Empathy Network
The most powerful voices in the fight for criminal justice reform are those most impacted by the system.
The Empathy Network is America’s largest community of formerly incarcerated activists, families, and allies. With more than 5,000 Empathy Network members across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., we help local leaders advocate for criminal justice reform in state and federal government.
We provide our leaders with several tools and resources including an online networking community and virtual and in-person workshops. Member perks also include free access to online therapy and education.
Ready to join us? Get involved in our national and local campaigns, and our training programs - including our summer-long advocacy cohort and young adult cohort.
The Dream Justice Cohort is one of the country's leading training programs for system-impacted leaders. It provides them with the skills they need to transform the criminal justice system – from organizing, advocacy, and media skills.
100% of our cohort members have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system: 80% have personally experienced incarceration and 20% have a loved one who has been incarcerated.
Our annual Day of Empathy is the nation’s largest distributed day of action for criminal justice reform led by local Empathy Network leaders advocating for policies to solve the most pressing justice-related issues in their community. Over 25 leaders lead an event in 17 different states. This year 75% of leaders were alumni from our Dream Justice Cohort.
We bring together people from all walks of life who have been negatively impacted by America’s criminal justice system – including survivors of crime, currently incarcerated individuals, loved ones on the outside and community members impacted by crime and public safety issues.
Since 2021, we have recruited Empathy Network members into our Dream Justice Cohort program.
We have empowered more than 90 directly impacted leaders to become leaders through our Cohorts. The program is designed to build sustained power at the local and state level that lasts well past the cohort training period.
15 cohort alumni have gone on to lead state campaigns, passing legislation in 5 states. We have seen huge accomplishments in dismantling the harsh, inhumane, and unjust policies and practices in the criminal justice system, with legislation and reform efforts spearheaded by our cohort alumni.
