Stacia was #15 on the CAN-DO Top 25 – she just received the blessing of clemency on 12.19.16

Name: Stacia Tarnike Smith
DOB: 4-23-74
Race: African American
Marital Status: Single
Age: 42
Children: 3
Charge: Conspiracy to posess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine.
Sentence: 21 years
Served to date: 12 1/2 yrs.
Started Sentence on: 1.7.2004
Priors: None
Prison Conduct: Good
Clemency status: pending  CP14 submitted
Supporters: Children, CAN-DO, The LOHM, NCIFIWG,
Institution: Lexington fmc Satellite camp. Lexington,Ky

According to Stacia:

I am respectfully seeking Clemency because I’m not the same person who was convicted in 2005. I’m certain that it’s very common to read or hear that incarceration changes lives, in my case it began the process of recovery and forgiveness. Mental & Sexual abuse defined my childhood, my mother passed away when I was 9yrs old. I was physically & sexually abused by my father, and that began a downward spiral in my life. unfortunately, the security and sense of love I felt from a partner outweighed right and wrong, when I supported his illegal activities. I was a broken person, and fell victim to an unhealthy relationship. At the time of my sentencing I didn’t accept responsibility for my actions because I didn’t know who I was. It took my time in prison to fully understand that what I was doing was wrong, I’m very sorry for all of my actions. Taking drug, and Psychology classes has helped me heal.as well as working with many women with the same struggles has truly been life changing. Accepting the fact I truly needed help and seeing the impact my actions were having on my children were and sre still tremendous motivators. If I am granted clemency that would give me a second chance to be a better citizen, but most important a mother. I’ve wasted a lot of time away from my children. I just spoke with my daughter, and she expressed how unhappy she was because she has never spent one holiday with me. My goals are to reunite with my family and seek employment as a mental & drug counselor. I specifically would like to help women who’ve experienced abuse that has lead them to make bad choices. Regaining a positive sense of myself has helped me understand it mattered and had a ripple effect when I made bad decisions. For that I’m truly sorry for all of my wrong doings. I am respectfully asking for a second chance at life I’ve overcome a sense of being worthless, to knowing I can help others and myself. I can be a positive impact on my children, family, and community. I’ve taken classes throughout my entire incarceration, Spanish, business classes, bookkeeping, math classes, I’ve trained in lean sigma,typing, keyboarding, I’ve completed office management, resume writing, interviewing, women who love to hard, I basically focused on classes that will help me upon my release, so that I have the skills I need to secure me a job so I can take care of myself, and my children. I’ve taken a lot of mental, and drug programs through psychology. I’m not the same person I was 13years ago, Please grant me a second chance to show you.

Thank you very much,
Stacia Smith