Chief Royal Ramey remembers the moment everything changed. He was 14 years old, walking down the street, thinking about a video game he was about to play. Then he heard a slur, turned his head, and saw a gun pointed at his face. A shot rang out. In an instant, his life split into before and after. That moment shaped the road he would walk, and the choices he would later make.
The Journey to a Sentence
Royal grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Section 8 housing with his mom, two sisters, and stepdad. His family carried a long history of struggle. Generations before him had experienced incarceration, and those patterns weighed heavily on his childhood. Growing up in a neighborhood where he stood out and where violence and gang activity were part of daily life, he often felt like he did not fully belong. As a young boy, he faced bullying and constant fights. He quickly learned how to survive through adversity.
At home, things were not easy either. He longed for guidance and support, especially from a father figure, leading him to feel like there was a missing link. That absence left a gap that turned into frustration and anger. Over time, that anger pushed him toward the streets. Still, there were signs of who he could become. Royal did well in school. He was resourceful. He found ways to make money, selling candy and tickets. Even then, he had drive, determination and vision.
The Shift That Changed Royal
Crossing the street on the way to his friend's house, one event changed his life. As a racial slur was yelled, he looked, was shot, and woke up in the hospital. After he was shot, something shifted inside him. Pain turned into rage. He leaned deeper into street life. Arrests followed. His mom was diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time, further pushing him to try and find meaning somewhere. At 14, he was arrested and entered the justice system for the first time. It felt like a badge of honor, but that path led him to prison at 20 years old. He was sentenced to six years and served 4 years and 8 months.
What Royal Experienced in Prison
At first, prison felt overwhelming. As part of entering the system he was required to sign his own death certificate. That experience made him remember his uncle who died in prison when he was 13. The reality of where he was set in from day one. However, for Royal, being in prison felt like the best thing that could have happened to him. It gave him time to think, reflect and face his internal feelings. He was able to ask himself deep questions and arrive at conclusions. He always felt he had more to give than what he was indulging in, but never knew the pathway. Royal chose to “embrace the suck” which led to him turning his life around.
While reading a Sports Illustrated magazine article about John Wall, something clicked. This was a peer with a similar background and experience, but he experienced a totally different outcome. This led him to think about what he really wanted. He realized who he had become wasn’t who he was meant to be.
Walking the yards with a fellow inmate sentenced to 35 years, he was told he was too smart to be in prison. “You think you’re a gangster? Real gangsters do what they want to do. You’re a gangster, but are you doing what you truly want to do or were you influenced by others to do what you’re doing? A real gangster has the heart and the courage to stand up for themselves and for others.” Having already decided he wants to be a conductive citizen and a role model, he prayed to God for help.
Opportunities in Prison
In prison, Royal found an opportunity that would shape his future. He joined a fire camp program. At first, he thought it would be easy. Then he realized he would be fighting real wildfires. It was hard work, he spent long hours carrying heavy packs. His days were full of heat, smoke, and danger. Despite the challenges, he felt purpose. He felt like he was helping people. He felt proud. “If I can do this, I can do anything,” he thought. That belief carried him forward.
After his release, reality hit again. He had skills, training, and experience, but doors stayed closed. He could not find work. Even entry level jobs turned him away. The stigma of a record followed him everywhere. Still, he did not give up. He found a mentor who showed him the path into wildland firefighting. He went to training, built his resume and kept pushing forward. Then he got his chance.
On his first fire assignment after prison, he stood alongside crews that included people he once served time with. This time, he wore a different uniform. This time, he was leading the way forward. That moment became a turning point for others, too. He began helping people who were leaving prison find the same path. At first, it was informal, but it turned into something bigger than imagined.
The Road Ahead for Royal
Royal’s life today looks very different from when he left prison with little more than hope. He is now a leader, a husband, and a father, building a life rooted in purpose. He takes pride in supporting his family and helping others find second chances. He stays focused on growing his impact and creating opportunities for people ready to move forward.
Current Impact
Today, Chief Royal Ramey is the co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit that connects people leaving prison to careers in firefighting. His organization has helped over 300 people find jobs since 2018.
His mission is simple: take people from prison to purpose. Royal understands the barriers because he lived them. He understands the stigma, the lack of guidance and the systems that make it hard to start over. He also understands what people need: support, opportunity and someone who believes in them.
Through his program, people gain training, skills, and confidence. They step into roles that serve their communities. They begin to see themselves differently. Royal sees the impact every day. He sees people who once felt stuck now building careers, he sees families changing, and he sees communities growing stronger.
Broader Vision
Royal’s vision is bigger than one program. He wants to expand this pathway across the country. He knows thousands of people have the same potential, they just need a chance. One day, he hopes to look back and see the ripple effect and how his impact will live on through others.
The Power of a Second Chance
Royal’s story is a reminder that a record is not the end of a story. It is one chapter. People make mistakes, face hardship and carry trauma that others may never see. With opportunity, support, and belief, they can build something new.
Royal puts it simply, “The purpose of life is to serve.” When people are given the chance to do that, everything changes. His life stands as proof, and his work ensures that others get the same chance.
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This story is part of our #1in3 campaign, a project to end the stigma and raise awareness of how common it is to have a criminal record.
1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record, which is a lot more common than people think. No one expects to be involved in the justice system, but it can happen to anyone. People of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and income-levels are involved in the justice system. Their pathways vary, but the barriers of a record affect them all. Our hope is that by sharing their portraits and telling their stories, we can change the way people think about people with records and appreciate them for all they have overcome.