My name is Angela Bryson Miller, an offender at FCI Aliceville in Alabama.  I am a 55-year-old mother of three children.  I am a grandmother of five. I was born and raised in a loving caring, Christian home and my parents raised us just as God required them to do; they didn’t spare the rod.  My mother taught school for forty- two plus years.  My father worked as a farmer while working full time at Carrier Brothers Air Conditioner where he retired after thirty-seven years.  My parents paved the way for my brothers and I and my one sister.  We all had the choice to go to college and make something of ourselves.  As a mother, I tried to provide and raise my children the same way.  We all know in life things do not always go the way we dream of or how we plan for it to go.  My daughter and I are both serving a 32-year sentence for aiding and abetting the brandishing of a weapon in a crime of violence armed bank robbery.  We have been incarcerated since November 9, 2010 and were charged on a four-count indictment.  I was acquitted on both counts of bank robbery and was charged with two counts of 924c gun charges.  I was charged with the brandishing of a weapon that I never brandished.  I have read in Webster’s Dictionary what “brandish” means.  It means to “wave”.  I was not at or near the bank so how did I brandish a weapon?  Because my co-defendants brandished the weapons, we all got the same charge.  The only difference is they only got 9-year sentences.  They confessed.  One, which his DNA was found at the scene.  There was never any evidence on me nor any witnesses.  Because of the statue, Congress states that all involved get the same charge.  If we were sentenced today, we would have only been given a 14-year sentence, being that the First Step Act was signed into law in 2018.  However, because it was not made retroactive, it does not help us because of stacking, enhanced 924c charges. This being our first time to face anything like this, my parents paid two of the best lawyers in the State of Mississippi.  They were both paid $50,000 each, which my parents paid for both of us, which caused a financial burden and stress on them.  Our attorneys never asked us if we were involved or what part we played.  My daughter’s attorney told her: “If I don’t ask, don’t tell”.  The only thing they both said is: “There is no evidence, do you have an alibi”.  We both replied Yes, we both do.  They stated we were going to trial.  My alibi was never used for my defense.  My attorney never came to me to inform me if the government offered me a plea or did, he try to get me a plea.  By my daughter and I not knowing any better, we just assumed they would know what was best.  I am not claiming to be innocent.  Did I know about the robbery?  Yes.  Did I touch a gun or put a gun in anyone’s hand?  No, I did not.  Just as most crimes, the time just did not fit the crime.  Nobody was harmed, nobody got killed and nobody needed medical attention.  The guns they used were not discharged either.  There are people who kill and murder and get less time than what we were charged with.  I was given a death sentence and I am not on death row. We have file motions and appeals and all were denied.  I am asking with a desperate cry for help for empathy.  I am asking for a second chance at life.  I am asking for my voice to be heard.  I know I have made some bad choices in life and it has hurt me, my children, my grandchildren and especially my parents.  I want this to be clear; I acknowledge that I have done wrong.  It is hard to stay hopeful with the sentence I have, and I will not lie, it is hard to keep the hope of freedom alive.  However, my faith in God has carried me this far.  I spend a lot of time thinking about my purpose in life and what I want to leave behind in the world.  I advise others to do the same.  Through my actions and my words, I exhibit deep remorse for previous crimes that I have committed.  My experience has shaped me into the woman I am today and the woman I will be when I am released.  I have kept the faith in the justice system, and I have an unwavering commitment to becoming a productive member of society (when given a second chance).  I have taken over 400 hours of educational and wellness courses.  I am no longer a danger to the community.  I will be a great asset to the community rather than a danger.  I have strong family support and family ties, which will serve as my bedrock once I am released.  I have maintained remarkably close ties, not only to my parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family, but to my community.  Many wrote letters to the courts emphasizing their support during and after the trial.  I remain to be hopeful even though it gets hard when everything you try seems to fail.  If I am given another chance, I promise not to disappoint those who have helped me, especially my family.  I am crying for help.  Will someone please help me and my daughter, Starlet Kizer, get a second chance of life? Thank you kindly, Angela Bryson Miller