8 Organizations Making A Difference In The Criminal Justice System

8 Groups Dedicated to Improving the American Criminal Justice System

Texas Criminal Justice Coalition on Fighting for Dignity for Incarcerated Women

Incarceration Rates Worldwide

The Mission of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition

In Depth

Though the United States operates an enormous apparatus for prosecuting and detaining criminals, many concerned voices question whether existing approaches to justice actually make the country safer. Activists and philanthropists point to neglect, prejudice, and abuse within courts and prisons, arguing that they prevent true rehabilitation while degrading human dignity. In no particular order, we've highlighted eight groups working to bring about reform, and offering opportunities for healing to those impacted by the law enforcement system.

Leading off at #1 is the Women's Prison Association, the oldest organization in the United States dedicated to working with women, and their families, following their involvement with the criminal justice system. Begun with the country's first female halfway house, the group today offers alternatives to incarceration, allowing female-identified individuals to remain in their communities rather than serving time; while there, they receive support and counseling to address the issues that led to their encounter with the courts.

WPA recognizes the gender-specific differences in the ways that people come to interact with the justice system, with factors such as poverty, domestic abuse, and addiction contributing heavily to female incarceration. They combat these problems with services like housing, counseling to strengthen family resilience, and vocational training assistance for those finishing a sentence. They also perform outreach and advocacy to promote criminal justice reform. Readers interested in supporting WPA's efforts can make a donation to fund their programs.

WPA recognizes the gender-specific differences in the ways that people come to interact with the justice system, with factors such as poverty, domestic abuse, and addiction contributing heavily to female incarceration.

Entry #2 is Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration, an association of over two hundred current and former public servants with criminal justice experience, who have come together to push for reforms to decrease criminality and shrink prison populations. They believe that mass imprisonment, long sentences, and draconian enforcement measures are not the best means to deter illegal behavior. Instead, they propose techniques aimed at strengthening communities, educating youths, and building trust between officers of the law and the people they serve.

Believing that abusive practices and severe sentencing are counterproductive to rehabilitation, the members of Law Enforcement Leaders advocate for better approaches to criminal justice. Some of the options they highlight are alternatives to incarceration, educational opportunities for individuals in prison, and legislative reform to overturn mandatory minimums for jail time. They also perform outreach to improve relations between communities and police. The group's website and twitter feed offer informational resources on the changes they propose.

Next on the list, at #3, is the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, which works throughout the state to end abuses by law enforcement, offer alternatives to widespread imprisonment, and build support for key reforms. Their efforts target all stages of the penal process, from drug laws that place non-violent offenders in prison, to difficulties faced by former inmates rejoining society. They also work to stop harmful, degrading, and exploitative detention practices, defending the rights of prisoners who have limited ability to advocate for themselves.

They also work to stop harmful, degrading, and exploitative detention practices, defending the rights of prisoners who have limited ability to advocate for themselves.

Key areas of focus for the TCJC include rehabilitation rather than imprisonment for youth offenders, justice reforms for women, and an end to the systems that disproportionately detain marginalized populations. The group spreads awareness about pressing issues, mobilizing support for proposed laws, and policy changes, designed to correct injustices in criminal prosecution. They also provide leadership training for those looking to make a difference in their own communities. Supporters can donate online to help fund the organization's work.

Coming in at #4 is Californians for Safety and Justice, a project of the Tides Center, which organizes residents of the state to oppose mass incarceration. Their Shared Safety initiative supports crime reduction methods that don't rely first and foremost on detention, while campaigns like TimeDone/Second Chances fight against legal restrictions on past offenders, which hamper their ability to re-enter civil society. CSJ believes that these obstacles prevent many people from truly rehabilitating, further weakening the community.

Another effort supported by CSJ is Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, a nationwide network of people who have been impacted by violence, but prefer rehabilitation and victim support over retribution. They advocate for a greater emphasis on healing and community restoration, and oppose harsh sentencing laws that make it difficult for perpetrators to turn their lives around. CSJ's informational videos and reports lay out the case for reform. Those motivated to help out can donate or take action in a variety of ways, as described on the group's website.

Those motivated to help out can donate or take action in a variety of ways, as described on the group's website.

Entry #5 is the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, which strives to help people impacted by the criminal justice system work towards a better future. They offer mentoring and workshops for those in prison, helping them envision alternatives to the cycle of crime and incarceration, as well as cultural programming to inspire hope. They follow up with services, such as vocational training and transition assistance, for those newly released. Their Supportive Housing and Education Initiative also provides a temporary home as former inmates return to society.

Along with the support services they administer, ARC advocates for changes to the policies that trap people in a pattern of imprisonment and recidivism. They organize against inhumane detention practices that inflict psychological damage, or restrictions on past offenders that hamper their ability to participate in society. The organization offers training in leadership and communication skills, for members looking to take action on these issues. They welcome donations from anyone interested in bolstering their cause.

Our #6 entry is the Prison University Project. This organization is dedicated to providing an intellectually rigorous higher education program, along with college preparatory resources, to people in San Quentin State Prison. The courses they administer are free of charge, created to replace the learning options that shut down when federal Pell Grants were closed to incarcerated individuals. Participants can earn an Associate of Arts degree while serving their sentence, setting them up for success after release, as well as gaining an opportunity to reflect on the paths that led them behind bars.

This organization is dedicated to providing an intellectually rigorous higher education program, along with college preparatory resources, to people in San Quentin State Prison.

Students in the Prison University Project learn ways to express their experiences, with outlets like the Open Line blog letting them share their creative works with readers on the outside. The organization seeks to empower similar programs at other facilities, by providing resources and training in their methods. Their mission also includes advocacy work, making the case for expanded access to education inside prisons. Individuals or groups with a desire to contribute to these efforts can make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Next in our rundown, at #7, is UnCommon Law, an organization providing legal and rehabilitative services, for California residents who have experienced incarceration. They offer counseling for those in prison, preparing them for parole hearings and other challenges, as well as helping them to believe in their ability to overcome their setbacks. In many cases the group also extends legal representation pro bono or at reduced rates to help secure release for people serving life sentences.

UnCommon Law's novel approach focuses on helping incarcerated individuals with transformative workshops, in which they come to terms with the harm they have done, and develop strategies for change after release. Many of their clients go on to serve others in turn, some of them working as counselors for the organization. The group also educates and speaks out about the need for better rehabilitative options. They welcome help from supporters, whether in the form of donations or volunteer efforts.

The group also educates and speaks out about the need for better rehabilitative options.

Capping off the list at #8 is Chicago Books to Women in Prison, a group providing free paperback literature to female, trans, and non-binary people in prisons around the country. Viewing the written word as an invaluable source of healing, learning, empowerment, and entertainment, they are dedicated to extending those possibilities to those behind bars. Their all-volunteer staff collects requests from incarcerated individuals, organizes donations, and ships them to prisoners in need.

CBWP aims to offer hope to those incarcerated, through human and cultural connection, with outreach efforts like letter-writing campaigns to remind people serving time that they are not forgotten. They also spread awareness of abuses and injustices within the penal system, and amplify calls to abolish harmful practices. Readers who want to support the effort to bring reading materials to people in prison can give books, especially those on the group's wish list at Women and Children First, or donate funds online.