Milestones

Worth Rises secures passage of laws in New York, Connecticut, Colorado, Texas, and Minnesota, making phone calls free for incarcerated families.

Florida’s Amendment 4 ballot initiative passes with 64 percent of the vote, restoring the rights of over 1.4M formerly incarcerated Floridians. This represents the single largest expansion of voting rights in the U.S. in 50 years.

Congress passes the First Step Act, reforming federal prisons and sentencing laws to incentivize decarceration. It’s the first criminal justice reform bill to pass with bipartisan support in decades.

New York’s City Council votes to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex by 2027.

Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth ends juvenile life without parole in nine additional states over five years with A4J’s support.

Landmark bail reform legislation passes in New York State, California, Illinois, Houston, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

Federal Department of Education Pell Grant Program lifts a 30-year policy excluding incarcerated students, creating opportunities for thousands of people to earn college degrees while inside.

New York State enacts the Less is More Act, reducing sentencing and racial bias in the state parole system.