Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwight Futch.
Hi Dwight, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2012, I was arrested and convicted in Cobb County for a crime that never happened. My vision was to become the CEO of a reentry program/second chance program, that had a lot to do with alternatives to incarceration. All of the individuals who were in my program were court-ordered to the program, based on their egregious charges.
Some of their charges ranged from trafficking cocaine, and meth, aggravated assaults, possession of firearms, and domestic violence related to the consumption of drugs. In 2010, several white females were put out of the program for their constant engagement in drugs in the safe house. They were given numerous warnings about their drug use, yet they continued to use drugs. Their drug abuse was reported to their probation officer and their probation officer terminated them from the program and arrested them for probation violation. As a retaliation, these white women, while incarcerated, accused me of sexual assault.
In a nutshell, I was forced into a plea deal in court, through legal tactics. The prosecution told me in a threatening manner, that If I didn’t take the plea deal, I would receive a life sentence. There was no forensics, no DNA, no toxicology reports, and no videos. The fear factor was that I would be given an all-white jury in a county that is filled with a mindset of cognitive biases about black men. Based on history, Cobb County has a reputation for railroading individuals who do not have adequate legal representation. Before taking the deal, I must remind you that I had no criminal charges. I was a former correction officer, and former United States Army Military Veteran, with an honorable discharge.
So, I took the plea deal, and I spent a total of 5 years in prison. During this time, the birthing of becoming an advocate for criminal justice started and I founded Parole Reform Georgia 7 ATL and Futch Feeding Families (FFF). FFF is designed to help those who have been released from prisons and jails into homelessness, as well as those who have been disenfranchised into homelessness due to lack of jobs, no place to live, etc.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been difficulties and challenges, because of the way the current criminal justice system works, upon release from prison. The criminal justice system is not designed to help individuals who were once incarcerated to thrive. The criminal justice system is designed to fail you. They do what they want to do with you, with no rationale.
Upon being released from prison, 10 months after transitioning from prison to society, the criminal justice system shocked me with an ankle monitor that was never court-ordered. The probation officer informed me that if I refused to wear it, I would be put back into prison. This situation was challenging because I had to pay for the ankle monitor. I had no job because no one wanted to hire a felon. The ankle monitor was $365. I had to think fast because I figured out that the criminal justice system doesn’t care about REHABILITATION.
Another challenge is that the probation officers are very nasty and inconsiderate liars, just for the sake of being a probation officer, which is ultimately an abuse of power. Yet, these probation officers, mind you, I’ve had about 7 since my release from prison, are not worried about their abuse of power because no one holds them accountable.
Each challenge that I faced with the system was an abuse of discretion and power, never being fair towards me as a probationer, especially as related to experiencing a successful re-entry back into society.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Paralegal Intern Currently, I am a paralegal intern and working on a degree in forensic science. I am using my skills to help others who have been wrongfully incarcerated in Georgia’s criminal justice system. I have a gift of legal research; so, I assist the attorney in post-conviction cases, as well as pre-trial cases. I review documents to find the strengths and weaknesses of the cases, as well as search for opportunities that may help the attorney win the case.
Futch Feeding Families (FFF). We are a non-profit feeding organization that provides hot meals to those who are sleeping outside and underneath bridges. We feed at least 2-3 times a week. What sets us apart from others? We feed at night. Our feeding vehicle goes out at approximately 8 pm until all of the hot foods are gone. We travel to different locations, looking for individuals who need a hot meal, because FFF is mobile.
Parole Reform Georgia 7 ATL. Is an organization that seeks to create new legislation to put an immediate end to excessive parole denials for those individuals who are eligible for parole, who ultimately deserve a second chance because of being model prisoners and have proven that they are no longer a public safety risk.
Alright, so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Presently, I am both advocating for criminal justice and feeding the homeless from my home.
I would love to have a building in the urban community to empower and educate people about their constitutional rights, available attorneys, and referral agencies about housing, food, expungement, felony voting rights, and transitional housing relative to structured and unstructured.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.georgia7at.com
- Instagram: @brooklyn_raise
- Facebook: Peace Justice and Parole Reform Georgia 7 Atlanta
- Other: @kingprophet_futch
