Republicans at their best believe in Liberty. Democrats at their best believe in Justice. All Americans at our best should believe in Liberty and Justice for All. Not just for the privileged or those who have access to power or influence—for ALL Americans. This makes Justice reform an American issue. 

The one issue that could bring Democrats and Republicans together - CNN Opinion: Van Jones & Louis L. Reed

Louis Reed spent 14 years in prison. Now, he’s working for criminal justice reform.

The nearly 2.3 million people incarcerated across America are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus outbreak, activists warn, and the virus has already made its way behind bars. The close proximity of inmates, coupled with inadequate treatment, can cause diseases to spread quickly inside prisons, where resources like soap, cleaning supplies and warm water can be hard to come by.

When the First Step Act was signed into law last December, we saw a ripple of hope spread through nearly 200,000 people currently incarcerated in federal prisons across America. The passage of that bill didn't just mean that thousands of incarcerated people would soon be released from federal custody and reunited with family. It also laid out a pathway for additional reforms in Congress and state capitals nationwide.

CNN Political Commentator and Reform Alliance CEO Van Jones listens as Louis L. Reed, National Organizer for #cut50, a criminal justice initiative Jones co-founded, speaks about best probation and parole reform. (Photo courtesy of Prisonists.org)

From left, State Rep. Brandon McGee, CNN commentator Van Jones and Gov. Ned Lamont listen to former federal inmate Louis Reid discuss what can be done to assist inmates in being successful when they are released during a forum Monday at Quinnipiac University. (Julia Bergman/The Day)

Louis L. Reed, #cut50 National Organizer, speaks to audience in Dallas, TX about the National Day of Empathy. Reed historically organized the largest day of criminal justice reform action in the United States.

Louis L. Reed, LADC, CAC, ICADC Criminal Justice Reform Strategist| JLUSA Fellow| Forbes Coach| Licensed Practitioner| Believer

Thousands of federal prisoners could be free if Congress passes the bill.

Louis Reed planned to kill himself last year after he was arrested for allegedly forging checks, then lost his job as Bridgeport’s prison reentry director, and then was rearrested on another round of check forgery charges.