Rehabilitation - Second Chances When Jailed as a Juvenile - Halim Flowers and Sonya Pfeiffer

At just 16 years old, Halim Flowers was sentenced as an adult and sent to prison—a child forced into a system built for hardened adults. In this powerful, first-hand account, Halim is joined by the attorney who defended him as they tell the story of his transformation from incarcerated youth to artist, activist, and advocate. This is not just a tale of survival—it’s a testament to the human capacity for growth, healing, and redemption.

Halim shares what it was like to grow up behind bars: the violence, the psychological toll, the absence of educational and rehabilitative opportunities, and the fight to preserve his identity and hope. Despite the trauma, Halim found his voice through poetry, education, and unwavering resolve. His path forward was anything but easy—but with the right legal advocacy and personal determination, he emerged as a powerful force for justice and youth empowerment.

This speech highlights the critical role of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) in protecting the rights of children like Halim—children tried and punished as adults, often without regard for their capacity to change. NACDL works to dismantle these injustices by fighting for individualized sentencing, constitutional protections, and real opportunities for rehabilitation.

🔗 Help us continue this work. Your support enables NACDL to defend those who are most vulnerable in the system and to push for policies that allow second chances. Please consider making a donation: https://www.nacdl.org/Donate

More Proven Criminal Defense resources are available at: https://www.nacdl.org/store.

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