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He was an innocent man.
"I often say," May 15, 1994 is the day of the death of Richard Ray Miles, Jr. "I became a number – 728716."
Miles spent the next 15 years in a Texas jail. He was 34 when he was released in 2009.
"I was upset.I was 34 years old, but I was 19 years old from a societal point of view.I had not dealt with the world and I had literally fear, "he said. "I did not know taxes and jobs, the world was totally different."
For two years, Miles struggled to get up. In the end, he found a job, a home and is now married and father of a child.
"I saw these desperations from people coming back from prison in jail, yes, they committed a crime, but many of them wanted to do better, and they were just not in. state to do better, "said Miles, 44. .
Miles was totally exonerated in February 2012 and used some of the money that he received from the state to provide comprehensive reintegration services to individuals and families affected by it. incarceration.
Located in South Dallas, this non-profit organization helps people returning home from prison by helping them identify themselves, enroll in university and find housing. The group also offers computer and professional training, financial literacy programs and job placement services.
The Miles of Freedom lawn care service provides temporary employment for men and women participating in the program. Miles also offers a shuttle service allowing family members to see their relatives incarcerated.
"There are so many people who make that happen," Miles said. "One of my prayers is always to be humble, I very seldom want to be alone in the photo. … At the age of 19, all I had was 60 years old and one And God gave me so much at the age of 44. "
Allie Torgan from CNN spoke with Miles about her work. Below you will find a modified version of their conversation.
CNN: What has helped you through the years when you have been wrongly convicted and locked up?
Richard Miles: The first thing is my faith. Because when the judge said that I was guilty, all of me dropped at that time. I felt that the system was letting me down, that he was supposed to protect, he was supposed to do justice. I went to church every day of my life. When I went to jail, I needed something, so it was a double attempt to move from a more mental idea to something I could stand on.
My mom and dad were an important factor because they came to visit me. My mother always said to me, "When you look out the window, do not look at the bars, look at the sky." It's all about perception, you know. You may be in a situation that can not change, but can you change your situation? So when they left and my situation did not change, I could change my perception inside the place of incarceration.
I often tell people that there is a peace to be innocent. I could find this peace. I was not an inmate. I was an innocent man in prison and I could not let that escape.
CNN: Why is your work focused on South Dallas?
miles: Our goal is to provide holistic services to areas affected by incarceration. South Dallas is one of the target areas for most people returning from prison after returning home. We have a lot of people coming to Dallas through halfway houses.
Some of the challenges people will face are that there are not many jobs or job opportunities. Through our case management services, we help people who are returning home from prison or have been out for a long time. We help them with all that is really needed for a person to succeed.
CNN: What do you offer in addition to support and vocational training programs?
miles: We deepen the financial literacy taught by Frost Bank. We also have a nine-lesson curriculum that addresses non-technical skills, diversity and workplace changes, sexual harassment – all of which prepares participants for the job, which is essential. Because they come from an institution that did not provide these skills to keep a job.
We also have a youth program. On the other side of the street, we have high schools where we talk about going to jail, challenges and making the right choices. We organize various community events, back-to-school events, during which we can talk with children and their families about incarceration, avoid incarceration and education needs.
CNN: You are also returning to prisons to offer encouragement.
miles: For me, going back to jail is probably one of the best things I do at the moment because I think the inmates are the ones who really need to know that it is possible. Going home is possible. To be successful is possible. So when I can go back to the jail and they learn that I went there, it's something that encourages them.
This totally changes their state of mind and puts them in a position to look themselves in the mirror and to check themselves: "If this gentleman lived this and that he was innocent, I know that I can at least try to prepare myself for success "I am healed on entering, because I can go out and cheer. And the men are healed, because they saw some one who was with them coming back.
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