UCI Law Professor Katie Tinto and Criminal Justice Clinic Secure Release from Prison for Client

Since starting this work in 2019, this is the 17th successful case for the Criminal Justice Clinic’s Compassionate Release and Excessive Sentences Project

IRVINE, Calif. (May 30, 2023) — UCI Law Professor Katie Tinto and the Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC) at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, secured the release of one of its clients, Rayford Stevens, who had been serving a life sentence, and was incarcerated in federal prison for more than 29 years. CJC’s motion in federal court sought Mr. Stevens’s compassionate release based on the length of sentence served, his age of 67 years old and poor health, and his extensive rehabilitation. On May 3, 2023, a federal judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama granted CJC’s motion and ordered Mr. Stevens’s release. Mr. Stevens was released one week later and is now home with his family in southern Alabama. 

“UCI Law students kept hope alive while I was incarcerated,” said Mr. Stevens

Alum Meg Hinson ’22 worked on this litigation as a student in the CJC. In addition, three doctors from the UCI School of Medicine provided expertise and assistance: Dr. Sheetal Desai, Associate Professor of Medicine in Rheumatology; Dr. Jason Samarasena, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine in Gastroenterology; and Dr. Sanjay Kedhar, Clinical Professor of Medicine in Ophthalmology. 

“Mr. Stevens was suffering from several medical conditions for which he should have been receiving much-needed treatment, but sadly was not,” said Professor Tinto. “More critically, in our opinion, Mr. Stevens was serving a life sentence for a violent crime he did not assist with or personally commit. After decades of incarceration and years of exceptional personal conduct, Mr. Stevens did not deserve to be incarcerated any longer.” 

UCI Law students kept hope alive while I was incarcerated.

– CJC Client Rayford Stevens

UCI Law’s CJC fights for the compassionate release of prisoners who are elderly and in poor health, or are serving lengthy prison sentences, often due to outdated and unjust sentencing laws. Since beginning this project in 2018, CJC has successfully won the release of 17 individuals, eight of whom were serving life sentences, and eight of whom had each served more than 30 years in prison. CJC files these motions on behalf of clients throughout the United States, including in federal courts in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, and Florida. 

The clinical program at UCI Law is a critical, required part of the curriculum, enabling students to gain valuable experience representing a variety of clients in need and working to address pressing problems. Additionally, students in CJC represent low-income individuals in state criminal court, help non-citizens seek post-conviction relief when facing immigration consequences of past criminal offenses, and much more. 

About the University of California, Irvine School of Law

The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. UCI Law students have completed more than 148,000 hours of pro bono work since 2009. Forty-eight percent of all UCI Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color. At UCI Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UCI Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on InstagramLinkedinTwitterFacebook, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UCI Law.