[avryhof]

> Mr Dixon, 48, had maintained his innocence during 27 years behind bars for a shooting in Buffalo, New York.

> Mr Dixon had served nearly two decades at a notorious prison in upstate New York when his artistic flair attracted the notice of correctional authorities.

Isn't 27 years closer to three decades than two...

[tmm]

> sn't 27 years closer to three decades than two...

The article is a little oddly worded at that point, but it clarifies later on.

After he had been in jail for 19 years the warden noticed his artistic skills and asked him to draw a picture of a hole at Augusta.

It was after that that the review of his case started. It took another eight years for that review to result in an overturn of the conviction.

[puranjay]

I interpreted this as "he's served 27 years in prison, but only about two decades at Attica prison"

[tk75x]

I interpret that as: nearly two decades in, his artwork was noticed. 27 years is the total time he spent in prison. So about years would have passed while he appealed his case.

[ndespres]

He might have been in a different prison before then. It's another dehumanizing tactic of our prison system to move people around, often away from their families.

[alex_hitchins]

I took it to mean only in that one institution. He may have been housed somewhere else for 8 years prior.