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Justin Allen Highlight
I give everybody their human dignity regardless of who they are or where they come from.
About Justin
- I started using drugs when I was 13 years old, which primarily stemmed from the hatred I internalized from being gay.
- I spent 17 years in prison—spanning across my 20s and 30s—for nonviolent drug crimes.
- While in prison, I took advantage of every program I could, earned my associate degree, and started doing advocacy work.
- I was released from prison and tried to go to college but struggled because I wasn’t up-to-date on the technology and education required to succeed in school—I ended up relapsing and living in my car.
- After being fired from my job at a nursery for speaking out against racism, my husband urged me to go back to school—despite my self-doubt, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in American studies.
- I was recognized by members of the New Mexico House of Representatives because of volunteer work I had done and they offered me a job helping progressive candidates get elected.
- I joined the Millions for Prisoners New Mexico and America Votes organizations to fight against injustices and advocate for voting rights.
- I’m currently leading a bill to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people.