Free the Artist

I will once again face the Parole Board

Created by Adrian Torres

On September 10th, 2025, at 10:30 AM, I will once again face the Parole Board to see if they believe I’m eligible for freedom.

Since 1999, I’ve been paying for the wrong I committed. For many of those years, I’ve been learning to serve, to open, and to invite others into my community. I’ve grown leaps and bounds, digging my roots deep and uprooting the weeds in my behavior that once gave me permission to be callous and violent.

I’ve learned to be open, honest, vulnerable—and, well, human.

But seeing those flowers inside the fence line reminded me that I, too, am being kept from being my fullest and best self. And seeing the flowers that pushed through encouraged me not to lose heart, even in the difficult task before me at the hearing.

Those blossoms outside the fence helped me imagine myself reaching and blessing even more people once outside these walls and razor wire. Maybe nature is telling me it’s time. Time to push harder. Time to serve on the outside. Time for physical freedom.

One last thing: the flowers that had pushed through, though outside the fence, had not forgotten their roots. They were still connected to where they had grown.

I, too, will not forget where I first confronted my old violent behavior and learned to grow into a loving human being. If I am given freedom, I will want nothing more than to return and continue serving those still inside—the place where my roots are.

I share this, maybe, as a request for prayer and good thoughts. I sometimes struggle with the confidence I’ll need to present myself credibly. So I ask you: help me push, as I reach for my freedom.

Thank you. I hope to make you all proud.

—Adrian

About the Artist

Adrian Torres

Free the Artist bio: My name is Adrian, I've been serving 25-to-Life in the California Department of Corrections. I was arrested in December 1999, and have not seen freedom since. And rightly so. Unfortunately, I callously and heinously killed Vyncent, an innocent human being. By law, I'm considered a "youth offender", but since I've been in the system for 25+ years, and I will be 50 in October 2025, I'm also considered "elderly." I'm Mexican but was born in the United States, and speak both English and Spanish. It took me a long time to find "me" between both cultures. Which was a big source of much of my childhood trauma. Currently I spend hours and hours in a week learning more about me, but also utilize what I learn to guide others through their trauma too. I love writing. Although I was literally illiterate all my life, I managed to find joy in creative writing. Being able to express my personality on paper has allowed me to purge many unvoiced hurts that once lingered deep within my body. I love love love love love to laugh and especially make others laugh. If I could live in a world of joy, laughter, and good humor I would be content. This year, 2025, I'm scheduled to go (for the third time) up in front of the California Board to see if I am found no longer a risk to society. Although I deeply know I no longer live a life of any type of violence, I have deep doubt I will ever be let go. So please, hold me in your thoughts and prayers. Its not easy. Thank you for reading my submissions. I hope to send more in soon.

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