DC Justice Lab

Our amazing Board of Directors spent #DCNativesDay learning from the best experts in fundraising, development, and strategic planning. The best is yet to come!

DC has one of the most convoluted and restricted record sealing systems in the country. The Second Chance Amendment Act changes that by expanding access to record sealing and offering a real shot at employment, education, and stability. Want to learn if you're eligible to seal your record? Visit DCexpungement.com

Real change starts with evidence. By using data-driven, evidence-based approaches, we can reshape policing, prosecution, and punishment to address the root causes of crime—making our communities safer without relying on harmful practices.

The people of DC deserve a genuine say in how our city is governed. Home Rule is about protecting our autonomy and empowering those most impacted by local policies to decide what works best for us. Let’s champion a future that’s truly built by us, for us. Thanks for the breakdown, Darby Hickey.

People think crime in the city is getting out of control—but the numbers tell a different story. When crime feels like it’s rising, politicians often respond with harsher punishments. But research shows that tough-on-crime policies don’t actually make us safer. Longer prison sentences don’t stop crime, and locking up young people before trial increases the chances they’ll drop out of school and reoffend. We need to acknowledge the harm caused by violent crime, support victims, and act urgently to reduce it—but we must do so with facts, not fear. Reacting out of panic often leads to policies that backfire and make our communities less safe.

Welcome home and happy birthday, Robert Barton! We celebrate not only your incredible journey from nearly three decades in prison to the profound freedom you now embrace, but also the warmth and inspiration you bring. Thank you for stopping by the office and sharing your story—a powerful reminder that every moment of freedom is a chance for peace, joy, and change. Here's to many more moments of purpose and hope! Check out Rob’s latest article here: https://lnkd.in/gGwVMB7Y

Our Policy Advocacy Competition was built to amplify the voices of students who are reimagining justice and public safety in DC. We’re grateful to our judges for their time, expertise, and commitment to uplifting the next generation of changemakers. Thank you for engaging with bold ideas, challenging the status quo, and supporting young leaders working to build a future rooted in care, not punishment. Your belief in their vision moves us all closer to a safer, more just city. #GilbertCup?

I’m so excited for the opportunity to return to this amazing competition as a judge! Thank you to Patrice Amandla Sulton for the invitation (: This is such a special opportunity for law students to practice advocacy and think critically about how that advocacy impacts their community in ways that law schools often don’t offer. And it’s a great way to expose students to DC Justice Lab — such an important organization for anyone who cares about the District and the people that comprise it, especially right now.

We celebrate trailblazers breaking barriers in unexpected places—like Commissioner Shameka Hayes, the first woman elected to represent DC Jail residents. From fighting for an end to solitary confinement and better jail conditions to championing civic engagement and reentry support, her leadership is transforming lives behind and beyond the walls. Her work reminds us that justice, dignity, and change must include every voice. https://lnkd.in/gM8J2QpT #WomensHistoryMonth