Judge calls on New York and other legislatures to adopt state equivalent of federal Second Look Act | amNewYork

"Walter Johnson's story is the perfect example why the First Step Act is so important. He is the statute's veritable poster child. I imposed a lawful but excessively long prison sentence which would never have been imposed today, adding that there may well be other Walter Johnsons lingering in the state's prisons who no longer belong there."

"In prison, Johnson had taken a role educating and helping other inmates adjust to prison life. Since his release in 2024, Johnson and his wife created a nonprofit, Champions for Change, that provides services for at-risk youth and those returning from incarceration—a future that Block didn't imagine for Johnson in the 90s."

"Today I'm reborn. I feel grateful, I feel honored and I feel proud to be given this opportunity. Johnson sees everyday as an opportunity for self-improvement, having written a book, training as a recovery coach for those struggling with substance abuse, and continuing to speak publicly about his journey."

In 1997, Judge Frederic Block sentenced Walter Johnson to five life terms for drug and robbery charges. In 2024, Block released Johnson from prison, recognizing his transformation. Last week, Block granted Johnson's request to end supervised release, using the opportunity to celebrate the First Step Act, a 2018 federal law allowing courts to reduce excessive sentences. Block advocated for a state version to help reformed inmates in state prisons. Johnson exemplifies this law's impact: while incarcerated, he educated fellow inmates; after release, he and his wife founded Champions for Change, serving at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals. Johnson continues self-improvement through book writing, recovery coaching training, and public speaking about his rehabilitation journey.

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