“Being justice-impacted [I know] there’s so many people in my community that aren’t seen as ‘citizens,’ b/c they don’t have the right to vote or … housing … jobs.” —Kyle Giddings (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) Listen now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/04/kyle-giddings-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast/

“For real, meaningful reform to be accomplished, #formerlyincarcerated women must be in the lead to create the dramatic change that needs to happen.” —Andrea James Read more: https://umassmedia.com/40569/news/umass-boston-alum-andrea-james-runs-for-massachusetts-governor/#formerlyincarcerated #Massachusetts

“[Remediation manager] Deml’s authority will supersede Richards’ … The relationship between the two will likely have a major impact on whether or not the reforms both desire actually take root.” Read more: queenseagle.com/all/2026/2/8... #CLOSErikers #BUIILDcommunities #NYC #StanleyRichards

TW: “[Incarcerated people] across the country have died or been hospitalized due to hypothermia, sparking lawsuits, criminal charges and watchdog reports that raise concerns about how well jails and prisons respond to the cold.” Read more @usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... #JustUs

Robyn Hasan-Simpson (Leading with Conviction™ 2022): “Here in #FultonCounty, too many people are sitting in jail on low-level, quality of life offenses that really reflect something deeper.” Watch: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/06/robyn-hasan-simpson-on-overcrowding-in-the-fulton-county-jail-in-georgia

“A new study shows outdated technology and fragmented recordkeeping systems routinely keep people locked up in prisons nationwide longer than they’re supposed to be – including in Illinois.” Read more @wbez.org: www.wbez.org/public-safet... #GoodTime #EarnedTime #Illinois

Formerly incarcerated leader Kariva Nicole talked recently about having her story included in the new book #JailbirdsInFlight by Nicole Daedone. Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/06/new-book-jailbirds-in-flight-shares-womens-stories-of-finding-freedom-while-inside-mdc-prison-in-new-york-city

Stanley Richards leading NYC jails is a historic win. 📈 But media, listen up: dehumanizing headlines harm 70M+ system-impacted Americans. Words matter. Dignity is non-negotiable. #Leadership #CriminalJusticeReform #WordsMatter #LanguageMatters #PersonFirst

Kyle Giddings⁠ (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) says it was a conversation with another person while incarcerated that helped him realize his purpose. Listen now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/04/kyle-giddings-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast #Podcast #JustUsSpeaks #VoterDisenfranchisement #Colorado

“Allvin opened the doors to Brynmor Early Education & Preschool in October 2023, with capacity to serve up to 152 children. Today, the shuttered correctional facility is home to a thriving, high-quality early learning program.” Read more: www.the74million.org/zero2eight/h... #BUILDcommunities

Congratulations, Jelly Roll @jellyroll-615.bsky.social, on winning the 2026 GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Country Album! #GRAMMYs #FormerlyIncarcerated #JusticeImpacted #CountryMusic

This Black History Month, we honor the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of Black changemakers — past and present. Support justice-impacted leaders who are writing the next chapter of history today. 👉 jlusa.org/donate #BlackHistoryMonth #SecondChances #JusticeLeadership #JLUSAstrong

“Imagine a graph with two different lines, one line representing what Americans think is happening with crime, ticking up, up, up … and the other line showing what’s actually happening with crime, ticking down, down, down …” Listen now: www.npr.org/2026/01/31/n...

“One of the #WashingtonianoftheYear honorees, Yasmine Arrington Brooks [Leading with Conviction™ 2019], gave a moving acceptance speech as a call to action!” Watch now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/02/yasmine-arrington-brooks-accepts-her-award-as-a-washingtonian-of-the-year-for-2025

“Stanley [Richards] will make history in this role as the first ever #formerlyincarcerated person to serve as commissioner. That achievement is not merely symbolic.” Read more at Gothamist: https://gothamist.com/news/mamdani-names-stanley-richards-as-jails-boss-to-steer-chaotic-rikers-complex

“A new #Ohio law will soon give incarcerated women free access to period products in Ohio correctional facilities.” Read more: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/30/a-new-law-will-soon-require-ohio-correctional-facilities-to-provide-free-menstrual-products/#Ohio #IncarceratedWomen #HealthCare

“Suat Cubukcu, a professor of criminal justice at Towson University … said that unevenly applied punishments could lead to more bad behavior. ‘People see that their colleagues aren’t being punished,’ he said.” Read free gift article @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/n... #PoliceMisconduct

“For activists like Jamira Burley [Leading with Conviction™ 2015], TikTok feels like ‘a trap door’ where she doesn’t feel her ‘work or safety is protected.’” Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/28/jamira-burley-on-why-people-are-fleeing-tiktok-after-u-s-takeover-went-into-effect/ #TikTok #SocMed

People who engage in murder or conspire to commit murder, regardless of whether they are federal agents or private indiv., need to be arrested + prosecuted. Same goes for people who commit other state crimes. This needs to be happening across the country. whyy.org/articles/phi... @fsfp.bsky.social

Kyle Giddings (LwC 2024): “For the first time in the 25-year history of CCJRC, the Joint Budget Committee … denied the Department of Corrections’ request for 788 new prison beds.” Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/26/kyle-giddings-celebrates-colorados-decision-not-to-increase-prison-beds/

“I actually served 16 months in a maximum security prison, because somebody changed answers on a state test.” —Tamara Springs (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) Listen to the full interview: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/21/tamara-springs-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast/ #JustUs #Podcast #TamaraSprings #ATL

Pastor Troy F. Vaughn (Leading with Conviction™ 2017) launched his new book “From Skid Row to CEO” at a gala event in Inglewood, NC, January 16. Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/23/pastor-troy-f-vaughn-releases-new-book-from-skid-row-to-ceo #OurExperienceIsOurExperience #JLUSAstrong

“Routh’s case is the latest example of the inconsistency courts display in deciding whether to allow a criminal defendant to represent himself.” Read more: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/opinion/trump-assassination-trial-shows-flaws-in-self-defense-rights-40518963/ #TrumpAssassination

#CrimeRates Continue to Drop: “Experts said cities & states beyond those surveyed showed similar declines in homicides & other crimes. But they said it’s too early to tell what is prompting the change …” https://apnews.com/article/homicide-rate-decrease-cities-crime-b6fce2ee6c2169a6bb4aaf3e82bab032

“Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s critically and commercially acclaimed supernatural thriller, has become the first film to be nominated for 16 Academy Awards.” Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jan/22/sinners-becomes-first-film-in-history-to-earn-16-oscar-nominations #Oscars #Sinners

“The recent death of a detainee at an immigrant detention camp in Texas has been officially deemed a homicide, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday by the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner.” Read free gift article: https://wapo.st/3LGjMSc

Tamara Springs (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) discusses spending 16 months mostly in maximum security prison following her conviction on RICO charges in the largest public school cheating scandal in U.S. history. Listen now: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/21/tamara-springs-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast

“#NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Monday that his admin was reactivating the #JustHome housing initiative for #formerlyincarcerated city residents.” https://www.tag24.com/politics/politicians/zohran-mamdani/zohran-mamdani-brings-back-housing-project-for-formerly-incarcerated-new-yorkers-3460934

Marlon Chamberlain (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) on #CleanSlate being signed into law in #Illinois: “This victory is a testament to our growth as leaders and trailblazers for change in our neighborhoods.” https://jlusa.org/2026/01/19/marlon-chamberlain-celebrates-clean-slate-victory-in-illinois

Dr. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Honor his legacy by supporting those continuing the fight for justice. 👉 jlusa.org/donate #MLKDay #JusticeForAll #Donate

JustLeadershipUSA President/CEO DeAnna Hoskins: “If you’re not invested in the #socialsafetynet, but you are invested in punishment and control … your priority is _____________, not the people.” ○ the circus ○ the system ○ the status quo ○ the stupidity Take the #quiz: jlusa.org/quiz#socialsafetynet#quiz#WeeklyQuiz

“If you’re not invested in the social safety net, but you are invested in punishment and control … your priority is the system, not the people.” —DeAnna Hoskins, JLUSA President/CEO Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/13/deanna-hoskins-named-one-of-the-cincinnati-enquirers-people-to-watch-in-2026/

“The Eliminating BIAS Act is … legislation that we feel strongly needs to be adopted urgently to ensure that racial bias and other forms of prejudice do not go unchallenged.” https://jlusa.org/2026/01/16/justleadershipusa-supports-the-eliminating-bias-act-and-urgently-calls-on-congress-to-pass-it/

Today U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) & Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) along w/ U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) re-introduced the “Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act.” https://jlusa.org/2026/01/15/justleadershipusa-continues-its-support-for-the-correctional-facility-disaster-preparedness-act/

“#SupremeCourt Wed. said law enforcement had flexibility to enter a home w/o a warrant based on reports someone inside might need emergency help” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/us/politics/supreme-court-montana-warrantless-entry.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ElA.Qc3y.TAAMRsCD4Xvc&smid=url-share

Cecilia Zavala (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) recently told singer John Legend and a room full of #socialjustice funders: “This is a defining moment for #philanthropy.” Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/15/what-cecilia-zavala-told-john-legend-she-most-wants-social-justice-funders-to-understand

“Children as young as 12 are regularly held in small, barren rooms for weeks & months on end … to alleviate ‘dangerously low’ staffing levels.” Gift: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/nyregion/new-york-children-solitary-confinement.html?unlocked_article_code=1.EFA.InfV._10dY1peudE3&smid=url-share

JustLeadershipUSA President/CEO DeAnna Hoskins (Leading with Conviction™ 2016) named one of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s “People to Watch” in 2026. Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/13/deanna-hoskins-named-one-of-the-cincinnati-enquirers-people-to-watch-in-2026/ #PeopleToWatch2026 #DeAnnaHoskins

“After his release, [Doug Smith (Leading with Conviction™ 2018)] experienced relapses but reframed them as part of #recovery rather than failure …” Watch now: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/12/doug-smith-on-life-after-bipolar-and-depression-alcohol-and-substance-abuse-on-the-my-last-relapse-podcast/

“Kerwin Pittman has purchased the former Wayne County Correctional Center in Goldsboro [#NC] making him the first #formerlyincarcerated person in U.S. history to purchase a prison.” https://www.wral.com/news/local/activist-buys-former-prison-for-reentry-campus-january-2026/#NC#formerlyincarcerated#Reentry

“Mamdani signed an emergency EO instructing the Department of Correction and the city’s Law Department to come up with a plan within the next 45 days to bring city jails into compliance …” #Rikers https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/01/mamdani-moves-limit-solitary-confinement-rikers/410469/

“While serving on the [WA State] Supreme Court, [Justice Mary] Yu told FOX 13 a case involving Tarra Simmons [LwC 2018] still stands out to her. … [Simmons’ case] went on to change the law across the country.” Read more: https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/washington-supreme-court-justice-mary-yu

“The partnership between the DOC and Secretary of State is ideal … said Hakim Crampton [Leading with Conviction™ 2018] … ‘However, some people slip through the system …’” Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/01/05/hakim-crampton-on-michigan-id-program-for-formerly-incarcerated-people-upon-reentry/

Chandra Bozelko (Emerging Leaders™ 2016): “[#Landor v #Louisiana] represents precisely the kind of religious freedom issue that progressives have historically championed.” https://jlusa.org/2026/01/02/chandra-bozelko-asks-why-more-are-not-championing-religious-freedom-for-incarcerated-individuals

🎆 Start 2026 with purpose. Your donation empowers justice-impacted people to lead, change laws, and heal communities. 👉 jlusa.org/donate #NewYearGiving #JusticeLeadership #JLUSA

📢 There’s still time to make a difference! Support advocacy, education, and second chances before the year ends. 👉 jlusa.org/donate #YearEndGiving

At JLUSA, we know every step toward justice reform starts with the right ingredients. Be part of rewriting the recipe and make your gift today: jlusa.org/recipe

Chivas Watson (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) explained to KVUE news recently how he doesn’t qualify for Medicaid and can’t afford the insurance provided by his job: “It’s really tight for us.” Watch video: https://jlusa.org/2025/12/29/chivas-watson-on-rising-health-care-costs

Stanford Professor Keith Humphreys on federal #immigration detention on #massincarceration: “That’s a short-term blip.” Listen to the full interview: https://jlusa.org/2025/12/08/stanford-professor-keith-humphreys-discusses-the-steady-decline-in-mass-incarceration-in-the-u-s-and-will-it-continue/

Emilee Shell (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) w/ the Mississippi Impact Coalition: “I don’t know under what circumstances a 20-year sentence for this offense would be lawful.” https://jlusa.org/2025/12/26/emilee-shell-calls-for-executive-clemency-in-the-case-of-maurice-taylor #MauriceTaylor