About the Founder

Mr. Jones was born and raised on the harsh streets of southwest Baltimore, and was unavoidably both the product of his environment, as well as collateral damage of the unforgiving conditions of poverty and drug abuse that permeates many inner cities. At the age of only 19, after learning how to make a living in the only ways he could, Mr. Jones was arrested, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment plus 20 years for a non-homicide offense. He has spent more than three decades behind bars and, despite the statistics and predictions, Mr. Jones has reinvented himself into a hardworking and dedicated advocate.

 

Mr. Jones firmly believes that education is the key to his growth, and has built educational programs and modules to teach what he has learned both through the process of earning various degrees, as well from the often brutal, confusing and demoralizing experiences to which he has been subjected over more than 30 years of incarceration. Mr. Jones uses his knowledge, experience, and unique voice to educate current and former incarcerated individuals, and his expertise has been sought out by county prosecutors, nonprofits and academic institutions across the nation. Behind the Wall is a part of Mr. Jones’ dream to bring the experiences of incarceration – both good and bad – to the forefront of the global conversation about prison reform, through blog posts, podcast episodes, and an online store of merchandise almost entirely created by incarcerated men and women. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise go towards Mr. Jones’ nonprofit, and towards assisting those who are currently or formerly incarcerated.