Two Female Criminal Justice Warriors Freed Seventeen People from Life Without Parole Sentences.

There are some people who make history in a big, showy way. Certain athletes and politicians come to mind.

And then there are those who quietly make history, positively impacting countless lives along the way. Powerhouse attorneys Brittany K. Barnett and MiAngel Cody belong to this second group of history makers.

When these two women partnered to create the “90 Days of Freedom Campaign,” they knew their goal of freeing as many people as possible – people who had been given a life sentence without parole for non-violent drug offenses – was ambitions, to say the least.

As Barnett puts it, “Life without the possibility of parole…screams a person is beyond hope, beyond redemption. It rips away any chance of reconciliation with society and gives no chance of fulfillment outside of prison walls. Life without parole suffocates mass potential as it buries people alive.”

Cody adds that she and Barnett will remain relentless on this front and are unafraid to “pick the locks” on these human cages.

A Personal Journey

The idea that two women, on their own, managed to free 17 people who had no hope of ever being released, and do so in such a short timeframe, is noteworthy. But what makes this story truly remarkable is that the journey was, and continues to be, incredibly personal for these two women.

Both Barnett and Cody had a parent in prison growing up. They intimately know how incarceration ripples out to affect the entire family and community. They also experienced firsthand how their loved ones were treated within the system, and that was LESS than a human being. 

You could say the “90 Days of Freedom Campaign” was born out of tragedy and personal heartache. This certainly explains why these two women have invested their time, hearts, souls and yes, even their personal finances to help those in need.

After being denied grants from large foundations, both women left their six-figure salary jobs, wiping out their own savings accounts, to fund their work. For months they worked tirelessly and for no pay to help their clients reunite with loved ones.

Barnett and Cody fought the corrupt system, and at every step, were faced with major roadblocks and fierce opposition. Prosecutors pushed back on nearly every case these women presented. But Barnett and Cody “litigated their asses off,” as Barnett puts it. And thanks to their excellent lawyering skills, people who were set to die in prison are now free. 

As Barnett says, “Our clients weren’t even on this selective list the Sentencing Commission sent out or on federal defenders’ radars. In fact, we have copies of letters federal defenders sent some of our clients telling them they weren’t even eligible for relief under First Step Act – but we got them free.”

But Barnett and Cody’s work didn’t stop when word came in their clients were scheduled to be released. In some cases, the two attorneys were the ones outside the gates waiting to pick their clients up and drive them home. They also gave many clients re-entry stipends and continue to support their clients in any way they can.

Inviting Others to Join the Fight

While the success of this campaign was massive, Barnett and Cody recognize their work is not finished. As long as there are people rotting in prison, with no hope of parole, for non-violent drug offenses, the two attorneys will continue to fight, giving their clients everything they’ve got.

They also invite people to join their fight. One notable person who has taken up the cause is Kim Kardashian, who, upon hearing about the “90 Days of Freedom Campaign,” contributed financially to help Barnett and Cody pick the lock on as many human cages as they can.

But you don’t have to be a famous millionaire to support the cause. We can all demand major reform in the justice system. Because as long as there are people rotting and dying in prison under purely punitive prison sentences that serve only to unfairly incapacitate, there is no justice.