Recent Updates
What’s Happening with Justice Reform
We keep you abreast of both improvements and challenges to efforts to reform the criminal justice system.
Profile on Past Interns: Jaylen Dillard
During my internship with Helping Ourselves To Transform (HOTT) organization, I’ve gained insight into how organizations evaluate their strengths and challenges, use data and feedback…
Profile on Past Interns: Adeysha Crowder
Through my internship with Helping Ourselves Transform (HOTT), I have gained valuable exposure to community advocacy, youth empowerment initiatives, and the inner workings of nonprofit…
Profile on Past Interns: Jaida Mosley
During my internship, I learned the importance of communication and teamwork when working toward a shared goal.
Profile on Past Interns: Herman Williams IV
Through interning with HOTT, I learned how communities advocate for change, increase policy awareness, and promote social justice concepts.
Profile on Past Interns: Leslie Dunn
At Helping Ourselves to Transform, I’ve learned the value of advocacy and the importance of persistence.
Profile on Past Interns: Nailah Killingsworth
Interning at Helping Ourselves To Transform has allowed me to reach a deeper understanding of mass incarceration and the advocacy and legislative efforts working to…
Profile on Past Interns: Ana Ramirez
Through my internship with Helping Ourselves to Transform (HOTT), I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how advocacy, policy work, and community programs come together to…
Profile on Past Interns: Gerald Hatchett III
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…
Profile on Past Interns: Jala Harris
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 Impact Report
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…
Courtwatch PG Intern Report
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.…
Profile on Past Interns: Austin Steel
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…
Mass Incarceration and the Family Tax
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…
How Court Fines and Fees Destabilize Government Budgets and Criminalize Those Who Cannot Pay
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…
Advocates, lawmakers appalled by health, safety issues in juvenile services agency report
Ombudsman’s report finds youth subjected to pests, unsanitary food practices and unsafe living conditions at Department of Juvenile Services facilities
HOTT 2025 Impact Report
View the 2025 Impact Report on State and Federal Tax Challenges for Justice-Involved Individuals
HOTT at Maryland State House for signing of SB0295 Bill
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…
Fiona Apple’s New Protest Song is a Haunting Call for Pretrial Justice
Fiona Apple has returned – not just with new music, but with a rallying cry for pretrial reform. Her first original song in five years,…
