Who We Are
More Than Our Crimes seeks to give a voice to the thousands of Americans, many people of color, who are incarcerated in federal prison. Our goal: to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism after release.
We work by sharing the stories of both incarcerated individuals and those recently released. Inside prison, we distribute newsletters written to inform members on relevant developments in the broader world, gather issues and concerns that need to be addressed, and educate them on how to effectively engage with government agencies and representatives (including a special focus on DC residents, who are empowered to vote). Outside prison, we use storytelling to advocate for reform and second chances (testifying to government officials, speaking to community groups, etc.).
More Than Our Crimes was founded in 2020 by Robert Barton and Pam Bailey, who forged an unusual collaboration after meeting through a penpal letter exchange.
Robert Barton
Co-founder and Managing Director
Robert grew up in southeast DC and was incarcerated at the age of 16. He was sentenced to 30 years to life, but used that time to read voraciously; earn an associate degree in business administration; and—when he returned to the D.C. jail for nearly two years in a petition for early release —become both a mentor for the Young Men Emerging initiative and a participant in the Georgetown Prison Scholars program,for which he earned a 4.0 grade point average. He was released in February 2025. Today, Robert directs More Than Our Crimes full time.
Pam Bailey
Co-founder and Operations Director
Pam grew up in Chicago, where she began her career as a daily newspaper crime reporter. Today, she is a freelance journalist; founder of and writing coach for We Are Not Numbers, a youth program in the Gaza Strip; and—now—activist for reform of the justice system in the United States. Pam partners with Rob, focusing on managing the in-prison work of More Than Our Crimes.
Askia Afrika-Ber
Staff Writer
Askia (aka Darnel Herndon) is a DC native who is currently incarcerated. He explains his “chosen” name this way: “I took Askia from the illustrious West African Songhai Emperor Muhammad Toure. Toure took the title of Askia, which means “general.” (The brother was a leader and teacher of men. In the streets, my homies expected me to organize our moves, knowing I’d always bring them back alive and unharmed. Now, I am now trying to use those same skills and energy for righteous purposes.) The surname Afrika is a nod to John Africa, founder of MOVE. (For the unfamiliar: MOVE is a Black organization whose members believe that “everything alive moves. If it didn’t, it would be stagnant.” When members greet each other, they say, “on the MOVE.”) Askia is committed to the liberation and independent development of all oppressed people.