Jason Hernandez
In 1998, 21-year-old Jason Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison. In 2011, he received clemency. Today, Jason sits on The Sentencing Project’s Board of Directors and is a leading advocate for criminal legal reform.
Related to: Incarceration, Racial Justice
In 1998, 21-year-old Jason Hernandez was sentenced to life without parole plus 320 years for a nonviolent drug offense.
While incarcerated, Jason relied on TSP’s research.
“Reading TSP’s research gave me hope and inspiration. It was motivating to know that we [people serving life without parole sentences] hadn’t been forgotten,” said Jason.
In 2011, Jason prepared his own Petition for Commutation and became one of the first people to receive clemency from President Barack Obama. Following his release, Jason has helped nearly a dozen individuals receive clemency. He continues to petition the Biden administration for a full pardon.
Today, Jason sits on The Sentencing Project’s Board of Directors and is a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. He has launched numerous community service programs in his hometown of McKinney, Texas. He’s currently working with best-selling author Asha Bandele to publish a new book about the history and drivers of incarceration within the U.S. Latinx community.
