Bryan Widenhouse was given a life without parole sentence when he was 17 years old. During his incarceration he accepted accountability for the harm he caused and chose to serve the community and better himself.
Bryan has developed and managed national award-winning projects and programs. He served five terms as president of the prison’s chapter of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. In each of those terms they were named the #1 chapter in the nation. Within this organization he also served two years as a state level program manager. In 2005 he received the organization’s highest award, the Junior Chamber International Senatorship.
In other areas of service Bryan was an Alternatives to Violence facilitator, a Red Cross instructor, and a peer counselor. He successfully authored a grant to fund a prison art class and helped to develop a victim/offender mediation program. He has obtained three vocational degrees.
After the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed life without parole sentences for juveniles, Bryan was granted parole in November 2020. He had served 31 years of incarceration. Shortly after his release he joined the National Life Without Parole Leadership Council with Human Rights Watch. The Council progressively works toward the abolishment of LWOP sentences and advocates for second look agendas. He has spoken to members of Congress, testified to legislators, and helped to develop a Speakers’ Bureau to use his voice and experiences to change the narrative of extreme sentences.
