Norman Brown reflects on his receipt of clemency in 2015 as a result of the Obama administration's Clemency Initiative. Brown discusses the process of applying for clemency twice, including his successful application during the Obama presidency. Brown also details his time while incarcerated, describing his educational pursuits, accomplishments, and parenting experience. Brown also discusses his wo rk after receiving clemency as project manager for the Credible Messenger Initiative at the Department of Youth Services and Rehabilitation in Washington, D.C., the deputy project director for Project New Opportunity, and as a board member for Families against Mandatory Minimums. Also discussed are Brown's visits to the White House
Presidents--United States; Mandatory sentences--Law and legislation--United States; Clemency--United States; Mass incarceration--United States; Brown, Norman; Obama, Barack; Clemency Initiative; District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
50 pages
Note (Biographical)
Norman Brown worked as project manager for the Credible Messenger Initiative at the Department of Youth Services and Rehabilitation in Washington, D.C., the deputy project director for Project New Opportunity, and as a board member for Families agains t Mandatory Minimums. He served 24 years of a life sentence for nonviolent drug offenses and received clemency in 2015 as a result of the Obama administration's Clemency Initiative
Note
Interviewed by Liz H. Strong on June 7, 2021. This interview is part of Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Norman O. Brown, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2022