Prison Reform

During spring break of the 23-23 school year, ABP conducted a service-learning trip to Washington, D.C. to focus on prison and justice system reform. Trip participants collaborated with the nonprofit National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens, preparing clients for a funding hearing, creating how-to guides for returning citizens, reconnecting clients with their ancestors, and more!

Below is the slideshow presented at the trip informational associated with the trip:

Nonprofits for Criminal Justice Reform

New Leaf New Life

About: New Leaf New Life provides resources to justice-involved individuals, both current and former incarcerated, in Bloomington. A majority of those in the Monroe County Jail benefit from the organization's services.

Website: https://newleafnewlife.org/

Donation Link:

How To Get Involved: Volunteer opportunities include fulfilling jail letter requests, creating lesson plans, facilitating re-entry workshops, and more. Learn more and get involved.

Care Not Cages Bloomington

About: Care Not Cages works to prevent the construction of a new jail in Bloomington and promotes support for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Website: https://www.carenotcages-monroecounty.org/

Donation Link: Inquire about financial support through email: carenotcages.monroecounty@gmail.com

How To Get Involved: Attend weekly meetings and events. Learn more and stay updated through their Instagram page.

Indiana Department Of Corrections (IDOC) Watch

About: IDOC Watch holds the IDOC accountable, runs reentry programs, and connects incarcerated individuals to legal aid.

Website: https://www.idocwatch.org/

Donation Link:

How To Get Involved: Join the IDOC Watch Solidarity Network via email: idocwatchindy@gmail.com. Stay updated through IDOC Watch Bloomington page and Instagram.

If you are a local nonprofit interested in being featured here, fill out this form.

I think all of us already had that basic foundation and open mind set needed to understand just how corrupt the jailing system is. I liked going in blind (other than basic facts), because hearing returning citizens’’ stories just made these key facts and information so much more valuable to me.
— Caedyn Weaver, Site Leader on the Prison Reform trip to Washington, DC (2022-2023)
I definitely know so much more about the justice system and how reentry works. I also have much more empathy for people who go through the system because I see how inherently flawed the justice system is.
— Avantika Vedam, Participant on the Prison Reform trip to Washington, DC (2022-2023)