April Barber Scales is a North Carolina criminal justice reform advocate, motivational speaker, and published author whose life reflects the power of resilience, redemption, and second chances. After serving more than 31 years in prison for offenses committed as a juvenile, she was granted executive clemency in 2022 following review by North Carolina’s Juvenile Sentencing Review Board.
Since her release, she has dedicated her life to supporting individuals impacted by incarceration through her organization, Fenced In: Fighting for Freedom Advocacy, which provides reentry planning, peer support, advocacy, and resources for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families.
An accomplished public speaker and author of several books, April serves on statewide and national reentry and criminal justice reform initiatives, mentors individuals in recovery, and advocates for policies that promote rehabilitation, restorative justice, and successful reintegration into society. Through her work, she inspires communities across North Carolina to recognize that people are capable of growth, healing, and meaningful contributions beyond their past mistakes.