Below is a list of DC criminal legal system advocacy reform organizations. Our goal for providing this is to support collaboration between advocacy reform groups and District residents that are interested in these issues. (Click here to have your group added to this list.)
DC Project Connect
Description: The mission of DC Project Connect is to provide crisis intervention and information resources to families affected by incarceration; we support reentry initiatives that strengthen families.
Issue Areas: Reentry, Youth
Other Issue Areas: Support for families, especially children affected by incarceration.
Contact Name: Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson, HS-BCP
Title: President
Email: avonhartjohnson@gmail.com
Website: www.dcprojectconnect.com
DC Reentry Task Force
Description: The DC Reentry Task Force includes returning citizens, individuals who advocate on behalf of returning citizens in the District of Columbia, individuals who have experience or expertise in matters related to the welfare of returning citizens, and individuals who are interested in making government and private organizations more responsive to the needs of returning citizens.
Issue Areas: DC Jail (present and future), Local Control of justice system, Police Reform, Record Sealing & Expungement, Reentry, Sentencing Reform
Contact Name: Louis Sawyer Jr.
Title: Co-Chair, DC Reentry Task Force
Email: louis.sawyer.jr@gmail.com
Interfaith Action for Human Rights
Description: IAHR represents people of faith who educate and advocate in Maryland, DC and Virginia for corrections systems that avoid unnecessarily punitive practices such as solitary confinement and that instead focus on rehabilitation and successful reentry.
Issue Areas: DC Jail (present and future), Local Control of justice system
Contact Name: Charles Feinberg
Title: Rabbi
Email: rebchuck@interfaithactionhr.org
Website: www.interfaithactionhr.org
Justice Policy Institute
Description: JPI is a national nonprofit organization that changes the conversation around justice reform and advances policies that promote well-being and justice for all people and communities. JPI's research and analyses identify effective programs and policies and we disseminate our findings to the media, policymakers and advocates, and provide training and technical assistance supports to people working for justice reform.
Issue Areas: DC Jail (present and future), Local Control of justice system, Police Reform, Police in Schools, Record Sealing & Expungement, Reentry, Sentencing Reform, Youth
Contact Name: Tyrone Walker
Title: Associate
Email: twalker@justicepolicy.org
Website: www.justicepolicy.org
Neighbors for Justice
Description: Neighbors for Justice strives to be good neighbors to residents of the DC jail during COVID and beyond by: increasing awareness of their experience, providing support, advocating on relevant legislation, and amplifying local justice efforts. Neighbors for Justice was founded in 2020 by individuals who live a few blocks from the DC jail.
Issue Areas: DC Jail (present and future), Local Control of justice system, Record Sealing & Expungement, Reentry, Sentencing Reform, Youth
Contact Name: Julie Johnson
Title: Founder
Email: julie@neighborsforjusticedc.org
Website: neighborsforjusticedc.org
The National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens
Description: Our mission is to build a strong, national network comprised of individuals returning from incarceration who support each others successful reintegration. We use a client-centered approach to identify basic needs and to create a continuum of care that can address barriers to reentry, promote restorative practices, and reduce recidivism.
Issue Areas: DC Jail (present and future), Local Control of justice system, Record Sealing & Expungement, Reentry, Sentencing Reform
Contact Name: Courtney Stewart
Title: Executive Director
Email: cstewart@thereentrynetwork.org
Website: thenationalreentrynetwork.org