Last week, I published an update from Johnny Pippins, a reader who is presently incarcerated and seeking early release. Johnny wrote in again to respond to some of the comments from the previous post and to clarify any misunderstandings about the details of his case. I present that (very lightly edited) response here without further remarks.
The comment in question was mine, so I will do my best to respond.
First off, an apology. I was attempting to make a broader point about the purpose of incarceration (rehabilitation, public safety, punishment) and in support of this point I was using details from your case. This is not fair, when you are not able to respond directly and put the details in context. I attempted to account for this at the end by stating my research was minimal and the details were up for debate, but that is not good enough. So for that, I apologize. I should have shown more care and used a hypothetical example.
As for your clarification of the details, what the prosecutor said was exactly my point. If you were that negligent with his life, then his death is not an accident. It is a murder. You didn’t intend for him to die, but you took zero care to ensure he would still be alive when it was all over. Along those same lines, if you give information to violent criminals that they use to rob, pistol whip, and beat someone, then you are responsible. Thats why you were treated as if you had done it yourself. As for the length of your sentence in comparison to those who acted on your information and carried out the robbery, that seems unjust.
I agree that in your case, debating with naysayers would be counterproductive, but you are not just presenting the facts and letting the ill-informed argue. You are presenting the facts, along with your interpretation of the facts, and a value judgement in support of your desired outcome. But that’s ok. This is not statistics so facts are not enough. We have to do the dirty work of putting these facts into a moral context. Saying - I committed these crimes, I am deeply remorseful, and I have now committed my life to bettering myself and the community, is the most someone in your position can do. What else is there? You can’t bring a man back to life.
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing for both the giver and receiver. The fact that his mother has forgiven you would carry significant weight if I was the one making the decision. As far as my personal feelings go and what I know of your case, I would support your release. Let you get to work making a difference. You don’t seem to be a danger to society and if the victims mother forgives you , who am I to demand more punishment.
My grandfather, who lived with my family for the first 10 years of my life and who I loved dearly, was convicted of robbery and murder when he was in his mid twenties. He was driving and did not pull the trigger, but was given 25 to life, to be served in San Quentin. He was released (due to some interesting circumstances involving his service in WWII) and then went on to live a good and peaceful life. My mother was born after his release, so I, and now my two daughters, are the result of 2nd chances. I personally wish you the best and look forward to hearing an update when you are out here following through on your plan to make the world a little better.
Mr. Pippins is a criminal who writes well and is extremely manipulative in an attempt to garner sympathy and support for his early release. He was involved in a horrific crime and his behavior and actions were despicable. Of course he wants to get out of prison early, who wouldn’t, but he deserves to serve his entire sentence.
Mr. Pippins is no doubt a victim. He is clearly a victim of his own poor choices in life. No one forced him to act in this way. It was his choice under his own inappropriately perceived duress. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. I’ve been there in my own life. I still suffer the consequences on my poor choices from 25 years ago today. I have no one to blame but myself.
Get forgiveness of the family you violated. You have changed the course of their lives in a way they didn’t deserve. And you also drastically changed the course of your own. Tell your story to the family. If they forgive you, then the state should. But if the state convicted you on behalf of their citizens, then that’s on you man. It’s a tough lesson. You gambled poorly.
Everyone deserves a path to redemption. Those quick to condemn others to a life of solitude and confinement- especially those such as Johnny that so flatly and candidly accept their crime and the punishment thereof, are missing something. They’re missing what these earnest yet deeply fallible souls might have to offer those that are on or near the same life trajectory. They’re missing the fact that there is a difference between someone that doubles down on what the world has done to them and what they have done, vs someone like Johnny that genuinely and honestly seeks redemption. And they’re missing the fact that some people are redeemable and can help society improve. Yes, absolutely, if someone commits a heinous crime and is remorseless, they leave the rest of us little choice but condemnation, lest someone else suffer at their hands. However, if Johnny is even a fraction as penitent as he sounds, imagine all the good his story could do for people that are in similar circumstances that led to his incarceration, let alone the incarcerated that are truly remorseful and want to use what they’ve learned to help others that have transgressed from righteous paths. Lastly- bitterness and hatred will eat you alive. Johnny is worthy of at least a chance in my estimation- and I do so hope that he gets it.
Having grown up in a getto in Los Angeles the needle on my compassion meter usually doesn't move that much... That said, your words are solid and you have my prayers for success...
Thanks for sharing Dr Loury. We call it the penitentiary because we want people to become penitent. Our goal should be rehabilitation not vengeance or a pound of flesh at least not in whole. In my humble opinion I hope this man gets out soon so he can contribute to society since he seems to have so much to contribute.
I am reminded of the two thieves who were executed withe Jesus. Both entirely deserving of their fate. One mocks Jesus for not using his “powers” to save himself. The other owns up to his crimes and recognizes the complete innocence of Jesus and asks his forgiveness and acceptance. And he is given the promise of Paradise as they were dying. Sometimes I think the fate of the “good” thief is what every believer hopes for. Maybe that’s Johnny. I do pray for that for him.
Keep him in jail or if allowed out on parole, keep him with his fellow savages.
I pray you are released and have the ability to make a positive difference. Best to you.
I hope you get a second chance. All the best. Eva xxx
The comment in question was mine, so I will do my best to respond.
First off, an apology. I was attempting to make a broader point about the purpose of incarceration (rehabilitation, public safety, punishment) and in support of this point I was using details from your case. This is not fair, when you are not able to respond directly and put the details in context. I attempted to account for this at the end by stating my research was minimal and the details were up for debate, but that is not good enough. So for that, I apologize. I should have shown more care and used a hypothetical example.
As for your clarification of the details, what the prosecutor said was exactly my point. If you were that negligent with his life, then his death is not an accident. It is a murder. You didn’t intend for him to die, but you took zero care to ensure he would still be alive when it was all over. Along those same lines, if you give information to violent criminals that they use to rob, pistol whip, and beat someone, then you are responsible. Thats why you were treated as if you had done it yourself. As for the length of your sentence in comparison to those who acted on your information and carried out the robbery, that seems unjust.
I agree that in your case, debating with naysayers would be counterproductive, but you are not just presenting the facts and letting the ill-informed argue. You are presenting the facts, along with your interpretation of the facts, and a value judgement in support of your desired outcome. But that’s ok. This is not statistics so facts are not enough. We have to do the dirty work of putting these facts into a moral context. Saying - I committed these crimes, I am deeply remorseful, and I have now committed my life to bettering myself and the community, is the most someone in your position can do. What else is there? You can’t bring a man back to life.
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing for both the giver and receiver. The fact that his mother has forgiven you would carry significant weight if I was the one making the decision. As far as my personal feelings go and what I know of your case, I would support your release. Let you get to work making a difference. You don’t seem to be a danger to society and if the victims mother forgives you , who am I to demand more punishment.
My grandfather, who lived with my family for the first 10 years of my life and who I loved dearly, was convicted of robbery and murder when he was in his mid twenties. He was driving and did not pull the trigger, but was given 25 to life, to be served in San Quentin. He was released (due to some interesting circumstances involving his service in WWII) and then went on to live a good and peaceful life. My mother was born after his release, so I, and now my two daughters, are the result of 2nd chances. I personally wish you the best and look forward to hearing an update when you are out here following through on your plan to make the world a little better.
Is it possible to correspond with Mr Pippins directly?
Mr. Pippins is a criminal who writes well and is extremely manipulative in an attempt to garner sympathy and support for his early release. He was involved in a horrific crime and his behavior and actions were despicable. Of course he wants to get out of prison early, who wouldn’t, but he deserves to serve his entire sentence.
Mr. Pippins is no doubt a victim. He is clearly a victim of his own poor choices in life. No one forced him to act in this way. It was his choice under his own inappropriately perceived duress. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. I’ve been there in my own life. I still suffer the consequences on my poor choices from 25 years ago today. I have no one to blame but myself.
Get forgiveness of the family you violated. You have changed the course of their lives in a way they didn’t deserve. And you also drastically changed the course of your own. Tell your story to the family. If they forgive you, then the state should. But if the state convicted you on behalf of their citizens, then that’s on you man. It’s a tough lesson. You gambled poorly.
Everyone deserves a path to redemption. Those quick to condemn others to a life of solitude and confinement- especially those such as Johnny that so flatly and candidly accept their crime and the punishment thereof, are missing something. They’re missing what these earnest yet deeply fallible souls might have to offer those that are on or near the same life trajectory. They’re missing the fact that there is a difference between someone that doubles down on what the world has done to them and what they have done, vs someone like Johnny that genuinely and honestly seeks redemption. And they’re missing the fact that some people are redeemable and can help society improve. Yes, absolutely, if someone commits a heinous crime and is remorseless, they leave the rest of us little choice but condemnation, lest someone else suffer at their hands. However, if Johnny is even a fraction as penitent as he sounds, imagine all the good his story could do for people that are in similar circumstances that led to his incarceration, let alone the incarcerated that are truly remorseful and want to use what they’ve learned to help others that have transgressed from righteous paths. Lastly- bitterness and hatred will eat you alive. Johnny is worthy of at least a chance in my estimation- and I do so hope that he gets it.
Having grown up in a getto in Los Angeles the needle on my compassion meter usually doesn't move that much... That said, your words are solid and you have my prayers for success...
I really hope that this happens for you. You sound entirely deserving of a genuine second chance.
Thanks for sharing Dr Loury. We call it the penitentiary because we want people to become penitent. Our goal should be rehabilitation not vengeance or a pound of flesh at least not in whole. In my humble opinion I hope this man gets out soon so he can contribute to society since he seems to have so much to contribute.
I am reminded of the two thieves who were executed withe Jesus. Both entirely deserving of their fate. One mocks Jesus for not using his “powers” to save himself. The other owns up to his crimes and recognizes the complete innocence of Jesus and asks his forgiveness and acceptance. And he is given the promise of Paradise as they were dying. Sometimes I think the fate of the “good” thief is what every believer hopes for. Maybe that’s Johnny. I do pray for that for him.
Johnny, you have much to contribute to black intercity youth. Let us pray you will share it soon!
Awesome stuff. People who don't get Glenn will never get this, but that's perfectly alright.