Released from Prison but Still in Custody

Shamar Betts was finally released from Federal prison this week - over three years after his initial arrest at age 19 for his Facebook post which incited an uprising after George Floyd's murder. Now 22, Shamar finally has a chance to start his life over again. He is still in Federal custody, currently at a halfway house in Peoria, IL, and eventually on home confinement and then supervised release.

This is the beginning of a new long road ahead, with Shamar looking for work and stability, friends and allies. He is still focused on the Black Lives Matter movement, yet he also now considers prison reform to be a major issue that needs attention. His story is both, and we need your help sharing it.