JAY-Z has penned a New York Times op-ed lamenting the severity of Meek Mill’s two-to-four year sentence for probation violations. In a piece headlined “Meek Mill and the Absurdity of the Criminal Justice System,” JAY-Z argues that, having been on probation “for basically his entire adult life,” Meek has “been stalked by a system that considers the slightest infraction a justification for locking him back inside.” He goes on to criticize the U.S. criminal justice system’s use of probation as a tool that “entraps and harasses hundreds of thousands of black people every day.” He concludes, “Probation is a trap and we must fight for Meek and everyone else unjustly sent to prison.” Read the full piece here.
Meek Mill, who is signed to JAY’s Roc Nation, has appealed his sentence and requested the recusal of Judge Genece Brinkley. His attorney alleges the judge has “a personal vendetta” against Meek that resulted in an “unjust and heavy handed” sentence. For more on Meek’s case, read “Why Did Meek Mill Go to Prison?” on the Pitch.
