Kevin Bailey: My first Christmas home in nearly 30 years

For the first time in almost 30 years, I’ll be spending this Christmas at home with my family. It may sound like a simple way to spend the day, but after the past three decades in prison, it’s a miracle. I’m so thankful.

It may sound like a simple way to spend the day, but after the past three decades in prison, it’s a miracle.

In 1989, I was just 19 years old when I was questioned for more than 12 hours about a murder I didn’t commit. I falsely confessed only after a detective from the Chicago Police Department grabbed me by the neck and threatened me. Based on that, I was convicted and spent the next three decades fighting to prove my innocence.

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Finally, this January, with the help of the Innocence Project and supporters like you, I walked out of prison a free man.

Now, I’m living with my brother, working a full-time job where I was recently promoted, and looking forward to the future. I’m excited for my first Christmas at home in three decades, which I’ll celebrate with my brother and the rest of my family. I will enjoy a few days off from work, and I’m hoping to feed the hungry at a local church. I’m grateful to be where I am today and to share some good fortune with others in need.

I’m excited for my first Christmas at home in three decades.

Even though I’m free, I know there are other innocent people who are still behind bars this holiday season. They deserve to be home, too, and I hope you’ll keep fighting for them until wrongful convictions are a thing of the past.

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Thank you for your support and happy holidays.