Rapper Meek Mill became emotional as he talked about his personal experiences on probation while joining Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to sign a new probation reform bill.
The bill instructs judges that minor technical violations should not be grounds for sending someone on probation back to prison — which resonates with the Philadelphia-born rapper.
Mill, 36, spent years on probation after his conviction on drug and weapons charges in 2008, and said he spent years at risk of going back to prison on technical violations.
“Every time I crossed the Ben Franklin to pick up my mother to take my son to school in New Jersey, I was essentially committing a crime the entire time on a technical violation,” Mill said.
“I thought I was either going to jail and taking my son to school, but I ended up taking my son to school, so I want to thank you here today. I don't want to get emotional because it's a lot.'
Rapper Meek Mill cried as he spoke about his personal experiences while on probation at the signing of a probation reform law in Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia-born rapper spent years on probation and said he was at risk of returning to prison for years for technical violations such as taking his son to school across state lines.
The new legislation, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro (center), instructs judges that minor technical violations should not be a reason to send someone on probation back to prison
After wiping away tears, Mill said, “We all grew up on the streets and we tried to be better, but they labeled us criminals and sent us back to prison. I had to fight that all the time to gain my respect and to be who I am today and I'm proud of that.'
In 2008, Mill was convicted by a convicted felon of possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree possession of a loaded firearm.
He was sentenced in a Philadelphia County Superior Court to 11 to 23 months in prison and eight years of probation. He was released in early 2009 after seven months on a five-year probation agreement.
In 2012, he was arrested on suspicion of marijuana use and violated his parole for traveling to concerts that same year. Rolling stone.
Mill claimed that his 2012 arrest caused him to miss out on tens of thousands of dollars from appearances and money from endorsement deals. The Philadelphia Inquirer.
He was sentenced to prison again in 2017 for violating his parole after being arrested in New York for reckless endangerment when he was recorded popping wheelies on a dirt bike without a helmet. He served five months at a Pennsylvania prison.
In January 2023, Mill was pardoned of the 2008 charges by outgoing Governor Tom Wolf, the reported Associated press.
Mill posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the signing: 'I don't know how I cried on the news, I don't even cry in my cell! I needed that!'
After his time behind bars and several run-ins with the law over the years, Mill, along with other household names including Jay-Z and Robert Kraft, founded the REFORM Alliance, an organization that aims to “probation and parole to transform by changing laws'. systems and culture to create real pathways to work and well-being.”
Michael Rubin, co-chair of the REFORM Alliance, said, “This is now our 18th bill in our 11th state, but to me it is the most meaningful bill since REFORM was founded because this is where it started and what inspired us all. '
“Sitting in court with Meek in 2017 and watching a judge sentence him to 2-4 years for NOT committing a crime was the most out-of-body experience I had in my life and from that moment on I truly understood how broken the criminal justice system was is.'
In Pennsylvania, this bill, called the Comprehensive Probation Reform, would require mandatory probation review conferences after two years or 50 percent of probation, whichever comes first, and probation reviews for felonies up to four years of 50 percent of probation, whichever whichever occurs first.
In 2008, Mill was convicted by a convicted felon of possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree possession of a loaded firearm. In 2017, he was sentenced to prison again for violating his parole
Meek Mill with his son Rihmeek “Papi” Williams after an appeals court hearing in 2019. Mill was pardoned for the 2008 charges in January 2023 by outgoing Governor Tom Wolf
It directs judges to have a “presumption against incarceration” for minor technical violations, meaning people on probation should only be sent back to prison if they commit a serious violation, a court-ordered treatment failure to complete or pose a threat to public safety.
Minor technical violations, such as being late for an appointment, returning home after curfew or visiting family out of state without permission, can no longer be grounds for sending someone back to prison.
Shapiro said, “We're showing that we believe in second chances here in Pennsylvania – and when someone gets a second chance, it should be a real opportunity to start over and succeed.”
“We are taking common-sense steps to remove unnecessary barriers for Pennsylvanians who want to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to our communities.”
The governor said, “This bill will allow more people to spend the holidays with their families, more parents will get the jobs they wanted, and more people will get back on their feet.”