What Justice Reform Means to Me Now by Mark Edgington

As many of you know if you’ve read my posts before, when I was 17, I made a terrible mistake that changed the course of my life. I spent eight years in prison, which forced me to grow up fast and face who I was and what I’d done.

While I was there, I got involved with a program called Operation Turnaround. It gave me a chance to speak to young men about the reality of prison life. I told them about the noise, the loneliness, the constant reminder that every bad choice has a ripple effect. My goal wasn’t to scare them; it was to give them a reason to think twice before following the same path.

Mark Edgington sitting in front of artwork

Justice reform means something different to me now than it did back then. It’s not just about changing laws or reducing sentences. It’s about creating a system that gives people the tools to make better choices before they ever get to prison, and the support to rebuild once they get out.

I’m living proof that people can change when they’re given the chance. The system should be built around that idea: accountability, yes, but also opportunity. Because when someone turns their life around, everyone benefits — families, communities, and society as a whole.

If we want fewer prisons, we have to build more bridges.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears on Mark Edgington – Medium, where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.