Humanizing Death-Row is a charity organization founded in 2010 by spiritual leader, Reme Frye. Here at Humanizing we provide mental, emotional and spiritual support for incarcerated individuals on death row. We are committed to standing against the death penalty and advocating for justice, dignity, and second chances.
Solitary.
Standing in the middle of my cell with arms stretched wide.
I can touch each side...the walls are closing in my friend.
the conditions should be considered sin!
Ask me, how do I feel? between four walls of concrete and steel.
talk to me!
Year after year, tear after tear. How much can a human being take, before he breaks? Please talk to me!
Conversations mixed with salty tears...unseen trauma building up, doing my best not to erupt. You better talk to me!
I'm in a deep depression a psychotic state...stressed out, and ready to knock a mother f***** out!
Bad food equals bad moods. bad food equals diabetes. I am hoping someone hear my cry and come see me...bad people, look at how they treat us. talk to me!
Solitary confinement is torture!
Pete Russell Jr
Polunsky Unit,Texas
Death Row
#999443
From State To State
Change your mental state
and try to elevate
reach another and try to educate
slow down, sit quietly and meditate
so the distractions you can eliminate
while rising to a Higher state,
some may say "this ain't real"
because they want to hear murder, murder, kill, kill
like an action book labeled thriller
but this is Real;
it doesn't get any realer,
than reality in the form of poetry
from me it's flowing free
knowledge seeds grew the Wisdom tree
that's been a recourse for me,
using adjectives, nouns and verbs
the words that are spoken are spoken words
research for yourself; don't just believe what you heard,
and just to set the record straight
these are things 'I' contemplate
but if you can't relate
don't hate,
allow the realness to penetrate
permeate
and resonate
as you travel to another state.
Ker'Sean Ramey
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999519
Remembrance
Its hard watching men become the things they despise,
Cowards.
Unaccountable.
and try to justify their goodbyes.
Only to realize that's its just farewell to the old you.
To the man that stood for something, and would stand alone for nothing.
See, that's cultural customs.
Whether its my relatives or cousins, who wants to be a puppet?
Kings dictate moves
and we rule over our decisions!
So never get it twisted thinking that the strings are missing,
because they were NEVER THERE!
Accountability is key.
And I am king.
Period.
DeMontrell Miller
Polunsky Unit, Texas Death row
#999551
Prison Walls
In shadows cast by stone and steel,
Where silence wraps like a cold, tight seal,
The echoes of dreams, once vibrant and bold,
Now whisper in corners, their stories untold.
Each brick a memory, each crack a sigh,
A testament to hopes that dared to fly,
Yet here they linger, trapped in despair,
Behind prison walls, where freedom feels rare.
Sunlight filters through barred, weary eyes,
A glimmer of hope in the vast, open skies.
Yet chains of the past cling heavy and tight,
Shrouding the heart in the depths of the night.
But within these confines, a spirit can grow,
Resilience blooms in the dark, like a rose.
For even in prisons, where shadows may crawl,
The human heart beats, defying the fall.
So rise, oh spirit, let your courage ignite,
Break through the darkness, embrace the light.
For prison walls may confine, but they cannot hold,
The dreams of the brave, the stories retold.
Tremane Wood
Oklahoma State Penitentiary
(McAlester, OK)
Death Row
#
I never really thought about the feelings of a visit since my grandmother left. Since her death it has been a tough field to plow.
I wasn't looking for visits. I didn't look for them.
Why look for a visit when I would be a fool to expect one?
So for years I have set in my dark corner. Which I still do but I come out of my corner to go to visit.
I noticed that having my godmother come through is more the touching. More then a visit.
When they come and get me for a visit now. I get that feel again.That feeling of going out there to see her. That feeling of knowing how we have been through so much, and she's still here. Still here for her godson..
Still here fighting to get me home.
Still fighting to let the world know that her godson [me] has been getting screwed over.
The strength of her truly touches me.
I remember in 2009 when I went back on bench warrant I went to my hearing and she was in the court room I got to hug and talk to her and my grandfather. She said["Now baby granny gone get you out of there before I die."]
I looked at her and knew she would be making calls. So when I lost her my grandfather that next years in June 2010 after seeing him in May. I knew it was the last time I would see him.
After seeing my godmother months before she died 2013 in February. I knew it would be my last time.
Sure my sister in law has been here. Thing is she's way to busy. Too busy.
So I crawled into a hole. I crawled into my dark corner and just watched the world go by. Why? Why come out so people could play games with me.
So these damn lawyer's can lie to me like they fucking do everyone else.
But my godmother pulled me out of it. She pulled me out of it. She not only pulled me out and has been there through the most harshest times. She has also found people to help her. Not play games.
Not wait til they see a speck of light and want to vibe with me.
So that touch of being held by the officer's is different now. It's not like being escorted to the shower's or recreation. It's the touch of going to visitation. It's that touch of seeing your love ones face. It's that touch of smelling a different kind of air and just that one time a week truly smiling.
Tilon Carter
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999517
Enough..
What is enough?
How much??Is enough pain?
When is it painful enough?
Some say no pain, no gain but what if my pains only reward is a loss.
How much is enough?
Have you ever thought "today is enough I'm done"!?
Yea Me too.
I also thought yesterday was enough in the end but I'm here today writing to overcome these bad vibes.
Tomorrow could be enough? But why wait?
My next steps may be limited today but I'm praying for just a few more..
A few more to look, listen and learn how to do this...
How to master ME.
A few more to fall in love with myself for the first time..
Know myself for the first time.
Had enough yet??
Yea Me too...!
Freedom is near!
Low key! Hold on!
Kristopher Love
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999614
My thoughts, feelings and opinions
The older I get, the more I learn, the make up of people, their characteristics - the hearts of human beings, the further I get from concluding the questions of why, how and when - like, what do we think comes from any action: a reaction. So, why is is so hard to understand and see ourselves in others? How can a punishment exist in the 21st century, a punishment so brutal, so definite, despite the flaws we all know we have, to allow ourselves to ostracize someone with no regard, at least genuine regard, for the accused to the point where we root for death? A sanctioned murder. In the courts, if you plan the murder of someone, carry it out, its deemed "premeditated". If a grieving family member roots and lay in wait for an execution its called closure. The system will call it "justice". At the end of the day, someone took it upon themselves to take a life - something that's forbidden in the eyes of the justice system. Yet they will execute someone. So contradicting. A whole different family will then grieve. When will clarity be bestowed upon the blinded, tunnel visioned someone that can't see past their own hurt, and grief to see the ploy of the judicial system? How there's no way "justice" can be blind if sentences like the death penalty are disproportionately distributed, targeted towards specific demographics? The victim's family are acting from pure emotion. That's understood. What should be unacceptable is the courts using that natural emotion of someone who've just lost a loved one, to carry out such a punishment for the sake of their career.
Being on the 'Row, its safe to say that were deemed domestic terrorist.
The word "terrorist" gives the green light for inhumane treatment. In Texas we're immediately bought to solitary confinement, restrictive housing. Housing that is used as a jail inside the prison if you will. For
death row prisoners, this is the only housing available for us. There's no opportunity to display good behavior and be housed in more incentive based environments. This stands even though the courts deemed solitary confinement as unconstitutional. The only give on that ruling is for punitive settings - not a definite housing like those of us on the 'row are forced in. The ruling highlights someone must be housed in solitary confinement for the duration of whatever punishment given.
All of this goes on in the mind of most of us here. Since the pandemic we've been forced to sit in our cells without the proper recreation/showers etc. Forced to deal with antagonistic guards, sometimes young enough to be our kids. Guards who haven't fully grasp the concept of respect - how its a two way street. Guards lacking the experience that comes with life, the experience that allows you to be mindful of others plight in life, even outside the obvious plight for those on the 'Row.
What happens when we're having to cope in real time? Patience run short of course. But one of the strangest things happen amongst those society label "monsters", or " the worst of the worst". Most of us look at the young guard and try to instill a sense of morale in them. Not just for the sake of the job, but for situations in their lives they'll be sure to face in the future.
How ironic is to be taught a lesson on humanity from those who suffer inhumane treatment? For the oppressed to get a glimmer of hope from the way the young guard received the jewels bestowed upon them. The same hope the confined get from that ruling in the court that overturned a Death Row case - hope that morale has finally sunk in and we will get treated like human beings hope that chants "it won't be long now". Hope that, society's depiction of us won't override the example we want to influence our kids with. To see themselves in others, to let upstanding character determine their dealings with them and not a person's color. To help someone in need. What better teacher of humane treatment than those who suffer without it?
Mabry J. Landor III
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999556
"Free As Far As I Can See"
Sunrise and sunset, are the two most beautiful moments of the day. The beginning and the end, the light and the dark.
For that reason, I want to invite you to my world, where I wake every morning, craving one of these moments.
My favorite brew, a cup of cappuccino, coffee, with a pinch of mint stick sits on the corner of my desk. Reminding me of Christmas. We sat together drinking, anxiously awaiting our presents.
It's a quarter to 6. Personally, I enjoy sitting quietly anticipating the sunrise.
At this exact moment, the world is transitioning from it's nocturnal side into it's illuminate side. Where people are already bottled up in traffic and children are awake getting ready for school. A plane has just passed by. Who knows where it is going and who the people are. I wonder. Businessmen? Mothers returning home? Band mates heading to a concert?
A hedge attracts pollinating bees, as it's scent saturates the air with the aroma of jasmine.
I can't help, but envy the red hawks play fighting atop the razor wire, before soaring away.
Not far away, majestic horses, enchanting more with their beauty and strength.
In moments like this I'm bombarded by myriad of thoughts. People are crying, suffering, dying and rejoicing. People are getting married and babies are being birthed.
The silhouettes of the red hawks fade in the rising sun. My cell fills with the morning light.
Peace and Truth,
Perry 'P-DUB' Williams Jr.
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death-row
#999420.
Touch (church).
the place between dark and light. measured by how we
weigh life. explored.
Howard Guidry
Polunsky unit, Texas
Death Row
#999226
So here is the song I wrote called "This love has gone"
I guess you noticed/that I sent you a dozen roses
and by now you would have seen that not a one/is
fresh/but are all in a state of decay.
So I think that it goes without saying/what's really on my mind.
This love/has gone and withered away to nothing/you're beautiful yes that's true/but what good is beauty to a man who cannot satisfy you.
And you know that I've tried at least a thousand times/to save the treasure of love/that once was ours/but there's some things/even a man cannot do.
So if you're looking/to rekindle an old flame/I hate to tell you/that it'll never/burn the same.
This love/has gone and Withered/away to nothing/you're beautiful yes that's true/but what good is beauty to a man who cannot satisfy you.
But now I know that beauty/is truly in the eye of the beholder/if only I'd have known your ways/way back then/I could have put all your words to the wind/and walked away/a better man.
Blaine Keith Milam
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999558
Point Taken
Truly, every experience is unique to the individual's perception of the reality they're interpreting around them, whether clinging to hope or surrendering to despair. But make no mistake, coming to the Row has been a serious challenge in many ways from a mental perspective.
The first night was very literally like walking into a tomb with a bunk and steel toilet/sink attached to a wall. The significant distinction between other isolations and that of the Row's isolation is the weight of the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness because of the sentence of death. The cage (cell) looks like every other prison cage, only, there's the visceral shadows of death upon the entire community.
Consider the isolation of regular population prisoners even those confined "indefinitely" (permanently) know they only have to overcome or complete the sentence against them, or reform their disruptive behavior in order to become reclassified for release of the isolation. This reality doesn't exist for Texas death row men. The women in Texas even have greater conditions and circumstances, though none of us men begrudge them for this.
Texas practices some of the worst standards in America, though there have been certain champions with authority who are brave enough to push for some meaningful reforms. And Director Daniel Dickerson stands head and shoulders above those daring to improve the entire prison conditions in Texas.
Mr. Dickerson was the first person I've personally met who pushed us to be accountable in changing the entire culture. The "old guard" mentality encourages the "us versus them" banter while Mr. Dickerson encouraged staff and prisoners to embrace reform by taking account of our attitude, our behavior, and the community. Before he was Director, Mr. Dickerson was our Warden on the Polunsky Unit and he established several "first" during his term, including the formation of the first Faith Based Sections on any Row in America.
The community immediately transformed and even guys on the Row began declaring the Row as Life Row instead of death row. Entire sections of 14 cages began singing hymns and calling for prayer circles (community prayer) and a fellowship that surpassed the circumstances that overshadowed us all. The authorities in the execution chamber noted the unique attitude changes of the men enduring their final moment of life in this world.
Where despair, depression and anger had prevailed, hope, praise, and beautiful sentiments of joy began springing forth as if sunlight had finally permeated the walls, hearts, and communities, of every man bound in these tombs.
The truth that sang out was the songs of transformation. No matter who we've been, no matter what poor choices one has confined themselves in, no matter where we're at in the moment, there is always hope once we begin to transform the ways we've envisioned the world around us.
Truly, all lives matter.
John Falk
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999605
Protected By The Light...
When you're stuck in a place with nowhere to go,
Raise your eyes to the heavens and let your prayers flow...
As blessings start to rain down
Upon the things that's seen,
As spiritual forces shift things in place and move
hearts to flow within the realm
of blessings upon your life...
Never think you're alone in this world,
even when alone you could never be alone .
For they are there to protect you from wicked forces,
that wish to bring harm and devilish beings your way...
Lean upon righteousness,
because in the end
the meek ones will prevail over anything that's
bad or wicked,
so let it shine bright as you step into
the Protection Of The Light...
Proverbs 4:18...
But the path of righteous is like the bright morning light
That grows brighter and brighter until full day light.
Roderick Harris
Polunsky Unit, Texas
Death Row
#999573
The Creators
Unexpected
Like a flash across the sky.
Our auras collide.
The rhythm of the night
Disturbed by
I.
You.
and
We arrive.
In a light show of explosions
Is where I notice
You.
Your eyes.
Locked with mine.
Expecting time
To stop
And unlock these sublime feelings of
Our essence.
A fallen Sun rises
To meet the Moon at her crest.
Two merging Stars.
Must be
DeMontrell Miller
Polunsky Unit Texas
Death Row
#999551
Humanizing Death-Row, We are not here to judge we are here to connect, support, and fight for a world where every soul is seen. Because at Humanizing Death-Row, it’s never too late to save a life.
Our team has grown from a one-woman mission into a national network committed to abolishing the death penalty and sharing the humanity of those behind the walls. From handwritten letters and original poetry to public vigils and national protests, our staff has helped change the narrative—one voice, one life, and one story at a time.
Humanizing Death-Row proudly partners with death penalty abolitionists, justice reform organizations, and grassroots advocates across the nation. Together, we work to amplify the voices of the incarcerated, fight against wrongful convictions, and push for the end of state-sanctioned executions. Our partners include faith leaders, legal advocates, artists, and families directly impacted by the system—all united by the belief that justice must be rooted in humanity, not death. Through collaboration, we build a stronger, louder, and more compassionate movement.
Join the Humanizing Death Row community today and become a part of a movement dedicated to advocating for the lives and dignity of individuals on death row. Our mission is to challenge the dehumanization of those facing execution by sharing their stories, providing support, and working toward a more compassionate and just criminal justice system. Together, we can make a difference by raising awareness, promoting reform, and showing that every life has value.
We are always looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to help us carry out our mission. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to make a long-term commitment, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Contact us today to learn more about volunteering with Humanizing Death-Row .
($10.00 shipping)
Support our cause in style! Purchase a Humanizing Death Row shirt today! All proceeds go to HDR operations and its members. Available in black, pink, blue, and yellow. Shipping price may vary due to location.
Your support and contributions are vital in the fight against the death penalty. By donating, volunteering, or raising awareness, you help amplify the voices of those on death row and advocate for a more humane and just criminal justice system. Your commitment allows us to provide resources, support legal efforts, and work toward eliminating capital punishment. Every contribution brings us closer to a world where justice is rooted in compassion, fairness, and the recognition of every individual’s inherent dignity.