Since 1980, the women's prison population has grown by over 700% - faster than any other population in the country. Over 80% of women entering the legal system have experienced some form of violent victimization - sexual, partner, or caregiver violence. My mom, Michelle West, is one of those people.

My mom is serving a LIFE sentence for her first and only offense. She had never been arrested. She had no criminal history.  She had never committed any violent act. But due to the harsh mandatory minimums related to the drug laws of the 90s, my mom is currently facing a life sentence with no possibility of parole. I was just a small child when she was arrested in 1993. Soon, we will both be in our 30s – I will be in my late 30s, while my mother will be in her 30th year of prison. 

My mom’s federal life sentence was mandatory back in the 90s, when judges weren’t able to consider the violence, abuse and coercion she was suffering in her toxic relationship. The judge who sentenced her even remarked that his hands were tied. But according to the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v Booker, if she were convicted of the same thing and sentenced today, a life sentence would NOT be mandatory, and a judge would get to decide what is fair. Unfortunately, that change in the law did not apply to old cases. So my mother remains in prison, despite multiple prison staff writing in support of her character and her impressive prison record – which is full of achievements and accolades. 

Over half of the women (58%) who enter the prison system are mothers, which often leads to psychological and financial stress for the entire family. But my mother is resilient. Despite her distance, she has remained incredibly involved in my life, essentially raising me from the confines of prison. She reassured me to do what I was passionate about. I love fashion, so she encouraged me to go to New York City, which I never would have had the courage to do, if not for my mother's belief in me. In New York, my skills caught the eye of Patricia Field, a renowned costume designer for Sex and the City. Ms. Field became my mentor. I left the fashion epicenter of New York City and now reside in Los Angeles. My first job was as an in-house celebrity stylist on Revolt TV. At each step in my career, my mother has advised me and encouraged me. I would not be where I am today without her persistence, constant emails, phone calls, letters, and insight.

Thirty years later, I refuse to get married or have children until my mother can be there, in person, to support me. It feels like we are both serving a life sentence, every single day. Right now, only President Biden can free my mother by commuting her life sentence. I hope he will see that my mother truly has earned a second chance. 

Please, sign and share this petition. My mother's story has been featured in a Revolt TV short documentary, Fusion, The Young Turks, Humans of New York, Truthout.org, just to name a few, and is on the CAN-DO Top 25 Women Who Deserve Clemency. Details of her case and links to coverage can be found on the CAN-DO Foundation website.