Our Vision
Alabamians for Fair Justice advocates to end over-criminalization, over-incarceration, and racial disparities in the justice system. In our vision, all Alabamians live in safe, thriving communities where incarceration is rare and communities across the state have the resources to address the needs of at-risk and formerly-incarcerated people.
To achieve this vision, Alabamians for Fair Justice is dedicated to re-shaping public opinion, organizing stakeholders for action, and changing laws. We advocate for the shifting of priorities away from reliance on punishments that are costly, harmful, and ineffective and towards restorative justice, rehabilitative programming and accountability.
Reorienting the state’s criminal justice system will require Alabama policymakers to adopt solutions within the following framework:
Punishment must be proportionate to crime, fairly balance public safety risks, and applied equitably along economic, geographic, and racial demographics.
Drug addiction and serious mental illnesses must be recognized as public health concerns with needs that should be addressed outside of the justice system.
State and local governments must invest in community supervision and diversion programs that do not restrict access based on ability to pay.
Returning citizens must be seen with dignity and provided opportunities to succeed through well-resourced reentry programs that provide the economic, emotional, and rehabilitative support necessary following incarceration in Alabama’s chaotic prisons.
