Kim Kardashian West takes criminal justice reform quite seriously and continues to work toward shifting, or completely uprooting, the United States' prison system. The reality television star made headlines after Matthew Charles, a recently released inmate, publicly thanked her for paying off five years of his rent after he found it difficult to find a place to live due to his criminal record.
Also, back in October 2018, Kardashian West tweeted to then-California Governor Jerry Brown, asking him to take another look at the case of death row inmate Kevin Cooper, who was convicted of a quadruple homicide. In 1985, officers responded to a horrific scene at a Los Angeles home. There, they found parents Douglas and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter Jessica, and 10-year-old Chris Hughes, all murdered in a bloody scene. There was one survivor, eight-year-old Josh Ryen who was left for dead, but he pulled through and survived.
Cooper was hiding in a nearby home after breaking out of a minimum security prison. Police apprehended him and blamed him for the crime, even though young Josh Ryen insisted that three white or Hispanic men killed his family. The boy continued to tell law enforcement that Cooper wasn't involved in the murders, but Cooper was convicted and sentenced to death. "Governor Brown, please add Kevin Cooper to your legacy of smart, fair and thoughtful criminal justice reforms," Kardashian West tweeted last Fall.
Today, the mogul shared on social media that she hopes to partner with current California Governor Gavin Newsom in ending the death penalty in the Golden State for good. "For the last year, I have immersed myself in learning about the criminal justice system. I visited prisons, met with formerly incarcerated people, and helped with cases of individual injustice—including two death penalty cases. I have met with and am very supportive of Governor Newsom and his decision to help bring an end to the California Death Penalty."
"Racial bias and unfairness run deep throughout the justice system but especially when it comes to the death penalty. And we should not be okay with the risk that an innocent person could be executed. I hope can turn toward better solutions that focus more on healing victims of trauma and prioritizing fairness and justice."
