On Redemption
Each time someone comes home, a part of our beautiful state becomes whole again.
The Seattle Clemency Project is excited to announce the release of On Redemption: Second Chances and the Post-Conviction Landscape in Washington State. This book shares sixteen stories of resilience, atonement, and mercy, offering a narrative perspective on the second-look landscape in Washington. Each of the participants experienced long-term incarceration or immigration detention before they were granted clemency, juvenile parole, resentencing, or post-conviction relief in the form of a pardon or vacate. The value of this project lies in the vulnerability and transparency of the people who were willing to share the complete truth of their lives. Their courage will resonate with people on both sides of freedom who are looking for stories of struggle and survival through which they can begin to write their own.
Excerpt from the introduction:
“In no way are these chapters reflective of the totality of their lives. But they share honest and emotional accounts of how a person’s circumstances and choices can lead them somewhere unthinkable. At the heart of each story is a deeply held belief that people are capable of more than who they’ve been or what they’ve done. These individuals have taken accountability for the harm they caused and found a way to move forward without shame. Their lives are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the propensity each of us holds to begin again.”
With a foreword by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, On Redemption shows that even in the face of irreparable acts, there is healing power in redemption.
“A criminal legal system that truly prioritizes justice should be replete with similar stories, stories in which individuals are defined not by their darkest moments but by their enduring radiance.”
Photography for this project was generously donated by Angel Ceballos. Angel has been a volunteer with SCP since 2020. In 2021, she began taking portraits for SCP clients to use for professional needs or personal joy by capturing them with friends or family.
About the author
Brooke Kaufman joined the Seattle Clemency Project as a communications specialist in 2022 after graduating from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in law, societies & justice. As an undergraduate, Brooke volunteered on juvenile parole cases with hearings before the Washington State Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. She previously worked with the Human Rights Defense Center as an independent research contractor and has published writing in Criminal Legal News. Brooke served as the editor-in-chief of The Daily of the University of Washington and published articles on access to justice, identity and relationships, abortion rights, outdoor recreation, and the arts. She has also contributed writing to independent publications such as Dan’s Tunes and Pure Nowhere. At the Seattle Clemency Project, she is committed to learning from people with lived experience and working with them to publish stories of profound growth and change within Washington’s criminal legal system. Brooke divides her time between her hometown of San Diego, California, and her current home of Seattle, Washington.
All proceeds from the sale of On Redemption serve as a direct donation to the Seattle Clemency Project. We are suggesting donations of $30 for each book copy; however, we appreciate any contribution made to our organization. Copies will begin shipping in December 2024.
You will receive email confirmation of your order with instructions on making a donation and selecting a delivery method. Thank you for your support!
Interested in attending discussions with the participants in On Redemption? Subscribe to our newsletter for more information on the book’s release and upcoming in-person and virtual events.