Jarrett Harper

Jarrett Harper is a criminal justice and foster care reform advocate dedicated to ending life sentences for children, enhancing rehabilitation resources for those re-entering society, and disrupting the foster care-to-prison pipeline.

Harper, a survivor of the California foster care system, endured 20 years of incarceration. At 16, Harper was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus ten years after defending himself and his younger brother from an abuser. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds of release, he cultivated forgiveness and hope, significantly impacting the lives of other inmates through the development of self-improvement programs.

After two decades, his efforts culminated in the commutation of his sentence by Governor Jerry Brown. Harper was released from prison on June 18, 2019, by Governor Gavin Newsom. Following his release, he engaged as an ambassador for Represent Justice’s "Just Mercy" campaign and founded Better Days, a youth advocacy organization. Harper has also been involved with Project Witness, sharing his story to advocate for crucial reforms in the criminal justice system. Additionally, he regularly volunteers with Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, mentoring foster youth entangled in the criminal legal system. Harper's impactful journey and advocacy have led him to speak for notable organizations such as Verizon, Google, YouTube, USC, and Princeton, and have been highlighted in media outlets like Washington Post Live and The Orange County Register.