麻豆社

As a teenager, Calvin Duncan was wrongfully charged with first degree murder. Coming from an impoverished background, he couldn鈥檛 afford a good lawyer for his trial. Sentenced to life imprisonment, Calvin soon realised that the only avenue open to him was to study law and fight his own case. But where do you even begin to train as a lawyer while incarcerated in a tough Louisiana penitentiary? And even if you do get some understanding of the legal system, will that be enough to overturn a wrongful conviction?

As Calvin weighed his options, his first appeal was denied by the courts and his attempts to obtain documents that would prove his innocence led nowhere. In the meantime, Calvin used his fledgling legal skills to obtain better living conditions for other inmates, eventually becoming an Inmate Counsel Substitute, a type of jailhouse lawyer. But even as his knowledge was leading to his fellow lifers being freed, his own case hit setback after setback.

Calvin's memoir, written with Sophie Cull, is called 'The Jailhouse Lawyer.'

Please be aware that this story references Calvin's thoughts of suicide.
If you are suffering distress or despair and feel you need help, you could speak to a health professional or an organisation that offers support. Details of available resources in many countries can be found at聽Befrienders聽Worldwide. befrienders.org

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producers: Rachel Oakes and Radek Boschetty

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Calvin Duncan in the law library of Angola Prison, Louisiana. Courtesy of Calvin Duncan. Calvin, in a white cap, white t-shirt and blue trousers stands in front of a bookshelf stacked with leather-bound volumes.)