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Unlocking Opportunity: How One Key Opened Prison Doors for Tens-of-Thousands.
Have you ever held a key that felt like a lifeline? That small piece of metal is more than just a tool; it’s a symbol of change and new beginnings. This weekend I will be honored with the key to my hometown of Bridgeport, CT. To say that I’m humbled would be an understatement, especially considering my complex history with the city.
Years ago, I damaged this community through illegal activities. After serving 14 years in federal prison, I returned to Bridgeport, but this time as the city’s first reentry director, giving people like me a chance to start anew.
Yet, the road was far from smooth. Two years into my new role, I was rearrested, partially due to unresolved child support debts that had piled up during my incarceration. This wasn’t just a setback; it felt like a personal failure, one that made me question my worth and my role in the community.
But my grandmother taught me that setbacks are opportunities for comebacks!
I eventually was able to recover and went on to do national criminal justice reform work. Having led advocacy on dozens of bills across the country, including the federal First Step Act, this key symbolizes much more than my own accomplishments. It represents a collective journey of change, growth, and second chances. It’s a constant reminder that life offers complex challenges that often require the right key — be it the right opportunity, legislation, or support — to unlock. And speaking of unlocking potential, this brings us to the significant impact of legislative initiatives like the First Step Act. This act has been pivotal in giving tens-of-thousands a way out of disproportionate sentences, providing a route from a troubled past to a more promising future.
What is the First Step Act?
Back in 1994, Congress passed the (Clinton) Crime Bill which was the law aimed to get tough on crime, but it mostly ended up locking up a lot of people for a long time, hitting Black communities especially hard. One major problem was how the law treated crack cocaine way more harshly than powder cocaine, even though they’re pretty much the same drug. That was a big mistake, and it diminished a…
