Wednesday seven men got the opportunity to avoid jail time by taking part in a new program called Conway Starting Toward a New Direction or C – S.T.A.N.D.

The seven men sat with their mothers and other family members as U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, told them it was their choice whether or not they want to take part in the program.

“If they take advantage of that, then they’ll wind up with jobs and better lives. If they don’t, they’ll wind up in jail,” said Nettles.

Dozens of community members sat in support and one man told the seven his own story of redemption.

“I saw how troubled my community was so therefore I started putting the chains back on,” said Lee Bellamy.

In 1986, Bellamy was sentenced to death for murder.

“I couldn’t think, I couldn’t even remember my name; listening to the hammer drop as the judge pronounced the sentence on my life,” he said.

Bellamy says in the years to come, the Supreme Court would overturn the ruling and the state would change its laws on self defense and stand your ground.

Still, Bellamy sat in jail for 23 years.

Shortly after his release, his mother, who visited him in jail during the two decades, died.

Bellamy does not want anyone to suffer the way he and his family did.

And many of the seven say they are willing to work towards changing their lives.

“I just got to make better decisions and my next move will be my best move,” said Michael Vereen.

Vereen says he has two children at home.

He says it will be a challenge to change his life for them, but one he will have support from the community to work toward.

“I believe every one of them deserves an opportunity to show themselves not the community, but themselves, that they can become a better citizen,’ said Bellamy.

The program will help the seven men find jobs or complete education programs to become functioning members of the community.

C – S.T.A.N.D includes the following organizations A Father’s Place, Palmetto Works Community Development Corporation, Life Recovery Solutions, SC Department of Employment and Workforce, The Genesis Complex, Horry County Adult Education, Horry Georgetown Technical College, Christ Community Church, Shoreline Behavioral Health Services, and Palmetto Goodwill Industries