The Fortune Society is committed to sharing the inspiring work and experiences of justice-reform advocates. Joel Castón is the first currently incarcerated person to be elected to public office in Washington D.C. After 26 years inside, he ran for and won a seat as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. @joelcastonspeaks said about his win: “It’s not just about a historic election. It’s about giving a voice and visibility to a population that is unseen.” While incarcerated, Joel also co-started the Young Men Emerging (YME) unit in the DC Jail where incarcerated men ages 18 to 25 are paired with people serving long sentences. The program offers group counseling, one-on-one mentoring, educational programs and job training with an eye on preparing the participants for release while still inside. Since Joel’s release in November of 2021, he has continued his work as an ANC Commissioner, representing those who are still inside the DC Jail, and works at the Justice Policy Institute as a consultant. He is also the author of Currency Catchers, a series that introduces the basics of investing and hopes to do more in the financial literacy space for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals.