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A Digital Bibliography of SCI-Graterford

This LibGuide contains resources on the history of SCI-Graterford, incorporating photos, digital resources, books, timelines, archival materials, and more.

Summary of Events

2010:

  • Wayne Battle, President of Lifer's Inc., pushes for new strategies to fight for parole eligibility for lifers in Pennsylvania.

  • May: DiGuglielmo retired after 36+ years of service at SCI Graterford. Mike Wenerowicz assumed the role of Superintendent, overseeing 1,200 staff members and nearly 3,400 incarcerated individuals.

2011:

  • First meetings of younger members held in Graterford Gym, focusing on empathy, change, second chances, and redemption.

  • The Inside-Out program expands internationally to Canada.

2011-2012:

  • Right to Redemption (R2R) officially forms after heated discussions on identity and mission.

  • Ghani compiles the group's mission statement centered on empathy, justice, and rehabilitation.

2012:

  • U.S. Supreme Court rules mandatory life sentences for juveniles unconstitutional.

  • Let's Circle Up partnership established with Haverford College and the Restorative Justice Project, founded by Felix 'Phill' Rosado and Charles Boyd.

2013:

  • Suicide rate in PA prisons triples (181 to 551).

  • Russell Craig released.

  • R2R coins the term “Death By Incarceration” (DBI), despite resistance from some members.

  • R2R presents its mission at a Lifer’s Inc. meeting, sparking debate between legislative and moral strategies.

2013-2014:

  • Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration (CADBI) forms through collaboration between R2R and Decarcerate PA.

  • CADBI organizes workshops, rallies, and protests to raise awareness about DBI.

2014-2016:

  • R2R and CADBI hold four rallies at the State Capitol, growing statewide support from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.

  • Inside-Out program launches in the UK and expands to universities like Durham, Teesside, and Kent.

2015:

  • Bipartisan push for sentencing reform emerges in response to mass incarceration.

  • Inside-Out program reaches over 130 institutions and impacts 20,000 people worldwide.

2016:

  • EPA reports Graterford's excessive pollution into Perkiomen Creek.

  • “Songs in the Key of Free” music program launches at Graterford.

  • Pennsylvania begins resentencing juvenile lifers.

  • 70 people released, including Ghani Songster, after more than 30 years in prison.

2017:

  • Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins visits Graterford; Suave Gonzales freed after 31 years.

  • Let’s Circle Up hosts Restorative Justice workshop led by formerly incarcerated men.

  • Five suicides at Graterford occur within a year.

  • R2R and CADBI continue building momentum against DBI.

2018:

  • Suicide of Roland Alston marks the fifth in three months.

  • Barnes and Mural Arts collaborate to support formerly incarcerated artists like Russell Craig.

  • Graterford closes; men transferred to SCI Phoenix.