Maria Singh Amezcua serves as the Project Associate for the Return to Freedom Project. In her role with the Return to Freedom Project, Maria receives, reviews, and tracks requests from people in prison and their families applying for the many initiatives in NACDL’s historic efforts to help those serving overly harsh sentences seek relief through compassionate release and clemency by recruiting, training, and supporting pro bono volunteer attorneys. She is responsible for maintaining webpages and resource libraries, drafting and editing documents and communications, and facilitating and managing applicant and volunteer outreach.
Her capacity with the state legislative advocacy team involves the logistical planning of expungement clinics around the nation to help people receive a meaningful second chance through record clearing services. Maria secures partnerships with legal advocacy and social service organizations, on the ground, in the communities we are looking to serve. She is involved in the planning process through the day of the clinic. Maria also offers support, including recruitment and communications support, to partners and affiliates hosting similar events in their area.
Maria graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2019. She studied Philosophy (Morality, Politics, Law) and received certificates in Human Rights and Socio-Legal Studies. During her undergraduate career Maria completed an externship with the Mitigation Specialist at the Maricopa County Office of Public Defenders and worked as a File Clerk for a private immigration firm in Phoenix, Arizona. Since graduating, Maria has moved to Washington D.C. where she has started her career in criminal legal reform work first with FAMM then at NACDL.
