Brittany K. Barnett, an African American lawyer, grew up in the shadow of the US war on drugs in the 1980s. Like many others in her community in rural east Texas, Brittany’s mother was addicted to crack cocaine, and when Brittany was 22 years old, her mother was sentenced to eight years in prison. Only a few years later, she discovered the case of Sharanda Jones, a black woman who was sentenced to life without parole for a first time drug offence. Spurred on by her own family history, Brittany swore she would free Sharanda. Brittany was still just a law student and studying corporate law but she persevered for years taking their fight to the highest office - all the way to the White House. After 16 years of waiting, Sharanda finally received the call that would grant her freedom. Together they have founded the Buried Alive Project, which provides free legal support for people serving life sentences in federal prison and Brittany has written a book called A Knock at Midnight about her life and work.

 

Presenter: Anu Anand

Producer: Tom Harding Assinder

 

Picture: Brittany K. Barnett and Sharanda Jones in 2009

Credit: Courtesy of Brittany K. Barnett