Free Hugs?!?!?

Here is a video, you’ve probably seen, of a guy inspiring people to hug each other. (cont. below)

At first I thought he was just an extremely clever pick-pocket.  But then I realized he is actually trying to get one of his friends out of prison.  Who is Hugs? What did he do to get incarcerated? Why should he be freed? If this video would answer these questions maybe I would consider helping him get Hugs out of jail.