Aaron Banks

In February 2025, Aaron Banks came up for parole consideration for the fifth time since becoming eligible in 2017. Though denied release four times before, Aaron remained hopeful that after 23 long years inside for a crime he didn’t commit, freedom might soon be within reach. Instead, his hope for freedom was deferred. The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles denied his release without explanation and set him off for reconsideration in 2026.

At just 16 years old, Aaron Banks was arrested and later sentenced to life, plus 20 years, for a murder he neither planned nor participated in. Yet among the two people convicted with him for this offense, Aaron – significantly the only Black person – is the only one who has not been given a pathway to return home. “JA,” who helped plan the events that led to the murder, was released on parole after 19 years, and “DD,” who planned the events and fatally shot the victim, was offered a spot in the Governor’s Mansion, a transition-like program and coveted position where incarcerated people serving life sentences perform jobs in the hopes of securing a pardon or release on parole. It is widely known among those incarcerated for life in Georgia’s prisons that good performance at the mansion ultimately results in release.

Meanwhile, Aaron remains overlooked for a second chance.

In 2002, Aaron was a child burdened with adult responsibilities – unhoused, displaced, depressed, and desperate to survive. From as early as five, Aaron remembers caring for his hearing impaired mother, being her ears and her mouth as he answered her phone calls and acted as her liaison to help facilitate the arrangement of an interpreter at upcoming work meetings. He was also her protector. Shielding her from his stepfather’s violent abuse, abuse that he also endured. As Aaron recalls, “there were never days where we were at peace.” Although Aaron felt protective of his mother and desired to stay by her side, he was also greatly impacted by her substance use disorder, often having extended absences from school because of it. As a result of the instability and neglect, Aaron began living with his aunt at 14 before ultimately getting kicked out for having friends over without permission.

It was at this time that Aaron found himself without a place to call home, and began navigating survival on the street. He took shelter wherever he could – sometimes in abandoned apartments or, when lucky, with an acquaintance or friend. Each day he searched for someone who might offer him a place to rest and refresh himself. Each night of shelter was met with relief and provided a brief glimpse of comfort and security, knowing that he would have a place to lay his head that night. Aaron was unhoused for one month when he began staying with then-19 year old DD. On the second day of Aaron’s stay with DD, DD planned to rob an individual selling drugs with then-15 year old JA. Aaron was not aware of this plan when he left the house with them that day, and by the time he realized what was happening, it was too late.

Aaron is part of the “14-year lifers” (individuals convicted of a crime committed between January 1, 1995 and July 1, 2006 who are eligible for parole after 14 years). When he first came up for parole in 2017, he received a “set off,” or reconsideration date of three years. At his next parole date in 2020, he received a set off date of two years. This was also true for his parole date in 2022. In 2024 and 2025 he received set off dates of one year.

During his time incarcerated, Aaron has picked up many trades, including becoming a barber. And in spite of his challenging circumstances, Aaron does his best to remain light and stay focused – though he also wants people to know that there are a lot of scars that came along with what he had to go through. While inside, Aaron uses this personal experience to transform the lives of others. He has built a reputation of helping others as a mentor and is viewed as a leader, someone to admire and look up to by fellow incarcerated people, as well as prison staff, counselors, and guards.

Once he is released, Aaron’s hopes for the future include owning his own business as a barber, as well as running an organization called HYPE (Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence). He also hopes to further his training and build his skills by going to barber school.

Aaron looks forward to the world that awaits him beyond the four walls of his prison cell – to feel the ground, the sand between his toes, and to touch a tree. He also looks forward to his life: “I want to test this new person that I am out, and do better than I did before. There has been a lot of growth, there has been nothing that has stayed the same… society will reap the benefits of me outside.”

Most recently, Aaron’s chance to live a productive life as a mentor and to participate in various programs was abruptly taken from him as he was transferred from Al Burruss Correctional Facility and shipped to another prison. This change was brought about by a surprising turn of events – DD was transferred from the Governor’s Mansion to Al Burruss. Once again, Aaron is overlooked, dismissed, and disregarded, losing yet another chance to live a meaningful and productive life.

With the helpful support of Coming Good Atlanta, Women Woke Within, and So Far So Close, Aaron is hopeful that freedom will come soon, through parole or another mechanism.