Exit to Freedom by Calvin C Johnson Jr

by Calvin C. Johnson Jr.

A triumphant story of injustice overcome.

Genres: Nonfiction, Read For School

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written account of a terrible injustice. The author was convicted at the age of 25 for a rape that he did not commit and sentenced to Georgia prison for life. Sixteen years later he was exonerated by DNA evidence through the unending efforts of his family and eventually the Innocence Project. The all-white jury convicted him in forty-five minutes, rejecting his testimony and that of his four supporting witnesses but believing the victim, who had picked him out of a set of photos but could not identify him in a line up. A few weeks later he stood trial in Atlanta for a similar rape case and with many of the same witnesses. In this second case, with a racially mixed jury, he was found innocent. It made no difference for the first sentence. In addition to the story of the author's life and the efforts to gain his freedom, the book also provides an excellent portrayal of life inside prison.

[Michael Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about an exonerated man. The work of the innocence project is Gods work. A sentence from the book really stood out to me. He Calvin C. Johnson jr observed. “Part of freedom is the freedom to do good. Sometimes it seems there isn’t enough time to be kind, but freedom-just like prison-is about how you spend your time.” Mr Johnson who was an innocent man that was wrongly convicted and spent 16 years in prison chose to forgive and let go of hate. He is an example to all of us.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one should ever go through what Calvin has experienced. His story, and countless others highlight the flaws within our justice system. Sharing these stories will hopefully inspire much needed change in our society!

[Phyllis | Mocha Drop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exit to Freedom is the autobiography of Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. A man who was wrongly convicted of rape and sentenced to live in prison in 1983 and spent 16 years there until DNA testing proved him innocent.

Johnson's reflections on the criminal justice system are eye-opening, heartbreaking, and extremely frustrating. He candidly reveals the cruel realities of prison life (work conditions reminiscent of yesteryear "chain gangs," rules for survival, and prison etiquette), conveys the shame and embarrassment of his ordeal, and the isolation and sadness he felt being away from family and loved ones.

The story follows a chronological path opening with reflections on his early years as a son of an Ohio senator who was also prominent lawyer and community leader. His mother was totally dedicated to the family and home. He recounts the good and the bad: meeting Hank Aaron as a boy, achievements in high school athletics, deejaying at a local radio station as a teenager, the college years, and an addiction to marijuana that eventually lead to a conviction.

He details his first conviction on drug related and burglary charges and the subsequent railroading he underwent on the rape charges. His case is riddled with legal complications and countless delays which led to severe financial and emotion strain on his family. Almost by luck, he was introduced to Project Innocence, a nonprofit legal clinic, and is eventually exonerated by DNA testing.

This book is a harrowing story of one man's fight for freedom in a racially clouded, economically biased court system. Johnson, now an ordained minister, cites his unwavering faith in God and his family's love and support as the thrusts which carried him through some tough times. He expresses no bitterness towards his accusers and continues to work on the Georgia Project Innocence program.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the memoir of Calvin Johnson, a man who spent over 15 years wrongfully incarcerated in Georgia prisons. He's a very candid writer and speaks openly of his criminal past, his wrongful conviction, prison power dynamics, how he made it through those years and how he made it out. An amazing book.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maybe the science just isn't good enough yet, Calvin."

So inspired by Johnson's struggle, humanity, and faith. There is genuinely a disconnect in our country's crime control model. Better criminals go free than one man be denied his innocence.

"Silence is perjury."

[Fleshia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story and that is what makes it so great. I would love to have an update on how Mr. Johnson is doing.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book on a personal level. I know Calvin and was in some of the same places he was. Reading his story was like reading my own. God bless you Calvin. Buy this book and read it!