By Zoe Rivka Panagopoulos, #cut50’s Digital Manager Since the First Step Act became law, thousands of people have returned to society after serving time in federal prison. But returnees face major challenges — including proving their identity. People lose a lot while in prison (perhaps the grossest understatement I’ve ever…

My name is Gale Muhammad and I’m fighting for families that are impacted by mass incarceration because I lost precious time with my husband while he was serving a prison sentence. Primary caretakers are often an afterthought in the criminal justice system, yet families are deeply impacted by incarceration while…

This past week, the House Judiciary Committee convened for a hearing on the implementation of the First Step Act (FSA), historic criminal justice legislation responsible for bringing home ~7,000 community members from prison so far this year. Since the passage of the First Step Act almost one year ago, thousands…

For the 49th year, the Congressional Black Caucus convened with allies from across the nation for their Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in Washington D.C. Historically, the conference has served as a forum for dissecting broken systems and looking forward toward solutions. But this year was different. In rooms filled with…

A bill that just cleared the California State Assembly would create a new diversion court system that prevents eligible parents and primary caregivers from being incarcerated and having the lifelong stigma of a criminal conviction. Authored by Dem. Senator Nancy Skinner of Berkeley, SB 394 would set a model for…

At #cut50, we fight to ensure that people who are most affected by the justice system can leverage their voices and expertise to develop policy solutions that will impact their lives, families, and communities. That’s why we are thrilled to welcome back a former team member who is now stepping…

Today, more than 2,200 incarcerated men and women are being released from federal prison under the First Step Act! When you’re incarcerated, even one extra day of freedom can be life-changing– especially if that day means getting to see your child walk down the aisle, witnessing the birth of a…

My name is Tray Johns and I fight for incarcerated women because I am a formerly incarcerated person myself. While I was incarcerated, I was treated as less than human and as a second class citizen. I served 8 years, 7 months and 19 days in federal prison for possession…

My name is Ashleigh Carter. I go by many titles and wear many hats, but none are quite as important to me as ‘Mother’. …