Lewis Cartwright

Lewis Cartwright is a prisoner who was psychologically cleared for release from prison.

History
Lewis was 40 years into a 50-year sentence for murder and armed robbery. He said he was a different man than when he'd entered prison. After answering a few questions for Violet, he said he'd been up for parole twice. Both times, a therapist like her came in and he said what he needed to say to get the result he wanted. He didn't want to waste her time, so he just confessed that he wanted to stay in prison and asked for her help to do that. He'd spent more of his life locked up than free and he was afraid he wouldn't make it out in the real world. He felt safe in prison and had a good life guilt for himself.

After thinking about it, Violet decided not to lie and testified that she believed Lewis would be a model citizen if released. After he was released, Violet talked to him about his life on the outside. She gave him some money and set up a job for him at a car wash.

Violet worried when Lewis hadn't called her. She went to the car wash. He tried to give her his card, but he threatened her and told her to leave and stay away from him.

Lewis later came into Violet's office. He started talking about the day of the robbery and how he never planned to kill the woman. He shot her because he knew she'd remember his face and then he ran. Her name was Stephanie and he wonders about her all the time. He didn't feel like he should get to live his life because she died. Violet told him everybody deserves help. He talked about the guilt he felt over being free. She assured him it's okay to live. He's done the best he can to make amends.

Lewis later called Violet to tell her he got a job as a barista. The owner trusted Lewis's smile.

Career
After his release, Violet got him a job at a car wash. He later got a job working as a barista at a coffee shop.

Notes and Trivia

 * He went to prison in 1970.
 * He worked in the mail room at the prison for 30 years.
 * He was 70 at the time of his release.