2X match: Help restore dignity in our justice systems

Every dollar you give will go twice as far

Dear Pamela, A prison sentence in the United States often means more than a loss of liberty. Incarcerated people can face brutal living conditions in an environment that is cold, isolating, and dehumanizing. Solitary confinement, minimal fresh air, limited access to family visits and education all erode a person's sense of self and make it harder for staff and incarcerated people alike to feel safe. It doesn't have to be this way. For Vera's Restoring Promise initiative, our goal is clear: to drive meaningful change by centering human dignity in every aspect of prison culture and spaces. Vera partners with corrections leaders and incarcerated people to reimagine prison housing units for young adults and realign corrections policies and practices with a commitment to human dignity.  Pamela, you can be part of this life-changing work by making a matched gift before December 31. Help restore dignity in our justice system. What does it look like to center human dignity in a prison setting? Through the Restoring Promise approach, housing units for young adults are designed to focus on replacing punitive sanctions with restorative practices, trust building, and cultural healing. This includes  regular family visits with extended time beyond regular visitation hours, allowing for time to connect and maintain relationships; extended out-of-cell time with consistent access to outdoor space; community spaces for recreation and connection; mentors who live in the unit and support young adults through daily check-ins, coaching, and conflict resolution; celebrations of accomplishments and important milestones in the young person's life; and restorative practice responses to most infractions that focus on accountability rather than harsh punishments such as solitary confinement. Research shows that the Restoring Promise approach makes prisons safer and transformation possible—that prisons can change when dignity is placed at the center.1 But this kind of change can't happen without you. Your support powers the research, training, and partnerships that fuel initiatives like Restoring Promise. And right now, your gift will go twice as far. Together, we can create communities inside prisons where safety, humanity, and accountability thrive. In solidarity,  Vera Institute of Justice Gifts made by midnight on December 31 will be matched 2X up to $50,000.   1 https://www.vera.org/publications/restoring-promise-a-randomized-control-trial-examining-the-impact-of-an-innovative-young-adult-housing-on-reducing-violence © 2025 Vera Institute of Justice. All Rights Reserved.   Vera Institute of Justice 34 35th Street | Suite 4-2A | Brooklyn, NY 11232 (212) 334-1300   Privacy Statement | unsubscribe