ABOUT BEYOND BARS

Justice should create pathways forward.

Beyond Bars works to keep young people out of prison by promoting prevention, accountability, and community-based solutions.

We center lived experience in conversations about justice and public safety, challenge harmful narratives that normalize incarceration as the default response, and build pathways for youth, families, and communities to thrive beyond the justice system. Through storytelling, education, and advocacy, we seek to influence culture, policy, and practice.

What guides our work

• Prevention and accountability. Promote approaches that help keep young people out of prison and support community-based solutions.
• Center lived experience. The knowledge of people affected by youth violence and the justice system belongs in conversations about justice and public safety.
• Accessible information. Storytelling, education, policy research, and data visualization can help make complex issues more understandable.
• Systemic change. Work to influence culture, policy, and practice while building pathways for youth, families, and communities to thrive.

A global volunteer community

Beyond Bars has volunteers working in more than 10 countries.

Founder

Organizational leadership

Leadership names and roles are displayed as supplied. Add biographies after each individual approves the final public wording.