Vera Institute of Justice
@vera.org
We’re fighting to secure equal justice for all, end mass incarceration, and strengthen families + communities
Together, we made real progress this year in the fight for a safer, more just future, but there is so much work ahead.
Can we count on you to make a 2X matched gift to fuel our work in 2026? http://bit.ly/4pUP2LR
Can we count on you to make a 2X matched gift to fuel our work in 2026? http://bit.ly/4pUP2LR
December 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Together, we made real progress this year in the fight for a safer, more just future, but there is so much work ahead.
Can we count on you to make a 2X matched gift to fuel our work in 2026? http://bit.ly/4pUP2LR
Can we count on you to make a 2X matched gift to fuel our work in 2026? http://bit.ly/4pUP2LR
The harsh conditions within jails and prisons do not create safe outcomes for our communities. Diversion programs instead center people’s needs with the goals of reducing incarceration rates, protecting public safety, and promoting healthy communities.
December 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The harsh conditions within jails and prisons do not create safe outcomes for our communities. Diversion programs instead center people’s needs with the goals of reducing incarceration rates, protecting public safety, and promoting healthy communities.
More people are in immigration detention than ever before. ICE has moved thousands of people—families, immigrants with legal status, and even children—through its multi-billion-dollar detention network.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The Complex Deportation Network Behind Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
An analysis of data on every ICE arrest, detention stay and deportation reveals the complexity and reach of President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:18 PM
More people are in immigration detention than ever before. ICE has moved thousands of people—families, immigrants with legal status, and even children—through its multi-billion-dollar detention network.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
In July, the Trump administration moved to block judges from granting bond to detained immigrants. Since then, judges have called the policy unconstitutional, and immigration attorneys have secured bond hearings or releases for their clients.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Migrants blocked from bond hearings are fighting back, and winning
DHS issued a policy blocking migrants from having bond hearings. But immigration attorneys are starting to win cases in which judges call the detentions illegal.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:56 PM
In July, the Trump administration moved to block judges from granting bond to detained immigrants. Since then, judges have called the policy unconstitutional, and immigration attorneys have secured bond hearings or releases for their clients.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
As people across the country gather with loved ones this holiday season, the nearly 2 million people behind bars spend this time of year isolated from family, left to piece together traditions within the confines of prison.
December 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
As people across the country gather with loved ones this holiday season, the nearly 2 million people behind bars spend this time of year isolated from family, left to piece together traditions within the confines of prison.
Day 12 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Stay in the know.
Separating families, cutting critical programs, and deploying cruel immigration enforcement tactics—these are just a few of the Trump administration’s attacks on our most vulnerable communities and on the nation’s core democratic values.
Separating families, cutting critical programs, and deploying cruel immigration enforcement tactics—these are just a few of the Trump administration’s attacks on our most vulnerable communities and on the nation’s core democratic values.
December 23, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Day 12 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Stay in the know.
Separating families, cutting critical programs, and deploying cruel immigration enforcement tactics—these are just a few of the Trump administration’s attacks on our most vulnerable communities and on the nation’s core democratic values.
Separating families, cutting critical programs, and deploying cruel immigration enforcement tactics—these are just a few of the Trump administration’s attacks on our most vulnerable communities and on the nation’s core democratic values.
Day 11 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Donate to support Vera’s crucial work.
We need you in the fight to end mass incarceration and transform the criminal justice and immigration systems. Donate now to protect families, strengthen communities, and hold systems accountable: secure.vera.org/a/donate
We need you in the fight to end mass incarceration and transform the criminal justice and immigration systems. Donate now to protect families, strengthen communities, and hold systems accountable: secure.vera.org/a/donate
December 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Day 11 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Donate to support Vera’s crucial work.
We need you in the fight to end mass incarceration and transform the criminal justice and immigration systems. Donate now to protect families, strengthen communities, and hold systems accountable: secure.vera.org/a/donate
We need you in the fight to end mass incarceration and transform the criminal justice and immigration systems. Donate now to protect families, strengthen communities, and hold systems accountable: secure.vera.org/a/donate
In September, ICE raids in Chicago resulted in thousands of arrests. A new analysis from @TheMarshallProject reveals that people were sent to jails and detention centers across 13 states—underscoring tightly the carceral and immigration systems are linked.
ICE Data Reveals What Happened to 1,600 People Arrested During Chicago’s Blitz
Most of those arrested were swiftly shuttled to a sprawling array of detention centers in 13 states, many with reports of troubling conditions.
www.themarshallproject.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
In September, ICE raids in Chicago resulted in thousands of arrests. A new analysis from @TheMarshallProject reveals that people were sent to jails and detention centers across 13 states—underscoring tightly the carceral and immigration systems are linked.
“The federal government exists…to invest in programs, services and solutions that actually work to make our lives better, and not to do the exact opposite of what the evidence tells us.” —Vera’s Insha Rahman on the federal cuts to lifesaving antiviolence grants
December 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“The federal government exists…to invest in programs, services and solutions that actually work to make our lives better, and not to do the exact opposite of what the evidence tells us.” —Vera’s Insha Rahman on the federal cuts to lifesaving antiviolence grants
Day 10 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Join efforts in your communities!
Local grassroots organizations are fighting jail expansions, pushing decarceration efforts, and helping people who are harmed by the criminal justice and immigration systems.
Local grassroots organizations are fighting jail expansions, pushing decarceration efforts, and helping people who are harmed by the criminal justice and immigration systems.
December 21, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Day 10 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Join efforts in your communities!
Local grassroots organizations are fighting jail expansions, pushing decarceration efforts, and helping people who are harmed by the criminal justice and immigration systems.
Local grassroots organizations are fighting jail expansions, pushing decarceration efforts, and helping people who are harmed by the criminal justice and immigration systems.
Day 9 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Explore resources on the criminal legal and immigration systems.
Looking for new reads, watches, and listens for the commute to work or long journey home? We’ve got you covered.
Looking for new reads, watches, and listens for the commute to work or long journey home? We’ve got you covered.
December 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Day 9 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Explore resources on the criminal legal and immigration systems.
Looking for new reads, watches, and listens for the commute to work or long journey home? We’ve got you covered.
Looking for new reads, watches, and listens for the commute to work or long journey home? We’ve got you covered.
#BREAKING: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Prison Reform Omnibus Bill. The Vera Institute of Justice applauds this crucial step toward protecting people in state custody and ensuring their families and communities receive answers when harm occurs.
December 19, 2025 at 10:44 PM
#BREAKING: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Prison Reform Omnibus Bill. The Vera Institute of Justice applauds this crucial step toward protecting people in state custody and ensuring their families and communities receive answers when harm occurs.
Parole systems are far from perfect. In some states, eight in ten applicants can expect to be denied parole and may wait up to 15 years before their next hearing.
But parole systems can improve, here’s how:
But parole systems can improve, here’s how:
Parole 101: People in Prison Deserve Second Chances
We need to expand parole. Many states are doing the opposite.
www.vera.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Parole systems are far from perfect. In some states, eight in ten applicants can expect to be denied parole and may wait up to 15 years before their next hearing.
But parole systems can improve, here’s how:
But parole systems can improve, here’s how:
Day 8 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Become a pen pal with @blackandpinkorg.bsky.social
Become a pen pal this holiday season: blackandpinkpenpals.org?gad_source=1...
Become a pen pal this holiday season: blackandpinkpenpals.org?gad_source=1...
December 19, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Day 8 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Become a pen pal with @blackandpinkorg.bsky.social
Become a pen pal this holiday season: blackandpinkpenpals.org?gad_source=1...
Become a pen pal this holiday season: blackandpinkpenpals.org?gad_source=1...
Per the U.S. Constitution and longstanding court rulings, law enforcement must have judicial warrants when entering private areas. ICE did precisely the opposite five times this year, entering #NYC’s shelters armed and without presenting a warrant.
gothamist.com/news/ice-ent...
gothamist.com/news/ice-ent...
ICE enters NYC shelters armed and without judicial warrants, reports show
Here's how 'incident reports' detail interactions between federal immigration enforcement officers and staff at city shelters for immigrants.
gothamist.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Per the U.S. Constitution and longstanding court rulings, law enforcement must have judicial warrants when entering private areas. ICE did precisely the opposite five times this year, entering #NYC’s shelters armed and without presenting a warrant.
gothamist.com/news/ice-ent...
gothamist.com/news/ice-ent...
We accompanied the Denver Broncos to the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in #Colorado to see the transformational work happening at ChangeMaker Village, a young-adult housing unit committed to practices guided by human dignity.
‘This was an eye-opening experience’: Broncos receive firsthand look at incarceration alternative
The Broncos toured CDOC’s Restoring Promise unit, a partnership with the Vera Institute of Justice, to see the difference the initiative can make in the lives of young, incarcerated people.
www.denverbroncos.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
We accompanied the Denver Broncos to the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in #Colorado to see the transformational work happening at ChangeMaker Village, a young-adult housing unit committed to practices guided by human dignity.
During a time meant for celebration, the nearly 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. endure loneliness and separation from loved ones.
Incarcerated writer Demetrius Buckley reflects on 16 holiday seasons behind bars and how moments of joy are still cultivated, even in the darkest of places.
Incarcerated writer Demetrius Buckley reflects on 16 holiday seasons behind bars and how moments of joy are still cultivated, even in the darkest of places.
Holiday Funk: What Christmas is Like in Prison
Facing my 17th holiday behind bars, here’s how I connect and seek joy.
www.vera.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
During a time meant for celebration, the nearly 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. endure loneliness and separation from loved ones.
Incarcerated writer Demetrius Buckley reflects on 16 holiday seasons behind bars and how moments of joy are still cultivated, even in the darkest of places.
Incarcerated writer Demetrius Buckley reflects on 16 holiday seasons behind bars and how moments of joy are still cultivated, even in the darkest of places.
The Trump administration claims that ICE’s community-shattering raids are needed to arrest those who have committed crimes. But the facts show that fewer than 30% of immigrants arrested during these aggressive operations had any criminal conviction. @nytimes.com
Most Immigrants Arrested in City Crackdowns Have No Criminal Record
In high-profile operations, more than half of those arrested had no criminal record, an analysis shows.
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The Trump administration claims that ICE’s community-shattering raids are needed to arrest those who have committed crimes. But the facts show that fewer than 30% of immigrants arrested during these aggressive operations had any criminal conviction. @nytimes.com
Four more people died earlier this month in the custody of LA County jails, bringing this year’s death toll to 45.
2025 is on track to become the second deadliest year on record for LA jails.
How many more people have to lose their lives before the LA Board of Supervisors takes concrete action?
2025 is on track to become the second deadliest year on record for LA jails.
How many more people have to lose their lives before the LA Board of Supervisors takes concrete action?
December 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Four more people died earlier this month in the custody of LA County jails, bringing this year’s death toll to 45.
2025 is on track to become the second deadliest year on record for LA jails.
How many more people have to lose their lives before the LA Board of Supervisors takes concrete action?
2025 is on track to become the second deadliest year on record for LA jails.
How many more people have to lose their lives before the LA Board of Supervisors takes concrete action?
In addition to using private and federal detention facilities, ICE pays local governments to use jails to hold people who are facing civil immigration charges. This practice is so widespread that local jails comprise the most common type of ICE detention facility. #ImmigrantRights
December 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
In addition to using private and federal detention facilities, ICE pays local governments to use jails to hold people who are facing civil immigration charges. This practice is so widespread that local jails comprise the most common type of ICE detention facility. #ImmigrantRights
“We urge our colleagues to join us in affirming a simple principle: no one should have to face life-altering proceedings in immigration court alone.”
Thank you @normajtorres.bsky.social, @catalinacruzny.bsky.social, and @asmmiabonta.bsky.social for your commitment to fairness and due process.
Thank you @normajtorres.bsky.social, @catalinacruzny.bsky.social, and @asmmiabonta.bsky.social for your commitment to fairness and due process.
Opinion | After mass violence, what does courage actually look like?
Readers respond to Post articles and commentary.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM
“We urge our colleagues to join us in affirming a simple principle: no one should have to face life-altering proceedings in immigration court alone.”
Thank you @normajtorres.bsky.social, @catalinacruzny.bsky.social, and @asmmiabonta.bsky.social for your commitment to fairness and due process.
Thank you @normajtorres.bsky.social, @catalinacruzny.bsky.social, and @asmmiabonta.bsky.social for your commitment to fairness and due process.
Day 7 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Thank a legal service provider. ❤️
Send a message of gratitude to the legal service providers fighting for justice: secure.vera.org/a/immigrants...
Send a message of gratitude to the legal service providers fighting for justice: secure.vera.org/a/immigrants...
December 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Day 7 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Thank a legal service provider. ❤️
Send a message of gratitude to the legal service providers fighting for justice: secure.vera.org/a/immigrants...
Send a message of gratitude to the legal service providers fighting for justice: secure.vera.org/a/immigrants...
Legal representation is the difference between remaining at home & being disappeared. As the Trump administration continues to devastate immigrant communities, elected officials must make due process & family unity a priority:
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
@npnewamericans.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
@npnewamericans.bsky.social
Opinion | After mass violence, what does courage actually look like?
Readers respond to Post articles and commentary.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Legal representation is the difference between remaining at home & being disappeared. As the Trump administration continues to devastate immigrant communities, elected officials must make due process & family unity a priority:
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
@npnewamericans.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
@npnewamericans.bsky.social
Day 6 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Make the fight for justice look good.
Looking to show your commitment to fighting for human dignity and ending mass incarceration all holiday season? Wear your values and make a statement: Explore the newest collection from the Vera Shop ⬇️
shop.vera.org
Looking to show your commitment to fighting for human dignity and ending mass incarceration all holiday season? Wear your values and make a statement: Explore the newest collection from the Vera Shop ⬇️
shop.vera.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Day 6 of Vera’s 12 Days of Action: Make the fight for justice look good.
Looking to show your commitment to fighting for human dignity and ending mass incarceration all holiday season? Wear your values and make a statement: Explore the newest collection from the Vera Shop ⬇️
shop.vera.org
Looking to show your commitment to fighting for human dignity and ending mass incarceration all holiday season? Wear your values and make a statement: Explore the newest collection from the Vera Shop ⬇️
shop.vera.org
North Carolina’s prison system recently increased the markup on canteen items like food and drinks to 25%.
Prices keep going up, while wages stay the same—putting essentials out of reach for too many.
Prices keep going up, while wages stay the same—putting essentials out of reach for too many.
North Carolina Prison Officials Raise Prices for Those Who Can Least Afford It - Bolts
It’s 4:30 pm on a Monday as Colell Steele stands in front of the closed canteen window at Neuse Correctional, a medium-custody prison in North Carolina. He’s lined up to... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
North Carolina’s prison system recently increased the markup on canteen items like food and drinks to 25%.
Prices keep going up, while wages stay the same—putting essentials out of reach for too many.
Prices keep going up, while wages stay the same—putting essentials out of reach for too many.