Kevin Siehl on First Father’s Day Home from Prison in 26 Years Speaks Out

06.16.17 By Alicia Maule

Kevin Siehl on First Father’s Day Home from Prison in 26 Years Speaks Out
This Father’s Day we interviewed our newly freed clients who spent years–sometimes decades–in prison, separated from their children. We are thrilled that they are finally free and reunited with their loved ones. We also take this time to think about the countless number of fathers in prison who are still fighting for justice. 

Name: Kevin Siehl

Number of Father’s Days behind bars: 26

Freedom day: October 12, 2016

Representation: The Innocence Project provided assistance to Mr. Siehl’s attorney, Lisa Freeland, of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

What was it like to spend Father’s Day away from your kids for over two decades?
It made me miserable. Up in Huntington [State Correctional Facility], you only got 15-minute calls each day. Trying to call everyone just didn’t work out well. You try to move on and make sure your family is all ok. I think I did more worrying than anything else.
What you miss the most is the love and everything. The little things.

Related: Kevin Siehl Exonerated and Released After 26 Years in Prison

My kids were teens [when I was wrongly convicted]. What hurt most was not being there for my kids. I couldn’t send them to college. They had to fend for themselves. They weren’t able to go to college but everything turned out great for them. Even my grandkids. By the time I got out of prison my granddaughter was 21 and my grandson was 18. I missed the best years of their life too.

What are you looking forward to most this Father’s Day?
Just talking to them–my kids and grandkids. They’re down in Florida, and I live in Pennsylvania.

“Make sure your kids know you love them.” – Kevin Siehl

Is there a fond memory that sticks out?
Just recently, we all went to a friend’s wedding in Pittsburgh–all of my kids and even my ex. We had a good time.

Do you have any advice for other fathers in prison?
Hang in there. When I was up in Huntington, there were a lot of guys whose kids wouldn’t even talk to them. Keep on writing and keep on trying to reconnect. It really helps when they come to visit you. Most of all, make sure your kids know you love them.

What about your dad?
He and my mom passed while I was in prison. He taught me how to treat a woman and respect; to gain respect you’ve got to give respect. When I was growing up, we’d go to town to shop. If there was an old woman with a heavy bag, we’d help that lady. If we didn’t, we’d get smacked upside the head.
I was taught to be kind to others. I got major love in my heart for people; that is the major thing that my parents taught me, especially my Pops.

Three generations of Siehls: Kevin II, Kevin III, and Kevin I.

Leave a Reply

Thank you for visiting us. You can learn more about how we consider cases here. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the comments below and join us in making this a hate-speech free and safe space for everyone.

This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.

Betty Harlacher June 16, 2019 at 9:10 am Reply   

Unfortunately, most of those prosecutors will go to their grave believing they sent the right person to jail, even in the light of evidence to the contrary. Humans are amazingly self deceptive and false pride keeps us that way.

Gohar Khan June 17, 2017 at 8:56 pm Reply   

Who responsible for this oppression, those prosecutors who make this innocent man a criminal telling us this fact that this can happen to every American when ever needed they can wrongfully convicted and can even executed.
How unjust is the Justice System of Democratic America that those prosecutors are not even accountable in the eyes of Law who are responsible for this wrongful conviction .While American Constitution major article clearly say Justice for All.