Russell Maroon Shoatz facts for kids

Russell Shoatz (born August 23, 1943 – died December 17, 2021) was an American writer and activist. He was also known as Maroon. He helped start the Black Unity Council. He was also a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. In 1973, he was found guilty of a serious crime and sentenced to prison.

Life and Activism

Russell Shoatz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became involved in political activism from a young age. He believed in fighting for fairness and equality.

Joining Key Groups

Shoatz was a founding member of the Black Unity Council. This group worked to bring people together. He also joined the Black Panther Party, which was a political organization. They worked for the rights of African Americans. He was also part of the Black Liberation Army.

Years in Prison

Russell Shoatz began serving his prison sentence in 1973. He spent many years in different prisons. During his time in prison, he tried to escape twice.

Escape Attempts

In September 1977, Shoatz and other prisoners tried to escape from Huntingdon State Correctional. He was caught the next month. In 1980, he escaped again from a maximum-security prison in Waymart, Pennsylvania. He was captured three days later after a shootout.

Time in Solitary Confinement

In June 1991, Shoatz was moved to solitary confinement. This meant he was kept alone in a cell for a very long time. He stayed in solitary confinement for over 22 years. This long period ended on February 20, 2014, when he was moved back to the regular prison population.

Compassionate Release and Death

In October 2021, Russell Shoatz was granted compassionate release. This means he was allowed to leave prison early because he was very sick. He was suffering from advanced colorectal cancer. He passed away less than two months later, on December 17, 2021, at the age of 78.