At long last, Kenneth Hogan tasted his first New York pizza in nearly a quarter of a century. Yet, before indulging in the quintessential New York experience, he meticulously navigated his way through a complex list of obligations that commenced with enrolling himself with the New York State Board of Parole. Hogan had a crystal-clear objective while mentally preparing for his post-prison life during the tail-end of his incarceration. His intent was focused on a life free of legal constraints, constantly emphasizing the phrase, ‘not becoming another number’.
After enduring a challenging path, Kenneth Hogan finally breathed a sigh of freedom, accompanied by his spouse to the parole office, moments following his release from an extended 25-year prison sentence for an unfortunate felony murder, robbery, and possession of illegal firearms. Now a free man, he set forth to begin a new journey, clearly expressing his determination to progress forward.
Upon his release, Hogan discovered how life had metamorphosed during his time away. Now, older and with a felony record to his name, he returned home faced with an added burden – a significant hiatus period from work. Additionally, the fluid political and economic scenarios across the country led to palpable uncertainty regarding his prospects.
In an unfortunate incident that dates back to 2000, while carrying out a failed robbery operation, Hogan’s younger cousin shot and killed a man in Nassau County. Hogan bore the brunt equally due to New York State’s felony murder laws, charging every suspect involved in a lethal occurrence, irrespective of their specific involvement. This legislation has disproportionately targeted members of the Black community, oftentimes convicting them to lengthy prison terms even though they did not directly contribute to a victim’s death. New York’s state Senate committee is currently reviewing a pair of proposed legislative reforms to address such misgivings.
According to a recent review by the Prison Policy Initiative, the overall perception of reconviction rates for violent crime perpetrators has been excessively amplified. The report clarifies that currently, data regarding reconvictions is primarily influenced by arrest rates rather than actual convictions. This method inaccurately inflates the frequency of reconvictions.
The prevalent system also includes a wide spectrum of violent crime definitions within one category, further skewing the reconviction rates for violent crimes. According to the findings, when arrests are used to define reconversion rates rather than jail time, the rates surge 48 percentage points more.
Statistical data from a 2024 study disputed the status quo about violent tendencies. The study states that the potential for violent actions typically escalates during adolescence or early adulthood and gradually dissipates over time. Ironically, this decline often intersects with the extended duration of the prison sentences handed out to many.
Hogan was incarcerated when he was merely 20 years old, and recently celebrated his 45th birthday. Notwithstanding his felony record, Hogan illustrated a commendable transformation during his prison term. The educational advancements he achieved and his comprehensive plans for his future livelihood might indicate that going back to his past would not be a concern for Kenneth Hogan.
Upon his release, Hogan, who developed a deep-seated passion for theatre and cinema during his prison term, is determined to carve a path in the field. He discovered this passion at the Eastern New York Correctional Facility in Napanoch, where he wrote and directed stage productions.
One of Hogan’s primary goals, aside from landing full-time employment which is a parole requirement, is rekindling his relationship with his children and compensating for the time missed with his aging mother. He successfully petitioned for clemency twice before being declared eligible for release.
After he was denied his initial petition to commute his sentence, Hogan turned a setback into an opportunity by enrolling himself in personal and professional enrichment classes. He clocked over 100 hours in self-evolution modules, became an OSHA-certified safety and health trainer, and honed his craftsmanship in writing for performing arts.
During his last month in prison, Hogan continued his quest for academic excellence. After learning about his impending parole in November 2024, he pursued a master’s degree at Bard College in New York. Having previously earned his bachelor’s degree from the same college in 2023, he has aspirations to engage in advocacy for his fellow classmates.
Hogan advocates the belief of aligning with those having similar mentalities to ensure success. His sincere advice to his peers was to alleviate their guilt, emphasizing the importance of focusing solely on themselves. He further added that it’s quite challenging to progress with unwanted baggage.
Once established in his career, Hogan plans to lobby for improvements to the process of integrating felons back into society post-prison, primarily to ensure individuals with limited family support or resources are provided adequate housing. Hogan, who has already secured a job interview, candidly shares his intentions to enjoy minor joys in life, like getting his cornrows styled at a renowned hairstylist’s salon in Brooklyn.