An estimated 95% of people in state or federal prison will come home one day, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services; I was one of them. Upon my release, I lacked the skills and work history needed to succeed as my time in prison hadn’t prepared me for the outside world. I felt like I was set up to fail. I often feared I would never be seen the same way due to the trauma and isolation I endured.
So, I did what many young people do today: I started sharing my story on social media. I learned how to take photos and videos with my phone, and one of my Instagram reels, “I’m Your Formerly Incarcerated Co-Worker,” went viral, garnering over three million views. Reels and TikToks became my way of shedding light on people’s experiences inside and advocating to end mass incarceration.
These days, I create content for ARC, a nonprofit advocacy group in California led by formerly incarcerated individuals like myself. At ARC, we work to end mass incarceration and empower both incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, helping them reclaim their lives and futures. The mentorship and guidance I received from ARC while incarcerated continue to shape my advocacy work today, including my company, Forever 23 Production LLC.
Over 40% of people in California return to prison, according to state data. That’s in large part because the system prevents them from reaching their full potential. Without forced labor, people could choose jobs that match their career goals while pursuing education and self-improvement.
Proposition 6 will end what is effectively slavery in prisons, prioritize rehabilitation, and uplift personal dignity, giving individuals a better chance at stability when they come home. Voting yes to Proposition 6 this November is a powerful way to take action against, in effect, modern-day slavery and help change oppressive systems.
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Publish date : 2024-10-28 01:04:00
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