"Better person"

US prisoner learns law and shortens his sentence

As a lay lawyer, Benard McKinley (39) shortened his sentence by 75 years. He is now studying at an elite university.

(Bild: Benard McKinley)

Instead of 100 years, he only served 25 and is now studying at an elite university. The US-American Benard McKinley

When he was just 16 years old, Benard McKinley was arrested for a gang murder and sentenced to the maximum sentence of 100 years at the age of 19. "Even on the bus on the way to the maximum security prison, I swore to myself that I would try everything to become a better person," he reveals today.

Even on the bus on the way to the maximum security prison, I swore to myself that I would try everything to become a better person.

Benard McKinley, Ex-Häftling und Anwalt

He did indeed catch up on his school-leaving qualifications behind bars - but not only that. When he saw how much money his family had to raise for his appeal proceedings, he informed himself about the law and then not only represented himself, but also became an advocate for his fellow inmates: "I just wanted to help the others. They're only human too." In 2018, Benard enrolled in a distance learning program created for prisoners and not only completed his bachelor's degree in 2022, but also convinced the court of appeal to reduce his sentence to 25 years.

Role model for others
When he was released last December at the age of 39, he also passed the entrance exam to the famous Northwestern Law School, which has an admission rate of just four percent. "It feels fantastic to be a role model for others and make my family proud!"