Rapper Meek Mill became emotional as he spoke about his personal experiences on parole as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a new parole reform bill.
The bill instructs judges that minor technical violations should not be grounds for sending someone back to prison on parole — something that resonates with the Philadelphia-born rapper.
Mill, 36, served years on probation after his 2008 conviction on drug and weapons charges and said he risked going back to prison for years on technical violations.
“Every time I crossed Ben Franklin to pick up my mother and take my son to school in New Jersey, I was committing a technical violation crime the entire time,” Mill said.
“I thought either I'm going to jail and I'm going to take my son to school, and I'm going to end up taking my son to school, so I'm here today to thank you. “I don't want to get emotional because it's a lot.”
Rapper Meek Mill cried as he spoke about his personal experiences on probation at the signing of a bill to reform Pennsylvania's probation system
The Philadelphia-born rapper spent years on probation and said he risked going back to prison for years for technical violations like taking his son to school across state lines
The new law, signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (center), instructs judges that minor technical violations should not be grounds for sending someone back to prison on parole
After wiping away tears, Mill said: “We all grew up on the streets and tried to be better, but they labeled us criminals and sent us back to prison.” I had to fight it the whole time, to gain my respect and be who I am today, and I’m proud of that.”
In 2008, Mill was convicted of second-degree possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a loaded firearm by a convicted felon.
He was sentenced in Philadelphia County Superior Court to 11 to 23 months in prison and eight years of probation. After seven months, he was released in early 2009 under a five-year probation agreement.
According to Rolling Stone, he was arrested in 2012 on suspicion of marijuana use and violated his probation for traveling to concerts that same year.
Mill claimed his arrest in 2012 resulted in him missing out on tens of thousands of dollars in appearances and losing money from endorsement deals, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
He was sentenced to prison again in 2017 for violating his probation after being arrested in New York for reckless endangerment while doing wheelies on a dirt bike without a helmet. He served five months at another Pennsylvania state correctional facility.
In January 2023, Mill was pardoned from the 2008 charges by outgoing Gov. Tom Wolf, the Associated Press reported.
Mill posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the signing: 'I don't know how I cried on the news, I don't even cry in my cell!'
After his stints behind bars and various run-ins with the law over the years, Mill, along with other famous names like Jay-Z and Robert Kraft, founded the REFORM Alliance, an organization that aims to “transform probation and parole through change in the law.” Systems and culture to create real pathways to work and wellbeing.”
Michael Rubin, co-chair of the REFORM Alliance, said, “This is now our 18th bill in our 11th state, but to me it is the most meaningful since the founding of REFORM because this is where it began and inspired us all.”
“Sitting in that courtroom with Meek in 2017 and watching a judge sentence him to two to four years in prison for NOT committing a crime was the most out-of-body experience I have had in my life and understood from that moment on I really know how broken the criminal justice system is.'
In Pennsylvania, this bill, called Comprehensive Probation Reform, requires mandatory parole review conferences after two years or 50 percent of the probationary sentence, whichever comes first, and felony parole reviews after four years of 50 percent of the probationary sentence, whichever comes first.
In 2008, Mill was convicted of second-degree possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a loaded firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to prison again in 2017 for violating his probation
Meek Mill with his son Rihmeek “Papi” Williams after an appeals court hearing in 2019. Mill was pardoned by outgoing Gov. Tom Wolf in January 2023 for the 2008 charge
It instructs judges to have a “presumption against incarceration” for minor technical violations, meaning people on probation should only be sent back to prison if they commit a serious violation, fail to complete court-ordered treatment, or pose a threat to public safety.
Minor technical violations such as arriving late for an appointment, returning home after curfew, or visiting relatives out of state without permission can no longer be grounds for sending someone back to prison.
Shapiro said, “We're showing that here in Pennsylvania we believe in second chances – and when someone gets a second chance, it should be a real opportunity for a new beginning and success.”
“We are taking common-sense steps to remove unnecessary barriers for Pennsylvanians who want to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to our communities.”
The governor said, “With this bill, more people will be able to spend the holidays with their families, more parents will get the jobs they wanted, and more people will get back on their feet.”