Francis Clifford Smith, who holds the record as one of the longest-serving inmates in the United States, has passed away at the age of 101. Smith, who was convicted of murder in 1950, died in June at a care facility in Connecticut after spending his final years under supervised parole.

Convicted at the age of 25 for the murder of Grover Hart, a night watchman, Smith consistently maintained his innocence throughout his lengthy incarceration. His conviction raised serious doubts over the evidence presented during his trial, including recantations from witnesses and a confession from another inmate who claimed responsibility for the crime. Major Leo Carroll, a police officer involved in Smith's interrogation, later expressed his belief in Smith's innocence, stating, "I’m not even sure he was present at the murder."

Initially sentenced to death, Smith's sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1954, and he was spared execution on eight separate occasions. His case has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding wrongful convictions and the challenges of an ageing prison population in the United States.

Smith became a well-known figure at Osborn Correctional Institution, where he earned the nickname "The Birdman of Osborn" due to his unique habit of feeding birds. According to Andrius Banevicius, a public information officer for Connecticut’s Department of Correction, Smith would often hide bread in his clothing to feed the birds, a practice that prison staff tolerated.

Over his 70 years behind bars, Smith experienced brief periods outside of prison, including a 12-day escape in 1967 and a temporary leave for Christmas in 1974. However, he faced additional legal troubles, including a return to prison for petty larceny and weapon possession after being granted parole in 1975.

In 2020, he was finally granted supervised parole and transferred to a care facility designed for elderly individuals within the justice system. His case has highlighted the growing issue of an ageing inmate population, with a significant increase in prisoners aged 55 and above in the United States over the past few decades. Researchers have noted the need for “smart de-carceration” strategies, advocating for compassionate release and medical parole for elderly inmates.

Smith's final years were spent at 60 West, where he received specialized care. According to David Skoczulek, a spokesman for the facility, Smith died peacefully in his sleep, with his passing attributed to natural causes associated with old age. Although he experienced dementia towards the end of his life, his wishes were respected, and his death was handled with dignity.

The life of Francis Clifford Smith, marked by a wrongful conviction and an extraordinary length of incarceration, has now come to a close, leaving behind a significant legacy in discussions about justice and prison reform in the United States.