Rapper Meek Mill provided a Christmas miracle for 20 women who were incarcerated at Riverside Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He wanted these mothers to be able to spend Christmas with their families at home, so he paid their bail.
“The women, who were unable to afford bail, will now be able to spend the holiday season with their families and loved ones,” announced REFORM Alliance in an Instagram post.
REFORM Alliance began in 2019 with a coalition of some big names in sports and entertainment. They pledged their high-profile platforms along with $50 million at the time. And they also said that they would be lobbying for changes to state probation and parole laws.
Meek Mill was one of the founders, along with fellow rapper Jay-Z, as well as the owners of the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and the New England Patriots.
Meek Mill has a well-publicized prison sentence for minor probation violations and he had become a lightning rod for the issue.
REFORM Alliance maintains that it is trying to transform probation and parole by changing laws, systems, and culture. They want to create real pathways to “work and wellbeing.”
“Five women were released today and will be reunited with their families, with the goal of 15 more women being released in the coming week,” the organization wrote in its post. “The women will also each receive a gift card to purchase groceries or gifts for the holidays.”
Meek Mill, a Philly native, said that he was inspired to make this donation because of his own experience. He said that it was devastating for him to be away from his son during the holidays. He understood what these women and their families were going through.
“No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can’t afford bail,” the rapper added.
Meek Mill said the donation comes from his personal experience with the criminal justice system. "It was devastating for me to be away from my son during the holidays … so I understand what these women and their families are going through." https://t.co/LaRlp4LgxO pic.twitter.com/QlIwlPUJPw
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) December 25, 2022
