A moving song from women in prison for life | The Lady Lifers | TEDxMuncyStatePrison

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences.
The nine women in this chorus have all been sentenced to life in prison. They share a moving song about their experiences — one that reveals their hopes, regrets and fears. "I'm not an angel," sings one, "but I'm not the devil." It's a rare and poignant look inside the world of people imprisoned with no hope of parole.

John E. Wetzel: You know,
when I got this job, four long years ago,

(Laughter)

I had never set foot
inside of state prison.

I was literally running

a 400-bed little county jail.

That's a whole other story.

But one of the things I had
the biggest misconception about

was the role of lifers

in the day-to-day life inside prisons,

and literally in the soul
of the department.

And so let's jump forward
from 2010 to 2014

when we did our first TEDx event,
at Grateford,

probably the male prison
that has the largest lifer population

that's engaged and part
of the day-to-day operation

from a programmatic standpoint.

Who literally improve
the quality of life inside the prison.

So, it's not a coincidence,

that we're here for our second event

at a female prison
that has the same dynamic.

That has a strong,
vibrant lifer population

that adds to the quality of life
of inmates and staff

and our organization.

And so there's literally no other way

that we could wrap this up

than to hear from The Lady Lifers.

(Applause)

(Music)

Dannielle Hadley: Life
in Pennsylvania means just that:

life without the possibility of parole.

For us lifers,

as we call ourselves,

our only chance for release

is through commutation,

which has only been granted
to two women since 1989,

close to 30 years ago.

Our song, "This Is Not Our Home,"

it tells of our experiences

while doing life
without the possibility of parole.

(Music)

Brenda Watkins: I'm a woman.

I'm a grandmother.

I'm a daughter.

I have a son.

I'm not an angel.

I'm not the devil.

I came to jail

when I was so young.

I spend my time here

inside these prison walls.

Lost friends to death,

saw some go home.

Watch years pass,

people come and go,

while I do life without parole.

I am a prisonerfor the wrong I've done.

I'm doing time here.

This is not my home.

Dream of freedom, hope for mercy.

Will I see

my family

or die alone?

As the years go by,

I hold back my tears,

because if I cry I'd give in to fear.

I must be strong, have to hold on.

Gotta get through

another year.

I am a prisoner for the wrong I've done.

I'm doing time here.
This is not my home.

Dream of freedom, hope for mercy.

Will I see

my family

or die alone?

I'm not saying that I'm not guilty,

I'm not saying that I shouldn't pay.

All I'm asking is for forgiveness.

Gotta have hope I'll be free someday.

Is there a place for me

in the world out there?

Will they ever know or care
that I'm chained?

Is there redemption for the sin
of my younger days?

Because I've changed.

Lord knows I've changed.

I am a prisoner for the wrong I've done.

I'm doing time here.
This is not my home.

Dream of freedom, hope for mercy.

Will I see

my family

or die alone?

Will I see

my family

or die alone?

I'm known to you as Inmate 008106.

Incarcerated 29 years.

My name is Brenda Watkins.

I was born and raised
in Hoffman, North Carolina.

This is not my home.

(Applause)

Thelma Nichols: Inmate number 0B2472.

I've been incarcerated for 27 years.

My name is Thelma Nichols.

I was born and raisedin Philadelphia, P.A.

This is not my home.

(Applause)

DH: 008494.

I've been incarcerated for 27 years.

My name is Dannielle Hadley.

I was born and raised
in Philadelphia, P.A,

and this is not my home.

(Applause)

Theresa Battles: Inmate 008309.

I've been incarcerated for 27 years.

My name is Theresa Battles.

I'm from Norton, New Jersey,

and this is not my home.

(Applause)

Debra Brown: I am known as Inmate 007080.

I've been incarcerated for 30 years.

My name is Debra Brown.

I'm from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This is not my home.

(Applause)

Joann Butler: 005961.

I've been incarcerated for 37 years.

My name is Joann Butler,

and I was born and raised in Philadelphia.

This is not my home.

(Applause)

Diane Hamill Metzger: Number 005634.

I've been incarcerated for 39
and one half years.

My name is Diane Hamill Metzger.

I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

and this is not my home.

(Applause)

Lena Brown: I am 004867.

Incarcerated 40 years.

My name is Lena Brown,

and I was born and raised
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,

and this is not my home.

(Applause)

Trina Garnett: My number is 005545.

My name is Trina Garnett,

I've been incarcerated for 37 years,

since I was 14 years old.

Born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania,

and this is not my home.

(Applause)

Will I see

my family

or die alone?

Or die alone?

(Applause)