Broken Justice: Stopping the Revolving Prison Door

I had no clue they were gonna rob the place, but I was there. I knew something wasn’t right, but I decided I was gonna stay and find out what wasn’t right. Which I shouldn’t have done. And I was there, wrong place, wrong time so I got conspiracy for it.

Jordan was arrested just three weeks before his high school graduation.

Racial minorities are more likely than white Americans to be arrested. Once arrested, they are more likely to be convicted. Once convicted, they are more likely to face harsh sentences.

Black men are more likely to be incarcerated than men of other races.

6 times more than white men

2.5 times more than Hispanic men

You realize who you are when you’re in the cell. You have nothing but time. Time to think about things you’ll do when you’re out — or how to stay out. Time to think about anything. There is nothing but time. You can really go crazy if you’re not strong minded.

I consider myself a normal person. I played sports growing up. I went to school, like everybody else did. I got into some trouble growing up, like everybody else did.
I had a good upbringing. Both my parents were in the house with me. They both did what they were supposed to do. I just had to learn the hard way.

Unlike many inmates, Jordan's family is ready to welcome him home.

He says his family has always been there for him.

They just always take care of me — they always told me to take heed of certain things. They've always done what parents should do.

Jordan says the jobs program has been helpful.

This program is really good at getting you job-ready. Sending out a resume, cover letters, sample letters. It’s important, because you don't want the person who is hiring you or potentially could be hiring you to think that you are still that same person that you were. You want the person to understand that you made a mistake. You’re learning from that mistake, you’re maturing.

Jordan says he's determined to continue his education and find work when he gets out. He hopes to become an electrician like his grandfather.

Watch the series to find out what happened to all three inmates after they were released.

There are more than 2.2 million people living behind bars in the U.S. today.
Jordan is one of them.

I had no clue they were gonna rob the place, but I was there. I knew something wasn’t right, but I decided I was gonna stay and find out what wasn’t right. Which I shouldn’t have done. And I was there, wrong place, wrong time so I got conspiracy for it.

Jordan was arrested just three weeks before his high school graduation.

Racial minorities are more likely than white Americans to be arrested. Once arrested, they are more likely to be convicted. Once convicted, they are more likely to face harsh sentences.

Black men are more likely to be incarcerated than men of other races.

6 times more than white men

2.5 times more than Hispanic men

You realize who you are when you’re in the cell. You have nothing but time. Time to think about things you’ll do when you’re out — or how to stay out. Time to think about anything. There is nothing but time. You can really go crazy if you’re not strong minded.

Unlike many inmates, Jordan's family is ready to welcome him home.

He says his family has always been there for him.

They just always take care of me — they always told me to take heed of certain things. They've always done what parents should do.

Jordan says the jobs program has been helpful.

Jordan says he's determined to continue his education and find work when he gets out. He hopes to become an electrician like his grandfather.

I had no clue they were gonna rob the place, but I was there. I knew something wasn’t right, but I decided I was gonna stay and find out what wasn’t right. Which I shouldn’t have done. And I was there, wrong place, wrong time so I got conspiracy for it.

Jordan was arrested just three weeks before his high school graduation.

Racial minorities are more likely than white Americans to be arrested. Once arrested, they are more likely to be convicted. Once convicted, they are more likely to face harsh sentences.

Black men are more likely to be incarcerated than men of other races.

6 times more than white men

2.5 times more than Hispanic men

You realize who you are when you’re in the cell. You have nothing but time. Time to think about things you’ll do when you’re out — or how to stay out. Time to think about anything. There is nothing but time. You can really go crazy if you’re not strong minded.

Unlike many inmates, Jordan's family is ready to welcome him home. He says his family has always been there for him.

They just always take care of me — they always told me to take heed of certain things. They've always done what parents should do.

Jordan says the jobs program has been helpful.

Jordan says he's determined to continue his education and find work when he gets out. He hopes to become an electrician like his grandfather.

Unlike many inmates, Jordan's family is ready to welcome him home.

He says his family has always been there for him.