Too many people in the U.S. are detained pretrial simply because they cannot afford to pay for bail.
New Vera research draws on months of court observation data in Montgomery County, PA to see how pretrial release and bail decisions unfold in practice. www.vera.org/publications...
As Deputy Mayor of the newly created Office of Community Safety, Renita Francois plans on prioritizing coordination across other city departments and stakeholders to advance evidence–based solutions that prevent violence, support crime victims, and strengthen community health.
“The point is to keep it going, not to wait around for something to happen and then react. One young person losing their life is too many.”—New York City Deputy Mayor, Renita Francois
www.themarshallproject.org/2026/04/04/n...
Children's letters destroyed. Art supplies confiscated. Families punished for protesting and speaking to the press.
As scrutiny over ICE's Dilley family detention center's poor conditions grows, so do fears of retaliation against those who speak out.
As AI use spreads, policymakers must ensure these tools are transparent, accountable, and used only in ways that reduce harm. www.vera.org/news/ai-use-...
A Tennessee grandmother spent five months in jail after an AI facial recognition tool linked her to crimes committed in a state she had never visited.
When AI is used irresponsibly in the criminal justice system, innocent people pay the price.
To keep progress from being undone, cities and states must make a whole-of-government approach to public safety and build public safety anchor institutions that ensure safety is rooted in community well-being and proactive rather than reactive. www.vera.org/publications...
That is exactly what the Office of Gun Violence Prevention did. But the Trump administration eliminated the office and gutted investments in community violence intervention, youth mental health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs.
Government leaders should coordinate across agencies, ensure safety is accountable, and view safety as a shared responsibility.
His story underscores an urgent need in #NewYork: safety and justice for everyone. That starts with sending the right first responder to crises and ensuring people receive care and support instead of arrest.
Last month marked six years since Daniel Prude’s death. Police responding to a mental health call restrained Prude, leading to his suffocation.
amsterdamnews.com/news/2026/03...
In a powerful essay published by @vera.org, Demetrius Buckley recounts his experience with incarceration, chronicling how the system exploits struggling families and reinforces poverty.
Vera’s new Incarceration and Inequality Project Data Explorer sheds light on the connections between incarceration and economic indicators—both nationally and at the county level.
Explore the tool: www.vera.org/incarceratio...
The U.S. punishes people for being poor and then continues to exploit incarcerated people and their families behind bars through forced labor and exorbitant prices.
Demetrius Buckley shares his experience at the intersection of incarceration and poverty: www.vera.org/news/paying-...
“In the criminal justice field, unchecked AI can destroy people’s lives.” —Vera's Karen Tan
As the use of AI spreads, safeguards are critical to prevent harm to innocent people and ensure that technology serves the public good rather than undermining it.
‼️ Today is the last day to vote of Shorty Awards voting!
Support our work that turned facts, stories, and solutions into action for immigrant families by casting your vote before the deadline: https://shortyawards.com/18th/vera-defend-due-process
Tell Gov. Hochul to fund immigrant legal services NOW: secure.vera.org/a/adv-pd-fy2...
#NewYork #ImmigrantRights
"Children belong in schools and on playgrounds, not in detention centers.”
From Pedro Pascal to Madonna, celebrities are calling for the closure of ICE's notorious family detention center in Dilley, Texas. variety.com/2026/film/news/madonna-p...
Want to learn more about incarceration and inequality in your community?
Explore the tool: www.vera.org/incarceratio...
Mass incarceration isn’t just a justice issue—it’s an economic one.
Vera’s new data tool explores the intersections between incarceration and economic mobility. Here’s what we found. ⬇️
Nearly 2 million people are behind bars in the United States on any given day.
Our overreliance on incarceration undercuts economic mobility and traps too many families and children in poverty, without making communities safer.
Mass incarceration isn’t just a justice issue—it’s an economic one.
Vera's new tool maps the complex geography of incarceration and economic conditions across the U.S., providing critical data for community members and policymakers advocating for change. www.vera.org/incarceratio...
Vera’s work to defend immigrant communities drove real change. Help us turn this impact into recognition. Vote before tomorrow’s deadline: shortyawards.com/18th/vera-de...
➡️ 1,372,357 people reached
➡️More than 627,000 impressions, 98,000 video views, and 44,000 likes
➡️ Over 11,000 messages to elected officials and 22,000 digital actions in support of a fairer immigration system
A proposed bill in #Delaware would limit these unjust practices and protect immigrants’ rights. As ICE continues to harm our communities and inflict cruelty, it is essential that state leaders act decisively to protect due process and keep families together.
No one should fear detention for following the rules and participating in legal proceedings. Yet that is exactly what’s happening as ICE continues to arrest people at courthouses and labor hearings.
www.delawarepublic.org/news/2026-04...
Access to stable and affordable housing does the opposite, substantially increasing the likelihood a person returning home from prison or jail will be able to receive family support, find a job, and avoid additional convictions.
Homelessness and housing instability increase the likelihood of future criminal justice system involvement.
Get the facts and learn more: www.vera.org/investing-in...
