Miles of Freedom // Rank and File Magazine

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In 1995, Richard Miles was wrongfully convicted of murder and aggravated assault, and as a result, spent 15 years in prison as an innocent man. 

"I felt kidnapped by a system that stripped me of my sense of individuality. It was a system that took my clothes, my name, my decision making and gave me a uniform, a number, and endless commands. It took my identity and my authority as a human being. By God’s grace and Centurion Ministries out of Princeton, New Jersey, my innocence was recognized. I was released from prison on October 10, 2009, but the fight was far from over. As I was contesting my conviction, I spent two and a half years on bond. Even though the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office stipulated that I was innocent, I was still labeled a “convicted felon” as I awaited the court ruling. I struggled to get an apartment, find a job, and get adjusted to the “free world.” I felt the burden of being labeled “ex-offender” but I made it my promise that that wouldn’t define me forever." 

On February 15, 2012, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals found Miles “actually innocent.” Richard’s case, Miles vs. State of Texas is the first non-DNA, non-recantation
exoneration case in history. Through the compensation of the state of Texas, Richard was able to start Miles of Freedom, a program that builds, empowers, and helps men and women coming out of prison not only navigate this life, but also succeed and thrive in it. 

This past Spring I had the privilege of working alongside Richard Miles and his incredible non-profit called Miles of Freedom, documenting the stories of men and women being reintegrated into society after prison, and telling their stories through their own words and my photographs. Richard Miles has transformed so many men and women’s lives by his perseverance, faith, and love for others. To read Richard's full story, From Prison to Promise that was featured on the cover of Rank & File Magazine, click here!

R I C H A R D  M I L E S

 
 

A U B R E Y  J O N E S

"Richard and I met in Coffield Unit prison in 2004. He worked in the mail office and I worked in the law library. Every night after Richard and I were done working, we'd sit on our bunks in our dorm, drink coffee, and talk about what we were gonna do once we got out of prison…that we would start a program that would use people that had once been broken to rebuild others.” -Aubrey Jones  

And thus, Miles of Freedom was formed because of these men’s determination and hearts for something bigger than themselves.