Rapper Meek Mill paid 20 women’s bail so they could spend the holidays at home, according to the REFORM Alliance, a group he and Jay-Z founded in 2019.
According their Instagram post, the women were detained at Philadelphia’s Riverside Correctional Facility because they couldn’t afford bail.
According to the nonprofit, 15 more women will be released in the upcoming week after five of the women were released on Saturday. A gift card “to buy groceries or gifts for the holidays” will also be given to each woman.
Meek Mill claimed that his own personal experiences with the criminal justice system served as inspiration for the donation.
He said: “It was devastating for me to be away from my son during the holidays when I was incarcerated, so I understand what these women and their families are going through.”
“For families impacted by the criminal justice system, the holidays can be an extremely challenging time.”
“No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can’t afford bail, and no child should be without their parents during this time if we can do something about it.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year.”
According to information provided by the city of Philadelphia, there were 4,546 individuals incarcerated in prisons throughout Philadelphia as of November 2022. Women make up about 6.4% of that group.