Kale V.–yes, just like the vegetable as he often jokes about, is no stranger to the criminal legal system and the long-term repercussions it carries over a lifetime.
“I’ve been impacted by the legal system since ’95, ’96,” Kale shares, his voice filled with hope and optimism despite the years lost due to a broken system. At just 11 years old, he had his first run in with the law–a reality that is far too common for under-resourced communities. From the start, he was forced to deal with the hurdles of a juvenile justice system that stripped him of autonomy.
“You don’t really have a lot of say in your life when you’re locked up. Other people make every decision for you, even though those decisions impact you,” he reflects.
With no voice in shaping his future and facing harsh policies toward youth, Kale became caught in a cycle that began in juvenile detention and continued into adult incarceration. Despite this, he never lost his drive to keep going.
After decades spent behind bars, Kale was granted clemency, a rare second chance that opened the door to freedom.
“This month [April] marks my one-year anniversary of being free from prison,” Kale says proudly.
It wasn’t just his release that made a difference for Kale, but the support he received from the Department of Corrections’ reentry team and organizations like the Seattle Clemency Project that helped him navigate the complicated process of reintegration.
Yet, even with these resources, there were many barriers Kale faced upon release. Technology, geographical restrictions, finances, especially understanding credit were a challenge. He’s not alone in this. Many returning community members find themselves left behind, struggling to reintegrate into a society that has continued on without them.
But Kale also acknowledges how his time in prison taught him unexpected yet valuable lessons in how to connect and coexist with others. He shared that in contrast to the “outside world,” where individuals often find themselves surrounded by like-minded people, prison makes you interact across various different backgrounds and perspectives—even with those you may strongly disagree with.
This exposure to diverse perspectives gave him a unique ability to build connections and engage with others in a more accepting way, a trait that has helped him in his work at Civil Survival.
Kale serves as the Administrative Assistant at Civil Survival, where he provides crucial support for those navigating the criminal legal system. This role allows him to connect with people who are rebuilding new lives after incarceration just like him. But his journey isn’t just about overcoming personal obstacles—it’s an urgent call for change. Kale’s advocacy is driven by his own lived experience and frustration with policies that continue to hinder rehabilitation, rather than supporting it.
“There are so many laws that do more harm than good. They’ve kept people like me locked up for far longer than necessary.”
Kale is living proof that even those most impacted by the system can transform their lives when they’re met with compassion, support, and opportunity. However, his story makes it clear the work is far from over. Policies MUST change. Funding for more reentry support MUST be prioritized so organizations like Civil Survival can continue to show up for our communities and expand their reach. Most importantly, the stigma of being impacted MUST end.
Civil Survival is proud to be a partner in this work with Kale. His compassion and resilience underscore that redemption is possible. We will continue to uplift and listen to voices like Kale’s and others who are working tirelessly to create a system that truly values rehabilitation over punishment.
As Kale says, “The more we come together as a community, the more we give grace, love, and support, the better we all become.”