He Was Imprisoned In 1970 And Was Released 44 Years Later? You Really Need To Look At This

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Since the ground breaking Netflix documentary came out "Making a Murderer" the entire country got to see what wrongful imprisonment looks like. Otis Johnson served 44 years for a crime he did not commit. Taking away 44 years from someone for something they did not do is a hard pill to swallow and there is no way to repay that to them. You only get one life and you have to make the most of it so when stories like this come out it is always heart breaking. Otis has found it hard to adapt back into the community as well with no help or family. Here is some more inside on Otis Johnson's story. 

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This man, Johnson, was released from prison after 44 years. He was released when it was finally realized he did not commit the crime. Now he is 71 years old and has to meet the world all over gain. The world has become a very different place and he must adjust.
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This is Johnson looking fly in 1970. In this photograph he is only 25 years old. It was this year that he was accused of attempting to kill a policeman. He claims he is innocent to this day.
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The crime did take place but he said it was a case of mistaken identity. This unfortunately a common occurrence in poor neighborhoods. Johnson was identified based on the color of his jacket. Little other evidence was brought into play.
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Johnson was offered parole but could not accept because he never admitted to the crime. Johnson had his pride and never wanted to admit to what he did not do. Johnson remained strong. He was stuck in the prison system for almost forty years, keeping to his word.
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Johnson is a spiritual man. He looked at the Brightside of his situation. He thought perhaps he had a purpose. While inside he studied and worked in the AIDS ward of the prison, doing his best to be a good person despite his fate. 
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Johnson did his best to adjust to prison life. Here he is during his sentence, looking dapper. Thanks to the “dress for success” program, Johnson could dress well. The program was used to have people donate old clothes to prison.
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Although, he could not adjust 100 percent. This is a photograph of his nieces who he loved dearly. He of course missed his family while inside. The family fell out of contact in 1998. “It bothers me a lot because I really miss my family” This is what he told AL Jazeera.

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After all that time inside, Johnson was supposed to be released in 2013. But he was hit with another stoke of bad luck. Apparently Johnson had a shoplifting charge at 16 years of age. Just like that, he was sent back inside for another eight long months.
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Here he is now on the subway. You can see in his face how different the world looks. He was finally released in August 2014. All he had with him was $40 dollars and two bus tickets.
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Johnson does not have anywhere to go. After all that time, he really has no family to take him in. Fortunately there is a non-profit organization that takes in former convicts. He does not have much but he enjoys walking the streets of New York and seeing how things have changed.
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Even the smallest things blow his mind. Some would look at a payphone and be surprised that they still exist these days. Johnson is surprised to find one and see it costs a dollar rather than 25 cents. Just imagine his face when he first plays Pokemon Go.
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Johnson was quick to realize that not only payphones more expensive, you can’t find them anymore! He felt old and outdated like that lone payphone on the wall. He cannot wrap his head around cell phones though. He was wondering why everyone was talking to themselves. 
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This of course is his observation on people with handless phone devices. He thought they were either crazy or government agents. He at times a little uneasy taking this all in but overall he is filled with wonder.
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Johnson also made another interesting observation. He realized no one looks where they are going. Johnson was frightened at first that these people would get hurt! It is as if though people evolved to sense out their obstacles. 
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It was not just the changes in society that excited Johnson. After so many years of Prison food he was excited to see his new choices. There were so many things to eat. Johnson tried some new tastes as well as some old ones he remembers.
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Johnson could spend hours walking around a grocery store. Things such as peanut butter and jelly in the same jar seemed pointless to him. Johnson also was blown away by all the colored drink options that the store featured. He referred to Gatorade as “the gator stuff.”
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Johnson is a noble and strong man. Despite having 40 years taken from him, he is not mad. He does not believe he is owed anything. It is his strong spiritual side and forgiveness that has kept him strong.
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Johnson is just happy to explore. He truly appreciates his newfound freedom. He prefers to travel by bus appose to subway. On the bus, he says, he can see more and listen to more families. 
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Watching his adventure back into the world was beautiful to watch. It is great to see the silver lining in such a horrible circumstance. Johnson puts it like this, “you gotta let things go, and because holding on to anger will only stagnate your growth and development.” Johnson would be great if he worked with newly released prisoners who might not have adjusted so well. 
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