Realty TV Star Kim Kardashian Talks Criminal Justice Reform At The White House

Realty TV star Kim Kardashian West talked criminal justice reform at the White House. The aspiring lawyer spoke on the issue of prison reentry at an event in Washington D.C on June 13 to promote efforts to help those leaving prison to return to the workforce.

Kardashian West has been very vocal about prison reforms and supporting ex-prisoners back into the mainstream. She said she decided to "make a difference" after traveling to prisons and meeting with inmates. “The one thing I realized that needed so much support was the reentry of people coming home and seeing the lack of support that really existed,” she said. Earlier this month, the celebrity had made headlines by visiting Kevin Cooper, a death-row inmate.

At the White House, Kardashian West announced a rideshare program for people coming out of prison. The Vulture said Lyft has collaborated with Kardashian West to give out gift cards for ex-cons, who can then use the cards for rides to job interviews, work and visiting family.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star said the ultimate goal is that everyone wants the community to be safe. “And the more opportunity that they have, and the support we help give them, the safer everyone will be,” she said. Kardashian West applauded the President Donald Trump for his compassion for criminal justice reform. Since signing the First Step Act in December, 2018, the Trump administration has been working toward making sure that inmates released early have the tools and jobs they need to adjust to life outside prison.

During the Second Chance Hiring event, Trump said they are bringing Americans who have been on the sidelines, including former inmates back into the workforce. “America wins when citizens with a criminal record can contribute to their communities as law-abiding members of our society. When former inmates come home the single most important action we can take is to help them find a really good job, where they love the job and they are making a lot of money,” he said.

The Trump administration also has plans to cut the unemployment rate for former inmates to single digits within five years. The president announced that the Federal Bureau of Prisons will begin to work with employers to help those leaving jail have a job lined up when they get out and the expansion of the Pell Grant Pilot program for more inmates to take college classes.