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She Went to Jail After Jan. 6 -- and It Opened Her Eyes to the Need for Prison Reform.

๐ŸŒˆ Abstract

The article tells the story of Danean MacAndrew, a Republican voter who participated in the January 6th protests at the U.S. Capitol and was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 90 days in prison. The article explores how this experience changed her perspective on the criminal justice system and led her to become an advocate for prison reform.

๐Ÿ™‹ Q&A

[01] Danean MacAndrew's Background

1. What was Danean MacAndrew's background prior to the January 6th events?

  • Danean MacAndrew was a long-time Republican voter who had little concern for people in prison prior to her own experience.
  • She had a Masters in neuroscience but was unable to find a job, so she started her own business selling CDs of old-time radio shows.
  • She was not very politically active, but the COVID-19 lockdowns led her to start attending Reopen California rallies and becoming more engaged with pro-Trump, anti-lockdown communities.

2. How did Danean's views on politics and Trump evolve over time?

  • Initially, Danean held her nose to vote for Trump in 2016 but was not a die-hard fan of the GOP.
  • After attending Reopen California rallies and watching Trump's events, she slowly became more of a Trump supporter, sympathizing with his claims of an unfair election.

[02] Danean's Experience on January 6th

1. What led Danean to attend the January 6th protest in Washington, D.C.?

  • Danean decided to attend the January 6th protest as much for personal reasons as political ones. With her parents and brother having recently passed away, she was looking for something to help her get through the holiday season.

2. What was Danean's experience inside the U.S. Capitol building on January 6th?

  • Danean entered the Capitol building after hearing that protesters were being allowed in, wanting to capture footage as an amateur photographer.
  • She estimated she was inside the building for about 8 minutes and did not witness any violence, though she later learned about the riots that had occurred.

[03] Danean's Arrest and Incarceration

1. How did Danean's arrest and legal proceedings unfold?

  • In late September, FBI agents showed up at Danean's door in California and she cooperated with them, telling them about her activities on January 6th.
  • She was charged with four misdemeanors related to unlawful conduct and entering a restricted building.
  • Despite pressure from her friends, family, and public defender to take a plea deal, Danean refused to admit guilt, as she truly believed she was allowed to enter the Capitol that day.
  • Danean was found guilty and sentenced to 90 days in prison.

2. What was Danean's experience like in the prison facility?

  • Danean was assigned to FCI Dublin, a federal prison in California, where she was the only January 6th defendant.
  • She was initially intimidated by the experience of being strip-searched and entering the prison, but she quickly adapted and found the prison culture to be surprisingly communal, with inmates looking out for each other.
  • Danean was struck by the humanity of her fellow inmates, many of whom had experienced trauma and were not the "one-dimensional monsters" she had previously assumed.

[04] Danean's Transformation and Advocacy for Reform

1. How did Danean's perspective on the criminal justice system change as a result of her incarceration?

  • Prior to her incarceration, Danean had little sympathy for people in prison, believing that if you don't want to do the time, you shouldn't do the crime.
  • However, her experience behind bars made her realize the humanity of the people in the system and the ways in which it can fail to address the underlying issues that lead to incarceration.

2. What ideas for prison reform has Danean proposed based on her experiences?

  • Danean proposed that prison guards should be required to spend 3 days in prison themselves before being allowed to work, so they can understand the dehumanizing experience.
  • She also believes that nonviolent offenders should be steered away from prison altogether, something she would not have endorsed before her own incarceration.

3. How has Danean continued to advocate for reform since her release from prison?

  • Danean has become an advocate for criminal justice reform, speaking out about the need for change and the importance of understanding the experiences of those in the system.
  • She was particularly encouraged by a new bipartisan bill that would strengthen oversight over the federal prison system.
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