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Ending mass incarceration requires addressing its harmful impact.
Too often, the approach to incarceration in the United States strips people of their human dignity, creating lasting trauma that affects not only the individuals incarcerated but also their families and communities.
The impact of the carceral system extends beyond the experience of incarceration itself. Formerly incarcerated people face barriers to employment, endure record levels of homelessness and health issues, and can even be stripped of their right to vote. These challenges can affect anyone with a criminal record, even if they have not served time.
As we work to transform systems that drive mass incarceration, we must also ensure that those impacted by the criminal legal system can transition back into their communities and begin to thrive. This includes expanding access to employment, education and housing. It also includes investing in the leadership capacity of those impacted so they can help re-shape policies and measures that caused them harm into solutions that can help individuals and families rebuild their lives.
Through this work, we aim to break cycles of harm and build stronger, safer communities where all people have the chance to thrive. On both a systemic and individual level, the approach to incarceration in the United States strips people of their human dignity, creating lasting trauma that reaches not only the individuals incarcerated but also their families and communities.
79M
The number of people living in the U.S. with a criminal record. (Source)
10x
The rate that formerly incarcerated people experience homelessness compared with the general public. (Source)
60%
The estimated percentage of formerly incarcerated people who are currently jobless. (Source)
4.4M
The number of Americans prohibited from voting in 2022 because of laws disenfranchising citizens with felony convictions. (Source)
Our Approach
We invest in efforts to end cycles of harm perpetuated by mass incarceration by supporting the well-being and leadership of formerly incarcerated people.
Transforming government approaches to reentry
We support efforts to shift policies and practices to give individuals what they need to thrive upon release, with an initial focus on fulfilling core elements of well-being such as housing and financial stability.
Increasing economic mobility for people impacted by the criminal legal system
We aim to address barriers to employment and scale effective workforce development opportunities for formerly incarcerated people and others with criminal records.
Strengthening the leadership of formerly incarcerated people
We support initiatives that equip formerly incarcerated individuals with the training, mentorship and resources necessary to lead policy reform, shape public discourse and drive change within the criminal legal system.
Our Grantees
Our partners lead programs and initiatives that address the root causes of injustice for formerly incarcerated people and all individuals, families and communities impacted by the criminal justice system.
View more grantees in our Criminal Justice Grantmaking portfolio
Supporting Individuals and Families After Incarceration
Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs (CROP) is a three-year pilot program that offers integrated housing, skill development and employment for people who are formerly incarcerated in California.
Focusing on Public Health and Dignity
AMEND at the University of California San Francisco is a program focused on public health and human rights that works in prisons and jails to reduce the debilitating health effects of these facilities on residents and staff alike. Simultaneously, AMEND joins policymakers and community leaders to demand a better, new system of accountability and healing.
Restoring Power
Root & Rebound is restoring power and resources to the families and communities most harmed by mass incarceration through advocacy, public education, policy reform and litigation.
In Conversation With
Terah Lawyer: Paving The Way for Successful Reentry After Incarceration
As Executive Director of CROP (Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs), Terah Lawyer draws from her lived experience to support rehabilitation and reentry for people leaving incarceration. This interview explores Terah’s journey from incarceration to criminal justice leadership and her insights on building a more empowering and successful reentry system.