Two Florida families got to attend yesterday’s (Feb. 7) Super Bowl LV after being gifted tickets by Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin. Rubin, who also serves as co-chair for REFORM Alliance, purchased tickets for the families because they had been unfairly impacted by Florida’s “broken probation and parole policies.”
One man who was given tickets, and took his daughter to the game, was incarcerated in a county jail for three months for an alleged parole violation. Officials claimed that Orlando left the country without permission for an international business trip even though he received verbal approval from his parole officer. While he was in jail, Orlando’s father tragically passed away. Three months later, he was released after his employer testified on his behalf.
The second person to receive tickets was Ysabelle Mobelle, who attended the game with her son. The 29-year-old mother of four was reincarcerated after being found with traces of marijuana in her urine. Mobelle used marijuana to treat her chronic anxiety, but was still reincarcerated while pregnant, forcing her 5-year-old son to be placed in the foster care of relatives for one year. According to The Source, Mobelle’s children sought therapy to heal from the trauma of her incarceration.
A statement from REFORM added that the organization is committed to “advancing criminal justice reform and eradicating laws and policies that perpetuate injustice in the U.S.” Rubin serves in the alliance alongside JAY-Z, Meek Mill, Robert Kraft, Van Jones and more.
Yesterday, REFORM posted on Instagram about the massive impact of the parole and probation system.
“If the estimated 4.5M people on parole and probation bought a ticket to an NFL game, they would fill all 30 NFL stadiums TWICE over,” the organization wrote.
Earlier this month, REFORM also worked with members of the Virginia House of Representatives to change probation laws in the state.
“Thanks to @donscottattylaw, @MeekMill and the VA House, Virginia is one step closer to reforming its broken probation system — but the work is not finished,” REFORM wrote on Instagram.