Case In Point
Vanessa Wade, True Name: Vikki Hankins
Sentenced to 23 years, 4 months
Charged with Conspiracy to Possess with
Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base
 At age 19 I
lost my mother to suicide. This left me with no sense of direction,
feeling crushed and empty inside. I didn't care about myself,
and I didn't want to live anymore. With great effort I learned
to make myself care enough to give support to my little brother,
and little sister. I worked any job
available to help support them, and to be the mother for them
that we no longer had. Unable to continue my formal education,
my sister and brother became the focus of my life.
About six months after the tragic loss of my mom, I met Spud,
a man ten years older than me who showed a genuine interest in me and my
siblings. He assisted us in every way possible, including
helping guide and teach my brother and sister. I respected and
looked up to him for this, and for caring so much.
I was raised in a small community in Crescent City, Florida.
My upbringing took place in a very
strict and religious atmosphere. I fell into Spud's
trap, but eventually I wanted out of the relationship and his
life. I wasn't used to it and tried to end it. I asked him if
he would allow me to move into my own apartment, but it was too
late to try to move on with my life in different direction.
By the time I turned twenty-one years old I was in trouble. I
received a 23-year sentence for drugs while Spud remained free.
I would not give federal investigators any information
on Spud, and so they labeled me any way they chose. Even though
I knew the truth inside, I would not tell.
 I made the
grave mistake of trusting the wrong person with my life as well
as the lives of my brother and sister. I am now thirty-two years
old, and I have spent all of my twenties and part of my thirties
in federal institutions. I want a chance to live.
This is my first time in prison - I am a non-violent
offender. I have paid so much for allowing the wrong people into
my life. While I've been incarcerated, my brother was murdered
a week before he was to be accepted into college. It still hurts.
The man who murdered my brother received two years. If I had
been home, I know in my heart that my brother would still be
alive today.
I am not trying to make excuses or justify my actions over a
decade ago, nor am I asking for leniency as a drug offender.
I'm just asking for a chance to live and love again. I know drugs are
a sensitive subject, I fully understand why.
While incarcerated I've received numerous certificates for completing
self-help courses and drug programs and am currently enrolled
in a 636-hour vocational business course. I have assisted many
others in obtaining a GED, taken several college courses and
progressing toward my Bachelor of Arts degree. I only want another
chance at life outside prison.
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