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In the second installment of our One in Five series, we interrogate the large footprint of policing—particularly of Black Americans—as a failed response to racial disparities in serious crimes.
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Over 35 Years of Fighting for Justice
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Mission, Vision, and Priorities
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Amplifying Impacted Voices
![Photo of John Pace](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/John-Pace-e1662089145486-529x500.jpg)
John Pace
Sentenced to life in prison as a teen, John Pace spent 31 years behind bars before a Supreme Court decision brought him home. Now, he works to assist others who are coming out of prison and adjusting to life on the outside.
![Photo of Monica Szlekovics](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-3-500x500.jpg)
Monica Szlekovics
Monica Szlekovics was forced to contribute to crimes by her abusive husband, which led to her being sentenced to life in prison at 20 years old. In prison, she committed herself to personal transformation and her sentence was commuted in 2019.
![Photo of Tevin Louis](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/10/Tevin-Louis-383x500.jpg)
Tevin Louis
In 2012, Tevin Louis was charged with felony murder after a police officer killed his friend. In 2021, Illinois narrowed the scope of its felony murder rule, but unless it’s applied retroactively, Tevin will have to serve a 52-year sentence.
![Photo of Melody Brown](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-1-500x500.jpg)
Melody Brown
When Melody Brown’s husband was murdered, she never thought she would be able to forgive the man who killed him. However, she was able to find mercy and forgiveness, and even supported the man’s release under Washington, DC’s second look reforms. Now, she’s working at a local nonprofit to support formerly incarcerated people in the District.
Amplifying Impacted Voices
![Photo of Monica Szlekovics](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-3-500x500.jpg)
Monica Szlekovics
Monica Szlekovics was forced to contribute to crimes by her abusive husband, which led to her being sentenced to life in prison at 20 years old. In prison, she committed herself to personal transformation and her sentence was commuted in 2019.
![Photo of Melody Brown](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-1-500x500.jpg)
Melody Brown
When Melody Brown’s husband was murdered, she never thought she would be able to forgive the man who killed him. However, she was able to find mercy and forgiveness, and even supported the man’s release under Washington, DC’s second look reforms. Now, she’s working at a local nonprofit to support formerly incarcerated people in the District.
![Photo of John Pace](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/John-Pace-e1662089145486-529x500.jpg)
John Pace
Sentenced to life in prison as a teen, John Pace spent 31 years behind bars before a Supreme Court decision brought him home. Now, he works to assist others who are coming out of prison and adjusting to life on the outside.
![Photo of Tevin Louis](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2022/10/Tevin-Louis-383x500.jpg)
Tevin Louis
In 2012, Tevin Louis was charged with felony murder after a police officer killed his friend. In 2021, Illinois narrowed the scope of its felony murder rule, but unless it’s applied retroactively, Tevin will have to serve a 52-year sentence.
![](/web/20231123122250im_/https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2023/03/BLM-June-2020-Hands-up-9th-St-tunnel-stickers-blurred-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-650-488.jpg)
Help End Mass Incarceration and Racial Injustice
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