Soros Fellowship for Woman Ex-Prisoner

Flozelle Woodmore, who served 20 years of a life sentence for killing her abusive partner, is among the rare few to have gained freedom after being sentenced to life in prison in California.  Woodmore will organize friends and family members of people serving life sentences to advocate for change in the parole system.

In August 2007, after 10 parole hearings (and being found suitable six times), Woodmore was finally released from prison.  While in prison, Woodmore obtained her GED, completed a vocational certification program, assisted with creating a battered women group, and became a member of an initiative to support youth at-risk of becoming ensnared in the criminal justice system.  Since her release, Woodmore has been active in advocacy campaigns with a range of local and statewide organizations, in an effort tot reduce California’s reliance on incarceration and harsh punishment.