Bill 5287, the Credit for Change Act, would allow most people in Illinois prisons to earn day-for-day credit toward their sentence through good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs. The bill would also require the Department of Corrections to recalculate release dates for people currently incarcerated under the new credit system. The measure would encourage accountability, rehabilitation, and safer prison environments.

The Criminal Committee Hearing is March 18th 2026 and they are trying to get 2K proponents to the bill before then!
We are at 1856 right this minute so this is totally doable.

You have to create an account on the site ilga.gov first, then you can submit a witness slip.

Please, whether you are in Illinois or ANYWHERE, submit a witness slip as soon as possible.

The bill: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?GAID=18&DocNum=5287&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=167009&SessionID=114

More information: https://www.restorejustice.org/bill/hb-5287/

The link to create/file a witness slip: https://www.ilga.gov/house/hearings/details/3098/22565
Scroll down until HB 5287 and click on the plus sign on the right to create a witness slip and show your support of the bill.

I support HB 5287 because it creates a clearer and more consistent system for earning sentence credits in Illinois. Allowing incarcerated individuals to earn day-for-day credit encourages positive behavior, participation in educational and rehabilitative programs, and accountability.

A system that rewards effort, discipline, and personal growth benefits not only the incarcerated individual but also the safety and culture inside correctional facilities. When people have meaningful incentives to improve themselves and maintain good conduct, prisons become safer for staff and incarcerated individuals alike.

HB 5287 also recognizes that people are capable of change and growth.

A justice system should not only punish wrongdoing but also encourage rehabilitation and responsibility. HB 5287 moves Illinois toward a system that recognizes both.

Categories: Life Updates, Prison

Ex… Podcast

🇺🇸
I shared my love story on the French podcast “EX…” (for Extraordinary), episode “L’amour condamné.”

In this deeply personal episode, I talk about how advocacy brought me to prison correspondence and how one relationship changed everything.

I also discuss death row, loving someone who is incarcerated, breaking through stigma and stereotypes, the weight of public judgment, resilience and waiting, separation and uncertainty, activism, and ultimately finding purpose.

🇫🇷
J’ai partagé mon histoire d’amour sur le podcast français « EX… » (pour Extraordinaires), épisode « L’amour condamné ».

Dans cet épisode profondément personnel, j’explique comment mon engagement social m’a menée à correspondre avec des personnes incarcérées et comment une relation a tout changé.

J’aborde également le couloir de la mort, le fait d’aimer une personne incarcérée, le dépassement des préjugés et des stéréotypes, le poids du jugement public, la résilience et l’attente, la séparation et l’incertitude, l’activisme, et finalement trover sa voie à travers l’engagement.

Categories: Death Penalty, Prison

One year

Today marks one year since Richard was executed.
Not a day passes without thinking of him. His humor, his thoughtful letters, and the quiet way he showed up for others even when he was the one facing unimaginable circumstances. Richard listened without judgment, encouraged without expecting anything in return, and reminded people that they were not alone. Many of us leaned on him in moments when we felt lost, and somehow, he always found the right words.
Richard believed deeply in redemption, in growth, and in the possibility that people are more than the worst thing they have ever done. He worked every day to live that belief, helping others on the row, supporting men in their final moments, and striving to leave behind kindness wherever he could.
His life mattered. His voice mattered. His compassion mattered.
Today, we remember Richard not for the way his life ended, but for the way he chose to live, with faith, humility, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others. His legacy continues in every act of compassion, every letter written, and every effort to build a more humane world.
You are missed, Richard. You are remembered. And your impact lives on.

Categories: Prison

Petition for compassionate release

Hello, I wanted to share this petition: https://c.org/sCrYHdDPbR
I do not know this family, and this petition just randomly came across my FB feed yesterday. It just really hit close to home because that man was sentenced to LWOP at 18 in Florida and he has already served over 20 years when his co-defendants have been out a decade. That fact itself is upsetting enough but he is now battling stomach cancer and we know he is not getting the care he needs inside.
A petition is unlikely to make things move, but I was sad to see it has so little traction and I thought we could gather around this family and show them some support by signing it. Thank you!

FOLLOW @PENTIONERY