Robin Ledbetter

“I am almost embarrassed by placing in this contest. I am so happy. I have never submitted my work in anything, so to be recognized is overwhelming. I cleanse my soul through writing. There is nothing more freeing than when I can show someone my experience and not just tell them. I truly hope that people can learn from my writing that change is possible if the person not only wants it but is willing to do the work.”

Robin’s next undertaking will be to bring her appeals and progress to the board of pardons and paroles. Although clemency is an extreme act of grace and has never been granted to any prisoner in the history of York Correctional Institute, she remains optimistic. She is also trying to appeal to the courts by showing them that no child under the age of eighteen is capable of truly understanding the magnitude of their crimes and it is cruel and unusual punishment to sentence any child to a lengthy sentence that has no reasonable consideration for release. She hopes to form a network with