In February President Trump granted clemency to 11 prisoners in the United States.
One, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich — who was also a former contestant on “The Celebrity Apprentice” — seemed an obvious choice, but three others were a bit more surprising.
The commutations of the sentences of Tynice Nichole Hall, Crystal Munoz and Judith Negron were all part of Kim Kardashian West’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system, according to CNN.
The reality star shared on Twitter that she put her influence behind these women at the behest of Alice Marie Johnson, who she successfully lobbied the White House to grant clemency in 2018, according to BBC.
President Trump commuted the sentences of three really deserving women. I didn’t hear much about it in the news so I wanted to share with you their stores! I have the pleasure of spending the day with these women today along with @AliceMarieFree who helped to pick these women
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 4, 2020
All of the recent clemency recipients, along with Kardashian West and Johnson, visited the White House together on March 4, and even snapped a picture together to post on Kardashian West’s Twitter.
White House here we come!!! pic.twitter.com/exif6oZ6sl
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 4, 2020
The star also shared the stories of each of the newly freed women on her Twitter, highlighting why she had worked to free them.
Crystal Munoz was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to posses & distribute marijuana. She left behind a five month old baby & was pregnant. Crystal was shackled by prison guards during the birth of her second daughter. Her case was highlighted in the First Step Act. pic.twitter.com/8iVyEeoMTT
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 4, 2020
Tynice Hall was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a first time non violent drug conspiracy. Her boyfriend at the time used her house for his illegal drug activities. She was only 22 years old when she went to prison and left behind a 3 year old son. pic.twitter.com/Miu2JIiU6N
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 4, 2020
Judith Negron was sentenced to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud. After trial she received the longest sentence ever given to a female for a white collar crime. A mother, she left behind two young sons. This was Judith’s first ever offense. pic.twitter.com/4dQHJikOjp
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 4, 2020
Kardashian West, who Vogue reports is pursuing a law degree and planning to take the bar exam in 2022, has visited the White House and met with the president multiple times to discuss the American prison system, and was involved in the passing of the 2018 “First Step Act”, USA Today reports.
Kardashian West is an influential voice for nonviolent offenders in the criminal justice system, as CBS reports she was also involved in granting clemency to Cyntoia Brown-Long in 2019, who was convicted of killing the man who forced her into sex trafficking.