In a State with over 50,000 incarcerated men, less than 150 of them have served more consecutive days in prison than I have suffered. As of July 11, 2009, those days will add up to 12,195 days. That consists of 12,195 mornings, 12,195 afternoons, 12,195 evenings and 12,195 long, lonely nights full of longing and anguish. And please believe me, no matter how hard you may try to understand how that feels, it is impossible for you to know and impossible for me to explain. 33 years and 5 months! Wow! And I am not accused of killing anyone. I have never intentionally or unintentionally physically harmed anyone in my life. No shootings, no stabbings, no beatings, no head - bashing: no harm ever, never. And no one anywhere can claim that I have. I must admit to punching a few men but never as the instigator, and in those cases I am remorseful. Even living in this violent prison world, I have managed by God's Grace to not lose my peaceful spirit and continue to reject violence in all it's forms. When I first arrived, I began learning Martial Arts and studying Eastern Philosophy. One of the major tenets is that you never use violence other than to protect yourself and, even then, only to alleviate the threat. I was never highly proficient at the physical techniques but because of my size, having many homies and, l fancy myself enough to believe, my personality, I have been able to keep most danger at bay. I retained an interest in Eastern Philosophy and eventually became a practicing Yogi. I have by no means found Nirvana nor enlightenment but by Grace I do have an inner calm and peace despite my external circumstances. So even though acceptance, surrender, and gratitude are my life's guide posts, I also know the first touch of God's Grace is when He leads us to find the will to make are lives better, internally or externally. I am certain of the truth of my Mother's maxim which states that God will move a mountain but He expects us to bring a shovel. My circumstances are dire and I need His Help and I also need your help to move this mountain that is the Commutations Board of Pennsylvania. Good news has just arrived concerning my plight and so many others who suffer under a Life Sentence in Pennsylvania. We have just received a win in the Federal Court that will make attempting commutation, which is our only way out, incrementally easier. It will still be extremely difficult but with this ruling maybe just maybe.... Stay tuned and please check back on my blog for details and up dates. Until then, please go to http://www.freerobertwideman.org/onlinepetition.html and sign my online petition and pass the word of this injustice. Find out more about how and why I am still in these awful circumstances after 12,195 mornings, afternoons, evenings, and oh yeah, those long, lonely, painful nights. I think you will see that I do not belong here another day. It is going to take an extraordinary effort for me to obtain my freedom, not just prayers and good wishes, but it will take action.