Edward Goodman Africa has been in prison for 47 years.

He was 26 when he was arrested. He’s 73 now. He went into prison during the Carter administration. He’s still there under the second Trump administration.

He was convicted of third-degree murder—a crime that typically carries sentences of 20-40 years maximum. He’s served 47.

Eight of his co-defendants have either been released or died in prison. Edward is the last one. The last MOVE 9 member still behind bars.

And every time he comes up for parole, Pennsylvania says: not yet.

This is his story. This is why he’s still imprisoned. And this is why he should come home.

Who Edward Africa Is

Full Name: Edward Goodman Africa
Born: 1952
Age: 73
Arrested: August 8, 1978 (age 26)
Convicted: 1980, third-degree murder of Officer James Ramp
Sentence: 30-100 years
Time Served: 47 years
Current Location: SCI Phoenix, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Parole Denials: 10+ (most recent: 2024)
Next Parole Hearing: 2026

Before Prison

Edward was born in Philadelphia in 1952. He came of age during the civil rights era, the Black Power movement, the Vietnam War protests. He saw his city change, saw tensions rise, saw different possibilities for how to live.

In his early twenties, he encountered MOVE—John Africa’s organization that rejected industrial society and embraced natural living, Black liberation, and absolute resistance to “the system.” The philosophy resonated. Edward joined.

He was 26 years old—young, idealistic, committed to principles he believed would change the world—when police surrounded the MOVE house in Powelton Village on August 8, 1978.

By that evening, a police officer was dead and Edward’s life was over.

He’s been in prison for 47 years. He’s been 72 years old for longer than he was ever free as an adult.

Who He Is Now

At 72, Edward is:

• An elderly man with chronic health conditions
• A prisoner who’s outlasted most of his guards’ careers
• A member of MOVE who refuses to renounce what he believes
• A man who maintains he didn’t kill the person they say he killed
• The last symbol of a confrontation that happened 47 years ago
• Someone Pennsylvania refuses to let go

He’s also:

• A human being who deserves to die free
• An old man whose continued imprisonment serves no purpose
• A case study in excessive sentencing and political imprisonment
• A reminder that mercy exists in theory but not in practice

Why He’s Still Imprisoned: The Official Reasons

Pennsylvania’s Board of Probation and Parole has denied Edward Africa parole over 10 times since he became eligible. Each denial cites similar reasons:

Denial Reason #1: “Lack of Remorse”

What They Say: Edward has not expressed adequate remorse for the death of Officer James Ramp.

What This Means: They want him to say: “I’m sorry I killed Officer Ramp. I take responsibility for his death. I regret my actions.”

Why Edward Won’t Say It: Edward maintains he didn’t kill Officer Ramp. He believes Officer Ramp was killed by police crossfire during the chaotic shooting. He won’t confess to something he says he didn’t do.

The Catch-22:

• If Edward maintains innocence = no remorse = no parole
• If Edward confesses = he’s lying, but might get parole
• The system forces him to choose: truth or freedom

Denial Reason #2: “Continued Affiliation with MOVE”

What They Say: Edward remains affiliated with the MOVE organization and its ideology.

What This Means: Simply being part of MOVE is treated as evidence he hasn’t been rehabilitated.

The Problem:

• Being a MOVE member isn’t illegal
• Holding particular beliefs isn’t a crime
• Parole shouldn’t require renouncing your philosophy
• This is political imprisonment disguised as public safety

Denial Reason #3: “Nature of the Crime”

What They Say: The killing of a police officer is an especially serious crime that warrants extended incarceration.

The Context:

• Edward was convicted of third-degree murder, not first-degree
• Third-degree murder means malice but no premeditation
• Typical sentences: 20-40 years maximum
• Edward has served 47 years—longer than most first-degree murderers

The Disparity: People who intentionally, premeditatedly killed police officers have been paroled after 25-30 years. Edward has served 47 for third-degree murder where evidence never proved who fired the fatal shot.

Denial Reason #4: “Risk to Public Safety”

What They Say: Edward poses a continued risk if released.

The Evidence:

• Edward has had minimal disciplinary infractions in 47 years
• He’s 72 years old with chronic health conditions
• He has family support and housing waiting for him
• No violence, no threats, no indication of danger

The Reality: A 72-year-old man with heart disease and diabetes is not a public safety threat. This reason is pretext for political imprisonment.