Terrance Lewis spent almost 21 years in the jail. He was put behind the bars for a crime which he actually did not commit. His imprisonment was over in May and he became a free man. Lewis was being exonerated of second-degree murder.

Post his release from jail, Lewis decided to start life in a new way. To begin with, he initially decided to remove some skin-deep reminders of his past. Recently on Wednesday he was spotted walking into a tattoo removal clinic. He took help from the Center City Philadelphia tattoo removal center. He wanted to permanently rid his flesh of the ink markings and some hair using diode laser, that were representing his old life with a hope that he could start anew.

A special program was conducted on National Tattoo Removal Day. Free tattoo removals were offered by way of I Now Know (INK) program to survivors of sex trafficking, former gang members and also to people like Lewis who were previously incarcerated. Lewis was one among the five people who was in receipt of free tattoo removal treatments at the Finery.

According to Carmen Brodie, owner of the Finery – they could manage to help nearly 100 people through their INK program which was held in four different locations of the center. Brodie is of the opinion that the gratitude shown by the people she helps makes it all worthwhile. She also remarked that the center has often witnessed people coming back and thanking them for returning their life back

Lewis with an intention to clean his closet went for removal of the tattoo. He said that in his journey till date he did carry some luggage. Also there was some unwanted luggage in it that relates emotionally, physically and even mentally. All I am trying to do is clearing it off.”

Initially the laser specialist slowly removed the “Stink” tattoo from the wrist of Lewis. Stink represented his childhood nickname. Then Mob began to disappear. Mob was inked on his wrist shortly after entering prison. Though Lewis did feel some pain but he was still laughing and smiling perhaps with a hope to start anew.