A Note from the Executive Director

January 28, 2021

As you might imagine, these past few months have been a whirlwind for the Last Prisoner Project team. 

 

Working on these cases has been an exercise in perseverance, filled with countless highs and lows. But it has also reminded us that while progress is not inevitable, nothing is impossible when we harness this incredible community’s compassion and dedication.   

 

We’re particularly grateful to the journalists and activists who’ve shared our constituents’ stories over the past few weeks. 

 

Without their tireless commitment to exposing injustice and ensuring accountability, these moments of hope and reconciliation would be impossible. Listed below are a few of these pieces.



Rest assured, these hard-won victories have only further inspired and energized us for what lies ahead. It’s our movement’s moment, and we're incredibly excited to work with you all to push the boundaries of what's possible in 2021. 

 

— Sarah Gersten, LPP Executive Director, and General Counsel


By Edwin Rubis December 5, 2025
This past Thanksgiving, Edwin Rubis shared his thoughts with us about spending another Thanksgiving behind prison walls, separated from his elderly mother, his sons, and his grandchildren:
By Stephanie Shepard November 25, 2025
Michael Masecchia spent decades shaping young lives as a beloved teacher and coach in Buffalo. Baseball, football, softball, and more, he dedicated himself to mentorship and community. But in 2019, his life was upended in an instant. A federal raid for cannabis, a swarm of law enforcement, and a harsh sentence threatened not just his freedom, but the very identity he had built. This is the story of how Michael survived the injustice, found purpose behind bars, and ultimately returned home, a story of resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of advocacy.
October 27, 2025
Featuring Carmelo Anthony, Omari Hardwick, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, and other cultural icons, the NYC event united artists, advocates, and changemakers to advance cannabis justice.