About Reform alliance
Reform Alliance: Creating Safe Communities through Criminal Justice Reform
Reform Alliance is a non-profit organization that aims to create safe communities by reducing the number of people trapped in the criminal justice system and expanding real pathways to work and wellbeing. The organization was founded in 2019 by a group of influential leaders, including Meek Mill, Jay-Z, Michael Rubin, Robert Kraft, Clara Wu Tsai, and Van Jones.
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), there were approximately 2.3 million people incarcerated in federal or state prisons and local jails at year-end 2020. This represents a significant increase from just over 500,000 people incarcerated in 1980.
The criminal justice system has been criticized for its disproportionate impact on communities of color and low-income individuals. African Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of whites. Hispanic Americans are incarcerated at nearly twice the rate of whites.
Reform Alliance believes that we can reduce mass incarceration while keeping our communities safe by implementing smart policies that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The organization advocates for changes to laws and policies related to probation and parole supervision, sentencing guidelines, pretrial detention practices, juvenile justice reform, and more.
One key area where Reform Alliance is focusing its efforts is probation and parole supervision reform. Probation is a court-ordered period during which an individual must comply with certain conditions or face additional penalties such as jail time or fines. Parole is similar but occurs after an individual has served time in prison.
Probation and parole supervision can be overly punitive without providing meaningful support for individuals trying to reintegrate into society after serving their sentences. For example:
- Technical violations: Individuals on probation or parole may be sent back to prison for minor infractions such as missing appointments with their probation officer.
- Lengthy supervision periods: Some states require individuals to remain on probation or parole for years or even decades, which can make it difficult for them to find stable employment and housing.
- Financial burdens: Individuals on probation or parole may be required to pay fees for supervision, drug testing, and other services. These fees can be a significant burden for low-income individuals.
Reform Alliance is advocating for changes to these policies that would reduce the number of people who are sent back to prison for technical violations, shorten supervision periods, and eliminate financial barriers that prevent individuals from successfully completing their sentences.
Another area where Reform Alliance is making an impact is in pretrial detention practices. Pretrial detention refers to the practice of holding individuals in jail before their trial because they cannot afford bail. This practice disproportionately affects low-income individuals who are unable to pay even small amounts of bail.
Pretrial detention can have devastating consequences. Individuals who are held in jail before their trial are more likely to plead guilty just so they can get out of jail sooner. They may also lose their jobs, housing, and custody of their children while they are incarcerated.
Reform Alliance is advocating for changes that would reduce the use of cash bail and increase the use of alternatives such as supervised release programs. The organization believes that no one should be held in jail simply because they cannot afford bail.
In addition to policy advocacy work, Reform Alliance also provides direct support to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system through its REFORM Life program. This program provides mentorship, job training, mental health services, and other resources designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society.
Overall, Reform Alliance is making a significant impact on criminal justice reform efforts in the United States. By advocating for smart policies that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment and providing direct support services through its REFORM Life program, this organization is helping create safer communities while reducing mass incarceration rates across the country.
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