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I am privileged to write the epilogue for “Making the Case for Justice” by Hakim Nathaniel Crampton. This thoughtful and insightful book, rooted in personal experience, dives deep into the complexities of post-incarceration life. It serves as an invaluable resource, especially for advocates, filled with essential statistics and background information. I recommend taking the time to read this book chapter by chapter, allowing the information to truly resonate.
As an attorney and Executive Director with over 25 years of experience at Prison Legal Services of Michigan, Inc., I have witnessed the harsh realities of the justice system firsthand. This non-profit organization maintained offices within various prisons and employed prisoners as paralegals. We addressed civil, family law, and post-conviction cases, which was a constant reminder of the injustices that plague our legal system.
Hakim’s story is a poignant example. Wrongfully convicted of murder at 18, he was sentenced to 45 years in Wisconsin. After a relentless campaign involving his mother, volunteer law students, and organizations dedicated to combating wrongful convictions, he was paroled after serving 15 years. Unfortunately, due to a stringent Wisconsin law, he remains a parolee until the total time, both in prison and on parole equals the original 45-year sentence.
Beyond just the failures of the criminal justice system, Hakim offers a broader critique of the systemic injustices in education, social structures, and housing that contribute to these legal disparities. The roots of these issues lie in racial and economic discrimination.
Most of the essays in this collection were written while Hakim was a young man behind bars. Eager to learn and grow, he began his educational journey shortly after his incarceration. He eloquently outlines the flaws in these interconnected systems and the repercussions of such disparities. The lack of adequate housing disrupts family dynamics and educational opportunities, while insufficient educational quality fosters social decay, often leading to crime and mass incarceration.
Since his release, Hakim has continued his advocacy work, building on the foundation laid during his time in prison. He has authored eight books and has either founded or joined several organizations aimed at driving change. This collection of essays not only sheds light on pressing issues but also offers potential solutions. Hakim has also developed an educational program called S.L.A.M. Spoken Lyrics with an Academic Mission, which utilizes lyrical learning techniques. He has shared this method with educators and students alike, along with six accompanying workbooks, and has taught it in numerous public schools.
November 17, 204
Sandra Bailiff Girard, JD
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