From Prison to Policy: Arkansas Advocate Turns Pain into Power

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Ruby Welch has lived many lives; survivor, mother, widow, and now, one of Arkansas’s most impactful voices for criminal justice reform. From a childhood marked by trauma to a prison sentence in her late 30s, Welch’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and leadership. 

Born the seventh child in a family of ten, Welch believes the number seven, symbolizing completion, has followed her through every stage of life. “Even when I was incarcerated, the number showed up in ways I couldn’t ignore,” she reflected. But her time in prison became more than symbolic; it became her turning point and where she found her freedom. 

Sentenced in 1996 and released in 2006, Welch emerged into a world that was slow to welcome her back. With no access to housing, healthcare, or food assistance and only $70 to her name, she quickly discovered that reentry was its own kind of punishment. “There were days I thought I had it better in prison,” she said. 

Determined not to return, Welch committed herself to helping others navigate the system that nearly broke her. A chance connection with Reverend William Talbott in Little Rock gave her a foothold, offering her work with others overcoming incarceration and addiction. Soon, her work caught the attention of Ryan Norris, Arkansas State Director for Americans for Prosperity (AFP). 

Norris immediately recognized Welch’s influence. “She was a grassroots leader in the purest sense,” he said. Their shared belief in human dignity as the foundation for policy reform became the basis for a powerful partnership. 

Together, Welch and Norris championed reforms that made a tangible difference, including laws to protect incarcerated pregnant women and expanding record-sealing opportunities for over 60,000 Arkansans. 

Their work extended beyond policy. A deep personal friendship formed, so much so that Welch became a mentor and godmother to Norris’s daughter, Gracie. “If I can pass anything on to her, it’s that your past doesn’t define you. Your future does,” Welch said. 

Welch now uses her voice to encourage others with similar pasts. “Take responsibility, forgive, and get to work.”