What would you do if you were imprisoned for a murder you didn’t commit?

When Gene McGuire was 17 years old, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for a murder he didn’t commit. Ten years later after achieving influence in the prison culture, he humbled himself and experienced a soul-stirring Christ transformation. 35 years into his life sentence came an unexpected miracle which resulted in his freedom.

Gene discusses what it was like to acclimate to freedom following his release.

“I was released and the sheriffs came over and took the cuffs off my hands. Someone handed me some street clothes for me to wear. I put my clothes on and I remember walking to the door and waiting for them to come unlock it for me and they said, ‘The door is open.'”

When he walked through the door, Gene’s sister, the rest of his family, and friends we’re all there waiting for him.

“We were just hugging, crying, and laughing. Someone handed me a cell phone. I had never seen one before; I didn’t know what to do with it. People had tried to describe them to me before but I couldn’t understand.”

While he was in prison, Gene says his time was not wasted. He says it was important for him to develop teachability and correctability while he was in prison. These are two important characteristics that his long-time pastor and mentor helped him understand.

“I just developed that over the years that no matter where you’re at, if you’re teachable, you’ll learn and you’ll grow. If you’re correctable, no matter how far you get off course, you’ll always get back on. I always kept that at the core of my heart.”

Gene now works for a family-owned Christian business. He ministers to the over 1,000 employees that currently work for the business.

“I get to share my story and they get to open up to me. It’s just a wonderful, awesome opportunity.”


Gene’s story is riveting — from a life sentenced to imprisonment to one filled with the power of God’s love, forgiveness and freedom, bringing hope to all. He is the author of “ ,” a speaker and community advocate.

Key Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Featured Songs: Clean – Natalie Grant; Still – Hillary Scott; Trust in You – Lauren Daigle

Unshackled