"Elder" Freeman Policy Fellowship

2024 Elder Freeman Policy Fellow

Gilbert Murillo

Gilbert Anthony Murillo graduated as a formerly incarcerated student from University of California-Santa Barbara in Bachelor Arts in sociology and political science. He grew up in Norwalk, California, historically impacted by over-policing, violence, and gang rivalries. At 19 years old, he was racially framed for gun possession by a police officer, and was charged with homicide with a gang enhancement, which was later reduced to stolen property. Gilbert has worked on Senate Bill 990 which grants students on parole the option to transfer from prison to the county where a post-secondary is located rather than the county of last legal residence. Gilbert was among other co-founders of Underground Scholars Initiative (USI) at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) to support formerly incarcerated students through recruitment, retention, and advocacy in higher education. Gilbert and among other leaders developed a campus policy agenda. These experiences motivate Gilbert becoming a 2024 Ronald Elder Freeman Policy Fellow pursuing activism in public policy to abolish mass incarceration.

In his role as a Policy Fellow at LSPC, Gilbert is responsible for tracking bills, drafting policy memorandums, working with statewide coalitions on legislative efforts, and developing impactful campaigns. He is also an organizer with All of US or None, where he recruits new members and engages them in the chapter’s local work. Gilbert’s favorite saying “We were born to place our spokes into the great wheel of the universe for our people”

2024 Elder Freeman Policy Fellow

Robert Bowden

Meet Robert Floyd Bowden, a San Francisco native who found himself navigating life’s challenges between the vibrant west coast and the impactful civil rights movement in Greensboro, North Carolina. Shaped by the rebellious spirit against an unjust justice system in his community, Robert’s journey took an unexpected turn at the age of twelve when he experienced juvenile hall for the first time.

Over the next twenty-five years, sixteen of which were spent in various forms of incarceration, Robert became what many would label as institutionalized. However, a turning point came when he realized that the fight for equality and true justice needed to extend beyond the walls of correctional institutions. Determined to make a difference, he decided to bring about change from within, aspiring to make freedom a constant in society.

In 1997, upon his release, Robert embarked on a transformative journey. Passionate about assisting both current and former incarcerated individuals in their transition, he founded Homeboyhotline.org, a database of reentry resources—a beacon on the road to redemption. For two decades, Robert has been actively involved in visiting group homes, work release programs, juvenile halls, jails, and prisons.

Currently, Robert is honored to participate in the Ronald “Elder” Freeman policy fellowship program, a remarkable opportunity provided by Legal Services with Children/All of Us or None. This program equips him with the essential tools to contribute to grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and administrative advocacy. Beyond his dedication to justice reform, Robert is a devoted single dad who cherishes spending quality time with his daughter and proudly declares his love for the 49ers.

2024 Elder Freeman Policy Fellow

Leena Dinh

My name is Leena Dinh Piper. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, mostly Oakland. I’m formerly incarcerated and just paroled August 2023. My experience of incarceration lead me to apply for the Ronald “Elder” Freeman Policy Fellowship at Legal Services for Prisoners with Children. I am committed to working with other formerly incarcerated leaders and learning from policymakers to help end mass incarceration and abolish modern day slavery. My goal is to create more resources and support for people coming home from prisons and jails. Parole lead me to want to do something about the 48,000 consequences we face after serving our time. I look forward to being of service to our community and supporting each other to be our best. I am honored to have been blessed with this opportunity and joining this phenomenal organization and being part of the LSPC/All of Us or None family.