Gloria “Mama Glo” Williams, Louisiana’s longest serving woman and mother, to be released from prison after 50 years
Gloria Williams embraces her sister Mary Smith-Moore shortly after her release from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Photo courtesy of Fox Rich, PDM Nola via The Appeal
Gloria “Mama Glo” Williams will finally be reunited with her family and friends after spending five decades behind bars. Promise of Justice Initiative represented Mama Glo in July 2019 in her efforts to commute her life without the possibility of parole sentence. The Board of Pardon’s unanimously recommended her sentence be commuted to make her eligible for parole, and subsequently the Governor approved the recommendation. Today, Mama Glo stood before the Parole Board with parole eligibility for the first time. With representation from Louisiana Parole Project’s Jane Hogan, Mama Glo and her family again made their case to the Parole Board, who approved her release.
Gloria “Mama Glo” Williams
“We are so grateful to the Pardon and Parole Board, and the Governor for allowing Ms. Williams to come home to her family,” Said Mercedes Montagnes, PJI Executive Director. “She has shown her incredible dedication to the community while incarcerated, and we look forward to seeing the positive change that she will bring now that she is free.”
During her incarceration, Mama Glo took part in various community and rehabilitative programs and mentored dozens of other incarcerated women. Her nickname — Mama Glo — comes from her reputation as a leadership figure for the women she mentored while incarcerated. In Mama Glo’s own words “I am not the same person that I once was, I have grown spiritually and mentally… Although I can’t turn back the hands of time, I can help others turn their lives around.”
Ms. Williams was represented by Jane Hogan from the Parole Project in front of the Pardon and Parole Board, and supported by the Promise of Justice Initiative, #FreeMamaGlo Coalition, FoxandRob, PDM Nola and other community members and organizations during her incarceration. Mama Glo will be reunited with her large family in Houston, Texas upon release, and looks forward to spending time with her children, grandchildren, and loved ones as soon as she is home.
PJI Staff, FoxandRob, and other supporters, providing information about the #FreeMamaGlo movement
What people say about Mama Glo:
“If Mama Glo is released back into civilian life, she will put her big heart, sharp mind and full spirit to work for the GOOD of all those around her. For Mama Glo, freedom means participating in the healing, building and imagining of our state and country.” – Sister Helen Prejean, notable Death Penalty abolitionist and criminal justice reform activist
“I was completely in awe of her spirit, her commitment and her love for the other inmates. She personified the essence of “Mama” serving as a mentor and role model for incoming women to the prison as well as those who were there serving significant sentences.” – Ausettua Amor Amenkum, Director of Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective; Co-Director of the Louisiana Center for Incarcerated Women Drama Club
Coverage on Mama Glo’s release:
Louisiana's longest-serving female prisoner released after 50 years 'a better version of herself' - The Advocate, January 25, 2022
After 51 years in prison, Louisiana’s longest-serving incarcerated woman is free - The Appeal, January 28, 2022
‘Mama Glo,’ Louisiana’s longest held female prisoner, finally walks free - The Real News Network, February 8, 2022