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Algunas partes de esta página se generan automáticamente y podrían contener errores menores. Se recomienda usar el juicio crítico al interactuar con ella.
By Latecia Hill (Leading with Conviction™ 2024 participant):
At age 50, I was indicted, convicted, and sent to prison for three years as a first-time offender of a non-violent crime. I was charged with one count of conspiracy and coerced to accept a plea deal.
I succinctly recall preparing for life after prison prior to spending my first night on the other side of the wall. As a self-surrender, I was afforded the opportunity to create a strategy for my reintegration into society during my pre-trial phase, which lasted just over two years. Of all the things I considered, I never gave finding suitable employment a second thought. Prior to my conviction, I experienced a very successful corporate career in the finance industry, spanning over 25 years. While I knew with my criminal conviction I’d never be able to secure a position in my area of specialty, I never considered that, with my skills and willingness to work, I would be unhireable.
Upon completion of our sentences, our time should be done!
Upon my release from prison, I would spend the next two years actively seeking gainful employment of any type. I sat through the humiliating agony of sharing painful intimate details of my past with strangers during job interviews, only to be met with rejection. I found out that not only do I have a felony conviction on my record, I also have a global exclusionary flag that appears when a background check is run by potential employers. I quickly learned that I now am part of the group of over 70 million Americans with a prior criminal record, who face more than 40,000 collateral consequences, leading to a life sentence of post-conviction poverty. It’s been three years since my release from prison, and I am still unable to find work. Although I have no income, I am still among the fortunate, because my children and village are able to financially support me. Otherwise, I’d be homeless, hungry, and on the streets.
Because of my professional background, and inspired by my lived reentry experience, I founded Gateway Alliance Project, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization aimed at improving the roads to reentry for the formerly incarcerated and providing alternatives to diversion for at-risk youth in my community prior to encountering the carceral system. As part of this work, I advocate for “clean slate” legislation. I am the DFW Team Lead for the Time Done Movement – Texas Chapter, and a Board Steering Committee Member for Statewide Leadership Council, joining others on the state and national levels in the fight for a second chance.
Upon completion of our sentences, our time should be done! On the road to redemption, it is imperative that we have access to fair-chance employment opportunities, providing sustainable wages, allowing us to come out of post-conviction poverty, thereby reducing recidivism while improving public safety overall.
(Photo above courtesy of Latecia Hill, used by permission)
In our 10th anniversary year, JustLeadershipUSA’s work of educating, elevating, and empowering justice-impacted leaders continues and is growing even stronger!
This is going to be a very special time to look back on the past decade of JLUSA’s important work, the 1,600+ leaders we have helped get to the next level in their work, and even more importantly, we will look ahead to the next 10 years and beyond!
We can’t do this without you. We need your support to help us continue to do this work now and into the future. By making a donation in honor of JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, you are saying to the amazing leaders in our network who represent the 70+ million Americans who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, “I see you, and I support you!”
Please give a one-time $100 gift or set up a recurring $10 monthly donation to celebrate JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, and together we will build a fair and just U.S. Thank you!
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JustLeadershipUSA is a non-partisan organization. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the individual author or speaker, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the organization.
Since 2014, JustLeadershipUSA has maintained our commitment to ensuring systems-impacted voices are at the forefront of the movement for criminal legal reform, empowering directly impacted leaders in over 45 states with the tools, resources, and connections to transform their work.
Your donation will provide crucial support for our leadership training programs, empowering future generations of leaders and propelling the work of JLUSA and our alumni as we continue to advocate and push reform on issues that matter the most in our communities.
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