Jonathan Lamons
Jonathan Lamons is a returning citizen who served over 33½ years behind the wall—and came out not just rehabilitated, but redefined. While incarcerated, he earned his paralegal certificate and quickly became known on the yard as “The Jailhouse Lawyer.” In prison circles, the Jailhouse Lawyer is one of the most powerful men on the yard—second only to gang leaders and prison shot-callers. But unlike them, Jonathan’s power came from knowledge, not fear. He was the go-to for men fighting for their freedom, helping dozens navigate parole boards and legal systems stacked against them.
Since returning home, Jonathan has dedicated his life to helping others walk the same road to redemption. For all but his first six months of freedom, he has been an essential part of Man 2 Man Urban Youth Advocate, Inc., serving as our in-house Paralegal. He supports justice-involved fathers as they fight for custody of their children and navigate the legal maze of reentry—giving them hope, clarity, and a second shot.
But he’s more than just legal muscle. Jonathan is also a Certified Domestic Violence Facilitator and a Certified Community Health Worker, playing a critical role on our Enhanced Care Management (ECM) team. He helps our justice-involved clients—especially those on Medi-Cal—get the wraparound services they need: housing navigation, mental health therapy, group sessions, and substance abuse treatment.
Jonathan is living proof that even after three decades behind bars, a man can rise, rebuild, and return to lead with wisdom. He’s not just a former inmate—he’s an asset to his community, a protector of families, and a symbol of what transformation really looks like.
