Ayanna Pressley advocates for prisoners re-entering society

Massachusetts Representative Ayanna Pressley knows all too well the challenges that prisoners face when they are released from their sentences to re-enter society. Her husband, Conan Harris, spent 10 years in prison on a drug trafficking charge, and her father also spent time in prison. This is why Pressley and Harris are especially passionate about advocating for other released prisoners.

Harris notes that he had the support of family around him when he was released, but sadly other prisoners do not have this support system. When he was first released from prison, what was critically important to Harris was “finding a safe place to sleep, rest my head, so I could collect my thoughts.” Harris not only found that safe place, but he got back on his feet again and ultimately became a senior public safety adviser for Boston’s City Hall.

Pressley and Harris are backing a proposal called The People’s Justice Guarantee, which would offer incentives to localities for decreasing prison populations. Pressley says that the proposal “calls for the establishment of a federal agency with the sole responsibility of improving supports and services for returning citizens.” The proposal also advocates for restoring the voting rights for incarcerated people.