Abu-Jamal moved into general prison population for first time

The federal appeals court ruled that the trial judge's instructions to the jury had been unfairly weighted toward execution.

That ruling in Philadelphia was affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in October.

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said in December he would not seek a new death-penalty hearing, and agreed to a life term.

Abu-Jamal had been on death row at Greene state prison in Waynesburg until he was transferred to Mahanoy, a medium-security institution, shortly after Williams' decision.

Judith L. Ritter, a law professor and director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at Widener University who represented Abu-Jamal in recent appeals, said in a statement:

"This is a very important moment for him, his family, and all of his supporters. We are all grateful for the roles played by so many in getting him off death row after so very long."

Abu-Jamal supporters, through various websites and social networks, applauded the move.