Imprisoned
Imprisoned: The Man in a Tan Jacket. Otis Johnson, 40 years in prison for a charge he denies
Otis Johnson is 73 and has spent most of his life in jail because he happened to wear a tan jacket on the day someone shot a police officer near a park where he was training. Otis fit the description of an alleged drug dealer who injured an arresting officer before fleeing the scene.
Otis was soon detained and accused of assaulting a police officer. He pleaded not guilty, insisting he had been misidentified but was given 25 years to life. That sentence meant he could not apply for parole until the minimum time had been served. It took him another 15 years of approaching a parole board before finally being granted freedom while continually protesting his innocence.
After 40 years in prison, Otis is adjusting to a free life. Amazed at how much the world has changed since his incarceration in the 70s, Otis is now trying to tap into the zeitgeist and reunite with his family.
The first episode follows Otis as he shares his take on the world he has discovered since his release. iPhones, premixed peanut butter & jelly and the 'Me-Too' movement are all new to him; he talks of old prison habits that have stayed with him and laments the growing divide between him and his family.