As a member of the Research and Survey Team at Helping Ourselves to Transform, I gained firsthand insight into the inner workings of policy development and legislative research.
During my time at Helping Ourselves to Transform, I learned the importance of using lived experience and trauma-informed approaches to support vulnerable communities.
The PATH Act: Providing Alternatives Through Healing for Justice-Involved Individuals is a legislative proposal by HOTT that creates trauma-informed alternatives to incarceration for women whose offenses are directly linked to abuse, coercion, and/or trauma.
Over the past 11 weeks, we have had the opportunity to observe bond hearings at Prince George’s County Circuit Court as interns at Courtwatch PG. Courtwatch PG is a part of Life After Release, an organization based in Prince George’s County that aims to support individuals recently released from incarceration.
My time interning at Helping Ourselves to Transform has been eye-opening and insightful as I worked to help address issues facing incarcerated people and returning citizens.
It is well established that the United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world and the criminal justice system is a defining and damaging feature in the lives of far too many American families.
For decades, state and local jurisdictions have increasingly used people in the justice system as a way of making money and filling dwindling public coffers by imposing fines and fees in virtually every aspect of the court system.
Ombudsman’s report finds youth subjected to pests, unsanitary food practices and unsafe living conditions at Department of Juvenile Services facilities
We’re proud to share that our nonprofit, Helping Ourselves to Transform, led by Dr. Carmen Johnson, has successfully seen a bill we championed signed into law!