The Idaho Legislature is considering a bill that would establish mandatory minimum criminal sentences for trafficking fentanyl, which can come in several forms such as powder or laced in other drugs. (Getty Images)
Growing up on the Boise Bench, Rob Crisler was taller than most of his 12-year-old classmates and one of the few biracial students at his school. For fun, he painted designs on his shirts and hats. However, his family said local law enforcement quickly began associating him and his artwork with gangs, leading to him feeling frequently singled out.
From his teenage years until his late 40s, Crisler struggled with addiction, and he spent years in the Idaho correctional system on drug charges. In between his time in corrections, he would volunteer for the ACLU of Idaho to advocate for criminal justice reform, often testifying in front of Idaho legislators on initiatives such as increasing public defense funding; ban the box , a campaign aimed to remove the check box that asks applicants if they have a criminal record on hiring applications; and ending mandatory minimum sentences. These issues held personal significance to him as he struggled to secure employment because of his felony convictions and often chose plea bargains to avoid serving a mandatory minimum sentence.