Tag: Solitary Confinement

DENVER / CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2025 — A Denver based law firm known for blending legal advocacy with movement organizing has announced it will represent Jeff Fort, also known as Imam Malik, in a sweeping post conviction relief effort. Fort, one of the most controversial figures in Chicago’s modern history, has been held under solitary confinement conditions at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX Florence) in Colorado for nearly two decades.

For the People, LLC, a movement law firm with offices in Denver and Sioux Falls, is stepping into the case with a multidisciplinary strategy. Attorney Jenipher R. Jones, Esq. will lead the team as they challenge both the conditions of Fort’s confinement and the longevity of his sentence under “old law” federal prisoner statutes.

“Mr. Fort’s case presents significant constitutional and legal issues that require immediate attention,” said Jones. “As a federal ‘old law’ prisoner, he faces unique challenges that demand focused advocacy and a comprehensive legal strategy. We look forward to working alongside all those who are currently pushing for his freedom.”

From Chicago Streets to Federal Supermax

Jeff Fort’s story is a complex one. Born in 1947, he rose to prominence in Chicago as co-founder of the Blackstone Rangers, later the Black P Stones, a gang that became one of the most influential and notorious in the city. Over the years, Fort’s leadership evolved into the creation of the El Rukn organization, which combined street influence with religious identity after his conversion to Islam.

By the mid 1980s, Fort was at the center of a federal indictment alleging conspiracy with representatives of Libya to commit terrorist acts in the United States. Convicted in 1987 on multiple counts, he received an 80 year sentence stacked on top of earlier convictions. His notoriety made him both a symbol of gang influence and government crackdowns during an era of “tough on crime” policies.

Since 2006, Fort has been housed at ADX Florence, the federal government’s most secure prison, where inmates spend up to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement. At 78 years old, his ongoing incarceration raises urgent questions about age, health, human rights, and the constitutional limits of isolation.

A Movement Law Firm with a Different Approach

For the People, LLC describes itself as a wholistic movement law firm. Unlike traditional firms that limit themselves to courtroom battles, For the People’s model integrates litigation with community advocacy, trauma informed practices, and interdisciplinary support.

The firm states plainly: “We are unapologetically Black, queer, disabled, Southern, formerly incarcerated, survivor, artist, abolitionist led.” This identity first approach signals that its work is not just about winning cases but challenging the systemic injustices that shape them.

Under Jones’ leadership, the firm has represented high-profile clients including Leonard Peltier and Eric King, both of whom were released from Bureau of Prisons custody during its representation. The firm’s track record has made it a growing force in the niche space of post conviction relief, civil rights advocacy, and political prisoner representation.

Supporting Fort’s case will be:

Andy Williams, Jr., Director of Litigation, Advocacy, and Strategy, a natural rights advocate with deep ties to Chicago’s activist landscape. Kalonji Jama Changa, Chief of Public Relations and Movement Engagement, responsible for movement communication and narrative strategy. A multidisciplinary team of attorneys, medical professionals, social workers, and advocacy specialists.

“This case exemplifies our commitment to challenging systemic injustices within the federal prison system,” said Changa. “Mr. Fort’s prolonged confinement under harsh conditions raises serious constitutional concerns that demand vigorous legal challenge.”

Why “Old Law” Status Matters

One of the central complexities of Fort’s case is his designation as an “old law” prisoner. This term applies to individuals sentenced before 1987, when sweeping federal sentencing reforms eliminated parole for most federal crimes. As a result, Fort remains subject to a parole board system that operates differently from the sentencing rules that govern most federal prisoners today.

His most recent parole hearing ended in denial, with the next statutory review scheduled for April 2027. Advocates argue that given his age, medical conditions, and record, his continued confinement, particularly under supermax isolation, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Earlier this year, Fort sought relief under the First Step Act, a reform designed to expand compassionate release for elderly and sick inmates. That petition was denied, underscoring the uphill nature of his legal battle and the urgency of new representation.

The Legal and Human Stakes

For the People, LLC’s representation of Fort goes beyond technical appeals. The firm’s strategy includes:

• Challenging the constitutionality of prolonged solitary confinement at ADX Florence.
• Seeking improved medical care and age appropriate placement.
• Exploring avenues for executive clemency and commutation.
• Raising international human rights claims to draw attention to the broader issue of elderly prisoners held in extreme isolation.

In many ways, Fort’s case serves as a litmus test for how the U.S. justice system treats its most vilified inmates. Can constitutional protections extend even to those with notorious reputations? At what point does punishment become excessive, especially for aging prisoners?

Looking Ahead

With parole off the table until 2027, Fort’s new legal team faces an uphill battle. But For the People, LLC has signaled that it is prepared to exhaust every available legal remedy.

“We look forward to advocating for Mr. Fort’s transfer to an institution that is appropriate and conducive to his age, medical needs, and disciplinary record, never losing sight of his freedom as the ultimate objective,” Jones said.

For supporters, the launch of FreeFort.org serves as a central hub for updates and advocacy efforts. The site chronicles Fort’s legal history and provides avenues for public engagement in the campaign for his release.

A Case Larger Than One Man

Ultimately, the representation of Jeff Fort is not just about a single prisoner. It is about what kind of justice system the United States wants to uphold in the 21st century. For the People, LLC’s involvement underscores that legal battles are not fought in isolation, they are entangled with questions of race, politics, history, and humanity itself.

As Fort enters his late seventies behind supermax walls, his case forces the public to confront uncomfortable questions: How long is long enough? And at what point does justice demand mercy?

To read official press release from For The People, LLC’s Changa, Chief of Public Relations and Movement Engagement, click here.

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