MEET THE FOUNDER- STEPHANIE HARRIS
Stephanie Harris is more than a founder—she is a mother, an advocate, and a woman who refused to let pain go unanswered.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Stephanie is a proud mother of five whose life was forever changed by the injustices faced by her brother, Jose “Jay” Rodriguez. What began as a deeply personal fight for answers quickly evolved into something far greater—a movement fueled by love, resilience, and an unshakable demand for accountability.
Stephanie didn’t come from politics or policy. She came from real life—late nights, hard decisions, and the kind of strength that only comes from protecting your family at all costs. When systems failed her brother, she made a decision: she would not stay silent.
Out of that decision, The Jay’s Act Advocacy & Legal Reform Initiative was born.
Through her leadership, Stephanie has transformed grief into purpose—building a platform that not only seeks justice for her brother, but fights for countless others who have been overlooked, unheard, or mistreated. Her voice carries the urgency of lived experience, and her mission is clear: to expose systemic failures, demand reform, and ensure that no family has to suffer in silence.
Stephanie stands at the intersection of motherhood and movement—raising her children while raising awareness, pushing forward even when the weight is heavy. She represents every family still waiting for answers, every voice that has been ignored, and every life that deserves dignity.
Her work is not just advocacy—it is legacy.
Because for Stephanie Harris, this was never just about one story.
It’s about changing the system that allowed it to happen.
My Approach
My approach to the Jay Act is rooted in urgency, humanity, and accountability. I am not approaching this as an abstract policy effort—I am approaching it as someone who has witnessed, firsthand, what happens when systems fail the people they are meant to protect. The Jay Act is built on the belief that access to timely, adequate medical care is not a privilege, but a basic human right—even, and especially, for those who are incarcerated.
This work is driven by lived experience, but guided by purpose: to transform pain into policy. My approach centers on amplifying the voices of those inside, demanding transparency from institutions, and pushing for enforceable standards that ensure no one is left to suffer in silence. Through advocacy, collaboration, and relentless persistence, the goal is not just reform—but lasting, systemic change that restores dignity, accountability, and care where it has long been absent.
Targeted outcome
The targeted outcome of the Jay Act is to ensure that every incarcerated individual receives timely, adequate, and accountable medical care without delay or neglect. It aims to establish enforceable standards and oversight mechanisms so that approvals for treatment result in real, immediate action—not indefinite waiting. Ultimately, the goal is to create a system where dignity, transparency, and human life are protected as a matter of law, not discretion.
Ultimately, to prevent suffering and loss by transforming systemic failure into a model of humane, responsive care.
Lasting impact
The lasting impact of the Jay Act is a permanent shift toward accountability, ensuring that no incarcerated person is ignored when their health is at risk. It creates a system where dignity, timely care, and human rights are protected—not as exceptions, but as the standard.