Redemption is an important theme in the Bible and in the world. It teaches us that people can come out of tough situations and that Good News can prevail. It can make brokenness new.
In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with special guest Lawrence Bell, who served 30 years and 1 day in prison. He began his sentence at the age of 14. They discuss Lawrence’s life from his young years until his arrest. His is a story of neglect, darkness, and pain. What we know is that Jesus is there and is always a road from darkness into light; where brokenness is made new. Listen in for the full conversation.
Arrested at 14 years old and sentenced to life plus 50 years with a 55-year parole disqualifier, Lawrence Bell won his release in June 2020, after having served 30 years in prison. He graduated, Summa Cum Laude, Rutger’s Newark with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Studies in December 2020. He works as an Honorarium for Swarthmore College and the Lang Center for Human Values, lecturing on African religions in the Antebellum South as well as the History of American Penological System. In addition, he is a frequent contributor and guest lecturer for Critical Conversations – a Princeton University run social awareness forum. Lawrence is an active member of the Transformative Justice Initiative, based out of Camden, New Jersey, and a member of The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice’s RACE Counsel for Change. He is committed to criminal justice reform, particularly as it relates to Adult Charged Juvenile Offenders and community empowerment.
