Freedom is in Sight! But it isn't free!

In August, 18 years behind bars will come to an end for my brother, Timothy Muise. At age 53, Tim will be starting from scratch. He'll need everything: clothing, housing, transportation. A telephone can be key to survival in today's world.

Some might ask why help a felon? After serving their sentence, inmates are released with little preparation and few possessions. The transition from being incarcerated to being a free citizen is difficult, scary and costly. Some might also know that inmates can earn some money.* However Tim's opportunities to earn money during his incarceration were limited due to his work as a prisoner rights activist.

Tim's story begins like many. He was a smart kid growing up on the Gloucester, MA, waterfront. He fell into a life of drug addiction and minor crime which led to a tragic and violent crime. Convicted of manslaughter, Tim received a sentence of 18 to 20 years in the Massachusetts Department of Corrections Prison System (MA DOC).

After a few angry years, witness to the abusive treatment of fellow inmates – many of them helpless and hopeless - Tim truly had an epiphany. Tim discovered his true calling was to help others – to help those who cannot help themselves. Knowing there was no taking back the suffering and hurt he'd caused, Tim hoped to “balance the scale a bit with good works”. Tim vowed to fight injustice & help others no matter the cost to him. He took advantage of every opportunity to educate himself. He has become a leading prisoner rights activist and a self taught “jail house lawyer”. He has helped many individual inmates defend themselves.

During his incarceration, Tim has been placed in solitary confinement 3 times. Each time was an attempt by the MA DOC to silence him. He was placed in solitary for the following reasons:

Whistle blower exposing pervasive ring of abusive behavior by guards**
Meeting with Massachusetts State Legislators about prison reform
Speaking by phone to a Boston radio program discussing MA DOC accountability

Each of these disciplinary actions resulted in the loss of paid work privilege – so no earning money for Tim.

His lists of accomplishments is too long to list here, but what he has accomplished behind bars is remarkable. He's started many reform groups and had regulations changed. His work has resulted in multiple meetings of State Legislators with inmates.

Tim is one of the lucky ones. Due to his activism work, he should be able to secure employment more easily than most inmates re-entering society, but it will take time and money.

As a FREE citizen on the OUTISIDE, Tim is looking forward to continuing the important work of prison reform. I know he'll accomplish much more on the outside than he did on the inside. Whatever you can contribute to Tim's re-entry will help and is most appreciated. Tim will “pay it forward”.

Find information about Tim and his work at:

Betweenthebars.org SolitaryWatch.com www.facebook.com/curearminc

www.rt.com/usa/344405-prisoners-activism-solitary-confinement/

* Inmates with no disciplinary action against them can earn $1 to $2 a day
** After spending over 3 months in solitary confinement, Tim successfully sued the MA DOC for impingement of his freedom of speech.

Tim is pictured with me & our mother during a 2010 prison visit

https://www.gofundme.com/Freedoms-in-Sight-for-TJM