Justice for Willie Simmons

“Sometimes I feel like I’m lost in outer space.”

Willie Junior Simmons

In 1982, at the age of 25 Willie Simmons was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole for stealing $9. He has been in prison for 40 years.

Willie has turned 65 this September. Happy Birthday!!

This web site is intended to advocate for his release and compensation for the injustice done to him. We are a group of people working with a lawyer to help getting Willie help from outside.

Update

9/14/22

You can now watch Dr. Rashad Richey’s report on Willie’s case on the YouTube channel Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey.

9/12/22

Willie sent us a letter on 8/28/22 saying that he is still in solitary confinement despite being told months ago that he would be transferred back to his cell. He told us that he “blacked out” and was sent to the prison hospital. He had complained about his hands swelling up and problems with his left eye, but the treatment in the hospital didn’t bring any relief.

While he was in the hospital his snack food and stamps were stolen.

How can you help Willie Simmons?

  • Donate to the general fund
  • Write him a letter
  • Put money into his canteen account
  • Sign online petitions
  • Contact the Governor of Alabama
  • Sign up for the newsletter
  • Listen to media

Donate to the general fund

Make a donation to the SpotFund for Willie Simmons

How to write to Willie Simmons

Willie hasn’t had a visitor since his sister passed away in 2006. Receiving letters are his only way of staying in touch with the outside world. He responds to every letter, in his own unique handwriting! If possible, send return stamps in your letter. Thank you!

Willie Junior Simmons
AIS# 112862 L.12.A
9677 Hwy 21 North
Fountain 3800
Atmore, AL 36503

The rules for correspondence are here, found on this page.

How to fund his canteen account

  • Start at the Alabama Dept of Corrections website.
  • Select “Send Money to an Inmate“.
  • If you select “Use Debit or Credit Card Online” you will be redirected to the Access Corrections website.
  • At which point you will need to create an account.
  • After your account is set up you need to select Willie Simmons
    • For State select “Alabama”
    • For Agency select “AL DOC”
    • For ” Recipient ID” enter 112862 and select Find. It should return with Willie Simmons.

Sign online petitions

More information about Willie

Contact elected officials

GovernorKay Ivey@GovernorKayIvey334-242-7100
Lt. GovernorWill Ainsworth@willainsworthAL334-261-9590
Speaker of the HouseMac McCutcheon@MacDistrict25334-261-0500
US SenatorRichard Shelby@SenShelby202-224-5744
US SenatorTommy Tuberville@SenTuberville202-224-4124

Newsletter

  • Sign up for our newsletter. We won’t sell your email address or spam you otherwise. Newsletter is sent whenever we have news about Willie.

Listen to media

Social media

Other posts using information from the Dec 21st, 2019 Tweet thread: essence.com, mediaite.com, boredpanda.com, confirmationbias.ocm

For the search engines: “Willie Simmons”, “Willie Junior Simmons”, “Alabama”, “Alabama Department of Corrections”, “Alabama DOC”.

Email me: info@justiceforwilliesimmons.org

Additional information

HB 107 – Repeal Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act

  • Details from ACLU of Alabama here
  • “This bill would repeal Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act (HFOA), provide for re-sentencing for defendants whose sentences were based on HFOA…”
  • Thank Rep. Chris England for authoring this bill
  • June 2021 update: the bill got out of subcommittee, and wasn’t voted by the general assembly. Alabama has a rather short legislative session, they are done for the year.

Who we are