Meek Mill Posts Bails For 20 Jailed Women To Be Home For The Holidays
KEY POINTS
- Meek Mill posted bails for 20 women incarcerated at Riverside Correctional Facility in Philadelphia
- Five women have been released from jail, while the remaining 15 are expected to come out this week
- Mill co-founded a criminal justice organization called Reform Alliance in 2019
Meek Mill made a "heartwarming holiday gesture" by posting bails for 20 incarcerated women at Riverside Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, so they could spend time with their families this Christmas season.
The 35-year-old rapper reportedly helped out jailed women who were "unable to afford bail" this week, according to a post shared by the non-profit organization he co-founded called Reform Alliance.
Five women were released over the weekend to reunite with their families, while the other 15 will be released from prison this week. They would also be given a special gift card they can use to purchase groceries or gifts for the holiday, Reform said. However, it's unclear how much Mill spent on the bails.
"For families impacted by the criminal justice system, the holidays can be an extremely challenging time. No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can't afford bail, and no child should be without their parents during this time if we can do something about it," Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, said in a statement via Reform's Instagram post.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year," he concluded.
Mill founded the non-profit organization along with Michael Rubin, Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter and Robert Kraft in 2019 with a mission "to transform probation and parole by changing laws, systems and culture to create real pathways to work and wellbeing," according to the criminal justice organization's official website.
The organization began after Mill's "unjust re-imprisonment" in 2017, where he was given a two-to-four-year sentence behind bars for "popping a wheelie" on a dirt bike, which authorities claimed violated the terms of the rapper's parole.
Fortunately, the international #FreeMeek movement sparked a nationwide debate on mass incarceration, which led to the release of Mill from over a decade-long conviction, which kept him on probation for nearly 12 years, ABC News reported.
In another post shared Saturday, Mill explained why he decided to help the women out, saying, "It was devastating for me to be away from my son during the holidays when I was incarcerated, so I understand what these women and their families are going through."
"No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can't afford bail. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year," he added.
Aside from helping incarcerated women, Reform also helped out over 50 children affected by the criminal justice system as part of their annual Season of Giving event for this year, People reported.
The organization surprised the children with a special opportunity to hang out with the "All Eyes on You" rapper and several players from the Philadelphia Eagles, including Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Jordan Mailata, Dallas Goedert and Jalen Hurts.
They also got a chance to visit the Wells Fargo Center and meet the 76ers coach, Doc Rivers, before watching the game in VIP suite boxes. The children also received new Philly merchandise as gifts.
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