April Barber – April Barber was 15 years old and pregnant when she was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. In 2022, April earned one of the first commutations from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper from the Juvenile Sentencing Review Board, an initiative that the CFSY helped champion to give people sent to prison a fair chance at sentencing review. After 31 years of incarceration, April says reconnecting with her son has been her favorite p

art of her newfound freedom. In addition to being a devoted mother, April leads “Fenced In: Fighting for Freedom Advocacy,” an organization that has provided countless reentry resources specific to North Carolina. April also works as a peer support specialist, recovery coach, personal trainer, care aide, and steadfast advocate. As a prolific author having published four books that detail her struggles during incarceration and her commitment to growth and healing, she has helped call attention to the concerns of the incarcerated community. Look through April’s collection of books and purchase a copy here.