Take Action for Justice

Dear Friends,

This year, instead of my annual criminal justice wish list, I’ve made a criminal justice action plan. Join me in donating, signing petitions, or sending books and holiday cards. There are many ways to make a difference.

1. Support the Innocent and Exonerated

Far too many innocent people are released from prison with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Twelve states still have no compensation statute at all. Still others are living in total poverty while they wait for their compensation claims to be resolved. Consider supporting these campaigns from recently exonerated, innocent people who need our help.  

• Danny Davis was freed in November 2024 after 32 years in an Illinois prison. His Amazon Wishlist to support his transition home is here.
• Edgar Barrientos-Quintana was also released in November 2024 after serving 16 years in prison, his GoFundMe page is here.
• Tracy Jordan was released at the end of October 2024 from Philadelphia after serving nearly 20 years in prison. His GoFundMe page is here.
• The New Orleans Innocent Project has compiled a terrific collection of wish lists and fundraisers from their exonerated clients that you may also want to check out here.

2. Support People in Prison

People in prison are often lonely and isolated. You can make a difference by becoming a pen pal, or even by sending a book.

• Become a PenPal
  There are a number of organizations that connect people on the outside to those behind bars. If you are interested, here are three to consider:
  • Write to domestic violence survivors who are incarcerated here
  • Write to someone on death row here
  • For my NJ peeps, send a holiday card or become a pen pal to someone incarcerated in New Jersey here.
• Donate Books
  • For a list of organizations that send books to people in prison, check out the Prison Book Program website here
• Fight Against Unjust Sentences and For Release
  • New Jersey’s Senator Corey Booker just reintroduced Second Look Legislation that would allow people who’ve served 10 years or more to ask to have their sentences reviewed. Contact his office and say thanks!
  • Sign this petition in support of New Jersey’s Rehabilitative Release bill that was introduced in state congress.
  • Support organizations like Parole Prep (NY) or Prepare Parole (MD) or Parole Project (LA) that prepare people for their parole hearings and help in the reentry process. 

3. Support the frontline on Immigration 

The political right would have you believe that crime and immigration are inextricably linked. The research says otherwise. This year, I’ll be supporting the folks on the ground who are trying to help mitigate Trump’s cruel vision of immigration “justice.”  At the top of my list is Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, who provides legal services along the Texas border and has been on the frontline of this fight. (Full disclosure: my dear friend Robert Doggett is the Executive Director of TRLA, which makes me all the more excited to support their important work).

4. Support independent journalism about criminal justice 

The truth has been hard to find these days, particularly in the world of criminal justice reporting, where fearmongering and disinformation reign supreme. This year, I’ll be supporting these outlets that are dedicated to exposing what’s really happening in the criminal justice arena. 

• The Marshall Project
• The Appeal
• The Watch, a substack by award-winning journalist Radley Balko 

5. End the death penalty – or at least clear the row.

• Forty men are on federal death row. Tell President Biden before he leaves office to use his clemency power and commute the death sentences of every person on federal death row. We know what will happen under the next administration if he doesn’t. You can sign a petition to President Biden here.
• In North Carolina, there is a similar request out to democratic Governor Roy Cooper to commute the death sentences of 136 people on death row. You can sign a petition to Governor Cooper here.

6. Support criminal justice reform efforts

There are amazing and inspiring organizations around the country doing great work to reform our criminal legal system, reduce unnecessarily harsh sentences, and help people come home and reenter society by providing them with the assistance they need to get on their feet. Here are just a few of my favorite organizations, including some that I’ve learned even more about through the Just Justice podcast.

• The Innocence Project (headquarters) or any affiliate like the NJ Innocence Project or the Ohio Innocence Project.
• The Sentencing Project 
• FAMM
• Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project
• The Equal Justice Initiative 

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