Second Chances
At just age 22, Jessica Jackson was faced head on with adversity as her husband was sentenced to six years in prison. Being a mother of a 2 month old baby with no job, no high school diploma, all odds were stacked against Ms. Jackson. This would be the pivotal point of a ground breaking career.
1. It is obvious that you are very dedicated to the work you do and the individuals you help. What would you say inspired your passion for prison reform?
When I was 22 years old, I stood in a Georgia courtroom holding my baby daughter as my husband was sentenced to six years in prison. I didn’t know what I was going to do: I had only my GED, I had no family nearby, and I didn’t know how I was supposed to support our daughter. The following years were exhausting. My husband was transferred from one facility to another, which meant that I rarely got to visit him and his contact with our daughter was even more limited. I knew then that I was going to dedicate my life to reforming our country’s criminal justice system, so no other families would be torn apart.
2. It is public knowledge that you have been a steadfast and prominent figure in Ms. Kim Kardashian West’s life as she completes her legal apprenticeship program for the state of California. As a successful female attorney how would you describe your recent introduction into societal stardom?
The greatest advantage of having a larger platform is that it affords more opportunities to change hearts and minds, as well as accomplish substantive reform. Kim’s involvement in Alice Johnson’s case is a prime example of that. She and I continue to bring important cases to light, and her voice is an incredible asset to this cause.
3. Being a woman in the twenty-first century involves many challenges. As a woman, have you faced any adversities in your career thus far? If so, how did you overcome them?
After my husband was sentenced to prison, I enrolled in university and then law school - attending both while caring for my young daughter. It was important for me to earn these degrees so that I could change the policies that had adversely affected my family. That resilience has continued to serve me as I do this work. It’s not easy to change the minds of politicians who have stood their ground for decades, but I’ve seen it done, and that motivates me to stay the course.
4. The documentary “The Justice Project” made a way for millions of people around the world to get an inside look at the day-to-day responsibilities associated with your career. The documentary also offered an insight as to the visionary goal behind prison reform. As seen in the documentary, you and your team have worked on a few nationally known cases. What was it like working on such important and career-defining cases?
The cases that enter into national awareness are only a small fraction of those that come across my desk each week. I’m grateful that the public joins us in becoming outraged and demanding change for these individuals, but I’m more focused on changing policies that will affect thousands through thoughtful, creative, and bipartisan legislation.
5. The concept of “second chances” means something different to everyone. What does a “second chance” mean to you, and why is it so important?
I watched as my husband struggled to find a new job and get back on his feet after his years in prison. Even though he completed his sentence and worked hard to find new opportunities, the system does not set up returning citizens for success. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone deserves a second chance.
6. With the passing of the First Step Act along with the inclusion of numerous sentencing reforms, what has it been like to work alongside former President Trump and his administration? Has working at such a high level alongside many prominent members in Trump’s administration impacted or motivated you as an attorney? If so, do you feel as though your work with President Trump and his administration will continue to enact change in the many lives that have fallen victim to the vicious cycle surrounding unjust sentencing?
Our criminal justice system will not be reformed by one party working in a silo. Some of our best allies are conservative leaders. President Trump and Jared Kushner have shown us, and the world, that many of these reforms are common sense for people on both sides of the aisle. We are so grateful that this is a priority of the administration and will continue working with them to enact criminal justice reforms that will protect civil liberties, use tax dollars responsibly and invest in programs that are proven to lower recidivism and heighten public safety.
7. Empathy is one of the greatest characteristics an individual can possess as well as one of the most appreciated gifts a person can receive and contribute to others. How has the character trait of empathy impacted your life as a woman and as an attorney?
Projects like The Justice Project give everyone insight into the current state of our criminal justice system. At REFORM, we spend a lot of time amplifying the stories of people who are stuck in the system. While the complexities of our criminal justice system might not be the most easily understood, personal stories do so much to cultivate empathy and drive a desire for change.
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