Reentry

A Model for Decarceration That Works

Of the 140 formerly incarcerated people who’ve had full-time jobs at Planting Justice, only two have gone back to jail– 57 less than you would expect with the California statewide average of 39.2% (as of 2020). One day at a time, we are showing that people who are incarcerated can successfully come home, heal, and stay with their families and communities. By partnering with other organizations and connecting people to resources and support, Planting Justice is working to end the cycles of incarceration that continue to impact primarily people of color, causing multigenerational poverty and suffering. We work to create opportunities for dignified, living-wage work, rooted in connection with the land, and wellness support through long-term partnerships.

Leadership Development

Our staff are supported in their personal growth and have opportunities to become leaders in the organization. We see the value in each person and their ability to transform their experiences into gifts to offer the organization and others we are supporting in the community. We’ve seen people who’ve survived decades of incarceration step into classrooms, lead youth programs, and build entire programs from the ground up. Currently, we are working to expand and refine our reentry program, by systematizing these internal pathways and programs while also collaborating with other mission-aligned orgs, to meaningfully and sustainably build not just staff leaders, but movement leaders.

Are you doing similar work in the Bay Area? We'd love to partner with you!