Jim Di Vietri
Jim's father refused to believe his son, a first-time offender, would spend 20 years behind bars. The father-son team began fighting for justice. “I coordinated things on the inside and my father made them happen on the outside,” Jim says. Between corresponding with newspapers and earning his Bachelor’s degree, Jim wrote letters to his four sons every week.
In 2003, Jim was paroled after 11.5 years in prison. He now has a successful career, but his biggest joy is family. “The best thing is being a dad again,” Jim says. Jim’s sons, just 7, 5, 2, and 6-months-old when he was incarcerated, are now young men. Jim is also caring for his biggest advocate, Bert, who is ailing with leukemia.
Last May, Jim sat in a courtroom again. As his record was expunged, the judge praised Jim’s success.