In the criminal justice system, corruption and deception exist on both sides of the courtroom. From habitual victim liars who fabricate stories to manipulate the legal system, to public defenders, attorneys, and judges who cut corners, overlook evidence, and prioritize their careers over justice—every stage of a case is tainted. The system is flawed, not just in its prosecution but in its defense, and many times, the truth is buried under layers of personal agendas and incompetence.
But this article is not about habitual victim liars. This is about another, often overlooked issue—what happens when inmates are released from prison and attempt to reintegrate into society. There are two types of individuals who leave prison: those who move on, determined never to look back, and those who seek to make a name for themselves in the public eye. The latter group often emerges as self-proclaimed advocates, leaders, or public figures, parading their “transformation” as a badge of honor. But for some, it’s nothing more than a well-crafted deception.
The Case of Sean Marshall: A Con Man in Disguise
One such individual is Sean Marshall. At first glance, he appears polite, reserved, and eager to help. But beneath the surface lies something unsettling. His demeanor lacks genuine sincerity—his smile forced, his eyes avoiding direct contact. His name frequently appears on social media, always attached to a new nonprofit, a new organization, a new opportunity to elevate himself. From the Denver Dream Center to the Second Chance Center, Marshall hops from one platform to another, embedding himself in causes that make him appear rehabilitated and reformed.
But who is Sean Marshall really? A closer look suggests he is nothing more than a con artist—someone who mastered the art of manipulation while incarcerated and continues to exploit those around him after release. His actions reek of self-centered ambition rather than genuine redemption. Everything is about him—his struggles, his success, his transformation. And yet, it all seems too calculated, too rehearsed.
The System Rewards Criminals Who Play the Game
Marshall is not alone. There is a disturbing trend where former inmates, particularly those who committed serious crimes, are granted second chances not because of genuine rehabilitation but because they have mastered the “good inmate” persona. They avoid write-ups, participate in prison programs, and carefully construct a narrative of redemption, knowing full well that this is their ticket to freedom.
One Democratic representative once said during a hearing, “So let me understand—you have to go to prison and commit a heinous crime to get your life together, and we as taxpayers should pay for that?” Her words cut through the facade many of these individuals present. Why should the system reward those who needed incarceration to “fix” themselves? Why should taxpayers fund their second chances when law-abiding citizens struggle to receive even basic support?
This mirrors another flawed societal structure: government assistance programs. Just as some individuals exploit welfare systems, using EBT cards and public aid without making efforts to improve their situations, some former inmates exploit reentry programs, using their criminal pasts as leverage to gain social status, credibility, and even financial benefits.
The Real Question: Are We Enabling Manipulators?
Rehabilitation and second chances are essential, but they should be granted to those who genuinely seek to change—not to those who see the system as a game to be played. Sean Marshall is just one example of many who use the “redemption” narrative as a stepping stone rather than a sincere path to betterment.
We must ask ourselves: Are we truly rehabilitating individuals, or are we simply enabling master manipulators? The answer lies not in their words but in their actions. And in the case of Sean Marshall, the evidence suggests that he is far from reformed—he is merely continuing his con, outside the prison walls.
The Corruption Behind Prison Reform: The Ashley Hamilton and Sean Marshall Scandal?
Let me tell you how this all started—and how it ended. In 2024, a woman named Ashley Hamilton ran an art program in the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) through a nonprofit organization affiliated with the University of Denver (DU). This program, which received over $6 million in taxpayer funding over a few years, claimed to promote self-expression for inmates through art. However, instead of using that money for meaningful rehabilitative programs such as vocational training or work programs where inmates could earn income, funds were wasted on art supplies and a project commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Territorial Prison.
Ashley Hamilton wasn’t just an art teacher; she was an opportunist with a disturbing reputation. She had an unusual fascination with the prison environment, not for rehabilitation, but for something far more troubling. There were numerous allegations that she engaged in inappropriate relationships with inmates, smuggling contraband—including drugs and cell phones—into facilities with the help of accomplices. Unlike correctional officers, who are closely monitored, her program operated without strict oversight, allowing her free rein to engage in illicit activities. When the scandal was finally exposed, the DOC cut ties with her, and she was reportedly fired. Yet, despite her misconduct, she walked away with wealth and a comfortable life, while the men involved in her activities faced harsh consequences—one of them being transferred to Colorado State Penitentiary (CSP), the highest-security prison in the state.
This is where Sean Marshall comes into the picture. A man who spent time in prison for robbery, Marshall portrays himself as a reformed advocate. However, his actions suggest otherwise. Always seeking the spotlight, he has moved from organization to organization—Denver Dream Center, Second Chance Center—attempting to build a name for himself. But who is Sean Marshall, really? A master manipulator, a self-serving opportunist who minimizes his past crimes and disregards his victims. He wants society to believe he is a changed man, but his actions paint a different picture.
“I do not know you but I have become very curious about who you are here of late. You seems to be a very controversial figure who spent a lot of time trolling people that I love and that are doing some extremely impactful work within the community. So now you have my undivided attention. And trust me that’s probably something you don’t want to consider the circles I know you run within and the cloud I have within the justice community. You should be ashamed of yourself miss Justina. There aren’t many advocates there are affecting tangible change in the reentry world and justice system like Ashley Hamilton and Hassan Latif yet you somehow have managed to attack two of them foremost advocates for justice impacted people. How does Someone Like You make in their mission to destroy something that only promotes healing? It is pitiful what gossip and lack of understanding has reduced you to. Instead of attacking people behind the safety of your computer this emanating baseless lies how about you be courageous enough to stand before people like me or anyone else you may question or have to audacity to slander?”
When I publicly criticized Ashley Hamilton for her corruption, Sean Marshall rushed to her defense. On June 9, 2024, he sent me a message, accusing me of “trolling” and “spreading lies.” He claimed that I was attacking “two of the foremost advocates for justice-impacted people,” referring to Hamilton and Hassan Latif. His message was laced with an implicit threat—an attempt to intimidate me into silence. However, what he failed to realize is that I do not back down from the truth.
Here was my response that same night:
“Thank you for your prompt reply. I am not sure of your position—are you advocating for them in their legal matters, or are you just trying to find compassion while playing both sides? You move between the Dream Center and the Second Chance Center, so where do you truly stand? As for slander, you might want to better understand legal vocabulary. Unlike you, I base my statements on substantial evidence. If you want to discuss this face-to-face, I’m open to it. I don’t hide behind a keyboard. You may find me controversial, but at least I have integrity and honesty—something you lack and will never have.”
Marshall was still on parole when he contacted me, which raises serious questions. Why was a convicted felon on parole reaching out to threaten someone over social media? Shouldn’t his focus be on true rehabilitation instead of playing protector for Hamilton? And now, he wants to produce a movie about himself, glorifying his so-called “redemption.”
But let me tell you something: A tiger never changes its stripes.
Sean Marshall hasn’t changed. He hasn’t learned anything from prison. He continues to manipulate, deceive, and seek personal gain at every turn. His association with Hamilton is further proof of his true nature. They both used the system for their own benefit, with no regard for justice, rehabilitation, or the people they claim to help.
It is time to expose these frauds for who they really are. The justice system must stop rewarding con artists who exploit their past crimes for personal gain while honest people struggle to make a difference. Ashley Hamilton and Sean Marshall are not reformers—they are opportunists, playing the game to suit their own interests.
And I, for one, refuse to let them do it in silence.
The Illusion of Redemption: The Sean Marshall Clemency Controversy
“Are you ready? Yes. And my name is Sean Marshall. I was formerly a prisoner in the Colorado Department of Corrections serving a 45-year sentence. Today, I’m a free man.”
These are the opening words from Changing Faces, a documentary that tells the story of Sean Marshall, a Colorado clemency recipient. Marshall, who was sentenced to 44 years for armed robbery with a BB gun, was granted clemency just 14 years into his sentence. The documentary paints a picture of redemption and transformation, but the reality behind it is much more complex—and troubling.
The real question remains: How does someone like Sean Marshall obtain clemency while other men and women, with better records both in prison and in their communities, are left behind? Clemency should be a golden ticket reserved for those who truly demonstrate reform, remorse, and a positive impact on society. Yet, Marshall not only received this privilege, but he is now using his story to craft an image of redemption that many find disingenuous.
The Problem with the Narrative
Marshall proudly states that he is a “free man.” But the reality is that he is still on parole. Until he receives official discharge papers, he is not free in the true sense of the word. The claim of absolute freedom is misleading, creating a false perception of his legal status. If Changing Faces was still in production when Marshall was on parole, then the foundation of his so-called redemption story is built on a lie.
This raises a critical question: Why fabricate aspects of his narrative? If his transformation were genuine, there would be no need for embellishment. True redemption does not require deceit; it speaks for itself through actions, not just words on a screen.
The Selective Clemency Process
Colorado’s clemency system is flawed, and Marshall’s case is proof of it. There are countless individuals serving lengthy sentences who have demonstrated far more consistent good behavior, who have contributed to the prison community in meaningful ways, and who genuinely deserve a second chance. Yet, Marshall was the one chosen. Why? Who made that decision, and what criteria were truly considered?
One cannot ignore the political undertones of the clemency process. Decisions are often made to fit a certain narrative—a story that makes for good press or aligns with an agenda. Colorado’s governor, already known for making controversial decisions, saw fit to grant Marshall clemency, despite more deserving candidates waiting in the shadows.
A Self-Serving Redemption
What is perhaps most frustrating is Marshall’s approach to his newfound platform. Rather than advocating for others who were left behind, he has made his own story the centerpiece. He now tours, speaks, and presents himself as a beacon of redemption. But real redemption is an internal process—it is not about external validation, awards, or recognition.
A man who seeks the limelight for his “change” should be scrutinized. Is his goal to genuinely help others, or is he simply capitalizing on his past? His actions suggest the latter. There are even allegations of him using intimidation tactics, such as sending threatening messages to those who question his narrative. If true, this contradicts the very essence of reform. Has the tiger truly changed its stripes, or has it merely found a new way to operate in society?
The True Injustice
While Marshall basks in the attention, there are many still sitting behind bars who deserve the chance he was given. Their stories remain untold, their pleas unheard. Justice should not be about who can craft the best redemption arc for a documentary—it should be about those who have proven, through consistent actions, that they are ready for reintegration.
The real tragedy is that Marshall’s story, riddled with half-truths and exaggerations, takes away from the credibility of those who are genuinely reformed. His clemency was a mistake, and it is a slap in the face to those who truly deserve a second chance. Instead of focusing on his redemption, society should be asking the bigger question: Who is truly worthy of clemency, and why was Sean Marshall put ahead of them?
Perhaps it’s time for the state to answer that.
No, I Will Not Be Watching the Documentary
There are some things in life that simply do not deserve my time, attention, or energy. A certain upcoming documentary is one of them. I have no desire to watch a production featuring a man who continues to mask his true intentions under the guise of transformation. The documentary’s title might suggest a narrative of personal growth, but in my opinion, it should be called something more fitting—perhaps A Double Face, reflecting both the lack of real redemption and the performative nature of his so-called change.
For those who genuinely believe in second chances, it’s important to recognize the difference between true transformation and calculated rebranding. Some individuals, like Sean Marshall, don’t change—they simply learn how to present a different version of themselves when it suits their personal interests. A white shirt, a neatly pressed tie, and a well-rehearsed speech do not erase a past built on manipulation and self-serving ambitions. The essence of who they are remains unchanged beneath the carefully crafted illusion.
This so-called documentary is not about accountability or redemption. It is about financial gain, about feeding an ego that thrives on the spotlight. It is about maintaining relevance, not about making amends. Those who have seen through the façade know better than to be fooled by theatrics.
At the end of the day, a chameleon may change its colors, but it remains the same creature underneath. And no, I won’t be giving my time to something that glorifies deception under the illusion of personal growth. Some people never change, no matter how well they dress the part.
Disclaimer:
The content of this publication is based on personal observations, professional experiences, and publicly available information. All opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or organizations. This publication is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Any statements regarding individuals, agencies, or events are made in good faith and are supported by factual evidence or personal witness accounts. The author has taken reasonable steps to ensure accuracy, but makes no guarantees regarding completeness or future developments. Any resemblance to persons or situations beyond what is expressly stated is purely coincidental. If any party believes that any content is inaccurate or misrepresented, they are encouraged to contact the author for clarification or discussion.
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