WASHINGTON — A political ceremony was held behind prison walls for only the third time on Thursday. Shameka Hayes became the first woman to hold the position of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner representing the inmates at the DC Jail. WUSA9 was the only station allowed inside to witness the swearing in ceremony as history was being made
There are nearly 1,700 resident-inmates at DC Jail and only 100 women, making this election win especially significant. Inside a ceremony in the Department of Corrections' Correctional Treatment Facility (DOC CTF) law library, Hayes took the oath of office in front of family, friends and now colleagues. Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray was in attendance alongisde members of ANC7F. After the swearing-in, Commissioner Hayes made some brief remarks at the podium.
“Excellence lives inside these cinder block walls,” she said.
Hayes is the first woman to hold the office, beating out 10 candidates in a special election in December. The 35-year-old former DCPS cook has been in the DOC’s CTF for two years. She was advised by her attorney not to share information about her case with WUSA9. CTF is a medium security facility for women and those who qualify for residential programming. Inside, Hayes has completed several courses with Georgetown University and MIT.
“I never thought I would be here today -- it’s a male run facility,” Hayes said. "Women always get the leftovers so I thought it should be fair and I should speak on behalf of everyone.”
Commissioner Hayes represents ANC7F08 advocating on behalf of 1,800 residents at the jail and the nearby Harriet Tubman women’s shelter. DC Council’s redistricting opened the door to the new single member district and returning citizen Joel Caston won its first election in 2021 and fought to make sure the jail was represented.
“He called me and said we have to make sure, in the spirit of Marion Barry, we’re looking out for last, lost, least, and left out,” said ANC 7F Chairman Tyrell Holcomb.
With help from DOC staff, Commissioner Hayes will have an office, attend meetings virtually and hold in-person town halls with her constituents.
“That was a shift looking at not just the ANC Commissioner as a resident in a secure setting, but as a professional and a person who’s an elected official in D.C.,” said Jacqueline Williams, the Deputy Director of Programs, Education, and Case Management at DOC.
Hayes' political platform includes fighting for more programming and improved conditions inside the jail including healthy food options.
“I came in a size large and I’m on a medical diet,” Hayes explained. "Now I’m a 3X. One of the biggest things is having a balanced meal.”
DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto included a program to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to the jail as part of her Secure DC Omnibus package.
“We’re still human beings,” Hayes said. "We’re not the worst things that we’ve done and why not speak on the things we need so we can become better members of society?”
Commissioner Hayes completes the unfished term of her predecessor Leonard Bishop who was transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in June. Hayes can run for re-election in November 2025.
“I see a positive, big difference in her," said Hayes' mother, Lakia Robinson. "She’s learned a lot on areas and teaching me from within regarding laws, DC code, and federal code. It’s bittersweet, but she’s doing some things that’s making me proud.”
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