Did you know every four minutes, someone on probation or parole is sent to prison for a technical violation, NOT for committing any sort of crime?
There are currently 6.6M people in the US justice system and 4.5M of them are on probation or parole. Individuals on probation or parole are required to follow a strict set of rules and can be sent back to prison for violating these rules, even if the violation is not technically a crime. These “technical violations” include everyday things like rolling through a stop sign, visiting family in a neighboring county, or going out to buy diapers past curfew.
This system can keep people trapped in a pipeline of returning to prison – unable to create healthy lives and achieve economic stability, and costs taxpayers $2.8 billion each year.
The REFORM Alliance is on a mission to transform probation and parole by changing laws, systems, and culture to create real pathways to work and wellbeing. Founded in 2019, REFORM is focused on bringing together bipartisan experts, leaders, advocates, and policymakers to create solutions that reduce the number of people needlessly trapped in the criminal justice system and increase the number of people moving from supervision to work and wellbeing.
This highlights the private sector’s crucial role in criminal justice reform and the work needed towards creating a justice system that is fair, accountable, and invested in support, rehabilitation, and well-being. Ultimately, a transformed system will lead to safer, healthier, and more economically stable communities.
Companies can support REFORM’s efforts in several ways:
- Educate and activate your employees and customers about this issue by encouraging them to become REFORMERS.
- Promote the Give Life Back campaign which seeks to inform, inspire, and activate Americans to create a more just system. Watch and share the Give Back Life film here.
- Provide CEO and Leadership advocacy on local and federal bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming technical violations
- Create pathways to work for formerly incarcerated individuals, to give them back their freedom, independence, and the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families
You can read more about the REFORM Alliance and their work here.
Please join us. Because everyday life shouldn’t be treated like a crime.