Heriberto’s statement has been lightly edited for clarity.

My name is Heriberto Pagan. I’m 48 years old. I currently reside in Pennsylvania at SCI-Coal Twp. I’ve been sentenced to death by incarceration (DBI) since I was 20. I’ve been incarcerated almost three decades, wrongly convicted for second-degree murder since 1996.

I’d just arrived to the USA from Puerto Rico with a minimum of four months in Pennsylvania when I was falsely accused of Mr. Rataic’s death. From the time of my arrest until trial, I couldn’t understand the English language. Prior to that, I’d never once been in trouble with the law. To this day, I continue in the battle for my innocence.

Though these are not the circumstances I ever thought I’d find myself traversing, I keep a humble attitude, persistent, and optimistic that hopefully one day I’ll be granted a second chance at a life, family, and reentry to society. When that time finally comes, I know I will give the very best version of myself.

Meanwhile I soldier on, trying my best to keep a positive outlook. It’s safe to say I strive 24/7 to be a better person for myself and for those who’ve known me and seen this transformation take place over the years. Though it hasn’t been easy for my family and I these past 28 years, I’m blessed with unconditional support from friends and family, as well as those in the community who know my story — ready to stand in my defense. These important people have been there for me from the get-go, never turning their backs on me to the injustice I am currently living, just like every other individual in my shoes, also sentenced to life without parole (LWOP) in 2nd-degree.

In the midst of my journey, I’ve learned how to read, write, and speak English. How to become a better person, son, and father. How to think and listen before acting out, and overall, appreciating the things I once took for granted. Though I’ve spent over half of my life locked up and fighting for my freedom, I must confess that I have grown both emotionally and spiritually. Through my faith, I have overcome many obstacles,

I can truly say I’m no longer that naive young man who first set foot in jail all those years ago. After years of participating in programs, having numerous mentors and all the sacrifice, I have finally discovered my true self. That deep desire to change within has taught me how to overcome all the negative things those of us sentenced to DBI encounter on a daily basis while finding ways to transform this living nightmare into something positive. I have learned to appreciate and respect my peers, my own life, life in general, and my family. I’ve also learned to be appreciative, to love even though I’m judged, while keeping my eyes open to the main objective: my freedom, family, and returning to society as the man I am in this day and age.

It can be too easy to give in to despair and hopelessness. I have learned how to stay strong, persevering though all the hard times. I wish to become that individual my family, loved ones, and society can feel proud of and will receive with open arms. I’m constantly working to educate myself and peers, giving them advice and a shoulder to lean on, especially when it comes to getting prepped for what the future holds. Men like us need this more than anything else: unconditional support.

I’m a firm believer that if you work on yourself, you can now help others and together make a difference that can lead to prison reform and overall change society’s perspective on the incarcerated. We all deserve a second chance. We too are human beings, remorseful of our past offenses and the pain our crimes caused the victim’s families, our own families, and society. This sentence and the time we’ve done doesn’t define us. Many of us are truly sorry for the dumb mistakes of our youth that led to a life of crime. But true change is real. I am living proof of that. The time I have done will not go down in vain.

Here’s some of my programs that I have participated in as tools for my transformation: Self enhancement and Awareness, stress and anger management, unit based citizenship; Victim Awareness; money smart; life skills; Residential constructive methods; Carpentry level 1 and Level 2, Carpentry Fundamentals; Carpentry framing and finishing; Key boarding: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction site and health Certification Programs; Restoration Millwork Master Craftsman; GED. I’ve also done E.S.L to learn English, which helped to communicate better with others; Reentry and living Under Parole Supervision; Violence Prevention — addressed criminal thinking behavior and attitude that lead to offending, gained tools to address and correct those issues, also learned the effects and consequences of criminal behavior on the victim family and community reentry programs Project Hope and Shinning Light. Drugs and Alcohol Education provided insight into the negative effects of drug abuse and addiction, its causes, impact, my role in the cycle, relapse prevention tools, and passed a comprehensive exam covering the impact of alcohol and drugs use. C.P.R . Career link service. I’ m sure I’m missing a few but the reason for so many is I longed for all information or education with the hopes that one day I could use all of my achievements and knowledge for greater good and help push others along with life skills I’ve learned.

There’s several things that come to mind when I think of how I can contribute to my community once I’m out. If you got to know me, you would discover that I’m someone who possesses a big heart. Deep down inside, I care very much about people, especially those who cannot fend for themselves. That includes folks with little to no resources, the homeless, and those with addiction problems.

Truth is there’s just too many people in the world who are in pain. Just turn on the evening news and you’ll see it. Communities suffering and striving to survive with what little means they have. Then you’ve got whole families losing their loved ones to street violence, as young men continue to be incarcerated at an alarming rate.

I constantly ask myself, how can I help? Most would shun such a responsibility, seeing only chaos without resolve. I guess I’m more of a “cup-half-full” kinda guy, finding beauty amongst the ashes. My goal is to be a light of hope for those who’ve lost their way in the darkness. I want so much to help them fight, showing that true healing can happen as they rebuild their lives and work towards stability.

How do I know this? I’ve seen it firsthand behind these gates. I’ve witnessed men turn their lives completely around, becoming leaders in their own right to assist others in all aspects of their lives. Even those who’ve had the opportunity to go out and become champions for good. I am truly humbled to know that I, too, can make a big difference once I am given the same opportunity. I like to think I was raised with good values, choosing to do right over wrong and always looking out for the little guy.

Deep down mine is a fighting spirit, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals and dreams. Giving back to the community is that lifelong dream, and with God’s help I’ll do whatever it takes to bring that dream to realization.

I wish to personally thank you for taking a moment to read my personal success story. Thank you and God bless.

— Heriberto Pagán