Dear Pamela,
If Louisiana were a country, it would have the second highest incarceration rate in the world. And the mass incarceration harming our communities doesn't impact only adults, there are children under the age of 18 incarcerated in adult facilities and even more in juvenile facilities.
It starts early, with under-resourced schools that outsource discipline to school police officers or where "zero tolerance policies" are used to punish young people for misbehavior.
These punitive approaches are used disproportionately on Black and brown youth and are often the beginning of a school-to-prison pipeline that traps young people in a cycle of punishment and harm. |
Since 2006, Vera has been working in Louisiana to protect youth and ensure our communities have the resources and opportunities needed for everyone to thrive.
We've helped reduce jail populations, fought against the criminalization of mental illness, exposed racial disparities, and advocated for reforms in the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office. In 2021, we expanded our efforts statewide to push for meaningful, lasting change.
Vera is proud to work alongside a coalition of organizations and community leaders dedicated to building a safe, thriving Louisiana. Will you pitch in today to help us continue this vital work? |
Sarah Omojola
Director, Vera Louisiana
Vera Institute of Justice Vera Louisiana is one of Vera's three place-based initiatives, along with Greater Justice New York and Vera California. We leverage our relationships with local government and community to dismantle harmful, punitive systems and instead build institutions that deliver safety and justice. |
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