Re-entry Relief for Cordell Miller

Cordell Miller is a 48-year-old man who after over 30 years of incarceration will be beginning his transition back to the community. Mr. Miller entered prison as a teenager at age 17 and has spent the last three decades of his life repenting for his actions and dedicated himself to mentoring youth. Mr. Miller was released by a D.C. judge under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA). The IRAA is a D.C. law that allows individuals who committed a serious offense when they were 25 years old or younger to petition for resentencing if they have served at least 15 years and can show rehabilitation and lack of dangerousness. As this law exemplifies, courts and experts increasingly agree that a person who commits even the most serious transgressions in his youth is generally more capable of rehabilitation than someone who did so later in life. Mr. Miller embodies that such a transformation is possible. Having served double the required time for eligibility, and with a record replete with examples of rehabilitation, maturity, and demonstrated potential, Mr. Miller now has an opportunity to build a life outside of prison.

Mr. Miller has worked on himself and lifted those around him throughout his incarceration. He earned his GED, thrived in college-level classes, steadily held jobs within the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), became a leader in his faith community, and served as an insightful mentor to countless younger men inside prison. Most recently, Mr. Miller took several semesters worth of course credits through Georgetown University’s Prison Scholars Program. His professors praised Mr. Miller for his intellect, compassion, and integrity. In addition to his studies, Mr. Miller was chosen as a Young Men Emerging (YME) mentor at the D.C. Jail where he was most recently incarcerated. The YME unit houses long-term incarcerated individuals together with younger ones offers an alternative model of incarceration centered on education, personal growth, and transformation, and has helped foster an unprecedented “culture change.” Mr. Miller has been at the heart of these efforts while in prison.

Mr. Miller makes no excuses for his actions, but through the educational programs he has participated in, guidance from his faith community, support from family and friends, and a deep desire to build a law-abiding and productive life, Mr. Miller has taken it upon himself to not only identify and correct the thinking that led him down that terrible path, but he has also motivated his peers to look at their choices and change, too.

Unfortunately, because of Mr. Miller’s criminal history and the fact that he never became a U.S. citizen prior to his incarceration, he will be deported to Jamaica, a country he left at the tender age of 7. When he is released at any moment now, he will be immediately placed into I.C.E. custody and deportation proceedings will begin. Mr. Miller plans to work with youth in his home-country but in the meantime needs help with basic clothing, toiletries, and other essentials. His loved ones and legal team will be coordinating to ship a barrel of essential items for him to have when he arrives in Jamaica.

Any amount will help get Mr. Miller on his feet when he lands in Jamaica. Although he and his loved ones wish he could remain in the United States, Mr. Miller views his return to Jamaica as an opportunity to give back. If anyone can make something of this situation, it’s Mr. Miller, but he needs our help getting there. Thank you for your generosity.