Justin Allen
Voting Rights Advocate
America Votes
Albuquerque, NM USA
“I give everybody their human dignity regardless of who they are or where they come from.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJustin Allen
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
I started using drugs when I was 13 years old, which primarily stemmed from the hatred I internalized from being gay.
I spent 17 years in prison—spanning across my 20s and 30s—for nonviolent drug crimes.
While in prison, I took advantage of every program I could, earned my associate degree, and started doing advocacy work.
I was released from prison and tried to go to college but struggled because I wasn’t up-to-date on the technology and education required to succeed in school—I ended up relapsing and living in my car.
After being fired from my job at a nursery for speaking out against racism, my husband urged me to go back to school—despite my self-doubt, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in American studies.
I was recognized by members of the New Mexico House of Representatives because of volunteer work I had done and they offered me a job helping progressive candidates get elected.
I joined the Millions for Prisoners New Mexico and America Votes organizations to fight against injustices and advocate for voting rights.
I’m currently leading a bill to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people.
Education
Career
Voting Rights Advocate
I work to restore voting rights and fight against injustices for currently and formerly incarcerated people.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Politics
Government
Upholding a Cause and Belief
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"Politics don't matter. They're are all just trying to get me—they don't actually care about me."
Challenges I Overcame
LGBT
Drugs / Addiction
Formerly Incarcerated
Interviewed By
Being Free
Formerly incarcerated people find purpose
