COURT HOUSE – The sun will shine in Court House at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center, Feb. 18 when the Coalition for a Safe Community, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and a host of other non-profit organizations, community leaders, college institutions, law enforcement officers and the public welcomes Anthony Ray Hinton, former wrongfully convicted prisoner held on death row for 30 years for a crime he did not commit.
According to a release, “The Coalition for a Safe Community is proud to partner with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in making positive strides in the Criminal Justice System. We hope events such as this, will help close the gap in building a stronger awareness of the disproportionate in the Criminal Justice System,” stated Perry Mays, chairman of the board – Coalition for a Safe Community.
Hinton was released in April 2015 with the help of the Equal Justice Initiative, and he serves as EJI’s Community Educator and travels both nationally and internationally to speak about his experience and criminal justice reform.
As prosecutors discuss their roles in bringing about systematic change, they are also searching for unique ways to engage and build relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland believes that; “Having law enforcement and the community at large hear from someone who was wronged by the criminal justice system – but instead of becoming bitter, wants to share his story for positive change makes us a better and safer society”.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. with light refreshments and a “Book signing/Meet and Greet followed by dialogue from the Best-Selling Author of “The Sun Does Shine,” Anthony Ray Hinton. Admission is free.
