Philip Melendez is the Director of Special Projects at Smart Justice California, where he leads the organization’s Get Proximate Program. Through prison visits and other gatherings, Phil works to bring people with power and influence into proximity with mass incarceration and in conversation with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. As a formerly incarcerated individual himself, Phil is a staunch advocate for prison and sentencing reform, and hopes to bring home many of the good people he left behind.

After nearly 20 years of incarceration, Philip returned home September of 2017.  Today, his work with SJCA builds on Phil’s extensive experience coordinating events – during and after his incarceration – to connect community leaders, survivors of harm, and incarcerated people to reimagine justice.  In addition to prison visits, Philip has led and participated in many coalitions advocating for numerous prison and sentencing reform bills in the California Legislature.