In 1992, 20-year-old Renford Farrier, a Black man from Toronto, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Raised in a community heavily impacted by systemic racism, Renford’s involvement in drugs and gang violence led to his conviction. Over the next 30 years, he endured a harsh prison system, much of it spent in maximum-security facilities. Despite being eligible for parole after ten years, Renford was repeatedly denied, a result of deeply entrenched racism in the criminal justice system.

Renford’s time in prison was marked by survival in violent environments, and enduring racism. At Kingston Penitentiary, Ren quickly realized that survival was his only option, he remarked, "Survival is your only thought," Renford recalls, “If you have other thoughts, then you’re probably not going to make it.” Later, at Springhill, correctional officers wielded unchecked power, frequently writing false reports based on racial bias. Incidents of unconscious racism, like misinterpreting a conversation as aggression, became a barrier to Renford's release. Despite his efforts to fight back, parole was consistently out of reach.

Everything changed in 2021 when Renford met Emma Halpern, a human rights lawyer and co-founder of PATH Legal. Emma and the PATH Legal team built a case highlighting the systemic racism Renford faced. “Emma was able to make a case based on systemic racism and unconscious bias. She said she wouldn’t quit—she was real and committed to it,” Renford recalls. Through their dedication, Renford was finally granted parole in December 2023, after over 30 years of incarceration.

Since his release, Renford has dedicated his life to advocating for accountability in the justice system. Now working as a transition support worker with the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia, he helps others re-enter society after incarceration. He also hopes to pursue public speaking to share his experience and inspire change, and plans to earn a personal trainer’s license to support others in their recovery journeys.

Renford’s story illustrates the critical need for justice reform and highlights the life-changing impact of PATH Legal’s work. At PATH Legal, we are committed to fighting for those who have been marginalized, and denied their basic rights. Renford’s story is just one example of how we are working to create meaningful change in the criminal justice system. We believe that every person deserves access to justice, and we will continue to fight for the rights of those who need it most.

Read more about Renford's story here.