During Black History Month, the Innocence Project is spotlighting Black resilience through wrongful conviction — this is Albert Woodfox’s story:
John,
Seven years ago today, on his birthday, Albert Woodfox was freed after nearly 45 years of wrongful incarceration — almost all of which he spent in solitary confinement.
At the age of 69, after having his conviction overturned three times, and enduring a trial and retrial, he entered an Alford plea. With this deal — in exchange for his immediate release — Albert maintained that he was innocent.
Tragically, after just six years of freedom, Albert passed away on Aug. 4, 2022, from complications related to COVID-19.
Albert was a wellspring of history, a former Black Panther whose ideology was rooted in his belief in humanity and profound love for his mother, Ruby Edwards.
In 2021, the Innocence Project’s Alicia Maule sat down with Albert for an interview with the activist as he reflected on life after 45 years of solitary confinement. Please, take a moment to honor Albert by reading the interview. If you’d like to help keep his story alive for generations to come, purchase his incredible memoir, Solitary.
Albert Woodfox at Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Feb. 2021. (Image: William Widmer for the Innocence Project)
Albert grew up in New Orleans, in a family of three matriarchs — his aunt Florence, his mom, and his aunt Gussie — who he remembers cooking in the kitchen and filling the entire house with the aroma of good southern cooking, all while hearing the joyous screams of kids playing in the street.
His love and respect for his mom ran deep. He said she instilled internal strength, fortitude, and determination in him. He said he watched her deal with a racist society and he “never saw them break her,” and it was this memory that helped him maintain that same strength while incarcerated.
Albert is widely reported to have served the longest time in solitary confinement of any person in the U.S. But he never allowed it to defeat him, saying, “It never ever came close to breaking my spirit. And that's what solitary confinement is designed for.”
Albert Woodfox detained in Angola prison. (Image: Courtesy of Albert Woodfox)
Throughout his wrongful imprisonment, he supported those incarcerated alongside him at Angola by helping to educate them and organizing hunger strikes in protest of inhumane treatment.
Albert’s goal was always to leave the world a better place for his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all the generations after him, just as he believed his African ancestors did for him.
He is truly missed by all of us and his legacy inspires us to fight even harder for justice.
Please, take a moment today to read through this moving interview with Albert, and then make sure you learn more about Albert’s journey directly from him by purchasing his book Solitary.
Thank you,
The Innocence Project Team
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