Ray Champagne

Ray Champagne

It is with great sadness that we share that PLS Board Member Ray Champagne passed away yesterday. Ray spent 45 years in prison after a wrongful conviction. He was a PLS client and then became a client-board member before his exoneration in 2020 after which he continued to serve on the Board. Ray served on PLS’ board beginning in 1993, and throughout his time with us, Ray made tremendous contributions to the organization. He was a dear friend, mentor, and teacher to many board and staff members, and interns. He was also a tireless advocate for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. Ray was one of the founders of the Exoneree Network and served as the Network’s Research & Planning Coordinator.  

Ray is survived by his loving daughter, Michelle Sholler, sister, Laura Champagne, and partner, Molly Baldwin. His generosity and commitment to systemic change will be remembered by all who knew him. We honor Ray by remembering his many contributions and by carrying on the work that he committed his life to. May he rest in peace.

Make a gift to The Exoneree Network, a peer-led initiative funded by the New England Innocence Project, in Ray’s memory here.