Spotlight: The Anti-Recidivism Coalition
I’m unsure where to begin about this organization. I’ve mentioned it several times throughout this blog and on my Instagram, because being in proximity to their work has profoundly changed my life.
During my time at Lowercase Capital (a Venture and Impact investment firm run by Crystal and Chris Sacca), we would work directly with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition as a part of our criminal justice form initiative work. Specifically, we would arrange “prison visits” to harness the power of the firm’s community around the importance of justice reform. During these visits, we would have a first hand look at the impact that ARC has.
My experience with their executive director, Sam Lewis, and meeting and spending time with the boys, girls, and men inside, shifted my perspective on work and life. It’s because of these experiences that I believe we need to balance our work with our values and the impact that we have.
Research shows that an estimated 68% of released prisoners are arrested within 3 years, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years. This affects both the poor economics of the criminal justice system and, more importantly, damages communities and fractures families.
ARC believes that criminal justice reform begins with currently and formerly incarcerated people being treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.⠀
Their work begins within the walls of the facilities with rehabilitative programming, youth offender parole workshops, and peer mentorship programming. In each institution, ARC offers workshops and conduct weekly mentoring—encouraging better decision making, building positive relationships, and shifting the internal culture. When it’s time to transition back into the outside world, ARC offers reentry support.
ARC also offers formerly and currently incarcerated people and their families opportunities to advocate for policy change. The ARC Public Policy department, in particular, plays a significant role in mobilizing system-impacted people and their families to become leaders in our community through policy training, community organizing, and direct policy advocacy.
If there’s anywhere to begin your exploration into criminal justice reform and how to get involved, this is the place to start. Please visit their website.