What a single mom who took on the prison system can teach about making change happen

World Economic Forum

Jessica Jackson understands the damage wreaked by excessive incarceration and supervision firsthand. As a young mother with a two-month old on her hip, she watched her husband be sentenced to six years in prison, being pulled into a system impacting millions in the US alone - one that erodes families and communities and restricts opportunities for stable lives after release. This life-changing experience drove this housewife just only a GED to go to college, then law school, and then become a human rights attorney driving a movement for reform. She talks about her work running The Reform Alliance as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Advocacy Officer and shares the legislation she’s helped make possible so far. She also shares why tackling stigma and isolation is so key to future progress on this issue and the personal traits that she’s depended on the most to overcome hurdles and challenges. About this episode: The Reform Alliance: Young Global Leaders: Future of Leadership Series: Jessica is a Young Global Leader, a group of more than 1,400 innovators, entrepreneurs, technology pioneers, educators, activists, artists, journalists, and more, working to make change happen. This is the first in an ongoing series spotlighting leaders from this community.