Van Jones Calls for Criminal Justice Reform at Urban League Luncheon

Because of the Urban League, “a miracle is happening in the United States of America on the most pervasive issue holding back our progress,” CNN political contributor Jones told the crowd who attended the Urban League of Philadelphia’s (Philadelphia, PA) annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Empowerment Luncheon.

All of the current presidential candidates are willing to discuss and address criminal justice reform.

Jones said that has never happened before.

Jones, one of the founders and CEO of the REFORM Alliance, said there are more African Americans locked up today than there were enslaved in the 1800s. He noted that 2.3 million African Americans are currently incarcerated, while another 4.5 million are on probation and parole.

Pennsylvania has the second-highest percentage of residents on probation or parole in the country.

“In Pennsylvania, the majority of people who went to prison this year have committed no new crime at all,” stated Jones, who is the CEO of REFORM Alliance.

“They were on probation and parole and they had a technical violation.”

He gave an example of technical violations such as showing up late for a meeting with a probation officer which could cause someone on parole to be imprisoned for three months.

“We need to stop messing up people’s lives,” Jones said.

Jones credited the National Urban League with helping bringing attention to the problem and getting political leaders to address it.

To read the full article, click here.