I Ain't Goin' To Jail: Pardon Me? is the powerful true story of Army Veteran and inventor Hugh Carter, a man who refused to let the streets, the system, or his past define his future. From childhood battles and a near-fatal night inside the Trenton Police Department jail to a governor's pardon and a full Clean Slate Expungement from the State of New Jersey, Carter's journey is a gripping testament to grit, redemption, and the unshakeable will to rise.
Told with unfiltered honesty and emotional depth, Carter reveals the struggles that shaped him-family turmoil, street survival, homelessness, military discipline, and the fight to stay alive when the odds were stacked against him. He shares the moment his former stepfather, Ronald Greene Sr., intervened to save his life after he was denied medical attention in custody. He opens the door to the blueprint that guided him from the darkest corners of the system to entrepreneurship, invention, and global recognition-including the approval of his design patent application in China for his groundbreaking device, Reyena.
This memoir is more than a survival story. It's a lesson in perseverance, purpose, and the belief that every person deserves a second chance. For readers who grew up hard, served their country, fought their demons, or are seeking their own redemption arc, this book delivers truth, hope, and transformation.
Raw. Inspiring. Unforgettable.
Carter proves that no matter where you start, you can rewrite the narrative-and build a future that once seemed impossible.
Hugh Carter is a U.S. Army Veteran, entrepreneur, and author whose life story embodies survival, transformation, and redemption. Born and raised in New Jersey, Carter's early years were shaped by hardship, instability, and exposure to street violence. His path shifted when he joined the U.S. Army, where he developed the discipline, structure, and inner strength that later became the foundation for rebuilding his life.
After returning home, Carter faced severe personal and legal challenges, including a near-fatal jail experience in Trenton, where he was initially denied medical treatment after a violent incident. His life was saved only when his former stepfather, Ronald Greene Sr., demanded medical attention be provided-a pivotal moment included in the memoir.
Carter also endured the devastating loss of his nephew Shawn, whose memory and surviving photograph play a powerful role in the book.
Despite these hardships, Carter refused to be defined by his past. Through years of perseverance, community service, and personal transformation, he ultimately earned a rare combination of legal victories: a full Clean Slate Expungement and a Governor's Pardon from the State of New Jersey.
His memoir, I Ain't Goin' To Jail: Pardon Me?, shares his journey with unfiltered honesty-detailing the battles, breakthroughs, and faith that carried him forward. The book serves as a message of hope for anyone who has ever been counted out, especially returning citizens, veterans, and young people searching for a way to change their lives.
Today, Carter continues to advocate for second chances while building his authorship and public speaking platform. Through his story, he aims to show others that redemption is possible and that no life is beyond rebuilding. Hugh Carter Publishing LLC
