My name is Reginald Woods and I am a victim of the misapplication of [the FSA “Clarified”] 924(c) stacking provision.
I was sentenced to a total term of 1081 months as a true FIRST TIME OFFENDER, however I accept FULL RESPONSIBLITY for my actions as well as the mistakes that I have made as a misguided young man that led to my own demise.
I was born on September 9, 1971 in Gadsden, Alabama.
My mother is a retired 88 year old school teacher…[currently living alone without a proper caregiver].
My Father [now deceased] was a heavy equipment mechanic and a Baptist Minister presiding over the 16th Street Baptist Church of Gadsden, Alabama. Both of my parents were college graduates. My mother earned her Master’s degree from Alabama State University. My Father earned his Doctorate degree in theology from Samford University.
At the time of my arrest, I was an aspiring musical talent.
Around 19 years of age, I made an appearance on a local television “morning-show” broadcast and was presented to the viewing audience as a person to watched for big things ahead. At 24 years of age, during the month of August of 1996…my big break in music finally came and I was presented with the opportunity to “record” a song with the now “world-famous” rapping duo known as OUTKAST at LaFace Records of Atlanta, Georgia.
That was the 1st day of August.
Tragically…on August 2, 1996, I was arrested related to a spree of bank robberies that had occurred between 1993 and 1996 that resulted in TWO separate trials that all stemmed from the initial arrest.
I entered in the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1997.
Immediately, I began the journey of self-confrontation, self-analysis and self-correction by volunteering as a HOSPICE CARE WORKER at the Springfield Medical Center for Federal Prisoners. I enrolled in the Ozarks Technical Community College.
Most notably, I have not received an incident report since 1998.
I had the pleasure of being an Instructor in a re-entry program called the Quality of Life at FCI-Talladega.
I earned a 4,000 hour apprenticeship from the United States Department of Labor as a Quality Control Technician.
I completed and earned a certification in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY from Century College.
I earned a GOLD LEVEL certificate of Career Readiness that is registered with the Secretary of the State of Alabama.
I earned a MASTER Microsoft Application Specialist certification.
I worked from 2013 to 2020 as an Administrative, Personnel and Payroll clerk with UNICOR Prison Industries.
I am currently expected to Graduate from Talladega College with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts this month!
In summation, I humbly submit to you that “my actions” are indicative of my “true nature!”
Most notably, I have reconciled with one of the VICTIMS from my case Mrs. Darleen Bradford Graves who is currently advocating on my behalf for my Compassionate Release motion to be granted by the court.
It is abundantly clear that I am no longer the young man misguided and impressionable young man who was sentenced 26 years ago. I have shown through proven facts, accomplishments and volunteer efforts that I have the ability to adhere to all of the rules of society, but not only just to merely exist “under the radar” as observer of life, but to flourish as one of this society’s great contributors.
Thank you for reading a portion of my journey,
Reginald Woods
