Beyond the Bars Fellowship Alumni Highlight: Miguel Beltran

Miguel Beltran, Los Angeles, CA
Cohort 9

1. When did you participate in the fellowship?

I participated in the Beyond the Bars Fellowship as a 2023-24 Fellow while pursuing my Master’s degree in Sociology at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. During this time, I was also working on my thesis, where my research focused on the evolution of surveillance cameras in New York City using a mixed-methods approach. As part of the Beyond the Bars Fellowship requirement, I was actively involved with the Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), advocating for criminal justice reform through their Community Not Cages and Clean Slate campaigns, I worked to dismantle New York’s racist and draconian sentencing laws. As part of this effort, I participated in rallies, press conferences, and meetings with lawmakers at the state capitol in Albany to push for transformative change and bring our loved ones home.

2. What led you to apply for the fellowship?

I applied for the Beyond the Bars Fellowship to further my commitment to advocating for communities impacted by law enforcement and mass incarceration. My personal experiences, along with my academic work in sociology, particularly my focus on crime and policing, motivated me to seek opportunities for deeper engagement and systemic change. Even during my time as a community college student, I was aware of Beyond the Bars and the powerful work they were doing. When I was accepted to Columbia University, there was no doubt in my heart and mind that I had to be part of this community. This fellowship meant a great deal to me because of what it stands for, and many of my homies have been part of this movement for years. Beyond the Bars carries a strong history of resistance, advocacy, and solidarity, and I knew this was where I needed to be.

3. What did you gain from the fellowship?

The biggest takeaway from the fellowship was the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the systemic issues surrounding mass incarceration. It provided me with valuable tools for advocacy and a stronger network of peers and mentors who share my commitment to social justice. Beyond the knowledge and connections, the fellowship also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, travel to new places, and see firsthand how different communities are affected by these issues. My environment became my classroom, allowing me to engage with advocacy in a more immersive and experiential way. As a system-impacted person, this experience was invaluable and vital for my personal growth and professional development. It reinforced my resolve to work toward meaningful change in the communities I care about.
 

4. Tell us about your life/work after the fellowship?

Following the Beyond the Bars Fellowship, I completed my time as a Justice Through Code Fellow, further strengthening my interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of technology and social justice. Currently, I serve as an Academic Peer Mentor for the Court-To-College program at Los Angeles Room & Board, where I provide mentorship and academic support to formerly incarcerated students as they transition into higher education. Simultaneously, I have applied to top sociology Ph.D. programs with the goal of advancing research in surveillance studies, focusing on how surveillance affects individuals from marginalized backgrounds from a social psychology vantage point. Beyond my academic and mentorship roles, I have also been actively engaged in public speaking and community advocacy. I have been invited to speak to students at my alma mater, Pasadena City College, as well as at UCLA, where I aim to inspire and motivate the next generation of scholars and leaders. Additionally, I have co-facilitated workshops on topics such as collective self-care, ending mass incarceration, and the ramifications of policing in marginalized neighborhoods. My passion for research, mentorship, and advocacy has only deepened, fueling my commitment to creating systemic change and empowering communities impacted by incarceration and surveillance. I am deeply grateful to the Beyond the Bars Fellowship for providing me with the space, support, and community that allowed me to grow into the individual I am today.

5. Is there anything you learned during the fellowship that still impacts you today?

One of the most profound lessons I took away from the Beyond the Bars Fellowship is the realization that despite geographic and cultural differences, marginalized communities across the country face similar systemic challenges. Coming from Los Angeles and moving to New York, I saw firsthand how individuals from different boroughs are engaged in parallel struggles against mass incarceration and social inequities. This perspective continues to inform my research and advocacy work. Being away from home was challenging, but my time in the fellowship was particularly meaningful because I was embraced as one of their own by Greer Ellis, Kevin Mays, and my Beyond the Bars fellows, who became like family. Their support and mentorship reinforced the power of community, solidarity, and collective action. These lessons continue to shape my research and advocacy efforts today.