Meet Maddie Johnson | Founder, Freebird Movement

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddie Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddie, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I watched a documentary one night with my partner about a man who had served over 20 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. After it was over, we started talking about how there had to be a more efficient way to go through cases and find people who had been wrongfully convicted. After I started researching wrongful convictions, I had to face the harsh reality, that it is happening much more often than people realize and that once someone is convicted of a crime they didn’t commit, it is incredibly difficult (almost impossible) to overturn an inaccurate conviction, even with ample evidence. So, I created an algorithm and application process to help find people who are incarcerated for crimes they didn’t commit and to help prevent further wrongful convictions.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When we looked at the criminal justice system as a whole, there were two things that were very clear: 1. Everything (and I really mean EVERYTHING) is incredibly outdated, and 2. There is very little consistency within the system.

Therefor, when we created Freebird Movement, it was important for us to utilize modern technology to establish a consistent, reliable, and efficient way to go through cases. So, we created an algorithm based on past exonerations, to help us find people who are still incarcerated for crimes they didn’t commit and prevent wrongful convictions in the future.

Using our Beta Model, we have already found over a dozen credible cases. Our goal, is to launch a scalable version of our algorithm in 2022, that will allow us to help additional people.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am definitely biased, but as an Alumni of The University of Alabama, I would plan the weekend around SEC Football. If the group was up for a drive, I would arrange a short trip to Athens to tailgate at UGA, or I would find a local sports bar, so they could truly experience football in the SEC. Roll Tide!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to dedicate our Shoutout to Thomas Lee Jones Jr. (Georgia), Brandon Olivieri (Pennsylvania), Nancy Rish (Illinois), and Leonard Coleman (Alabama). They have, quite literally, taken a chance on us and put their lives in our hands. They are four of the kindest, most resilient people, I have ever been fortunate enough to know. I look forward to the days they are exonerated and are able to be with their families and loved ones again. Thank you for trusting me and The Freebird Team.

Website: freebirdmovement.org

Instagram: freebirdmvmt

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freebirdmovement/

Twitter: freebirdmove

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreebirdMovement

Other: TikTok @Frankiefromfreebird