Amid all of the terrible news lately, we are excited to announce a new addition to our staff. Please join us in welcoming Greg Whittington as the first ACLU-WV Criminal Law Reform Campaign Director.
A native of Sissonville, Greg describes himself as the poster child for West Virginia criminal law reform:
“I am a second-generation felon,” he said. “I grew up in a single-parent household – poverty and early criminal behavior. I played sports in school and got a pass on grades. I had little hope of a better tomorrow.
“I became my father by 1994; I was an unemployable drug addict who worked the welfare system and dabbled in crime to support my drug habit and my three daughters. In 1995, I was arrested, and convicted of capital offense. I was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison.
“When I first entered prison, I tested at a third-grade reading level, but by the time I left in 2010, I had become the first inmate in West Virginia to earn a Regents Bachelor of Arts.
“Released from prison in 2010, I spent the next few years trying to navigate the reentry process. I worked several low-paying jobs before a management job with Tomblin Fence company. I became a partner in the company from 2012-2018, and was VP and Operation Manager. I employed over 50 men during that time. Some were ex-felons whom my wife and I mentored. I have successfully aided 45 people with navigating the state’s parole system and freedom. I spent the next ten years working with various agencies,
“Over the last 10-plus years working on reform issues, reentry issues, drug issues, housing issues, transportation issues, I started seeing the total impact of incarceration, not only on the individual but how it impacted family, community and the state. I realized the solution isn’t simple, it’s systemic and ingrained in both the captive and the captor. Appalachian culture lends to institutional behavioral as acceptable norms for most of the impacted individuals caught up in West Virginia criminal justice system.
“I have spent the last ten years writing articles, speaking at National Civil Rights Commission, State Legislative Committees, and numerous organizations advocating for Criminal Justice Reform, Civil Liberties for former inmates. Family rights, health rights and mental health screening for former inmates, lending my name and support to most events to end systemic discrimination.
“My wife and I have developed programing including Nuday Recovery Home, Shaking Off Prison (A how to guide for former inmates), Project Normal (a program to aide in transitional issues for former inmates and family.)"