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Otis Johnson went to jail at the age of 25. When he got out at 69, he rejoined a world that was starkly different from the one he remembered. This is his story.Last year, we met Otis Johnson at a New York City shelter for ex-convicts. Everyone there was trying to get their feet back on the ground. Otis had just got out of prison after serving a 44-year sentence. The last time he had seen his family was May 1975.When we shared Otis's first story of being reintroduced to the modern world, viewers were amazed by just how unfamiliar everything was to him. iPhones, Times Square, jars of pre-mixed peanut butter and jelly ... everything was new or starkly different.INTERACTIVE: My life after 44 years in prison. The story of Otis JohnsonHis story clearly resonated with people. More than 12 million people watched Otis' story on YouTube, and we wanted to show them what happened next.We went to Asbury Park, in New Jersey, with Otis to try to find them. Reconnecting with family was something he had said he was always interested in doing, but hadn't got round to yet. After all, he was still learning how to navigate the city. He had a small box where he kept old, tattered photos of family members, but that was basically all the information he had on them."The only address I really have is Asbury Park," Otis told us. So we took the train to Asbury Park not knowing much.But we did have Otis' memory. Once we arrived at the train station and began roaming the streets, small things about his old home slowly came back to him: extended family members, friends, shops. He wanted to find his aunt, Dottie Moore, and some other family members. He said many would probably think he was dead.When we talked to Otis about his relationship with his family, his answers were complicated. He was a member of the Fruit of Islam (the paramilitary wing of Nation of Islam, the Islamic religious movement once famously led by Malcom X) in his younger days. The Nation of Islam's stated goals were to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African Americans. Otis was a devout Muslim who said he helped "clean up the streets" of drug dealers."We wasn't all bad," he would say.But Otis said some of his family members didn't buy that. He didn't know if they would be angry or happy to see him after all these years away. He had a nervous energy about him as we walked down Pine Street, knocking on doors and asking strangers about Dottie Moore.This final story on Otis Johnson is one of reconnection and reconciliation. It is the story of a man on a quest to reunite with remnants of his past and one, we hope, many can relate to.Find out more about Otis:http://aje.io/LifeAfterPrisonMore AJ Shorts:http://aljazeera.com/shorts--Filmmakers: Elena Boffetta - https://twitter.com/ElenaBoffettaJenna Belhumeur - https://twitter.com/jenna_belExecutive Producer: Yasir Khan - https://twitter.com/khanundrumSubscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribeFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglishFind us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeeraCheck our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Comments

@leedza
@leedza 26-01-2026 18:52
He looks like an old wise Kung Fu master.
@kewsiyehboah9514
@kewsiyehboah9514 22-01-2026 16:22
Unfortunately Plenty More Doing Hard Time..
Like This Fella..
In Philadelphia A Fella Served ( 43 ) Years For Robbing A Lady Who Fell And Later Died.. Tragic Yes.. But ( 43 ) He Was African - American..
All The Best Folks..
@Dutchy1949
@Dutchy1949 20-01-2026 03:01
I'm so happy that he's not going straight into alcohol and rubbish. He seems to have a good attitude.
@KayinnaStraughter-91
@KayinnaStraughter-91 15-01-2026 13:21
I remember watching this
@mohamed_amine.1000
@mohamed_amine.1000 14-01-2026 03:31
44 سنة هذا كثير لا ادري ماذا فعل ولكن لبأس
@NightCity91
@NightCity91 09-01-2026 10:57
Every once in awhile I think of Otis, I saw this when it debuted. I was a struggling 24 year old dealing with my own trials and tribulations and hearing him in the park talking about meditating and letting things go really kept me grounded. I hope he’s doing well today, his message still continues to inspire me.
@Willy-i5s
@Willy-i5s 28-12-2025 23:40
GOOD MORNING AND GOOD LUCK UNKLE. IF U CAN LEAVE THE COUNTRY. I WAS RIGHT WHERE U R AT AND I DID. IT FOREVER CHANGED MY DIRECTIVE. WHITEY IS A LIAR TODAY AND FOREVER. DO NOT LET ANYONE OR ANYTHING STEAL YOUR THUNDER!
@chamkila911
@chamkila911 25-12-2025 08:37
2025 update?
@FletterOats
@FletterOats 22-12-2025 23:45
Young age at 25 and did 44years thats a miracle god keep the mind and body physically and mentally together you survive prison life and then on the outside world and life has to adjust to seciativate with other peoples and yes like you said you like riding the transits alot to see god bless you you are free man hallelujah and stay strong uplifted and keep on trusting in god atrue believer amen😅❤😊
@kal-el311superman
@kal-el311superman 21-12-2025 11:13
i can only imagine being locked up for so long and being released and you no longer recognize the place you once called home
@rumi-tunes7727
@rumi-tunes7727 13-12-2025 11:54
wishing you the Best Otis. It looks like you were able to take advantage of the Buddhist Meditative sessions offered in Prison . Your continuing growth and Incite is encouraging for us all on our own journeys in this life . "the COSMIC JOKE" , eh ?
let me know if you would like to know about some very good free websites on Buddhist Dharma Thought. bet you would also like the talks from "AIan Watts".
@barryrichman2874
@barryrichman2874 13-12-2025 06:08
An entire generation lost in cyberspace. 🤦🏻
@silverado500
@silverado500 06-12-2025 01:44
He could just stand on a NY street with a sign that says ''Newly released after 44 years. Ask me Anything'' & have a tip jar.
@tjoohoo11
@tjoohoo11 29-11-2025 00:17
Dont they have tv and news and stuff in prison over there?
@beaubrent
@beaubrent 26-11-2025 19:23
Well that is incredible.
@WhatWeEatAtHome
@WhatWeEatAtHome 26-11-2025 14:59
I shared this on FB in 2015. And today i got one of those memories that pops up on FB. I really hope everything went good for him the years after being released.
@andrewssd
@andrewssd 26-11-2025 10:47
I thought they were able to watch TV, read the newspaper and magazines, and listen to the radio. Wouldn't they be exposed to everything.
@luxcaos
@luxcaos 23-11-2025 00:58
he looks good at his age
@JMoroccoMisterBoy
@JMoroccoMisterBoy 10-11-2025 23:24
On behalf of Mumia Abdul-Jamal:
Blessing 'young' Mr. Otis Johnson.
Tks. much
@AshleyWatts-gg6md
@AshleyWatts-gg6md 06-11-2025 23:56
It was attempted murder. I.e he attempted to kill. If he was succesful he would of got the same sentence regardless, why you all feeling sorry for him?

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