Joseph Ligon was last week, 11th February released from prison in Philadelphia, US after spending sixty eight years of his life there. Ligon was arrested in 1953 together with other juvenile gangs for conducting robberies and killings of two men aged 65 and 60 (who were Charles Pitts and Jackson Hamm). During their robberies six other people were also injured from stab wounds. Joseph however insists that he was not involved in the murder. He was 15 years old when this happened. His release came after a new law demanded that juveniles should not be sentenced to life imprisonment and that those already sentenced should be given a shorter sentence or set free altogether. They may also be given a lifetime parole.

Ligon surprised the whole world being the oldest lifer in prison who came in as a juvenile. He has gone through the prison gates when he is 85 years old. Ligon says that the world has changed a lot since he went in in 1953. He has been amazed by the tall buildings and skyscrapers that never existed before. He however mourns the loss of his family members who have died over the years since he was jailed.

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