Want to be a part of making the system more humane, effective and restorative? Email our outreach director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss ways to participate in the movement! Here's a few examples:
1. Join the closed Facebook group "Families and Friends of Vermont Inmates," which creates a safe space for people to connect with others who've experienced incarceration and their loved ones, ask questions, find information, and offer support to one another. If you'd like to join this group, search for "Families and Friends of Vermont Inmates" on Facebook and click the button request to be a member.
2. Take VCJR's Involvement Questionnaire, so we can be in touch with you about opportunitites that fit the individual ways you want to be involved. For example, if you are interested in opportunities to testify at the state house (on future laws) or connect with a journalists (to help raise awareness) we will contact you with those opportunities. Likewise, there are ways to be involved in anonymous way.
3. Share your story. Contribute to the Voices Project.
- Make a two-minute video of yourself talking about your experience with the criminal justice system on your cell phone (tip: hold it horizontally). Consider what was challenging; what would've been helpful; what do people who aren't connected to the criminal justice system need to know?
- Send us a written retelling of your experience via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the postal service (Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform/PO Box 8753/ Burlington, Vt/ 05402). We can help make your story more widely known either anonymously or publically by (for example) including excerpts in an edition of Inside/Out or featuring you as a guest author on our blog.
- Find us on Facebook and message us a picture of yourself and a brief paragraph about your experience.
4. Submit your artwork to the upcoming exhibit at the state house. Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform is working with folks who've experienced incarcertaion to curate an exhibit of artwork by people who are or have been incarcerated. The exhibit will debut in the state house cafeteria during January of 2018, the first month of the upcoming legislative session!
