Jay-Z and Meek Mill are determined to continue making a difference in the justice system as they are making big strides towards change. Recently, their non-profit organization, REFORM Alliance, made a big win, as it got a criminal justice bill passed in Pennsylvania. REFORM Alliance reportedly worked with a group of advocates and lawmakers to bring the probation reform bill before Governor Josh Shapiro.
Senate Bill 838 is, according to Pennsylvania General Assembly, “an Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, further providing for order of probation, for conditions of probation and for modification or revocation of order of probation and providing for probation review conference.”
Senate Bill 838 intends to prevent recidivism–the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend–which makes the state’s probation rules easier to follow. Shapiro has reportedly promised to sign the bill when he sees it.
“It’s long past time to reform our system as a whole and put responsible limits on probation terms. You’ve passed that bill before. And I hope you’ll do it again. Put it on my desk and I’ll sign it,” he said.
In a press statement, Meek Mill expressed what the bill means to him, while looking back on his own experience with probation.
“My experience on probation reflected millions of other stories that go unheard. So when the world saw my case and the absurdity of sending people to prison for non-criminal technical violations, it sparked a movement,” Meek said. “It’s an honor and a blessing to see this change come to my home state. I am deeply grateful to the lawmakers and advocates for their hard work over many years to get this done. Thank you, truly.”
Three years ago in 2020, REFORM Alliance made a similar victory in California when Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1950. The signing would limit probation periods for criminals.
“I want to thank Governor Newsom for his leadership in signing AB 1950, the most transformative probation bill in this country to date. This is a first step that I hope introduces a wave of much-needed change throughout the country,” Jay-Z said at the time.
Image Credit: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images and Leon Bennett/FilmMagic
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