Criminal Legal System
Impact for Equity envisions Illinois as a state where fewer people have contacts with the criminal legal system, and if an interaction occurs, those involved encounter a just, accountable system that treats all people impacted by it equitably, with respect for their human rights and dignity. To achieve this vision, Impact for Equity’s Reimagining the Criminal Legal System team advocates for policies and practices that create and protect alternatives, promote justice and accountability, and seek equitable outcomes for those impacted by the criminal legal system in Illinois.
Our work focuses on advancing “no entry” into the criminal legal system, decarcerating jails and prisons, and transforming incarceration. We develop research, legal approaches, and policy analysis that amplifies the perspectives and experiences of impacted individuals and communities and work strategically to build consensus and coalitions that center and support the power of affected communities to advance campaigns.
Over the years, Impact for Equity has focused on juvenile justice, community supervision, and reentry. Impact for Equity helped create a detailed operating plan for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, worked to expand community supervision through Adult Redeploy Illinois, and advocated for increased access to reentry housing and reentry supports.
We advocate for increased affordable housing options that center the needs of those rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Impact for Equity has released two reports (accessible below) with policy solutions to overcome systemic barriers and expand access to reentry housing.