REFORM Alliance

It’s official! 🎉 On Friday, December 15th, REFORM passed Senate Bill 838 in Pennsylvania, creating second chances for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians on probation. Thanks to Senate Bill 838 ➡️ https://bit.ly/PASB838 ✅ 120,000 + people will be able to get their probation terminated early ✅ 300,000+ people will live with fewer restrictions and will be spared from incarceration for technical violations ✅ Hundreds of thousands of people who struggle to pay fines and fees will benefit from a system that takes their financial situation into account. We’re thrilled to share that with this victory in PA, REFORM has officially created pathways for more than 800,000 people to exit the supervision system across 11 different states. We want to thank our legislative champions, our justice-impacted community, and the Pennsylvania Safety Coalition for never giving up hope and sticking together to pass this bill. And of course, a huge thank you to Governor Shapiro for his partnership since day one. #sb838 #probationreform #probation #supervision #philadelphia #formerlyincarcerated #incarcerated #prison #jail #reformalliance #meekmill #michaelrubin

ICYMI: Fair Chance Hiring Takes Center Stage in Chicago! Chicago's leaders, advocates, and businesses came together on June 27th for an electrifying conversation led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian, and other inspiring figures. We heard insightful perspectives from REFORM's CEO Robert Rooks, Director Roxanne Jackson, Craig Freedman, Freedman Seating Company, Dr. Omar Lateef, Rush University Medical Center, and moderator Darlene Hill, Rise Strategy Group. At REFORM, we're passionate about helping businesses access a wider talent pool. This event was a huge step forward in building a more equitable Chicago!  #FairChanceHiring #ChicagoJobs #InclusiveWorkforce

“We are experts in the field when it comes to loneliness, hurt and pain. If we had the right support, if we had the right love and acknowledgment, if we had the right education and therapy, we could ultimately become the greatest healers of our society.” - Cameron Clark, Member of The 50 film June is #PTSDawareness Month, please share this with your network to spread the word.

Chicago, let's build a brighter future together! ️ Yesterday, alongside Corporate Coalition of Chicago and JPMorgan Chase, we hosted a powerful breakfast discussion on Fair Chance Hiring - "Unlocking Chicago's Talent." A huge thank you to our incredible speakers, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian, JPMorgan Chase's Heather Higginbottom, REFORM's Roxanne Jackson, REFORM's CEO Robert Rooks, Craig Freedman CEO of Freedman Seating Company, Dr. Omar Lateef, CEO of Rush University Medical Center, and our moderator the fabulous Darlene Hill (Rise Strategy Group), also brought insightful perspectives to the conversation. The room buzzed with energy as Chicago's leaders, advocates, and businesses came together to champion fair chance hiring and create a more inclusive workforce. At REFORM, we're committed to helping companies tap into a wider talent pool. Yesterday, we took a big step forward in building a more inclusive Chicago! Thanks again to everyone who attended and supported this important conversation. Let's keep the momentum going! #FairChanceHiring #ChicagoJobs #InclusiveWorkforce

📢 #JUNETEENTH NEWS: Historic Clemency Announcement in New Jersey 📢 Yesterday, REFORM Alliance leadership #MeekMill, Wallace Peeples, Jessica Jackson, and Erin Haney joined forces with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in Newark, NJ to unveil a groundbreaking Clemency Initiative. This initiative aims to give victims of domestic violence, individuals on supervision with outdated sentences, nonviolent offenders, and others a second chance at rebuilding their lives. It's about restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity for those unfairly trapped in the system. We commend Governor Murphy for his bold leadership in advancing justice reform. This marks a pivotal moment, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegrating individuals into their communities. Join us in supporting this transformative step towards a more equitable justice system and spread the good news!

Probation and parole were originally intended as opportunities to rehabilitate people through support, such as help finding jobs or housing. This focus on rehabilitation began to recede in the 1970s when a tough-on-crime public sentiment emerged. Probation and parole morphed instead into systems of surveillance — intense scrutiny over long periods of time. Probation and parole have strayed from that original mission and become so ineffective that, ironically, they contribute to America’s overcrowded prisons. “Nearly half of the people going into jails and prisons are coming in from a failed and broken probation and parole system, so if you want to address mass incarceration in this country, you have to address the phase of probation and parole.” - Robert Rooks, Chief Executive Officer of REFORM Alliance.

Recognizing the critical need for effective reentry strategies, Nebraska prisons are pioneering a transformative approach with the "5-Keys for Wellbeing Development" program. This three-year initiative focuses on healthy thinking, positive relationships, and meaningful work. The program features courses like "Unlocking Your Thinking," "Ideas for Better Communication," and "Building Social Networks." By using peers as guides, Nebraska aims to reduce recidivism and prison overcrowding, setting a new standard for rehabilitation and successful reintegration.

🔨 Delaware, let’s get to work! Join us for our #DelawareDayofAction on May 31st, to reshape Delaware's criminal justice system for a safer, stronger state. With the goal of implementing evidence-based reforms, we can reduce recidivism and create positive outcomes for all. Best part? It's FREE to attend! 🙌 https://bit.ly/3KgeTei 🤝 We're thrilled to announce that Delaware's 26th Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Darius Brown, Representative Melissa Minor-Brown, and many more influential figures will be joining us. By participating, you'll: ✅ Build crucial relationships with policymakers, advocates, and community leaders. ✅ Hear from impacted voices and empower communities. ✅ Learn about system change work right here in Delaware. 📅 Save the date: May 31st, from 10 am to 4 pm 📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Wilmington | 700 North King Street | Wilmington, DE RSVP to secure your spot! https://bit.ly/3KgeTei

🚨📣Exciting news 👉The #SaferSupervisionAct could revolutionize federal supervised release. Proposed changes include tying supervision conditions to charges and offering incentives for people who complete their education, hold jobs, undergo mental health treatment, and take programming that has been proven to cut reoffending. 💡Discover how this act could cut recidivism and caseloads in an Op-Ed by David Safavian via The Washington Times https://bit.ly/3VelDzG American Conservative Union American Conservative Union Foundation

"We're the greatest country in the world, but we leave people behind and then we pretend like they don't exist and we cannot simply arrest our way out of this problem." - Sheriff Tony Thompson The 3 biggest mental health centers in America are jails. Nobody should go to prison because they don't have access to mental health care. What policy solutions can be created to increase mental health support? May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, please share this with your network.