Joel Caston, a 44-year-old inmate at the DC Jail, has become the first incarcerated person in Washington DC to win elected office. He will serve as the advisory neighbourhood commissioner for District 7F07, an area that includes the jail where he is held, an apartment complex, and a women's shelter.
Caston, who has been incarcerated since 1995 for the murder of an 18-year-old man when he was a teenager, received 48 of the 142 votes cast, defeating four other inmate candidates. The seat had been vacant since its creation in 2013.
In a candidate survey, Caston pledged to advocate for the 'voiceless' and promote 'compassionate correction' within the facility. His responsibilities as commissioner include advising the DC Council and local government bodies on issues affecting his constituents, including the 1,400 inmates at DC Jail. The role is unpaid and lasts two years.
Caston has spent his 26 years in prison learning Mandarin and Arabic, managing a monthly newspaper, leading Christian worship services, and founding a mentoring programme for young men. He is also seeking early release under the city's Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act.
Not everyone supports his victory. Denise Krepp, a neighbouring commissioner, expressed disappointment that Caston did not show more contrition for his crime. Caston, however, remains focused on his future work, telling The Washington Post: 'I feel presidential. But it's not about you, it's about the work you do.'
